A Thought

For those who may be contemplating joining us for the BOM series thru out 2012 here is a sampler quilt l constructed a couple of years ago There are a few close up shots of two of the individual blocks. The blocks prior to having the boarders added were approx 12" or 30cm in size. In this quilt l utilize sample pieces of furnishing fabric and sheeting fabric for the boarders/shashings. I didnt wash the fabric prior to use so consequently after the first wash the fabric did shrink a small amount thus giving the quilt a very ruffled/rippled appearance which l quiet like. The first block and associated start up information will be published the second week of February so l do hope you will join us each month for a different BOM.

Cheers

Suzanne

 

Today l sat for a few hours and made some fabric cards, see pics in the file section.They were such an easy project to complete and a great way to use up some special scraps of fabric. These scraps of fabric were from fabrics l had bought in London at a Craft expo held at the Alexandra Palace in 2007 and some Laura Ashley piecs l had bought in London. First l ironed my backing fabric onto a very heavy vilene, then arranged my pieces of fabric ontop of the backing fabric. Then over this top layer l placed a piece of netting or sheer chiffon and with a contrasting thread free motioned machined over the piece of work. The next step involved cutting the piece to a postcard size and ironing onto the back a piece of calico. The calico adhered to the backing as l had pre ironed some Vliseofix to it. The hot iron ensured the Calico fabric with the Vliesofix layer would adhere to the back of the postcard.

The final step involves running a close wide satin stitch around the edge of the card.

Now you have a card that can be sent thru the mail or kept as a memento of a special time.

Talking About "Wash Away " Plastic

                                                                             
Heres a project that lve had on the go for awhile, a great way to utilize some of those smaller pieces of vibrant fabrics one doesnt want to throw away . The blue piece, above, is the finished result.
                                                         

                                                                          
The above green piece is a work in progress.


Step 1. Chose a backing fabric, in this case lve chosen calico and stiffen it with a lightweight iron vilene.
Step 2. Collect your fabric pieces, in a particular colour theme. Lots of different textures evident here.
Step 3. Arrange your fabric pieces in a pleasing manner ontop of the backing fabric, within a A4 size.
Step 4. Cover with " Wash Away" Pastic and pin in place.
Step 5. Set your machine for free motion machine embroidery. Embroider your fabric piece, in my pieces l utilized a meandering stitch. A great way to become familiar/pracrice your free motion machine skills.
Step 6. Further embellish with some solid free motion stitch work.
Step 7. Cut your piece of work down to a A4 size
Step 8. Satin stitch around the eges of your project
Congratulations you now have a unique piece of textile work.
Another thought us that you could cut you work down to a postcard size and create your own personalized postcards or Artists Trading Cards.