Hmmm, this hasn't quite turned out how I thought it would

I've been playing around some more with these patchwork pieces, and they don't actually look like this any more. I've been piecing and appliqueing, and unpicking and rearranging. What I've now got is either going to look alright in the end, or its well on its way to being a right dog's dinner! I'll take a decent photo of the current layout tomorrow, in natural sunlight 'cause it'll look even worse if I take a picture now, in artificial light.

Okay, so what've I learnt so far about patchwork using curves?

1 - it's easier to attach one section of fabric to another if your curve is gently sloping and gradual. Too curvy a curve and it's hard to piece them together and get both fabrics to lie flat and not pucker. If you've got a very rounded curve, the best method is to applique that onto a backing fabric. (Does that make sense? Hopefully you get what I mean, but tell me if not.)

2 - When sewing together wedges of fabric to make these curved strips, make the wedges longer than you need and once the strip's assembled you can trim down to size.

3 - Use a small sized stitch on your sewing machine. Keeps your seams nice and secure.

4 - I simply cut out wedged lengths of material, machine sewed them together into strips and trimmed those strips into pleasing shapes with the rotary cutter. But it occurred to me that the resulting strips might be more stable if I'd sewn them onto a backing fabric. Calico maybe, or some plain white cotton from an upcycled sheet or pillowcase. Or even interfacing.

I tried using the interfacing, but that was too stiff, so I reckon calico would be ideal for any future projects.

5 - Once you've trimmed the strip to size, sew a line of running stitch along the top and bottom edges to stop any seams unraveling between the individual wedges.

I've put the crafty stuff aside for now, and might have an evening lolling on the sofa, alternating between reading and watching TV. I'm about three quarters of the way through Emma Stonex's book 'The Lamplighters'. Set in Cornwall in 1972, and about three lighthousekeepers who mysteriously vanish from The Maiden lighthouse, and about the women they leave behind. Effectively widowed, but without a clue what's happened to their menfolk. Am baffled by it, but enjoying the writing.

Not sure if there's anything decent on telly, but there's always something lurking on the iplayer.

Right, I'm off to make a cuppa and hunt down some chocolate.

Comments

Sari scraps, PVA, a couple of books and a necklace

I'm typing this as snow's falling, and has been steadily all day. It's not settling to any great extent, though I bet by tomorrow morning the paths will be slippery with ice. Which always makes me paranoid about falling over and at the very least looking undignified, but at worst breaking a bone or twisting an ankle. Oh well, it's ideal weather to stay inside and craft, isn't it? I finally got around to listing packs of sari scraps on Etsy this morning. I only made up six bundles as I've no clue whether they'll sell or if I've set a reasonable enough price point. Time will tell. This is a link to the listing, if you're interested. This vaguely pink fabric isn't from one of my Etsy packs. It's from a bit of experimenting I was doing yesterday. I'd seen a post on Instagram showing how a DIY version of batik could be done without using hot wax. The Instagrammer used PVA instead, and I wanted to try this out....

In praise of wool

Just a quick post today. I'm offering you a short but peaceful break from the overwhelmingness (is that a word?) of Christmas. By now you've probably eaten your bodyweight in sweets//roast potatoes/pigs in blankets/cake/After Eights ... whatever your festive indulgences are. You're under-exericsed, over-stimulated, feeling broke and possibly guilty about an argument with a relative or friend you've never entirely got on with. So, here's something to take your mind off all that. I've two videos to refresh and revive, and they both concern wool. Interesting fact. Well, I found it interesting. About 1% - yup, one per cent - of the world's textiles are made of wool. Out of curiosity, I also googled how much is made of cotton. That's higher, but it's only about 24% and that's heading downward instead of up. Synthetic fibres are the bulk of all textile manufacture. Anyway, back to woolly wonders. My firs...

HOW TO MAKE: these decorative birds

I suggested yesterday that I'd run through how to make a fabric bird wall or window hanging (can't think of a snappier title for it than that!) so here goes. I'll start with the first decorative hanging I made. It's something you could make in any colour combination you want, and would look good hanging at a window with translucent beads that'd catch the light I used five birds for this, but you could make it longer if you prefer. (Incidentally, if you're wondering about what's hanging off the bottom on this, it's a metal Christmas decoration, shaped like a lantern. For some reason I thought it looked appropriate to leave it there, looped over the end.) WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO GATHER TOGETHER: Assorted scraps of fabric for the front of the birds - aim for a mix of colours and textures. Silk looks good, as does anything with embroidery or intricate patterns. You might aim for a hippy-ish boho look, or maybe you're ...

rubykittyruby

Search This Blog