After a trip out this afternoon, I made another picnic placemat.
This one featuring warm green fabrics.
I was able to get warm green cotton poly fabric at the thrift store so do the back and pocket of this placemat.
This one feels very nice because the backer fabric is heavier.
It has a full layer of flannel as well.
Wavy stitching again to keep the layers together.
A dark green tie at 12 inches for both.
Another set of scraps put to good use.
This time I chose all blue fabric.
I created the navy blue zipper insert/pocket on the right hand side first.
I chose a piece of grey flannel and chose to make the size of the placemat this time. 12.5 x 17.5 inches.
I sewed on the strips of fabric starting from the right hand side close to where the pocket ended. I continued till I got to the left hand side.
I created a tie from the polka dot fabric. The back is a pin striped cotton poly fabric which I cut the size of the front. I pinned the ties opposite the pocket and sewed all the way around leaving a space open to turn it right sides out. I trimmed the fabric in the corners, turned it and pressed it nicely. I put a line of top stitching very close the edge which closed the space I left open earlier.
I chose my wavy decorative stitch to quilt the 2 layers together 3 time across the placemat.
Another done!
I sorted through my scraps this morning and gathered like colors to see if I had enough to make the front of the picnic placemat.
I am trying to keep the pocket on the right hand side distinct from the rest of the placemat. I created the zipper pocket like an insert with the brown fabric.
I then cut a 13x13 inch square of flannel to which I sewed the various strips of fabric.
I chose a beige cotton poly leftover for the back.
I created ties from the same fabric.
I laid these layers facing right sides together and pinned the ties on the opposite side to the pocket. I ran a seam all the way around leaving a space to turn it right side out. I top stitched the wavy line to define the pocket then added 2 more similar seams to quilt the 2 layers together.
I am happy with it.
It's week 18 in the K3N Cloth Tales slow stitch challenge.
The prompt was pocket and visible mending.
Today, we take pockets for granted and in general I need at least one in every garment. Such, was not the case for women in the 1600-1700s. Was it because they were considered to own little so they did not have to carry anything?I would think at least a hanky.
This is why tie on pockets were created to wear under your dress. It was accessed through a slit in the skirt. These were precious. I chose blue fabric for my Mom and added a piece of Dad's blue plaid shirt. The bit of yellow is the nod to visible stitching. The tiny heart is for my Mom. Kathryn did an eyelet so I did one to try it out. The pin is there to hold my 3 things to the right in my pocket. I created little tags from fabric and permanent markers. A fishing rod for my Dad, a seed packet for my Mom because she would be all in by now and the 50th is to remember my 50th high school graduation this year with white and green - our school colors..
I started working out my process for making picnic placements with a zipper pocket to hold a napkin and the cutlery.
I cut the fabric 12 x 18 inches for both the yellow front fabric and the grey back fabric.
I created the pocket like my zipper inserts with the addition of tabs at each end of the zipper so there is no holes for things to fall out. I inserted the pocket between the 2 layers with rights sides together. I made some white ties which I placed at the opposite end of the pocket in between the layers. I then ran a 1/4 inch seam all the way around leaving a space to turn the piece inside out.
Once turned inside out, I ran a line of decorative wavy stitch to close off the left hand side of the pocket and then added 2 more lines of wavy stitching to hold the layers together. I added purple tabs to the ends of the ties to finish off the ends.
The pocket can hold your cutlery and a napkin.
Notes:
My ties could be thinner and longer.
I like that this method does not introduce a third color to the mat.
It is quite thin but would do the job to give you a clean place to eat your lunch at the park.
My tab on the left of the zipper could be narrower.
I cleaned up this morning after this frenzy of sewing.
I found this celery textured fabric that I had set aside a while back and forgot about. It had all its elements so I just decided to make it up.
I will be keeping a few of these for the Christmas Market and the others will go to Grandma Africa merchandise sale in June.
I found this scrap of red patterned fabric which worked well. There was just enough for 2 stripes so I just crossed them.
This fabric is not cotton and a bit tricksy. It is heavier than the cotton I have been using so I skipped the flannel but added a thin layer of poly cotton to stabilize it and keep it square.
The lining is a pale yellow polycotton fabric. The thread was a pretty good match to the celery color.
I did add a small square of flannel in the very bottom which I sewed between the layers and sewed to the lining bottom. Just some cushion for a glass bottle as it is placed on a hard surface.
The button was a great match. I am very grateful for things to be falling into place for all of these sewing projects.
I had a limited amount of this punchy colored 100% fabric so I decide to split it down the center and put the leaf green ribbon in between.
The outer fabric is navy cotton poly so it is a bit on the light side.
The lining is some of the yellow cotton/tencel fabric. The thread is navy.
I add this bold white buckle which worked out well I think. With the navy button to keep the twill ribbon in place it works.
I wished that I had offset the ribbon a bit so you would see more of the fabric on the front. It is what it is!
We slow stitch a piece of fabric then look at the back.
I chose a floral piece in yellow, black, grey and a bit of mint green.
It is very interesting how you can see the leaves and the flower outlines. The mint green was small berries.
I put white seed stitches in the open spaces of the pattern.
Another great evening of stitching.
Here is the latest wine bag.
I loved the warm flowers on this part of the fabric so I cut it to make them the focus of the front.
I found a warm brown grosgrain ribbon in my stash that worked well which I placed at the top edge. I layered a cotton twill tape on top of that to tone down the shine.
I decided to create an accent element with the same ribbon. I cut it, sealed the ends with heat then I just folded it back and forth this it was wide enough.
I bought a couple of bags of buttons recently and this shell button was in there. I stitched this whole element to the top left hand corner of the bag. Done another one!
I pulled the fabric out last night so I could sew first thing this morning.
I just love this blue watercolor floral fabric. The flower is very large so I just centered it on the front.
I chose a length of cotton lace which I placed below the top edge. I found a scrap of blue bias tape which echoed some of the colors in the print beautifully.
I used the wavy decorating stitch again on the bias tape and evenly spaced from the back seam to quilt the outer fabric to the flannel. This means I don't have a seam directly in front across the flower.
The lining is a white microfiber fabric which works well. Navy thread and a solid flannel so it would work with the white areas in the outer fabric.
I have attached my "My Bag" tag.
Another wine bag today.
This is batik fabric from a shirt. I used one of the sleeves which featured a phoenix bird motif so I cut the fabric to ensure the birds were on the front.
I was short on the length so I added a strip of black on the bottom. I also added a twill tape accent at the top edge.
It was quilted to the flannel with the same wavy stitch as before.
The lining is beautifully soft yellow cotton fabric.
The handle is double sided with black on top and yellow lining fabric on the underside.
I had decided to place the "My Bag" tag along the top of these wine bags just left of the handle.
This is my current model of tag and stitching them with white thread is working well.
Looking forward to making a few more of these bags. I am finally able to sew them with out mistakes but designing accents is taking time out of the sewing process.
I went back and revisited my book bags and chose embellishments for some of the earlier ones.
1. I added a dragonfly charm on a peice of blue felt
2. An orange cloth flower on a blue bag.
3. A yellow and green circle accent for the masculine striped one.
4. Just a bit of a strip of turquoise fabric with stitching for the first one I made.
You will see that I have added a "My Bag" tag to each of them as well.
I have been thinking about this idea for a while. I have made many bags in the last few years. Several for myself, others for gifts, still others to donate to good causes. Some are for shopping, some for carrying books, and the latest for wine bottles. They are well finished, made to last, functional and look nice.
I would like for those who use my bags to think of them as their own special bag. It protects their stuff, makes carrying stuff easier, it is unique and easily recognizable at a social event when it is time to head home.
After some brainstorming, I decided to attempt making tags for the bags I make. I still have a supply of shrink plastic from card making days. That should work. Well this has been a process.
My first ones were "tiny". After I had the size down and asked for feedback. It was suggested they have round corners, be sewn with white thread to match the plastic better, should have 4 holes and maybe the edge of the bag would be better. The last photo is the model I am going with. I will put them on all my bags in stock and going forward.
This my second piece in the Spruce Grove Gallery - Form Redux Show which opens today.
It is an Every Day Carry Bag which was made with upcycled fabrics from a box of fabric given to me by Michelle at ReImagined Fabrics. You can find her on Instagram #reimaginedfabrics Other bits were chosen from my thrifted/reclaimed stash as well as pieces collected from the ReUse Center.
I made myself one of these bags several years ago.
Title: Upcycled Every Day Carry Bag
The Form Redux Show at the Spruce Grove Gallery opens today. I have submitted 2 pieces to this show. I started my pieces after discussions with a couple of people at the December reception for the Christmas Store. At the time it was being referred to as the 3D show. When the official call came out in mid March it had morphed a little and offered a wider range of options.
It is meant to reuse materials from one state into a new one.
The fabric used for the scroll is a white tie dyed cotton sheet which I dyed again with green acrylic ink. All the elements are created with bits of leftover scraps of fabric, felt, thrifted embroidery thread and lace, even the flower on the tie is recycled from old earrings. The beads come from my stash. The spool was originally purchased with decorative ribbon and saved for 10 years until its time came to shine.
Title: Summer
It is a slow stitch fabric scroll titled "Summer". I chose to stitch the new green leaves of May in early summer to the rain and tulips blooming moving along to the insects coming to life represented by the ladybug, the robin represents the birds and their song then we move to the ponds being full of life represented by the dragonfly in the cattails, then we move to the flowers which start to bloom in the beautiful days of middle summer, there are mushrooms and snails and butterflies, the chickadee has been here and will stay all year as summer winds down and finally we have the beautiful sunflowers of late September.
The elements are all original designs I made up as I went along. The stitching alone took all of January 2024 then I had to back the piece, prepared the wood spool with several coats of Tung Oil. I braided the string used for the tie and the hanger on the spool. I chose a large shell button for the closure and a silver flower for the end of the tie. There is a clear bead at the bottom of the spool which keeps the hanger in place.
It is on display at the gallery and is for sale. The reception is Saturday April 27th at 1-3pm.
I found a couple small pieces of this Japanese print fabric by Schwartz Liebmen Textiles Inc. in my stash. I believe it to be 100% cotton.
I chose to make the front of the bag be a panel of the gorgeous fabric. I found some red that my sister gave to supplement to the size I needed. I sewed a piece to the one side but that made it tricky to figure out where to place the the handles.
I placed a row of brown twill tape along the top edge aligned so it would be centered for the purple accent. That was stitched with the wavy decorative stitch then several lines down vertically to quilt the flannel to the outer layer.
Now I would not have a back seam. I did manage the handles correctly but totally forgot about it for the box corners. I did have to undo the box corners on the outer and lining pieces and then iron the piece well so I would know what was the front. It had to be done.
I hand stitched the purple crochet element at the top of panel on twill then added a red button in the center.
I chose red thread and an off white polycotton lining.
This piece of slow stitching for the challenge Kathryn is hosting on K3NClothTales. The prompt for week 16 was Planet Earth. Our home in the cosmos and the Blue Dot in the vastness of space.
I learned that the earth is approximately 1/3 land and 2/3 water hence the proportions of my colors patches this week.
For the land I chose earth colors in brown, oranges, yellows and the fabric scraps are aligned vertically.
For the bottom I chose blue for water and the pieces run horizontally.
I placed a line of green thread where these meet because generally on earth there is green near the water line.
I chose a simple running stitch going horizontally. This pieces was a little rushed with life happening here.
I have acquired quite a few small pieces of wool or felted wool and decided to see if I could use my slow stitching to make brooches.
This blue one was my first one. I chose to add a star in single thread where the 3 colors in the fabric met.
Originally I had use white thread for the blanket stitch edging and that was not working. I pulled it all out and started over.
It works much better to have dark blue edge stitching.
I like the uneven shape of this brooch.
I slow stitched my sunrise scene onto the felted wool circle. I then whipped stitched the 2 layers together. I am not sure that whip stitching was the best choice as it has given the brooch an organic shape.
I hand stitched a pin back.
These may make it to the Christmas Store at the gallery in December.
This fabric was designed and sold through Stampin Up years ago. This design is called Beau Chateau and the colors are Very Vanilla and Marina Mist.
This time I decided my accent ahead of time. I dug through my Stampin Up card making supplies and found some scallop edge ribbon in Maria Mist. The wide grosgrain ribbon is ivory and was in my stash.
I laid the narrow blue ribbon on top of the ivory and ran a line of wavy decorative stitching across the width of the fabric with ivory thread. This was my first line of stitching to quilt the flannel to the outer fabric. Then added 2 more lines of the same stitch above the ribbon running width wise. I then ran 4 lines of the same stitching vertically going from the ivory ribbon to the base of the fabric. With that I had quilted the outer fabric.
I chose a thin ivory polyester fabric for the lining of this bag. Had to take it easy with the hot iron.
While the slit was still open in the lining I added the white button. I tried to find a blue one that would match with no luck.
I made a few more bags today. This fabric came from my sister and we paired it with a pink cotton poly for the lining.
I was able to figure out how to sew this bag with the slit in the lining and still have the regular box corners. I will post a How To when I have it ready.
This fabric has some gold accents in it so that informed my accents.
I had not decided what my accent would be so I had to hand stitch the gold ribbon on afterward making sure that I did not go to deep. I used gold thread which worked really well. With my slow stitching experience I am more confident to pick up a needle and thread.
I found a green cloth button in my stash which worked out very well in size and color.
I am learning that I should be deciding on my accent before I start sewing because accents machine sewn seams are better.
For this one, I stitched the blue grosgrain ribbon in the 2 top stitch seams then added a gold metal button.
I am happy with these as I could customized the color and make 2 different looking bags.
I used some pale blue fabric with red dots which I believe was part of Stampin Up's fabric line when that was a thing.
It is lined with a solid red cotton poly fabric.
I used circles in white thread as my quilting pattern to attach the flannel to the outer fabric.
I chose to assemble the bag differently this time with starting with the top seam instead of that being the last seam.
It was easy to align the handles and the decorative ribbon along the edge and sew the top seam. Then the long side seam of the outer and lining is made leaving a hole to turn it right side out.
Then the box corners are achieved by tucking in the fabric into the center. Check out this video for the full details. I made sure that I alternated the corners so they would sit opposite each other on the bottom. Then you turn it right side out and sew up the hole in the lining. Two top stitch seams and it was done.
It seems to be as stable as the other method.
Here's how they look side by side. The left is neater. I really appreciated not having to fight to get handles straight in that small top seam at the end in the first design.
This is my piece for week 15 of Kathryn's Slow Stitch challenge on K3N Cloth Tales.
With the solar eclipse that took place on April 8th this was a great idea. The technique was stacked running stitches which was used to create the rays of the sun.
I chose a dark blue fabric which I had to patch to make big enough. I added a yellow layer between the blue and the white. I made my moon black.
I invisible stitched around the edges of the circles to start with.
I covered the moon with seed stitching.
I had the same problem with my yellow layer so I added some stitches on it to have it lay flatter.
I added a running stitch in black to tack down the edges of the dark blue layer to the white.
I used a foundation layer of 100% cotton then created a collage and basted the pieces on.
I then started the slow stitching of the individual pieces. I added a couple pieces of lace, a couple felt buttons, and created a simple star shape as a focal element in white thread.
This piece will likely end up on the front of a bag like my first one.
It is fun!
When I visited my sister a while back we worked on a wine bottle bag design.
I brought the pieces to make one as we ran out of time to finish one for me.
We had decided to add some height to the bag so we could have 1.5 inches in the top band where we were top stitching. This would add strength and a bit of stifness.
The one on the left was the one I brought home so I cut the outer fabric and added the 1.5 inch blue strip. That meant I had to add some to the lining as well. We decided to leave the flannel so it would only reach the top of the bag with out being folded over in the seam.
Learning is challenging. I did add the pieces I needed but failed to remember to put the flannel in and to make the top seam 1.25 inches so there would be extra fabric in the top edge. You can see that it is higher than the other one. Made on Sunday.
The one on the left is the one I made on today which incorporated all the things we planned. A cotton outer fabric, a flannel layer shorter than the cotton, and a poly-cotton lining the same size as the outer fabric. The fabric measures 15.5" tall by 12.5" wide. Flannel is 14" T x 12.5" wide.
Once the lining is pushed into the bag and aligned, then pressing the top edge flat I sewed the 2 top stitching seams. One really close to the edge to close the opening. The other to capture the handles a second time to ensure strength.
Updated: I redid the one on the right to include flannel, the 1.5 inch top stitched edge and an accent on the blue strip.
I have added the accent for number 2 so this set is finally completed.
Week 14 of the Slow Stitching challenge with K3N Cloth Tales.
The prompt was layers and the moon with the lunar eclipse coming soon. It was geared to experiencing stitching through several layers of fabric and how the stitching starts giving it structure and weight.
I chose an owl for my animal. I started with a 4.25" square of deep purple linen, then a striped layer for horizon line, then my yellow full moon and topped with my Owl. This is a smaller version of this one I created for Inktober.
I stitched the horizon layer to the linen in several lines of stitching. Then I stitched the moon with running stitch in circles, then I stitched my Owl on with black thread. I added yellow accents with felt eyes, beak and feet. I used the stem stitch for the branch is sitting on in brown thread. I added stars to the night sky and voila another square done.
I dropped off these 2 pieces at the Art Gallery on Saturday morning to have them accepted or rejected for our Allied Arts Council - Juried Member Show.
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The prompt for week 13 of the slow stitch challenge 2024 at K3N Cloth Tales was Friendship with a nine patch square as the technique hence a Friendship Star.
I am not a traditional quilter so nine patch is something I have not done before. Then to make on a small scale and hand stitch it was another level of challenge.
I started with 2 inch squares but somewhere along the way I ended up with extra fabric I had to cut off the the center square was a bit too big. Math is not my strong point.
Friends are important.
I chose to put the print on the star and the aqua on the surrounding squares. I then added the yellow and teal strips around the square to make it work better when I put these squares into a project at the end of the year. Once the nine patch was done, I added a white cotton layer on the back and id the top stitching. Really happy with this piece.
This is my first piece for week 12 of the slow stitching challenge with K3N Cloth Tales.
This challenge was to stitch one piece which will stay with me and one which will be exposed to nature for 3 months.
The poem Kathryn shared is the one where if you love something let it go if it comes back its yours if not it never was. That was too much letter stitching for me so I just Free for my word on the the piece which will stay with me.
I put down the blue circle then the yellow word then the purple butterfly and then the seed stitching all the way around in green. A final frame of yellow invisible stitch. I chose white cotton on a blue and white gingham fabric.
Those with more nature available in the form of yard, garden and or woods will have many nooks and crannys to place their bundle.
I made a book with four pages. I ripped my 2 pieces of cotton and stitched down the center. I stitched in white cotton thread the circle and the words.
I had gathered a pinecone, some pine needles, a leaf from unknown bush, some green cedar leaves on my walk yesterday which was glorious. I was able to wear my spring jacket. I added a bit of rusty wire as well.
I made another ReUsable Shopping Bag today.
I started with the 12.5 inch quilted square I picked up at the ReUse Center this week. I backed the square with a 14" square of white 100% cotton. I chose to do this because the yellow fabric was thin and showed the pattern of the turquoise fabric through and with a finished layer I could create a pocket. I top stitched the swirl to the white cotton by following 2 of the diamond shapes in the quilting. I then, used the technique of self binding to finish the edges. That means bringing the white to the front and folding over and again and top stitching down. I mitered the corner with a technique I research a while back for napkins. Perfect Mitered Corners Tutorial.
I then chose a turquoise microfiber cloth which matched well and created it with finished seams on the inside to a final width of fourteen inches. I sewed the quilted swirl to the front of the bag (should have done it before the sides). I left a piece of the top edge open and created a pocket by top stitching are tall rectangle following the quilted pieces.
I created the handles by hemming the ends, pressing in half then in half again and top stitching the ope and folded sides. They were 19" long by .75" wide. I folded the top edge of the bag 1" then again another inch and sewed it down with the wavy decorative stitch. I placed the handles 4" from the edges and sewed them down the 2 inches they overlapped the bag.
I created a skirt for the top of the bag with a double layer of white cotton and a double layer of turquoise microfiber. I serged the cut edges. I folded over the serged edge about 1" along the finished top edge of the bag and top stitched in on. I then folded in the serged short ends in and top stitched the 2 of them together on the side seam of each bag.
I used white thread for this project.
I found some of these empty lipstick cases and I saw a needle case. During a visit with my sister earlier this week we brainstormed ideas and had determined that polyfill would be the best filler.
I came home and worked out what I saw in my head.
I created a red felt tube, stitched it by hand, filled with polyfill and sealed at the top with another felt circle. I used a medium Zot at the bottom to keep it in place in the lipstick case. Now one can safely carry a few needles with our slow stitching projects and it looks really cool.
I had a visit with my sister before the snow came down again.
We discussed a lot of creative ideas and I realized that I don't have a central place to document these.
They may or may not become full fledged completed projects but it was great to have a creative discussion. It is important, to document the details we discussed so that they are not lost when the idea becomes a possibility. It may be a spring board to another idea. Who knows.
That is when I decided I needed a creative ideas journal. She had returned to me a small binder that I had passed to her a couple of years ago that she had not used yet. I am glad she kept it.
She sent fabric as well that is headed to the ReUse Center but I thought I should see if there was something there that would work for this project. The big yellow flower on this fabric spoke to me. I decided that I would use this. I chose some beige fabric from the box which was given to me for the lining. I cut the pieces 22" long and 10" inches tall. The binder is 9 1/8 tall but I need some room. I chose a 3/8 inch seam to attach these two layers which was too generous. I did not have any fabric sticking out to create the top stitch to keep the flaps in place which would slide over the sides of the binder. I chose to hand stitch the flaps in place with thread.
I had an extra set of dividers which I bought at the second hand store a while back. It may be hard to categorize the ideas but I will see how it goes.
She had created a Journaling Bookmark which I just winged the construction of. I did have to try twice to get at least something that worked. This means I will always have a pencil to jot notes.
I made another book bag/sleeve. This time I chose a navy calico fabric from my stash. I believe I was given this piece from a quilter that was de-stashing.
I found the beautiful cotton lace at the ReUse Center in the last couple of weeks. The blue bias tape is a leftover from making these ReUsable Bags.
This was a smaller piece of fabric so I had to stick to the 12x19 inches to get handles as well. I cut my flannel padding layer the same. I then used the stitching of the bias tape then the lace for my first 2 quilting seams. I then made them every 3 inches with the wavy decorative stitch width wise across the bag.
I used a piece of white microfiber cloth to make the lining. I added a large inside pocket using a piece of striped cotton poly as I had no calico big enough.
The handles were cut 2x12 inches then just a 1/4 fold over on each side and then down the middle again making them 1/2 inch wide. I would like more but it is what it is.
I found a beautiful vintage button and used white flat elastic for the closure.
I chose a cotton/Tencel (fabric made from wood fiber) blend fabric for the lining. It is also the panel on the front and the band at the top. Feels wonderful.
I stitched the front to the flannel padding layer with top stitching along the black and pear pieces. The handles are made of the pear fabric and are 3/4 inches wide and about 11 inches long.
The bag has an elastic and button closure.
I did put a pocket on the inside which will accommodate something extra.
