My Weblog

Twist and shake

It's been another gloriously hot day down here in Devon. Far too hot in fact, to do the ironing, vacuuming, cleaning or any other type of housework.  My house looks like a pigsty, but it's a very sunny pigsty -so who cares ?

It's not too hot though, to lie in the garden looking through Japanese craft books,

and it's not too hot to make a summery scarf.

In fact, it's perfect weather for it.

Just fold a pretty piece of fabric in half length-ways and with right sides together, stitch all the way round leaving a small gap to turn the right way and then slip-stitch gap. 

Wash or wet thoroughly and then holding both ends, twist and twist and twist until it sort of twists in on itself .  Tuck the ends in to stop it unravelling and put it in the sun until completely dry ( I left this one for a day).

Finish off with some beads and sequins and there you go - something to wear whilst you're making and shaking those cool,cool cocktails .

I'll post photos and ISBNs of some books tomorrow, but for now..

make mine a Mojhito.

Fabric flower tutorial

O.k here goes, I apologise in advance for the rubbish photographs, summer appears to be over, I have no natural light and I'm not clever enough with the camera to rectify that. Nevermind !

This will make one folded, fuller (can't think of the right word !) flower and two not folded flowers ? ? ?

Cut one piece of backing fabric ( calico, or a stiffish cotton ) 27 x 18cm (11 1/4  x 7 ") and nine 18 x 3cm  (7 x 1 1/4 ") strips from your chosen fabrics - I prefer to tear my fabrics rather than cut as I like frayed edges.

Pin and stitch fabric strips onto backing along all edges.

Turn over, and cut in half length-ways, stitching either side of your cutting line first to avoid your stitching running back.

Now, with one of your pieces, fold in half length-ways and with your thread doubled, tie a knot and stitch along the raw edge using a fairly big running stitch.

Before you gather, make cuts between your stitched lines, starting at the folded edge to about 1 cm (1/2") away from your running stitch.

Now gather, and secure with a few more stitches.

To make your smaller petals for the centre, cut a 18 x 4cm (7 x 1 1/2 ") strip of fabric, fold over, stitch and cut in the same way as the first.

Sew onto your bigger flower.

At the same time I attach a couple of calico circles to the back (or you could use a thick felt ) to anchor your smaller petals and also to attach the brooch pin. Slipstitch  your calico circles onto the back of your petals to keep it all in place.

Sew on your button and your brooch pin and Voila !

To make the basic patchwork flowers

With your remaining piece of patchwork, cut in half lengthways once again ( don't forget to stitch either side first ! ,) so you end up with two strips that measure 27 x 4.5cm ( 11 1/4 x  1 3/4").

This time there is no folding or snipping. You just run your gathering stitch along one end, gather up, attach your button and backing.

I have probably made this sound a lot more complicated than it is - honestly !

Give it a go, they are fun and very quick to make.