My applifix finally arrived from here, so I’m back onto the dinosaur cushion. Miss P picked the fabric – the ladybird fabric is for the body and the other one for the spiky bits.

It is very humid today and the idea of using an iron is extremely unappealing so I don’t think there will be much progress on this project – maybe some more sock.

]]> http://sewwitty.com/2012/02/02/dino-cushion/feed/ 0 http://sewwitty.com/2011/11/29/another-christmas-card-2/ http://sewwitty.com/2011/11/29/another-christmas-card-2/#comments Tue, 29 Nov 2011 06:34:14 +0000 SewWitty http://sewwitty.com/?p=1364

This is my final card. The design is from here.

Just adding the design rather than trying to cover the front with fabric seemed to work better – not as crinkly.

So I am continuing in my efforts to get these cards right.

Yesterday (when I should have been doing something else) I came across a tutorial on Urban Threads for making a card using machine applique, but they don’t stitch out the satin stitched edges – genius! The satin stitching is always do dense the fabric puckers and it always looks a bit too perfect – I prefer a less perfect more home made look.

This morning I stitched the above flower card (using this design). I stitched out the applique placement line, placed the fabric on the design, changed thread to a matching colour and stitched out the applique tack down line. I then skipped the satin stitched borders. I much happier with this look – it wouldn’t work on anything that needs to be hard wearing..

I’m still refining these cards. The first thing I’m trying to do is work out the best way of attaching them to the card stock. The embroidery tends to pucker the background fabric a bit and then I get crinkles when I sew the fabric to the card.

I could stabilise  more, but I don’t want the fabric section to be too thick – water soluble stabiliser perhaps? And then I really need to decide if it is worth all of this effort.

I’ve finished the cushion for Miss A.

A few things I discovered; vliesofix is fabulous, but there must be a cheaper way of buying it,  a finer blanket stitch was best (Mode 2 36 on my Janome 6600p), as the envelope style backing is quite generous a button is not required.

Here is a closer look at the applique…

I like the way the frill (extra bit around the edge of the cushion is created. Once the cushion cover has been assembled, turned right side out and pressed, you sew just inside the border seam.

I’ve started stitching around the edges of my applique cushion. This one …

I’m using bobbin fill on the bottom and rayon embroidery thread on the top (Robison Anton Rayon). I’m using a blanket stitch (stitch number Mode 2 35 if you have a Janome 6600p – I’m also using the F2 foot, which makes it much easier to see what you are doing) with a length and width of 1.5mm.

I’m surprised by how easily this is all coming together – it’s not perfect by any means, but easier than I expected.

It’s almost Easter – I wish the weather would be more April-like (it’s still warm!). I like to make the girls applique T-shirts for Christmas and Easter.  Above is Miss P’s T-shirt. The design is from Bunnycup. Below is Miss A’s – her design is from Designs by JuJu.

This is Miss P’s Christmas embroidery (the design is from here) – I used a christmas print on the Sunbonnet Sue, but the Christmas parts are a bit hidden.

I used two layers of iron-on tear- away stabiliser and it has worked well. I also starched the fabric, which does seam to make a difference.

I finished the T-Shirt for Miss P.

Here is a close up of the front …

The Water Lily blocks were foundation pieced using my embroidery machine – you can find the design here. I attach the block using a blanket stitch (width 2.5mm and length 1.5mm). I also used Vliesofix to get the appliques to stay in place while stitching.

I bought the Homespun magazine (not the current one but the previous issue) because it came with Inspired Machine Applique with Michele Hill DVD.  I love doing applique, but I’ve never worked out the best way of attaching my shapes to the background fabric.

Michele’s (she’s the one on the left in the image) quilts are amazing; complex with lots of intricate looking shapes.

Here she is laying out her pieces …

She had quite a simple technique (probably hard when you try it yourself). She copied the design onto applique paper which she then ironed onto the wrong side of the fabric. Cut the shapes out (this is probably a bit tricky), removed the paper and ironed them onto the backing fabric.

She then stitched around the pieces using a blanket stitch an embroidery sewing thread (she prefers rayon).

She has a great method for stitching points – she simply stitches across the points.

I should point out that she would normally use a matching thread (she used the white to make it easier to see).

Michele had a really personable style and a really relaxed approach to the process. If you are at all interested in applique, I would recommend seeing this DVD.

Michele has her own blog and a couple of books.