I want to get this down before I lose it. Idea - trapunto pendants for PreHeat swag. Use fabric book samples, smidge of stuffing, multicolor thread around 'swirl&sparks' logo with 2010 stitched on. Maybe a sprinkle of beads? String on lanyard cording, I think I have some glow-in-the-dark still. Maybe add a drop bead (mom's clay beads might just be perfect!)
Now, back to chores so I can play later :)
Monday, April 5, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Apron tutorial
Tonight I finished up the apron for my Steampunk costume. Go me! This time I had the forethought to take pics along the way so I could post a tutorial of sorts.
I started with some beautiful fabric I've had for ages. It's a crinkle cotton woven with richly colored stripes. I started kinda backwards as I draped the pleating first, then figured out the base shape.
Luckily the width was fine for me so I didn't need to piece lengths together. I tossed the fabric over my dress form and began to play...err... drape the pleats.
Once I had the pleating to my satisfaction I roughed out the base shape, again using the dress form to check curves and fit. From there I cut the base shape out of mid-weight satin and ironed on the interfacing.
I basted the pleated fabric to the base wrong-sides together. I decided to not do it right-sides together because of the bulk. I would have nearly 6 to 8 layers at some points if I did due to the pleating. I'll bind the raw edges when done. To keep my pleating secure I folded up and away each pleat...
...and stitched it at the base through all the layers. Only the very bottom layer of fashion fabric is stitched down, leaving the folds to drape naturally.
I basted around the raw edges and then trimmed up with my rotary cutter.
I missed pics of pinning the bias tape around the bottom :[ To spiff the plain black bias tape, and to secure down over the multiple layers, I decided to use one of my machines decorative stitches. I found a repeating scallop that was similar to the wide gold stripe pattern. I used rayon embroidery thread that also matched the gold stripe. The waistband is finished with satin blanket binding. I did not use a decorative stitch here, but I may go back and add one.
I started with some beautiful fabric I've had for ages. It's a crinkle cotton woven with richly colored stripes. I started kinda backwards as I draped the pleating first, then figured out the base shape.
Luckily the width was fine for me so I didn't need to piece lengths together. I tossed the fabric over my dress form and began to play...err... drape the pleats.
Once I had the pleating to my satisfaction I roughed out the base shape, again using the dress form to check curves and fit. From there I cut the base shape out of mid-weight satin and ironed on the interfacing.
I basted the pleated fabric to the base wrong-sides together. I decided to not do it right-sides together because of the bulk. I would have nearly 6 to 8 layers at some points if I did due to the pleating. I'll bind the raw edges when done. To keep my pleating secure I folded up and away each pleat...
...and stitched it at the base through all the layers. Only the very bottom layer of fashion fabric is stitched down, leaving the folds to drape naturally.
I basted around the raw edges and then trimmed up with my rotary cutter.
I missed pics of pinning the bias tape around the bottom :[ To spiff the plain black bias tape, and to secure down over the multiple layers, I decided to use one of my machines decorative stitches. I found a repeating scallop that was similar to the wide gold stripe pattern. I used rayon embroidery thread that also matched the gold stripe. The waistband is finished with satin blanket binding. I did not use a decorative stitch here, but I may go back and add one.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Post Holiday Sigh of Relief
I didn't blog much during the month of December due to working 6 days a week, and because my projects were presents for family. Didn't want to give away the surprise :)
Naturally I didn't manage to get pictures of them before I wrapped them up LOL
I bought nice 'beefy' tee shirts for the guys, then embroidered a different design on each one. Step-dad's had a color crab, Cousin's-husband's was a multi-colored Asian dragon, and Teen-cousin's was steampunk wings (Urban Threads).
Gals on my list got funky, patchwork, shabby-chic purses based off The Jenny Bag Tutorial. Again, each purse was embroidered with at least two different designs. My Mom got crabs and palm trees, Cousin's had Asian dragons, and Little-Cousin wild paisley and flowers.
I'm really happy with how they turned out! I may make up some more to have for ready gifts.
Next big project is an urban-style kilt using the X-Kilt Tutorial. As I told my boyfriend Doug, "I don't know if you even want one, but your getting one" LOL
Naturally I didn't manage to get pictures of them before I wrapped them up LOL
I bought nice 'beefy' tee shirts for the guys, then embroidered a different design on each one. Step-dad's had a color crab, Cousin's-husband's was a multi-colored Asian dragon, and Teen-cousin's was steampunk wings (Urban Threads).
Gals on my list got funky, patchwork, shabby-chic purses based off The Jenny Bag Tutorial. Again, each purse was embroidered with at least two different designs. My Mom got crabs and palm trees, Cousin's had Asian dragons, and Little-Cousin wild paisley and flowers.
I'm really happy with how they turned out! I may make up some more to have for ready gifts.
Next big project is an urban-style kilt using the X-Kilt Tutorial. As I told my boyfriend Doug, "I don't know if you even want one, but your getting one" LOL
Monday, November 23, 2009
Oh Lucy! You Gotta Lotta 'Splainin To Do
I honestly didn't realize I had not updated since September!!! Yikes!!!
The biggest reason is my full time. I applied, interviewed, and was granted a seasonal promotion. In theory it's only for the holiday season and I may go back to my regular position end of December or in January. But I'm usually happy and excited about the job, but come home utterly exhausted. And starting next week we start working 6 days a week.
So no crafty bitch time :(
However, today I plan on embracing the Muse to start working on holiday presents! I've downloaded some fun embroidery patterns and plan to rifle through my stash for fabrics to match.
I may even go so far to get pics up of the few bits & bobs I've got in the works currently. Hats, book cover, blouse...
I've been conspiring with a creative partner and have some ideas percolating in my
Well, I can either blog about it, or go do it - Have A Wonderful Monday!!!
The biggest reason is my full time. I applied, interviewed, and was granted a seasonal promotion. In theory it's only for the holiday season and I may go back to my regular position end of December or in January. But I'm usually happy and excited about the job, but come home utterly exhausted. And starting next week we start working 6 days a week.
So no crafty bitch time :(
However, today I plan on embracing the Muse to start working on holiday presents! I've downloaded some fun embroidery patterns and plan to rifle through my stash for fabrics to match.
I may even go so far to get pics up of the few bits & bobs I've got in the works currently. Hats, book cover, blouse...
I've been conspiring with a creative partner and have some ideas percolating in my
Well, I can either blog about it, or go do it - Have A Wonderful Monday!!!
Monday, September 28, 2009
***UPDATE - I tried to post this last night but Blogger was not cooperating. I'm trying again this morning. ****
I finally sit down to update my Izoralee Blog... and Blogger is having major issues. Won't save or publish, and generates random error codes. Everyone is having the same error but all are getting unique codes. Sounds fucked up to me. I've c&p'd my post below so I can copy over when Blogger finally is fixed. Arrggghhh.
Getting Over My Fears
Rather getting over being intimidated by the embroidery machine! I've figured out how to sew regular stitches, fill the bobbin, thread the machine, how to use the pre-programed fancy stitches, and how to set it up for embroidery.
Yesterday I stitched a one color decorative design, then managed a FIVE! color pattern. I think I may invest in one of those thread stands that sit behind your machine and hold several spools of thread at once.
Yesterday I also downloaded a bunch of free designs thus leading to my next set of challenges. The first being how to use the ATA PC card! Took me a bit but I figure out how to pull up the stored files.
It wasn't until this morning when I went to unzip the new freebie files that I realized they were in the wrong file format. A quick Google search and I have a freeware program that will convert the different machine formats. Woot!
My sweetie Doug is coming over this afternoon to watch 'Westworld' (can't believe he hasn't seen this fabulous early 70's Michael Crichton staring Yul Brynner, Richard Benjamin, and James Brolin! it's the cheesiest!) so I'm putting my aside my shiny new toy to tidy up house and myself.
After his visit I'll probably play with the machine some more. I think I want to try embroidering on a piece of chiffon, with the appropriate stabilizer. Creating 'appliques' may be the best way to get designs onto the hats. But I won't know until I've tried both ways.
Off to be domestic :)
I finally sit down to update my Izoralee Blog... and Blogger is having major issues. Won't save or publish, and generates random error codes. Everyone is having the same error but all are getting unique codes. Sounds fucked up to me. I've c&p'd my post below so I can copy over when Blogger finally is fixed. Arrggghhh.
Getting Over My Fears
Rather getting over being intimidated by the embroidery machine! I've figured out how to sew regular stitches, fill the bobbin, thread the machine, how to use the pre-programed fancy stitches, and how to set it up for embroidery.
Yesterday I stitched a one color decorative design, then managed a FIVE! color pattern. I think I may invest in one of those thread stands that sit behind your machine and hold several spools of thread at once.
Yesterday I also downloaded a bunch of free designs thus leading to my next set of challenges. The first being how to use the ATA PC card! Took me a bit but I figure out how to pull up the stored files.
It wasn't until this morning when I went to unzip the new freebie files that I realized they were in the wrong file format. A quick Google search and I have a freeware program that will convert the different machine formats. Woot!
My sweetie Doug is coming over this afternoon to watch 'Westworld' (can't believe he hasn't seen this fabulous early 70's Michael Crichton staring Yul Brynner, Richard Benjamin, and James Brolin! it's the cheesiest!) so I'm putting my aside my shiny new toy to tidy up house and myself.
After his visit I'll probably play with the machine some more. I think I want to try embroidering on a piece of chiffon, with the appropriate stabilizer. Creating 'appliques' may be the best way to get designs onto the hats. But I won't know until I've tried both ways.
Off to be domestic :)
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Getting over my fears
Rather getting over being intimidated by the embroidery machine! I've figured out how to sew regular stitches, fill the bobbin, thread the machine, how to use the pre-programed fancy stitches, and how to set it up for embroidery.
Yesterday I stitched a one color decorative design, then managed a FIVE! color pattern. I think I may invest in one of those thread stands that sit behind your machine and hold several spools of thread at once.
Yesterday I also downloaded a bunch of free designs thus leading to my next set of challenges. The first being how to use the ATA PC card! Took me a bit but I figure out how to pull up the stored files.
It wasn't until this morning when I went to unzip the new freebie files that I realized they were in the wrong file format. A quick Google search and I have a freeware program that will convert the different machine formats. Woot!
My sweetie Doug is coming over this afternoon to watch 'Westworld' (can't believe he hasn't seen this fabulous early 70's Michael Crichton staring Yul Brynner, Richard Benjamin, and James Brolin! it's the cheesiest!) so I'm putting my aside my shiny new toy to tidy up house and myself.
After his visit I'll probably play with the machine some more. I think I want to try embroidering on a piece of chiffon, with the appropriate stabilizer. Creating 'appliques' may be the best way to get designs onto the hats. But I won't know until I've tried both ways.
Off to be domestic :)
Yesterday I stitched a one color decorative design, then managed a FIVE! color pattern. I think I may invest in one of those thread stands that sit behind your machine and hold several spools of thread at once.
Yesterday I also downloaded a bunch of free designs thus leading to my next set of challenges. The first being how to use the ATA PC card! Took me a bit but I figure out how to pull up the stored files.
It wasn't until this morning when I went to unzip the new freebie files that I realized they were in the wrong file format. A quick Google search and I have a freeware program that will convert the different machine formats. Woot!
My sweetie Doug is coming over this afternoon to watch 'Westworld' (can't believe he hasn't seen this fabulous early 70's Michael Crichton staring Yul Brynner, Richard Benjamin, and James Brolin! it's the cheesiest!) so I'm putting my aside my shiny new toy to tidy up house and myself.
After his visit I'll probably play with the machine some more. I think I want to try embroidering on a piece of chiffon, with the appropriate stabilizer. Creating 'appliques' may be the best way to get designs onto the hats. But I won't know until I've tried both ways.
Off to be domestic :)
Getting over my fears
Rather getting over being intimidated by the embroidery machine! I've figured out how to sew regular stitches, fill the bobbin, thread the machine, how to use the pre-programed fancy stitches, and how to set it up for embroidery.
Yesterday I stitched a one color decorative design, then managed a FIVE! color pattern. I think I may invest in one of those thread stands that sit behind your machine and hold several spools of thread at once.
Yesterday I also downloaded a bunch of free designs thus leading to my next set of challenges. The first being how to use the ATA PC card! Took me a bit but I figure out how to pull up the stored files.
It wasn't until this morning when I went to unzip the new freebie files that I realized they were in the wrong file format. A quick Google search and I have a freeware program that will convert the different machine formats. Woot!
My sweetie Doug is coming over this afternoon to watch 'Westworld' (can't believe he hasn't seen this fabulous early 70's Michael Crichton staring Yul Brynner, Richard Benjamin, and James Brolin! it's the cheesiest!) so I'm putting my aside my shiny new toy to tidy up house and myself.
After his visit I'll probably play with the machine some more. I think I want to try embroidering on a piece of chiffon, with the appropriate stabilizer. Creating 'appliques' may be the best way to get designs onto the hats. But I won't know until I've tried both ways.
Off to be domestic :)
Yesterday I stitched a one color decorative design, then managed a FIVE! color pattern. I think I may invest in one of those thread stands that sit behind your machine and hold several spools of thread at once.
Yesterday I also downloaded a bunch of free designs thus leading to my next set of challenges. The first being how to use the ATA PC card! Took me a bit but I figure out how to pull up the stored files.
It wasn't until this morning when I went to unzip the new freebie files that I realized they were in the wrong file format. A quick Google search and I have a freeware program that will convert the different machine formats. Woot!
My sweetie Doug is coming over this afternoon to watch 'Westworld' (can't believe he hasn't seen this fabulous early 70's Michael Crichton staring Yul Brynner, Richard Benjamin, and James Brolin! it's the cheesiest!) so I'm putting my aside my shiny new toy to tidy up house and myself.
After his visit I'll probably play with the machine some more. I think I want to try embroidering on a piece of chiffon, with the appropriate stabilizer. Creating 'appliques' may be the best way to get designs onto the hats. But I won't know until I've tried both ways.
Off to be domestic :)
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