Gone To Earth

A little more to say on the interlining....

As I was taking this photograph I was thinking.... "it even stands up on it's own without anything inside to fill it out to give it a bit of stability and show off it's shape..." Then the mount board I stand at the back of these kind of photographs fell over and squashed it :)

Anyway, I have finally tried out the interlining Vilene 2VS320 and I do really like it. I like the way it fuses so readily to the fabric, I like the way that the fabric stays beautifully flexible and more like a home decor weight fabric. If you are familiar with Vilene iron-on firm 2V305 interlining, then the Vilene 2VS320 gives a firmer, yet more flexible finish than that.

The 2VS320 is simple to apply and easy to sew, but, (There is always a but isn't there?) it's too firm in my opinion for use in small pouches like this one. Now, that may be very subjective of me as I confess I like my pouches softer and more squishy but please read on...

This interlining has been designed particulary for structuring fabric for use in bag making, for hat brims, fabric bowls, collars, cuffs and belts so it's no big surprise that that is exactly where it comes into it's own. If you make really structured bags like clutches or totes, or hats with brims, clothes with collars and cuffs where you want to achieve a good, well supported shape, then this is definitely an interlining to consider as part of your next project.

If on the other hand your sewing project includes pretty, dainty little gathers then this isn't the interlining for you. I suspect that it would take a great deal of effort to coax gathers into fabric once this had been applied and even if you succeeded it wouldn't a pretty outcome.

If you have tried this interlining before what do you think?

Interlining SV320...

I know interlining isn't that exciting a subject but whether you're making clothes, making bags and all kind of things in between, interlining can make a huge difference to your finished project, in terms of structure and craftsmanship. Plus, you’ll be so much more impressed with your handiwork.

These past few weeks I've kept coming across folk recommending Vilene SV320, as a’firm iron on’ that gives a nicer finish than some of the other ‘firm’ fusibles. So. I bought some for the shop so that I could try it out and see for myself.

Vilene SV320 is a white non-woven 90cm wide, 'firm' interlining that's fusible on one side and it's part of Vilene's 'Creative Range'. The manufacturers say that it's 'suitable for use with all fabrics' and ' good for bags, hat brims, fabric bowls and belts'

Well, that's what they say but I wanted to see for myself. So I've tried it out.

A couple of pieces of fabric... an iron.... a couple of pieces of interlining... (and a plan for a new pouch)

The instructions say to 'Set iron to wool/cotton – press on firmly step by step for 15 seconds., using a damp cloth'... So, I put the interling fusible side up (The fuisble side has a waffly kind of texture.), placed the fabric wrong side down against the interlining and pressed it using the steam setting on my iron (my new iron as the other one incinerated itself....!). You probably should use a cloth to prevent any of the fusible adhesive getting onto your iron and then despositing itself onto the next article you iron. (Wonder how I know that ?)

Although these aren't huge pieces of fabric (7 inches by 11 inches), it's easy to see how good this would be for bags and hats.... It readily fuses to fabric and although it gives the fabric a lot of structure (this is a quilt weight fabric from Erin McMorris' Park Slope) it doesn't make it cardboard like. It still retains that fabric softness... it stays pliable, not at all 'crispy' in fact it feels a lot more like a 'home decor' weight fabric. Nor did I encounter any issues of 'bubbling' where the fusible doesn't quite stick, which I know some folk get occasionally when they apply other firm iron on's.

It's definitely good so far... but I'll report back when I've turned this fabric into a pouch and see how it behaves as I sew.

Have a good weekend!

On Pincushions...

Pretty little pincushions... they make fantastic little gifts from quite small pieces of pretty fabric and sometimes you just want one for yourself..

So, I followed this tutorial (Link) and cut myself a few (2 1/2 inch) patches.

I stitched them together... one four-patch for the front and one four patch for the back... I stuffed it and sewed up the gap. I almost didn't add the ribbon... but I'm so pleased that I did, it looks so much prettier with the 'loopy' ribbon. Then all there was left to do was to add the button.

So, here is my pretty little four patch pincushion and I think I'm going to keep it, despite Rosie's idea of giving to a school friend of hers. I suppose I should be flattered ( :) )

You could make one too ....

Thank you for the tutorial, Andrea!

Tutorial - yo-yo christmas tree decoration

This is a Christmas yo-yo, it's flouncy, it has sparkle and will make the fairy on top of the tree just a little envious. Plus, it's fun to make and there is loads of scope for adding beads, sequins and maybe even a little glitter if that's what makes you happy.

This takes just a very few minutes to make.

Requirements;

• Fabric for your yo-yo's (This yo-yo was made from an 18 centimetre (approximately 7 inch) diameter circle.
• Paper to make a circle template with.
• Interfacing or cardboard from a cereal box (enough for a 7 centimetres (approximately 2 3/4 inch) diameter circle.
• Some green felt (enough to cut three holly leaves)
• Some white felt (enough to provide an edging of snow for the holly leaves)
• Some broderie anglaise, lace, ribbon or ric-rac for edging (if using)
• Button for the centre of the yo-yo
• Suitable cord or ribbon to hang the decoration with
• Embroidery floss if you're going to embroider the holly leaves
• Thread and needle
• Textile glue (optional)

1. Create yourself a template for the circle or find a conveniently sized plate or jar lid to drawn around. Cut out the circle of fabric. This yo-yo was made from a 18cm (approximately 7 inches) diameter circle.

2. Cut out a circle of the interfacing or cardboard. For this size of yo-yo it needs to be about 7 centimetres (approximately 2 3/4 inches) in diameter. If you are using cardboard it is a good idea to cut a small circle out of the middle so that it doesn't become too difficult to get a needle through later when you are sewing on the button.

3. Make yourself a pattern for the holly leaves which need to be about 8 centimetres (approximately 3 inches) in length. Cut out three holly leaves from the green felt.

4. Using a holly leaf as a pattern (one of the ones you've just cut out of the green felt) , cut out three holly shaped leaves from the white felt with a margin that shows around the outside of the green leaf. (These will be attached to the back of the holly leaves to resemble a fringing of snow, after the embroidery is finished.)

5. Make your yo-yo by turning over a 1/4 inch hem (see this tutorial here if you've never made a yo-yo before) and using a doubled thread sew evenly sized running stitches all the way around.

6. Begin to gently pull up your yo-yo and insert your piece of interfacing/cardboard into the 'mouth' of the yo-yo. (If you want to make large yo-yo's for decoration or brooches out of soft fabrics, this is a good way of preventing the yo-yo from flopping forward when it is hanging.) [

7. Make sure that the interfacing/cardboard is centred in your yo-yo so that you get a nice even shape. Pull the fabric up tightly and taking your needle through to the back of the yo-yo fasten off the thread.

8. The leaves. If you are going to embroider a little detail onto the leaves then now is the time to do so. I just used a little stem stitch down the centre with a silky lime green floss. One thing I do like in my christmas decorations is a little shine and sparkle!

9. Centre the green holly leaves onto the white holly leaves so that it looks as if the leaves are fringed with a little snow. Once you're happy with the arrnagement either stitch them together or use a little textile glue. I cheated and used the textile glue !

10. If you are going to add a fringe of broderie anglaise, ribbon or ric-rac to your yo-yo, that needs adding now. I used quite a wide broderie anglaise rescued from an old skirt of my daughters. I used about 12 inches of it and ran a gathering stitch along the lower edge and pulled it up tight. Even out the gathers a little and you end up with a pretty gathered rosette type shape.

11. Attach the ribbon or cord that you are going to use for hanging the decoration with, to the back of the broderie anglaise rosette. (I used about 12 inches of cord, folded in half so that I can tie it onto the tree at whatever length seems right )

12. Arrange the holly leaves behind the yo-yo. Once you're happy with how they look either stitch or glue them into place. (I sewed them on this time.)

13. Attach the broderie anglaise 'ruff' to the back of the yo-yo by sewing through the yo-yo and the broderie anglaise.

14. Choose a button that makes you happy and sew it in the centre of the yo-yo and there you have it a Christmas yo-yo to add to your tree.

I hope you like this little 'make' and if you do create one using this tutorial then please add it to the Flickr group. I'd love to see them.

The winner...

This hasn't been the best week ever, on Monday my iron decided to go up in smoke, literally. I always use an iron when I'm sewing. I work in an L-shaped space and I could hear a strange fizzing/popping noise (I wouldn't have heard it at all if I'd had the radio or iTunes playing). There was my two month old iron billowing out smoke and giving off that horrible plastic smell. Scary!!

Then Wednesday dawns... cold, dark, owls hooting just to add a little atmosphere..... husband wandering around with a torch and a candle. (I hasten to add that this isn't something that he usually does.) The power was out!! The children seemed to enjoy the adventure of getting up in the dark with torches and eating breakfast by candlelight and although the rest of the house was pretty cold, it was warm by the fire before they went off to school. I think they were hoping that school would be cancelled... it was obviously a big part of what was talked about school that day.

Then reality hits... The absolute downside of technology is that it you've no power, it doesn't work! No computer.... can't sort out my shop orders...no essential kettle for necessary tea refuelings.... heating water in a saucepan seems to take forever! Wearing four jumpers definitely restricts movement... but it was cold even with the sun coming in ... Must remember to get the camping gear out this weekend... (for camping type kettles... lanterns etc. we do seem to get a lot of power cuts here.) The hours tick by... I was just resorting to sorting out magnetic snaps... they seem to need a lot of organising, when the power came back with a shriek of alarms, clocks, fridges and freezers leaping into life.

So, although it's taken ages to post this, remember the lovely bundle of 'Wildwood fabrics' designed by Erin McMorris.

This was the number that the random number generator provided me with.

....and this number relates to a comment made by Vonnie.

So, Congratulations , I'm sure you're going to enjoy them. I wonder what you'll make? Please just e-mail me your address and I'll get these fabrics off to you.