scrappy fabric frame tutorial

It has been too long since I shared a tutorial...

in fact this is more a decoupage technique..

 using fabrics though and not paper.

This is my first attempt at a fabric frame

so let's work through this together!

Here's what you need~

A frame (or something you fancy covered in fabric!)

PVA glue, the type of glue that dries clear

A paintbrush

Scissors

And fabric scraps*

* The point of this little project is purely to use up all those odds and ends.

That said, I can well imagine this would be really cute

with a limited palette of one floral fabric

or spots and stripes.

So lets go!

Start by taking the frame apart.

This first picture is inside the back of the frame.

This lip stops the glass falling out

and is where I began gluing.

When placing your scraps you will need to have at least one straight edge,

cut one if you need to.

Apply glue to the area of the frame that you are about to cover,

and smooth down the fabric with your fingers or a paintbrush.

Take the fabric all the way round the back of the frame 

to create a nice edge.

Continue overlapping scraps

glueing them down as you work around the frame,

always working from the inside out.

Another view from the back of the frame.

The fabric top edge can be neatened during or after.

If something isnt working add another scrap!

Be aware that you will (if you're like me)

get into a bit of a sticky mess,

but at least you are not taking photos (like me!)

Okay still with me?

The picture on the left is the finished frame.

To stop the fabrics fraying and generally hold it all together

paint a layer of glue over the whole frame.

This gives an almost plastic finish,

(if you want to keep the fabric look

then you will have to work very neatly

good luck with that!)

Once dried replace the glass etc....

and add a suitable picture or special postcard from a friend x

Good things to know.

Darker fabrics work better over lights

(as I discovered, see the purple gingham~ whoopsie)

Too much glue will give an opaque look when dried~ boo.

Make sure you remove any fluff from the finished frame

before you coat it in glue.

Admire what you've made

and think of bigger and better things you can cover with this technique!

hand embroidered quilt label tutorial

You must label your quilts!

Imagine someone from the future

discovering who made their antique quilt.

So what better way then

to help you out 

with a tutorial.

I love making my quilt labels,

it's like signing a painting.

So with that said 

I'm cracking on with labelling up 

my french window mini that I made last year.

 

When I make my labels I make paper templates

much like English paper piecing.

I try to make my labels with a colours or a shapes that

tie in with the quilt.

You can of course keep it simple with a rectangle.

You will need:

A water soluble pen

A template
Some paper

Some coordinating threads

Some fabric

&

Your computer.

 Okay so here's my magic ingredient!

This is the secret to my tidy labels.

picmonkey

You need to load a blank photo onto picmonkey

(I took a photo of a piece of paper and whacked up the brightness to achieve a blank canvas)

(If any one knows a better way please let me know)

Once this has been done you need 

to click on the text button,

choose your font (the free ones)

and type out your label

and make it the correct size.

I have chosen a more twirly font than I normally use

as I wanted to add a little

je ne sais pas!

 Using your water soluble pen,

draw around your cotton label template.

(and leave a good seam allowance)

Find the centre with which you can use to

 line up your words. 

You should be able to see the letters through the cotton

you may need to brighten your screen

or tilt your laptop for a better view.

 Very gently trace the letters with your water soluble pen.

I do not advocate using any other type of marker for this part.

(please use common sense, I hold no responsibility for ruined screens!)

If in doubt why not print out your label onto paper

and stick it to a window

(to make a lightbox effect)

and trace the words like you did as a kid!

If you are using stranded thread,
split it into two, so you have a three strand thread,
which is less bulky.
I have chosen navy to match in with the quilt.

 Once you have sewn your labels 

emerse them in water, 

allow to dry,

give them a gentle press

and tack them to paper templates.

I made a two piece label

to emphasise the quilt pattern.

Press again to form a crisp edge 

with which to applique,

then remove the paper templates.

Pin your label in your chosen position.

(I like to line them up with quilting stitches where possible)

With matching thread attach your label

with an applique stitch,

or how you would hand stitch your binding.

 And here it is!

You could choose to outline the edge with 

some stitches in a contrasting thread

for added pizazz!

Truth be told I wish I'd 

made the selfsewn a different colour,

but I have at least labelled this quilt for prosperity!

Some might say this is an unnecessary embellishment,

probably true...but I enjoy this method.

Why go to all the hard work of  sewing a quilt

and not take pride making a pretty label?

Clare x

tying the knot

When I make tutorials I often wonder if I should include how I tie my knots.

As I mainly hand sew I make hundreds of knots just on one quilt.

Annette from My Rose Valley has recently started hand piecing 

and has asked me how to make a good knot.

I am sharing the 4 types of knots that I use,

however they all rely on the same principle,

which is pulling the thread through a spiral.

I am using embroidery thread to give you a clearer view.

 The first is knotting your thread at the bottom.

 Hold the tail end of the thread tight between your finger and thumb.

 Now with your left hand, 

wind the thread around the needle.

(the more times you do the bigger the knot)

 Slide the the spiral of thread down the needle.

 Gently pull the needle whilst holding the loops tight.

(not too tight so that you cant pull the thread through)

 Keep pulling the bunch of loops until you reach the end.

This can be tricky and be ready for some bodged knots.

 There we have a knot!

 The second is a knot I use mainly when I'm finishing off tacking my pieces.

When you come to the end of tacking, hold the as above.

 As before wind the thread around the needle.

 Pull the spiral of thread down the needle.

 Hold it under your thumb, 

again with the right amount of tightness,

pull the needle so the thread pulls through smoothly.

 All the way to the end, helping the knot form by pushing it down the thread.

 There we have a knot!

 My third knot is one I use when I'm making permanent stitches,

so I want a more secure knot.

When you have come to the end of your thread or piecing

pass the needle through both fabrics as if to make a stitch.

 You guessed it.

Make a spiral by winding the thread.

 Push it down.

 Pull the needle whilst holding the bunch of thread.

 Ta dah another knot.

(sometimes when I'm finishing off I make a couple of extra stitches before I tie the knot)

 This last version is a recent find, not one I use often,

but useful all the same.

Take the needle through as before.

 Pull the thread and almost make a stitch.

 Pass the needle through the loop.

 Two or three times.

 Then pull the thread tight as if making a stitch.

 You may need to coax it down.

There we are the last knot!

As a daughter and grand daughter of dressmakers

this is how I was taught to tie knots.

It's second nature to me,

which is why I hope I can pass it on 

even though it really is quite simple,

once you've learnt how to you'll never forget.

xxx
ps sorry about my gardeners hands!