Posted by geena on 2007-08-16 18:02:56
Post Subject: What is that stuff that they attach behind applique'd shirts
On my son's onesies/shirts, if there is an applique of some kind, there is a thin white partially see-through fabric ironed on the back, I'm assuming to prevent the applique from itching?
What is that? Is there a brand name for it? I embroidered something and I want to iron something on the back of it so that the end-knots don't get disturbed when it's used.
Posted by Nancy Flynn on 2004-12-06 12:03:02
Post Subject: Sewing Machine Applique help?
Ok, so my Singer (pretty new) has an applique function, but I can't seem to figure it out. Looks easy-- lower the feed dogs, put it on zigzag satin stitch and go.... BUT when I do it all that happens is that I make a big mound of stitches in one place, instead of moving nicely around what I want to applique on the fabric. I feel like it must be something simple that I'm not doing, since the manual makes it seem so easy.... I could use some help from a sewing craftista!
Posted by kdaum on 2005-03-08 15:47:58
Post Subject: Quilt Block Swap
Hello Everyone,
This is my first time putting together a swap, so please bare with me.
Back when I was little, I always remember attending my mom's quilt club and seeing the other ladies' work. I remember that they used to swap blocks to use in quilts. Don't fret, that is not exactly what I had in mind.
What I am thinking is this:
Each participant makes one 12" block, which must be completely sewn-So no gluing or stapling. You must do some sort of embellishment to it with cross-stitch, needlework, yarn, applique, adding buttons, etc. The only other pre-requisite is that the base fabric/fabrics be made of 100% cotton and that the piece be hand-washable. So stay away from sequins, please.
How much work you put into it is purely up to you; but just think of what you would want to get in return. You will have a month to finish and then ship it to a fellow swapper. If everyone is honorable (which I know you all are), you in turn will receive a block as well. This swap is a little more complex; but I think in the end everyone will be happy with what they receive.
If you are interested or have any questions, please let me know.
The deadline to sign up will be March 15th. At that time I will email you the name of the person that you should send your block to. It won't necessarily be the same person that is sending theirs to you.
Posted by sharopooks on 2005-08-05 11:36:20
Post Subject: Introduction
Though you are ahead of me as far as # of posts, I registered before you, so I believe I'm qualified to say WELCOME! and to introduce myself as well.
I'm 34 and have recently found marital bliss (last summer feels like recently). He's a social worker/guitarist, I'm a former bass player who works at an entertainment law firm in NYC. We both still enjoy live music whilst now laughing back at our former music-scene selves, circles and antics. We are also thinking of thinking of conceiving...!
My crafty side has been dormant until recently due to long work hours. Fortunately, I just worked out a deal w/ work to hire a night assistant so I can leave before 7:30 at night and have a life again. It's a paycut, but worth it in re-gained quality of life.
Reduced work hours will equal enough time to:
-Crochet and foster a general obsession with cool fibers and textiles. One day I will put those applique, dyeing and quilting books I bought over the years to use!
- Journaling, writing detailed fun accounts of various life events to distribute to family members.
- Create collages (I wanna post a pic of one that means a great deal to me but cannot find it in our apartment! I am slightly freaking out over that fact and have my fingers crossed that it turns up, soon!)
- Embark on my own style of scrapbooking, I have a vision of indie-scrapbooking. Nothing against traditional scrapbooking - some of it is awesome - but a lot of it doesn't resonate with me. One day I saw a nontraditional scrapbook page that a getcrafty member posted. I was like, aHA, THAT'S the kind of page I wanna do!
- Play bass - my strength and dexterity have faded and my interest in band life has diminished w/ age, but even if I just jam with the hubby at home, that'd be great.
- Creative healthy cooking, step aerobics, cardio kickboxing and general working out, snowboarding.
- Spend too much time on various message boards!
- Enjoy life, traveling, friends, music, etc with the hubby.
That's me in a nutshell. karlaBOO, see ya around...!
Posted by sarabell on 2005-10-16 20:00:06
Post Subject: washing felt
OK. so i'm all set to do some applique on some shirts. i've got some pieces of "regular" craft felt. how will it wash? planning on glueing it on with some fabrictac then embroidering.... just don't want to go all out on something for it to disintegrate in the wash!
Posted by lizzymahoney on 2005-01-23 10:29:10
Post Subject:
You can use fusible web, stuff you'd find with interfacing. Sulky is a brand that has dissolvable and tear away stabilizer. The word/product stabilizer is probably what you are seeking. Heat'n'Bond and Pellon are makers of an iron on that will stablize for embroidery, and then you can iron the embroidery on as a patch. Heat'n'Bond is more commonly used for applique, though, and not for embroidered patches. (which are appliques of a sort, to confuse you)
Posted by lacurie on 2006-05-31 13:11:08
Post Subject:
ii do applique work using wool felt, mostly)
Actually, that counts. The friend that I am working on this project with is primarily a knitter and we want to include at least one "crossover craft" project on every show. We plan on doing stuff with felting sweaters and piecing into blankets.
I have been doing some hand applique recently because I needed to be able to take projects with me when I travel in the car.
I love City Quilter and hope to get their input, but since I don't have anything official nailed down, I don't feel comfortable going to them about this project just yet. However I am hoping to take some classes there this summer and do a little networking.
Thanks for responding! Do you have a URL with any of your work posted?
Posted by sarabell on 2005-09-26 12:57:19
Post Subject:
thanks so much! it will be either applique or couching on some olive cotton pants that the boy never really wore.... just wanted to make sure before i spend time on something that wouldn't survive the first wash.
Posted by sun bear on 2004-04-27 14:22:59
Post Subject:
what deborahthecraft said, plus go slow. the zigzag is much heavier and better looking when you sew slowly rather when you fly through the design.
I love doing applique, which is funny b/c my mom really hates it, she's totally into the symetrical design quilts and I like to make the random ones. I also used to love to zig zag designs into towels or do towel on towel applique, I still have the same towel since college b/c it has my beloved teddy bear on it. You can try practicing by drawing a line on a scrap and trying to trace it before ruining a piece that took you a while to cut out.
Now I want to do some applique and there are no good cheap cloth places around...boo, must go home in june and steal some :)
Posted by Badbird on 2006-10-31 19:00:27
Post Subject: Just finished a New Art Quilt
I just finished this piece for a show I will be having in Texas in the Spring. It is a combination of applique, embroidery and quilting. It measures 28" x 22.5". I took about a week to do. My wrists really hurt.
Posted by kdaum on 2005-06-06 15:11:40
Post Subject:
Yes, you are only to make one 12"x12" block and will only receive one back. There is not going to be a quilt made-you are only swapping with the person's name whom I send to you. I only called it a quilt/applique/embroidery swap because you can either quilt, applique or embroider the block.
Posted by kdaum on 2005-06-06 13:42:30
Post Subject: Quilt/Applique/Embroidery Swap #2
So, once before I posted a swap of this sort and only had one taker. Honestly, Karin and I had alot of fun and each of us got an awesome gift.
I would really like to see some others participate. You don't need to know how to make a quilt, maybe you know how to applique, embroider or cross-stitch instead-just no stapling or glueing Please!!!
If interested, drop me an email. The deadline to sign up will be Wednesday, the 15th and your item must be completed and shipped no later then Friday, July 8th.
-------THE RULES---------
12"x12" finished piece
-You can quilt it, applique it or embroider it...just fill up a good portion of it with other fabrics and or thread. For decoration, you can add buttons, beads, whatever (it just all must be attached by thread).
-On Thursday, the 16th you will be given the name of your swap partner. It will be up to you to decide if you want to communicate with them about colors, etc. if you you want it a total surprize.
-You must have your item in the mail no later then July 8th and it would be appreciated if you dropped me an email or PM letting me know it went out.
Posted by Miss M on 2004-07-29 22:32:26
Post Subject:
my mom made my son a busy book & here is what she included:
*velcro - it's a pocket and inside she left $2.00 & note telling him to ask me to take him for an ice cream - cute & fun!
*zipper - unzips to reveal G <3 N (gram loves nik)
*2 very large buttons w/ accompanying button holes
*snaps - unsnaps to reveal birdie iron-on patch
*clip - I'm not sure the real name, but she made an applique dog & the clip part hooks on a teeny d-ring like a leash - the clip is plastic and the leash part goes up & attaches at the top of the page
*toggle - like you see on drawstrings nowadays; the kind to have to pinch to release; she made kind of a pocket with a drawstring top & put a toy inside for him to find. I think this is a little hard for him at this age, but he loves pockets, so whatever
*buckle - she made what looks like the top of a pair of pants(beltloops & all) & added the buckle like a belt! She picked the plaastic snap-together kind rather than the traditional buckle
My mom sews a lot, so hers was pretty fancy & a lot nicer than I would have made. But she just used felt for the pages & binder rings to hold it all together(reinforced button holes to put the rings through). My kiddo really likes it a lot and brings it to me all the time to play with together. I like that I can just add more pages as he grows(like adding shoes laces, etc)
If you sew at all, I would sew it, rather than glue it. Only because I don't know if the glue will hold a zipper. You don't really need to know how to sew anything other than a straight line to make this! A lot you can just do by hand - like buttons
Posted by BumbleV on 2004-04-20 10:32:41
Post Subject:
Sometimes, if it's old, switching out my needle helps a lot with the consistancy of my stitches. Also, going over the stitches a second or third time helps.
I'm not so hot at appliques myself but over time I did notice that I improved with practice. I guess the best advice would be to applique your butt off...well, don't really applique your butt...you get what I mean.
Posted by vratch on 2004-07-14 16:33:30
Post Subject: Where to find wool felt?
I'm not looking for anything fancy, just solid colour plain wool felt to use for applique onto scarfs, bags etc.
My local sewing shops only sell the acrylic kind which doesn't wear very well. Does anyone know where to get wool felt online? I'm considering buying some wool skirts from a thrift store and fulling them to see if that gives me some useable felt. Anyone tried that?
Posted by sarabell on 2005-04-12 13:26:49
Post Subject:
the best book i've come across for crocheting instructions is the Reader's Digest Complete guide to Needlework. i learned to crochet from my gramma and my mom, but the more advanced stiches etc. i got from that book. it also has great instructions for knitting, embroidery, quilting, rug-making, needlepoint, patchwork, lacework, macrame, and applique. not a lot of good project ideas, at least not in the 1979 edition, but i prefer to make my own patterns. i know there's a newer edition, but i bought mine used.
once you're comfortable crocheting, The Crochet Workbook by Cosh & Walters (St. Martin's Press) is a great resource for doing more freestyle work. a lot of imaginative ideas; more of a stepping stone and inspiring thing to do your own thang, rather than having a lot of specific patterns.
Posted by ZoeStar7 on 2005-07-19 10:54:36
Post Subject: leather or vinyl applique
I'm trying to decorate some old purses I got at Goodwill but I've never really worked with leather or vinyl without sewing before.
Does anyone know the best way to applique (or somehow attach?) a fabric cutout to leather or vinyl without sewing? Can I do a heat transfer? Should I just glue it?
Also. Does anyone know a good way to paint on leather or vinyl?
Posted by LuluB on 2006-05-31 13:01:17
Post Subject:
i don't quilt (i do applique work using wool felt, mostly) so i'm not of much use to you but i was wondering if you've talked to ayone at the city quilter? i'm in there all the time and they tend to have a very varied clientel and teaching staff. you might find just the people/person you're looking for there.
Posted by LuluB on 2006-06-06 08:31:02
Post Subject:
gee, i'm blushing! thanks.
i just have a basic, cheap, table top portable machine. i only use it for the construction of the items. all the applique work is done by hand nad then embelished with hand embroidery.
you might also want to contact diana at make workshop. she's great and might be able to help you out. her site is www.makeworkshop.com and you can contact her at info (at) makeworkshop.com.
Posted by angry tooth on 2004-11-06 22:36:04
Post Subject:
I make plush toys by drawing out any rounded shape and adding a few features (ie: nubs for legs or ears, etc.) and use that as a pattern- just remember to go bigger than you think you should and leave room for selvage. Terry cloth makes a nice plush toy, and you can find the stuffing at any fabric or craft store. Good luck! At 14 mos. I wouldn't suggest any button eyes or anything, but you could applique a mouth on or something.
Posted by Liberty Gooler on 2005-01-24 13:36:11
Post Subject:
I agree with focusing on quality fleece, sometimes it seems like the patterned are not as nice as the solid colors. Also if you have two solid colors them when you tie them together you get a nice contrast.
Have you thought about embellishing solid color stuff, perhaps with a music applique? I made a bunch of fleece blankets for Christmas gifts that I added appliques to. People seemed to like them, because I tried to make the appliques related to their interests, or just put their name on the blankets. I think we all like seeing ourselves in print yes?
Posted by Tomico Revilak on 2005-10-15 13:07:31
Post Subject: Try another aproach.
If the stains can't be removed maybe you could add a layer of a sheer or lace fabric on top. I also like the idea of adding embroidery. I had a cute velvet dress that I got paint on one time. I sewed on applique bats. I would recomend using something more appropriate to the style of dress (or your style of thinking).
Posted by scapina on 2005-03-30 17:24:02
Post Subject:
it's an applique type thing, and although that is an awesome idea, i have never embroidered anything. :( still, if i get desperate, that may be an option......
Posted by Nancy Flynn on 2005-03-30 16:18:45
Post Subject:
is it hand embroidery? or an applique-type thing? if you are an embroiderer, you could always dye it and then embroider over the dyed parts again in white...
Posted by deborahthecraft on 2004-04-20 13:20:22
Post Subject:
When you get to curves and corners put the needle down,lift the foot and turn the piece ever so slightly.Doing it a few times around each curve or corner can make a cleaner more even applique!
Posted by LulaBelle Designs on 2005-06-09 10:58:44
Post Subject:
you can apply the applique using Wonder Under, and then stitch over that. It's not TOTALLY fray-proof, but when I have used it I do not notice fraying. I think the glue in the Wonder Under holds the threads in place.
I prefer doing it by hand because I have more control over the shape than if I try to sew on the sewing machine, plus with the needle turn method the stitches do not show.
Posted by sjkmaurice on 2005-06-07 19:41:04
Post Subject:
I've never tried it, but I have a quilt book that has a section on applique and it shows the woman (man?!) turning the edges under slightly as she is making a close zig-zag around it. She's using a machine to embroider the edges, and it looks like one of those big plastic needles I use for weaving in my crochet ends that she is using to turn under as she goes. Good luck on your project!
Posted by mrs_stroozi on 2007-07-27 12:53:08
Post Subject:
I remember a craft a friend of mine did with seniors - taking a plastic jar or bottle, covering it with layers of torn pieces of masking tape, sort of in pine-cone-ish layers, and then using a stain of sorts to bring out the details...
Applique? Decopage? ( I KNOW I'm misspelling it...) I did a box in 7th grade summer day camp I still have -- we cut out pictures from magazines, covered boxes with them and brushed shellac over everything, which has mellowed to a lovely golden in the decades since. Easy to personalize with their names, too.
Posted by rubychew on 2005-06-06 13:39:42
Post Subject: "the Interpreter" craft covet
I went to see the Interpreter in a lovely air-conditioned theatre yesterday afternon (it's boiling here in Toronto) I really liked the film.
There is one scene at her apartment when she's on the couch and there is a cool looking blanket or something with appliqued flowers on it...at least I think they are appliqued. I WANTED it so BAD!
so my question is....to do a basic applique with fabric that is fray-able....does one turn down the seam and press first before sewing? I have no idea..but I sure would like to try to make something with those purdy flowers on.
Posted by stella on 2004-10-26 00:15:13
Post Subject:
definitely knitting! i've recently learned to divide up my bigger projects so i can work on smaller pieces when i'm out and about. i'm knitting (very slowly) a sweater right now, so i work on the body at home and a sleeve when i'm out. the sleeve is much smaller and more portable.
crocheting is also portable. today i went to watch an aikido class, and one of the kid's moms was crocheting little washcloths for her preschool students. beadwork is portable if you're not using too many colors, especially if it's something like peyote stitch or couching that doesn't come unstrung.
i don't find my embroidery/applique stuff to be easily portable, because i depend on having LOTS of colors (i usually use 3-4 single strands of different colors as a single thread) and it always gets disorganized or tangled if i try to stick it in a box or bag. i also need really good light to embroider.
Posted by sweetandtart on 2005-08-24 10:31:52
Post Subject:
I just got a stack of vintage books from the library with funky ideas for felt- check out your library.
I'm making a scary little elf applique throw pillow, little fruit patches with embroidered detail, and an old favorite of mine is a needle book shaped like an alligator.
Draw an alligator or get a pattern from a coloring book. Cut out three- one in white or pink for the middle and two in green. Sew him together like a sandwich, just at the top so he can be opened to get your needles out. Embroider an eye for him and your stitching in style!
Posted by CraftyChicaAZ on 2004-06-07 14:49:22
Post Subject:
How about shrinky dink charms, applique with stitch witchery or heat 'n' bond or fabric glue, peat moss and concrete stepping stones or planters, sand candles, recovering an old wire lampshade, christmas crackers of some sort, a neck cooler filled with those little gritty things that turn into gelatin like crystals when water is added, luminaria made from old coffee cans, turning old workboots or coffeepots or what ever into flower pots? I saw a girl make those incense burners from wine bottles.
so far i've done shrinky dink charms, concrete stepping stones, sand candles, lampshade, christmas crackers (fun!) -
i love the other ideas, am taking nmote of them right now!! thanks! i think people like anything that is different and fun. so far i haven't had any complaints. i love my glue, i think other crafters do too!!
Posted by sewing stars on 2004-05-24 09:24:55
Post Subject:
I made up the designs myself, I drew them out on cardstock, cut them out and did traditional needle turn method applique to put the designs on the bags. (Except the sushi one, I used a fabric that doesn't really fray, Micro-suede, and stitched the pieces on with my sewing machine)
When I go to quilting stores I am always disapointed in the selection of applique patterns, so I just draw my own.
Oh, and don't worry soapandwater, I actually already sold the sushi one...
Posted by lizzymahoney on 2004-06-07 14:41:03
Post Subject:
I don't see you as stuck in a glue rut. Glue is very important in DIY stuff.
How about shrinky dink charms, applique with stitch witchery or heat 'n' bond or fabric glue, peat moss and concrete stepping stones or planters, sand candles, recovering an old wire lampshade, christmas crackers of some sort, a neck cooler filled with those little gritty things that turn into gelatin like crystals when water is added, luminaria made from old coffee cans, turning old workboots or coffeepots or what ever into flower pots? I saw a girl make those incense burners from wine bottles. I made one from a Corona bottle, but it was a little short and cracked after a couple of months.
What do your readers mostly like? Half hour crafts, or weekend projects? Stuff on the cheap or cute stuff that could cost a lot? Wild Gen Y or stay at home hippie? Do they prefer southwest oriented stuff or more cosmopolitan?
Posted by lalamark on 2005-04-22 14:20:23
Post Subject:
At my sister's wedding reception, a quilt-making cousin gave everyone 6in squares of muslin and a permanent fabric pen and had them write something to the couple. Later she pieced and quilted them to make a throw. It's quite "bridal" looking--unbleached muslin, a little lacy and sweet--but you could jazz it up by using bright solids for the signature squares instead. My only suggestion would be to warn the guests beforehand; I had a terribly time thinking up something poignant on the spot.
Another option (though less to do with the actual reception) would be a friendship style quilt in which each person contributes a square and you put them all together. These can be really interesting; I saw one that featured cross-stitching, fabric painting/stenciling, patchwork, and applique. Pretty much anything you can do to fabric.
If you keep them small and tie instead of quilt, these can be put together really quickly, and a throw-sized quilt won't take up too much room in a suitcase.
Posted by juna on 2005-04-26 09:38:41
Post Subject:
My favorite couple-hour project is making an applique to spice up a plain t-shirt. I cut out a felt shape, embroider something, or cut out an image from a groovy swatch of fabric, apply Wonder Under, so some quick whip stitching and voila!
Posted by uproar on 2005-04-20 14:06:49
Post Subject:
I should really get a pair of pinking shears (I can't believe I don't have a pair), and I want to start saving up for a serger really soon, but right now, this is what I do for appliques: I sew the applique on with a regular straight stitch. Then I go back over the top of that with one or two zig-zags. Sometimes I'll go over the zig-zag with a different stitch (it kind of looks like a bunch of chicken footsteps all stuck together in a line? ...I don't know if it has a name).
Yeah, I really want a serger. It would save so much time.
Posted by Dreamydoll on 2007-04-16 05:28:40
Post Subject:
Hello everyone
I am to this forum, I am an absolute nut when it comes to Hobbies I can''t get enough, I go through phases of every different kind of craft going I love to read all the helpfull comments and advice, at the moment I am in my Machne Applique mood and I was having the problem with fraying edges, and what I do is make a Solvy soup with scraps of Solvy and water and brush it on the fabric to be appliqued, and when dry it becomes stiff and does not fray, and washes out!! it may not be suitable for all fabrics, but so far it works well for me.
Posted by deborahthecraft on 2004-05-07 14:21:42
Post Subject:
You actually could quilt them,maybe using them in an applique would be more practiacal?Or sew the good parts of the tubes togatehr and make sock animals.
Posted by stella on 2007-01-27 22:16:36
Post Subject:
those remind me of T-dresses my mom used to make for my sister and i when we were kids. they were so cute. the pattern was similar to the Folkwear Afghan nomad dress, but even simpler. my mom would use a patchwork square or applique for the front, and she made our dolls dresses out of the scraps.
Posted by mele on 2005-01-18 16:09:52
Post Subject:
I inherited a large conatiner of buttons from agrandmother, too. Since then, I have been replacing the boring, cheap buttons on my clothes with the hip, durable ones from her stash. If i only have one, i sew it on the front where a decorative pin would go. I can then paint, applique, glue items around it to have a cool look.
Posted by tosha on 2005-06-10 02:17:19
Post Subject:
My Alloy catalog has a cute, crafty sort of bikini in brown with a turquoise flower applique. Much too teeny for me . . . I would definitely need to start working out . . . a lot.
Posted by sewing stars on 2004-07-15 10:52:29
Post Subject: homeland security can kiss my ***
okay so i am not really that mad, but i just got off the phone with TSA (homeland security) and asked if i could bring small hand sewing needles with me on the plane so i could so some hand applique while sitting on my long flight cross country. I was told I couldn't bring needles on my carry-on. how dumb is that? i understand the whole security thing and tightening up, and i understand the whole no scissors, or knives thing, but needles? come on!
i guess i'll just write letters or something less terrorist like than sewing.
Posted by sarabell on 2005-03-04 13:51:40
Post Subject:
the best one i have is currently loaned out and i dojnt' remember the EXACT name but it's a Reader's Digest Publication, if you can believe it and it encompasses many different needlecrafts. it has something about complete guide to needlecrafts (or something to that effect) in the title.
it is really easy to follow the instructions (which i usually suck at!)
the book i used at (the horrible) art school (i dropped out of ) was really good (the only class i really got into) is "The Crochet Workbook" by Sylvia Cosh & James Walters. It is really interesting as it is not your average instructional book with really innovative design ideas - like hanging chairs, murals, and a lot of 3-d ideas. also easy to follow - more diagrams than written instructions.
another GREAT book i have is "The Encyclopedia of Needlecrafts" by Lucinda Ganderton and Dorothy Wood. I'm assuming it was a rather expensive book (it was a gift) but it is "A complete practical and inspriational guide to traditional and contemporary handiwork techniques" and has sections on crochet, knitting, embroidery, applique and more. it rules. i'll never loan it out to anyone! it has really cool and beautiful ideas that have inspired many pieces i have made.
Posted by breewell on 2004-09-30 13:37:31
Post Subject: old singer sewing machine AND quilting help
Hi,
I recently got an old singer sewing machine ("born" in october 1919 in NJ). It was only $20 so I figured that if all I could do was look at it lovingly I would be happy. To my surprise, when I got it cleaned and oiled the guy said it ran great! It's one of the ones that would have had a treadle, but now is retro-fitted with a motor.
My problem is that when I learnt to sew in grade 8 home-ec I was taught to start by doing "3 stitch forward, 3 stitch back, continue forward". I don't see a reverse lever on this machine, so, am I supposed to do 3 stitches, turn the work, do 3 more, and then turn the work back, OR is that not the right method for "locking" the stitches at the end of the line and there is a better way? I have been doing simple mending around the house so it hasn't been a problem yet but am starting a quilt and want the easiest method possible!
On to quilting, I have a pattern that I love, but really need a very basic how-to to go over everything from the start, including applique. Any suggestions for books out there? I'm pretty intimidated by the quilting store here in new york, and can't afford a class right now anyway.
Posted by BubbleDragon on 2004-09-20 21:24:46
Post Subject:
You can make thread butterfly applique's to stick on purses, bookbags or jeans. (Or yeah, your locker, too.) You may also want to consider trying plastic bag crochet - search for it, and you'll get great patterns for floor mats, but also really really sturdy shopping/junk bags (Make good beach bags!)
Posted by lizzymahoney on 2004-05-27 15:06:44
Post Subject:
Friends I thought were crafty aren't, but some I wouldn't have guessed are. Go figure. I work part time at Jo-ann, and some of my coworkers are completely into one type of thing, say quilting. But uninterested in all other aspects of commonly available craft.
A few will say they "don't sew" but they really do, just not with a serger or maybe without patterns. A few say they "don't knit/crochet" but they have some expertise when customers ask for help. Most say they've never made candles/jewelry/sculpey/soap/ or applique, but they really have at least a few times. And some are truly not interested in any sort of craft. Why would they work in a fabric and craft store? Because just like the customers, they watch too damn much HGTV. They want the look of handmade things, but would rather buy the premade crap windchimes or make a fleece blanket while watching TV. I think there's still a kernel of craftiness in them, though.
Now my fellow nursing students have some much cooler ideas. One girl macrames all sorts of beaded jewelry for some of us. Another reconstructs clothing to be something she would like. One designs her own tattoos. And one of the guys cooks a lot, as do many of the women. A lot make their beach wear or halter tops or decorate their flipflops.
A long ago friend was into miniatures. You know the dollhouse stuff. She had to buy $$$ furnishings for her rooms and dollhouses. Fimo or sculpey cakes and flower arrangements, faked paintings and oriental rugs, lots of furnishings like trash cans and cooking pots. Of course I could make all that and make it better, but she really preferred to buy it from someone who made a living at it. I guess it was more collectible that way. Her problem.
Posted by shailyn23 on 2005-11-17 12:50:57
Post Subject:
I have made some pretty DARN cute baby quilts (yes im tooting my horn)
its SO easy too...
I pick one funky print (I found a great fireman fabric once) and I get about a yard and a half of that. Then pick 3 or more contrasting solids or patterns and only get a 1/4 to 1/2 yard of those. Cut long stripes of all the fabrics and sew them together (imperfect makes it even cuter). Sew all of the stripes together for as large as you want the blanket ( i make mine about a yard square) and then take your funky print and use that as your backing, stitch in all your ditches and your done. (VERY EASy!) You can also pick one graphic and applique it to either side. I did a fire hydrant (sp?) for the fireman one, and have done a dragonfly as well.
I have pretty much finished these in a day or a weekend at the most.
Posted by deborahthecraft on 2004-12-14 15:10:43
Post Subject:
I have added beads and applique to one to make it usable.
Also made a dress for a friends daughter out of one.
Another one I cut off the skirt (used as ballroom style)and wore a blouse with.
And the most recent horrible one I gave to the girls to play 'dress up' in.
Posted by deborahthecraft on 2004-05-04 16:09:23
Post Subject: Foundation Quilting
Ive been into foundation/paper quilting lately.Its givin me a good mix of applique/quilting that I've been lusting after.
The nice thing is that you can stop and start them and not feel guilty about them being unfinished for long periods of time because they are able to be works in progress.Ie you don't have to have the WHOLE thing layed out before cutting and you can add fabrics/squares in as you find and fell in love with them.
Posted by rubyseedless on 2004-09-19 18:20:24
Post Subject:
Not sure if this is a secret, but I just discovered this great double sided fusible web called "Steam a Seam" or something like that. Amazing for applique...just stick onto the wrongside of the fabric you are going to applique with and cut out your shape, then, peel off paper backing, stick onto the rightside of the fabric you are sewing the applique onto and iron. Both sides are slightly tacky without heat so things don't move around and when cutting out the applique, the web with backing paper provides a bit of backbone and makes cutting much easier. Yay!
Posted by mrs_stroozi on 2006-01-03 14:52:55
Post Subject:
anthrogirl, I do hear you when you say you feel like a fish out of water, with your age at odds with your interests to the world in general. Me, too. I remember back in my mid 20's I sewed most of my own clothes and was a monster baker. I experimented with quilting, applique and t -shirt art. This was in the 80s when everyone else on the planet was interested in making a corporate buck, and I felt I was the only one of my species. I remember a friend of mine teasing me for being so domestic, and I honestly looked at her with a blank stare -- for me it wasn't about being domestic, but being CREATIVE. But try to tell a corporate diva that...
And now the (40s-50s YOs) knitting group I sometimes visit thinks I'm nuts for wanting to crochet a heart with sneakers on a leash, or a pregnant doll, even though one of them gave me the idea. It's too out of the box for them.
One of my most cherished memories was having a midnight meal in an LA downtown bohemian cafe about 20 odd years ago, and my friends, who co-owned and ran a non-equity theater, raved to the waiter that the cake they were eating was almost as good as mine. The waiter was impressed, and said that most of the young women in his circle could argue politics but didn't know how to bake a cake. My friend replied, "Oh, she can do that, too." Made my day.
I raise my cup of lapsang souchong to you, anthro/birthday girl, and wish I could pour you one in person myself. I wish we could be realtime friends, since I think we have a bunch of stuff in common with some interesting clashes for spice, even though I suspect you are WAY over and out of my league. (Hope that comes out as a compliment.)
Posted by bessiemae on 2005-06-13 19:26:31
Post Subject:
-homemade cornstarch playdough scented/colored with KoolAid in cool little containers. Add a couple of $1 store kitchen utensils/cookie cutters or a cookie sheet.
- Make a patchwork checker board and use plastic animals as markers. Decorate border with plants/flowers, etc. Make small draw string bag for pieces.
- Kids seem to like kinda abstract animal shape pillows in loud colors or terry cloth.
- applique fav character fabric to T and shorts(Walmart has inexpensive Kid fabric, and if all 3-5yo, can pickup See and Sew short pattern )..same for pillows. Can also trim out a twin set of sheets or towels .
- Inexpensive apron, personalized with Word made Kid cookbook, and a few $1 store implements(measuring spoons, etc.)
- Most kids like anything with their name on it.
- Most girls like Fairy goodies: headband, wand, wings, etc. I say "most girls" because I would have to say "Elven" swords, tunics,etc. for my boys to consider it. Sigh.
- $1 store watches
- HM sidewalk chalk/soap crayons made in cookie cutters for cool shapes.
- like purses/bags, simple drawstring backpacks.
also check out the Dover website for $1 books and uber cool coloring books for kids.....not the usual cartoon/toyotic ones! Very cool maze books, sticker books, etc.
Posted by Becky65301 on 2004-09-30 08:26:59
Post Subject:
xuli- how 'bout this variation???-- people interested could do the preemie stuff and donate either to one of the organizations, or directly to their hospital of choice? We could all take pics and post them. So it's the same idea, but lets the crafter pick what they're comfy with.
One of the reasons I liked doing something with them is 'cause they can use things from a wide variety of crafts. Like, I don't knit. I do crochet, but no knitting. And if we went with a charity that only does knit stuff, I wouldn't participate. Finding an cause that will take knit, crochet, sewing, the silk-screeners and embroiderers and applique....cause you can do clothing or blankets or.... you get the idea. We'd all be covered somehow, I suspect.
Posted by lizzymahoney on 2004-06-30 14:47:26
Post Subject:
I don't know when, but definitely very early in life. I was embroidering at under five years for certain, although it was the child's kit with the plastic needle and holes in cardboard kind of thing. Fine embroidery in first grade or so. Paint by numbers kits and making doll clothes around then, too.
My mom was a Camp Fire Girls troop leader and didn't know any better. She thought that all the suggested crafts were things my older sister and her friends should be doing. So we did them. Only at their age, their mothers probably did more of it. And I tagged along. Candle making, macrame, applique, collage, decoupage, wreath making, corn husk dolls, face painting, papier mache, etc. Whatever people did in the early '60s. Yeah, I've made those angels out of folded Readers Digests spraypainted gold, and suet stuffed pine cones and bracelets out of oatmeal boxes.
Key was I didn't know other kids didn't do this sort of stuff. I had friends, but never seemed to notice that they didn't have fake fur coats and slinky knee sock nightgowns for their Barbies.
Then when my brothers went into Boy Scouts, I learned a hole bunch more crafty stuff including the use of power tools.
Posted by craftytricks on 2005-02-18 10:48:08
Post Subject:
Name: Julina
Location: Chicago
Age: 23
in a relationship
Pets: my cat lives with my parents and I miss her very much. My boyfriend's cat is a good filler pet for now, even though he doesn't sleep under the covers with me like my cat does.
Here are the crafts I like to do: knitting, crochet, sewing, making buttons, applique, thinking about designing my website, making things with felt, painting my apartment, and arranging/organizing things. At some point I'd like to get a silk screener and a gocco printer, but those don't fit into the budget at the moment. I'd also like to be able to sew my own clothes, which I think will be doable once I have the time and courage to sit down and give it a go.
I like to live in different cities. I grew up outside San Francisco, went to school in Boston and London, spent a summer in New York, and now I live in Chicago. Within the next few months I'll be moving back to San Francisco, this time to live in the city.
I make lots of lists, and I tend to pick up after people like my roommate and my boyfriend without really realizing what I'm doing. I get these traits from my dad.
My favorite kinds of music are twee pop, indie-ish rock and pop, and oldies. I like to think I have pretty good taste but I don't think of myself as a music snob. This is because occasionally I like a song by a band like Linkin Park and, therefore, I can't claim any superiority.
Oh, and I love to read. When I read a really good book (like The Time Traveler's Wife) I have to drop everything else and read the entire thing in one sitting. Yesterday I interviewed for a job at a bookstore and realized I was born to be surrounded by books. This is a trait I get from my mom.
And I love getcrafty. It has saved my life at my terrible job (which will be over next week) and it has inspired me in many many crafty ways!
Posted by rachel on 2005-03-22 17:07:53
Post Subject: wedding gifts
hi - I've never posted before but had to reply to your post - I also have good, old friends for whom nothing but a handmade gift would do. in my experience, as long as it comes from your heart, she will love it. one of the coolest experiences I've had making wedding gifts is combining a traditional element with something new - even if your friend is having a hip wedding, marriage is an institution with such history, it's cool to honor it. so some of the emblems I've used are the shaker tree of life (a simple tree pattern with apples you could download and applique onto a small or large quilt), the chinese double happiness symbol (traditional in red) and if you're feeling ambitious, you could also do a double wedding ring quilted pattern (even if you painted this on). another idea is to do something that you add to over the years - like a memory book. also, for one of my friends, I wrote a silly rhyming poem and read it at her rehearsal dinner and she loved it, for another, I dug up a "note" we passed back and forth in 5th grade and gave it to her - it's that little stuff that just shows your friend you care about her decision. you know? you could embroider some towels with her new initial, if she's changing her name, a la the "trousseau" concept from forever ago. like give her a set of "linens" - matching placemats and cloth napkins, dishtowels, etc. that you made for her new house...
hope this helps - I bet she loves whatever you come up with
Posted by xuli on 2005-03-22 18:24:30
Post Subject: Re: wedding gifts
one of the coolest experiences I've had making wedding gifts is combining a traditional element with something new - even if your friend is having a hip wedding, marriage is an institution with such history, it's cool to honor it. so some of the emblems I've used are the shaker tree of life (a simple tree pattern with apples you could download and applique onto a small or large quilt), the chinese double happiness symbol (traditional in red) and if you're feeling ambitious, you could also do a double wedding ring quilted pattern (even if you painted this on).
Hmmmm. I really like this. So far I'm really into something like a bedspread or a tablecloth, because I like the idea of giving them something they'll use together more often than not. I wonder if I could embroider the double wedding ring pattern onto a tablecloth? (You can tell it's early in the planning stages b/c the thought of something really complicated doesn't intimmidate me yet.) Or do an intarsia version of it, into a knitted blanket? The Chinese double happiness symbol would probably be a lot easier to do with intarsia, and yield more predictable results. Hmmm ... the wheels are turning.
(And Ambelina, I know what you mean about not knowing what to think of people who would be insulted by a gift ... I agree, in that any gift is a gift and is meant to be celebratory and is well-intended, and being insulted by any gift is kind of insulting. I guess I just meant more in the context of this particular friendship, where it's long been understood that a mix tape is a better gift than anything store-bought, no matter how cool the store-bought thing, for years and years and years, you know?)
