Bricks and blocks

Here  are the directions for creating a staggered brickwork with fabric strips.  I created a table runner in batiks... and wall piece in homespun fabrics.

Cut at least 18 strips of fabric (these are 2 inch wide, but jelly roll strips are perfect)
I prefer to use at least 2 or 3 of the same fabric strip within the mix for a little cohesion between the two strip panels I will create and use. (this sample used 5 different fabrics so repeats are more often than usual)

You will slash, sew and press continually as you create the runner.

1) Seam two sets together, one has 8 strips and the other has 7. My goal is to make a long 8" wide panel of staggered "bricks"...the two panels are about 101/2 and 12 inches wide, but the shify will narrow that. Add more strips for a wider finished runner.
(**you will add extra strips if required.)

2) Begin by squaring one side of each panel.
3) Cut a 1 1/2" strip across panel A and sew it to panel B, Stagger seams between strips to look like bricks. it is not necessary to center them.
4) Cut across panel B 1 1/4 " from the new seam.
5) sew new pieced section to panel A, Again staggering the seam, remembering that you want every other block to stack above the other (with a little shift).
6) Cut across panel A 1 1/4" from new seam.
7) Sew new pieced section to Panel B.
8) repeat 4-7 creating a column of blocks...** NOTE, that when one panel shifts over too far to one side you will need to add a strip to the opposite side. **

After 7-9 stacks of bricks, feel free to square up the side edges. Also understand that a little wonkiness in the seams makes for a more artsy look.

Yours for the picking

Here are the templates, ready to go.        

Because the finished pieces are stuffed and then shaped with the center "core" perle cotton stitching, the pieces need not be cut exactly perfect... as long as the seams match between adjacent crescents. 

Think about enlarging or shrinking the templates for pin cushions in different sizes. This could be quite a harvest.

 Also not stated in the previous post—but hopefully understood—is to make sure and press each seam after it is sewn. Once the piece is finished you can massage the apples or pumpkins into "shape", for a little more character.

These make great paperweights or centerpiece accents as well.    

ENJOY,

 each square is 1 square inch.

Rick

Making an Apple (Pumpkin) pincushion

I made apple pincushions for a swap, and was asked how to make them,
Here is my process.
I decided to make a pumpkin for the tutorial; as it is that season, and I need something for my Autumn/Halloween swap.  
If you have questions please let me know.

[NOTE: the photographs show the pumpkin pincushion in process.]

MATERIALS 

 6 (8) pieces of  6X6" fabric in your color choice, I used batiks for my apples, and both batiks and metallic-dusted darks for the pumpkin.

 1 piece of  green fabric 2 ½ x 10”  for leaves and stem

Thread for piecing and also contrast thread for veins in leaves.

Long doll needle & perle cotton.

Sewing needle.

Filling, I prefer crushed walnut shells form the reptile department at the pet store

small shank button for floret end of apple.

Pattern template 8X3 inch piece of card stock or plastic cut to cat's eye shape.

Tape

1 Make your pattern template by enlarging the schematic, the template is 8" long and 3" at widest point.

    2    Cut  6 (8) wedges, I prefer to stack and whack with my rotary cutter.

    3   Adjust the machine stitching to 12-15 stitches per inch.   With right sides facing, layer the wedges into pairs and seam along 1 arc.

 4    Take 2 of the paired sets and seam them together along one arc into a quad. (for the pumpkin repeat for the other 2 sets for 2 quads.) Make sure that your seams cross at the points for stability.

 5   For the apple, seam the pair to the quad along one arc. (for the pumpkin seam the 2 quads together along 1 arc.)

6  For the final seam,
Sew from one point past center and beyond for about 2 inches ending with a back-stitch.
 7  Skip approximately 1-1½” back-stitch and seam to opposite point.
8   Turn piece inside out.  You will have what looks like a deflated football (basketball), that is a good thing.

9  With a funnel begin filling your apple (pumpkin) it takes a little patience and some adjusting, keep in mind that you will want to pack this tightly.

10 When the piece is about 75-80 % full, temporarily tape the opening closed. 11 With doll needle and perle cotton sew from the point , through the center, to the other point, to shape the apple (pumpkin) indentations. I try to get at least 4 passes sewn through the center, and place a shank button on the end opposite the stem.

 12 Remove tape and continue to fill apple (pumpkin) until it is solid. Use a dowel or pencil, if necessary, to pack the filling.

13 With needle and thread,  sew the seam closed— stitching should be very small and  neat as possible. If necessary tighten the  indentations with more  perle cotton stitching through the center of your appe (pumpkin) core. ( this will tighten and firm up a somewhat squishy fabric.  for the record the pumpkin weighs 2 pounds 5 ounces...)

14  Take leaf fabric, and place wrong sides together, draw, then machine stitch 2 leaves along diagonal of fabric following sketch.  Using contrast thread adds interest when sewing veins. 

and center stem.  Cut out each leaf, as closely as possible to the stitching, then pinch the edges with your fingernails and run then along the cut edges for a bit of curl and frayed edge.

 13) Fold remaining leaf fabric in half with right side together, and sew stem according to sketch.  Turn right side out, stuff with fiber, yarn or cottonballs,  sew to top of apple (pumpkin), tucking in raw edges

       Apply leaves, covering the opening if necessary. 

Enjoy...note that the templates will follow  in next post...having issues with adding them. see sidebar for more pictures. 

Rick

Everyone can be a dick fan at one time or another....

I am back from Stitches Midwest, what a great time, I was never so busy. Would you believe that I didn't even walk the full market? But with small foibles and oversights that I had to remedy at the last minute, I didn't have the free time I wanted. This show was one of the most tiring ones so far; but also really rewarding, as we implemented in-booth demos that were ever so $u€€e$$ful....

I discovered a new fabric ink, and purchased 30 different colors. I even stenciled my tux shirt for the student fashion show just minutes before the show itself....I can't wait to try shaving creme printing, daubing, airbrush, stencils, marbling, and all the other things that my new friend, Joyce Tang, showed me.

We then went to Chicago proper for a photo shoot, had an audition and found amazing models for the next issue, the shoot went without a hitch. And even provided a little time for retail expeditions...I will rethink my purchases only after my CC bill arrives....NOT! No buyers remorse in this body. I love my new books, jewelry, and art piece for Casa Rico.

We were treated to 3 amazing sunrises over Lake Michigan, and a Wed night fireworks show at Navy Pier, perfect from my Hotel window!!!!

We also had great opportunities to dine...went to Burgoff's (not as exciting as it was in then olden days), Giordono's pizza (amazing...but no artichokes?.?), and Frontera Grill(food was a little too salty, and RB turned out to be a €#*%)....he lost four fans in the matter of 5 seconds. His cook books are now in the recycling bin to be hauled off on Tuesday.

My research desires for the week were to visit the Chanel shop...I did and they never disappoint....I am so ready to interpret the Chanel jumper for our next show! I also shopped Cop Copaine...and got an amazing pin for my blazers...I couldn't resist, the stylist was sooooooo cute and adorable...((Randall, I think I love you!))

And last but not least, I got to finish my trip with a little Dick.....

Blick...... More surface designs coming down the pike.

CROSS DRESSING IN SIOUX FALLS

OMG....sitting here having breakfast and three businessmen in the next booth are bitching about the Gay Pride celebration at the fairgrounds this weekend and the drag show Friday night at the Washington pavilion....apparantly only straight people pay taxes????

" This is Sioux Falls, a wholesome town"...... "can you believe Wells Fargo sponsored the stage set-up... And even advertised" " there was even an article in the paper..." "our taxes support that venue..."

Can someone please enlighten these baby-boomer morons that the mousetrap just snapped, and they are the captives. Gay Pride is not about conversion, cross dressing, or staying in the closet ...it is about
CREATING AWARENESS
...please gentlemen...please....repeat you anger and disgust all day, we need more people to know we are here and not going anywhere soon!!!! We did our job, now be our apostles and spread the word that gays exist in wholesome Sioux Falls, South Dakota!

Off to Wells Fargo to open an account! And then to work so I can pay more taxes! But as I go ....remember....


Today I cry for misinformed, because the misunderstood are far better off.

And you can quote me.

Heheheeee another score...

Went to the fabric store to buy a pressie for a friend, then looked through the sale rack, the 100%cotton acid green fabric I love at $10/yd was on the table, so checked the price...$1 per yard, bought all they had and at check out the 40 percent coupon made it 60 cents per yard....SWEET!
Bacause it is a solid it will get some surface design before it goes into anything...I need a vacation just to play with all mt scores from the past couple weeks.

I feel so macho... And make pretty things still!

The past 3 weekends have been studies in home improvement.

2 weekends ago , I decided to replace the water hoses on the washer and that was ever so much fun....the space for the pipe wrench was just too tight to get any leverage so I got to talk shop with the hardware guy and bought channel lock pliers...with a lifetime guarantee, I wonder what happens if I lose them...because that is what will happen if anything.

Last weekend I fixed the handiquilter frame, it was a study in plexiglass glue, nuts and bolts, drill bits and c-clamps.....fortunately Luke had taught me all this stuff through the years. And no matter how bright the hardware guy seemed to be after two drill bits not being the right size, I took my knitting needle sizing gauge and worked from there.

This weekend, I decided that the area under the deck need sprucing up. It sets 7 feet above the ground, and gets enough sun for a garden. I had wanted to create a lush garden of grasses and flowers, but couldn't get to it earlier this year because of job demands. I decided instead to colorize with mulch and a few foliage plants.....I got a
Chinese maple, and the best part is it was a stray growing in the far back of the yard, so I replanted it between my deck and the neighbor's. Also placed three verdigris cone sculptures among the mulch and plants, From the lower bedroom and den you can look out at this serene setting. It isn't quite zen-like, but would have been had I thought a bit harder about it...
Demn...I coulda used sand. Well maybe next weekend....NAW, next year maybe....