Embellishments on Denim

Buying a denim jacket second hand or on sale, embellishing it and then having people admire your wearable art (even offering money) is so very satisfying. Pictured are two such jackets (jacket left, is a work in progress). I usually get the jacket to a wearable stage and as inspiration strikes me, I keep adding embellishments. Call it 'wearable art in progress'.

The jacket pictured left has been embellished with Shiva Paintstiks using rubbing plates, staggering their position. The front of the jacket has also been embellished with Shiva Paintstiks and Hot-Fix SiamAB Crystals.

The jacket pictured right has been embellished with printable inkjet fabric sheets using images from a book called Art-To-Wear. The shiny embellishments are Angelina Fibres fused onto the jacket using Misty Fuse. All embellishments have been machine sewn on using Gold and Variegated Signature Threads showcasing the fabulous fancy stitches on my machine.

I am always on the lookout for a discounted denim jacket with lots of panels making it easier to segment the decorative elements. It really can be a fast fun and easy fashion project, showcasing your personality, skill and talent. I wear them with pride.

Sandra.

Free Gift Offer Expires 15 September 2009

Our current free gift offer with purchase lasts until 15 September. With every order over $120 (excluding postage & handling and other specials) you will receive a free Canvas bag ready made for adding embellishments. Simply quote promotion code CANVAS on your order form on-line or by post, or when placing your order by phone or fax.

These 100% Cotton canvas bags have been specially made for your embellishing projects. Use ribbons, buttons, crystals or your favourite fabrics. The Satchel Bag and Tote Bag are also available individually.

Craft Mailbox Japanese Meshwork Quilt

I made this quilt 2 years ago and even now when I look at it, I still see new patterns within each block.

Blocks are 9in and took approximatley 4 hours to make i.e. cutting strips, making bias tape with fusible webbing and then weaving onto a portable multi-funcitonal ironing and cutting board. All weaving patterns were taken from the book Japanese Meshwork with Fabrics.

Sandra.

Book Review - Nuno Felt

Nuno Felt by Liz Clay is one of those books that you just have to own, even if it just sits on the coffee table and gets its pages flicked for inspiration occasionally. But if you are into more than just caressing the cover, the techniques explained are brilliant. If you have been to a craft show recently, you can’t have missed the felt making workshops. Felting is tactile, satisfying, elemental, an art form. The nuno technique takes wool fibres and combines them with woven fabrics like chiffon, muslin, and organza to produce flexible, lightweight material. There is something very wholesome and creative about meshing fibres to create heat and friction, and seeing a transformation occur. The feel and the smell of the fibres are surprisingly attractive and comforting. This book gives great lessons in the creation of scarves, throws, and assorted home interior pieces. There are terrific photos and instructions, and information on adding embellishments and using cutwork and shibori. The basic essentials to get started are; bubble wrap, net curtain fabric, sponge, olive oil soap, rubber mat, towels, reed blind or mat, plastic piping, plastic bowl and rubber gloves. Preferred textiles include merino wool, muslin, silk, and organza, but the possibilities are endless.

Book Review - Foolproof Machine Quilting

Having just machine quilted a lap quilt and then pulled out every stitch on the project in disgust of my efforts, this book is a must read! Foolproof Machine Quilting by Mary Mashuta is full of information and pictures showing what you can do using a walking foot and the feet dogs up. Rather than limiting yourself to just quilting ‘in the ditch’, you can create designs that mirror or enhance the basic construction of the quilt. It gives sensible instructions on setting up your equipment, selecting projects and supplies, preparing quilt tops, creating your own quilting designs, using commercial templates and making your own templates, actually quilting!, and bordering the quilt. Every step has photos and diagrams. It is full of tips, ideas, warnings and advice that is all easy to follow and understand and most importantly, use. For example, did you know that cats do not digest monofilament thread? The author uses commercial templates such as those produced by Victorian Textiles, Westalee, Quilter’s Rule and June Tailor, along with quality threads in various weights for quilting. She makes her own templates from freezer paper. She also recommends quality needles, sharps and other specific needles rather than universals. Maybe I will have another go at this quilt now that I have read the book...

Book Review - One-Block Wonders Encore!

When I am choosing which book to spend my hard earned on, I try to find books that have innovative ideas. Ones that do not contain the same run of the mill patterns that I have seen heaps of times before. Part of the attraction to One-Block Wonders Encore! by Maxine Rosenthal and Joy Pelzmann is just this. Kaleidoscopic / hexagonal designs always look fresh and original, and high impact. They rely heavily on good fabric choice – the best ones are saturated with colour, have strong design and do not have much background colour visible. Thankfully, this book gives lots of advice about fabric choice, and the need to choose something you love so that you will enjoy the creation of the quilt even more. The authors recommend taking your design mirrors shopping with you! You will also need a Clearview 60 degree triangle ruler, flower head pins, and a design sheet. You will be stunned with the transformation of your chosen fabric – make sure you keep a sample so that you can remember what the original looked like!