One Simple Way to Alter Fabric

Rainbow

I love fabric, I collect fabric. So why do I like to change it so much? I guess because it’s fun? I love he individuality of it? Or maybe just because I can? Who knows or cares!!
One very easy, inexpensive way to play...


Dye-Na-Flow is a free flowing, transparent, textile paint. Dampen the fabric with either a brush or a spray bottle. For a blended effect, mix your fabric paints right on the fabric, applying one color over another while the paint is still wet.

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Rainbow started it's life with a black and white fabric very much like this one. Dampened the black and white flowers and dropped paint until I liked the look.

Studing Leaves

I am very inspired by all the shades of green. Hawaii is my latest influence. Now how to incorporate this into a quilt!

It's Always About the Color

The Chinese love color and so do I

Bargain Boutiques Vintage Fashion Collection - Children's Hospital

I love vintage fashions. I had an opportunity to see part of Children's Hospitals collection. A vintage fashion show covering more than 100 years of fashion, all proceeds benefit Seattle Children's Hospital.
They offer a number of different shows, I was pleased to see the Wedding Show which features more than 100 years of wedding fashions, including wedding dresses, bridesmaid's apparel and fashions worn by the mother of the bride.

 

Other shows include:
Fashion Through the Decades - A fashion show of women's clothing and accessories from the early 1890s through 1990s.

First Ladies - A special presentation of clothing styles representative of first ladies. This show features ensembles and a history of presidential wives, their styles and how they impacted American fashion.

Famous mothers - From Mother Jones to Mother Nature to the Queen Mother, this show features the fashion of famous mothers.

Some Enchanted Evening – From ball gowns to tea dresses to prom wear,  party dresses through the decades.
For more information, contact Kate Slaminko at 206-242-7633.

Thread

It's fun for me to make quilts, thinking of all the ways to quilt them as I piece. The actual stitching is the most enjoyable part of all. Well let's face it, I love the process!

So it occurs to me you might be interested in how I use different threads. I'll quilt with any thread I can get into the needle and if it doesn't fit, put it in the bobbin.


The easiest of all threads is 100% cotton. Buy the best thread available makes the sewing a lot easier. Choose a needle with a sharp point; quilting, jeans, & microtex/sharp needles. Pick one that corresponds to the size of the thread. Small thread- small needle; large thread-large needle.

The sewing is fun and rewarding when you use a walking foot for the actual stitching.

Blocks to Share

My friends and I make each other quilts to celebrate significant birthdays. Our favorite is this simple disappearing nine patch.It starts with 5" squares.

Changing the fabrics makes a totally different quilt!

Painting Highlighted with Metallic Thread

Lavish Leaf, is one of my painted quilts. Paint sticks are easy and fun. But what I really want to talk about is the metallic thread that I used for the quilting. The thread helps fool the eye and lead the viewer to think that it is some kind of fancy applique done with a shimmery fabric.
It's not. Iridescent paint sticks and flat film thread (probably Sliver). A couple of pointers about the thread. Use a metallic needle, the smaller the better, I like an 80/12. Choose a polyester bobbin thread, my favorite is The Bottom Line by Superior Threads. And be sure to loosen the top tension as much as necessary to get a good looking stitch. Most important of all, have fun!

Around Town

A trip to the Asian Art Museum means that I get to go to the Arboretum too!

More Stenciling on Fabric

This example is painted using a purchased stencil.

Paint Sticks are oil paint in a crayon like form, my favorite for stenciling on fabric.

Textile Paint

 This is a friendship block, I thought that it would be a fun change to paint the block. I drew the block design on freezer paper, ironed it to the back of the fabric. Masked the areas not to be painted with more freezer paper on the right side of the fabric and painted with textile paints. Great way to personalize a block!

All About Painting Using Stencils

1. Understand the paint:
Textile Paints can be applied with brushes, sponges, stamps and squirt bottles.
Luminere are metallic paints that brush on like butter. The paint remains flexible. They are opaque, even on dark fabrics.
Paint Sticks are oil paint in a crayon like form, very suitable for stenciling on fabric.
Dye-Na-Flow & Seta color are free flowing textile paints, not suitable for stenciling

2. Easy Clean up: Tape plastic to your table.

3. Discourage leaks: Use some hairspray on the underneath side of your stencil to make it stick on the surface, and to help prevent the paint seeping in at the edge.

4. Securing basics: keep a stencil in place by taping it at the top and bottom with a piece of tape and iron the fabric to freezer paper.

5. Less is more: Load the brush lightly, so that the ends of the bristles are covered evenly; wipe off any excess on a piece of paper or cloth. You'll get better results by applying two thin coats rather than one thick one. Wait for the first to dry before applying the second.

6. Work from the outside: Start painting on the edges of the stencil, working into the center. This helps prevent paint getting under the edges.

7. Appling the paint: Stencil brushes are round with short, stiff bristles. Use quick up-and-down movement to dab paint onto your fabric. This helps prevent paint getting under the edges.

8. Go multi-colored: To use more than one color in a stencil, use tape to mask off areas of the stencil you don't want in a particular color.

9. Wash regularly: If you're doing a repeat design, wash your stencil regularly in warm water to keep the edges free of paint. If there's some paint on an edge, you won't get a crisp edge to your painted stencil.

10. Store stencils flat: A stencil needs to be flat to be usable. Store it in a large flat box.

Inspirations

I'm in my studio thinking about my next quilt, and just can't get the images of Venice out of my mind!

30 Things I have Learned

1.     How to bind a quilt
2.     Enjoy the process and stop rushing to get it done.
3.     Nothings perfect
4.     Rotary cutter and self-healing mat.
5.     Love your self. Love your quilt. It’s your quilt. Don’t compare your quilt to others.
6.     Be organized. Once you acquire a large stash and everything else, they do you no good unless you can find what you want.
7.     Starch is my best friend
8.     Keep trying, there’s always something new to learn.
9.     Practice, practice, practice!
10.     It’s okay not to be perfect. Only machines attain perfection
11.     Accuracy in all things
12.     There’s more than one way to do things
13.     Don’t watch the needle.   
14.     Binding
15.     Buy as much fabric as you want. Life is short.
16.     Measure twice cut once.
17.     Continue to try new techniques, keep learning
18.     After places pieces on a design board (or the floor) take a photo to see if it is balanced and if anything jumps out as just wrong.
19.     Be creative and come up with your own ideas
20.     There are no quilt police, if you can imagine it you can make it.
21.     Quilting is a social sport.
22.     Use the best tools you can afford.  If you can afford a quality sewing machine, get that first.
23.     Press, press and more press
24.     When someone compliments your work always say “thank you” even if you don’t feel you have done well
25.     Blue painters tape for a straight line and to use a neutral thread for piecing.
26.     Join a local guild. Members are enthusiastic and willing to share, teach and inspire.
27.     Breathe and relax.
28.     The right needles and using a thimble. If you prick your finger and get blood on the quilt, your saliva will take it out, if done immediately.
29.     Have fun!     
30. To say “no” to people who want you to make things for them.

Road Trip

Warm sunshine, energetic, chirping robins and longer days are all hallmarks of spring in the Pacific
The Quad cherry trees were moved from a location near the Montlake Bridge and planted in 1962 when they were already more than 20 years old. The trees, now over 80 years old, hopefully will make it to a century.


Northwest. But at the University of Washington, springtime can only mean one thing — cherry blossoms.

Saturday - Beads are a Blast!

 

Beads are a Blast!

Beads are a fun addition to many quilts and garments. Come learn how to use beads. Learn what to look for when you shop, how to sew those little beads that add so much to your designs. Melody will share with you design ideas, handling tips, and sewing techniques.

Friday = Fantastic Fabric Foiling

Fantastic Fabric Foiling

Bring your projects to life with instant glitz and shine. Foiling on fabric is easy, fun, and permanent. This informative hands-on workshop is for both traditional and nontraditional quilt and clothing makers.