I can only describe myself as a ‘blur’ as I rush
towards Christmas each year because, as the time gets shorter, I usually decide
that I want to make more of my gifts. I have had plenty of time to do this in
the last couple of months but, no, I choose the 11th hour to make
this decision. There is no logic to it and my sanity must be called into question!
Perhaps it is a subconscious niggle that roots itself in my brain (the one functioning
cell!) after my first foray to the shops. I don’t buy much on that first visit
as it is more of a fact-finding mission. And the more I see of what the shops have
decided that we are going to have for Christmas, the more I don’t want to buy
what I see. Yes it’s convenient; yes there is a price range to suit all
pockets; and yes everyone does it. But I would rather use my skills to make
things for people who appreciate something different. Here are a couple of my ‘useful’
gifts, tissue boxes; the first already completed and the other needing some extra
embellishment.
Completed box
Nearly completed box
I have decided to use the leaves printed on the
fabric to decorate the box.
Fabric
To do this, I apply a fusible web to the fabric and
cut the leaves out roughly before sticking them onto a backing fabric.
Rough cut leaves
In this instance, I am using 2 layers of backing fabric
rather than a wadding layer and backing fabric for a less bulky effect. To stabilise
the layers, I am going to do a line of free-motion stitches to define the edge
of each leaf.
Sewn edge
Question:
Now, do I cut out the leaves first and then satin stitch the edges or satin
stitch then cut?
Answer:
The sample on the left was satin stitched before cutting and the one on the
right was cut out first. These samples illustrate that to satin stitch first
before cutting is the most successful outcome! It was near impossible to
control the shape under the machine if it was cut our first …this is the
benefit is sewing samples!
Sample leaves
The leaves will be attached as shown below to
complete the box. Now another dilemma: should I add some Vick, Lemsip and
throat sweets and make it into a ‘Winter Survival Kit’ … or would a box of Belgian
chocolates be more acceptable? There’s no choice really is there?! Chocolates
it is then.
Detail
The mortar in between the stones of the arches has
been sewn with a stippling stitch. This stitch went over the edges of the
stones so that I didn’t have to do a satin stitch around each shape.
Stippled edges
And having done that, I felt confident enough to trim
and bind the edges, even though I still have some more decorative stitching to
do. The beauty of working with Warm and Natural batting is that it rarely shifts
during sewing and it grips the quilt top and backing as you work. Great stuff!
Wall hanging
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