BLOG 147

Happy Bank Holiday weekend to those for whom it applies! Us Retirees have to stop retiring on Friday in order to appreciate and enjoy the fact that it is a holiday weekend! As it includes Monday too, we will recommence our retiring again on Tuesday.

METHOD

1 Place and pin strip 1, RS up, on the sheet of A4 paper. Make sure that it is slightly wider than the paper and that the top edge lies level with the top of the paper.

 

                                      Strip 1

2 Place strip 2, RS down, onto strip 1 with the raw edges together. Pin to keep the strips together.

 

                                     Strip 2

3 Use an accurate ¼” seam allowance to sew through the 2 layers of fabric and the paper.

(You will notice that I am sewing this first seam with the bulk of the fabric to my right. This is because it easier to get under my sewing machine with the paper to my left. My ¼” foot measures the same on both sides.)

 

 

 

            

                            ¼” seam allowance

4 In order to save thread, sew 2 panels in sequence. (You can do more if you want to but it can get quite congested on the other side of your sewing plate.)

                           Saving thread

 5 After sewing the 2 panels, sew over a thread-saver strip before cutting the threads to release the panels.

 

                                        Successive panels

6 On an ironing pad, press the seam first to settle the stitches and then flip strip 2 over so that the RS is visible. Press it into sequence.

 

                                     Sew, flip and press

 7 Continue to add strips, making sure that you vary the width of the strips and that you don’t repeat any fabrics.

 

 

                                              In progress

8 You don’t have to pin after the first strip. Control the strips with your left hand and guide the paper with the right. The paper will be inclined to slip on the sewing plate but the lines on the paper are great for keeping the strips straight. Put your foot down and sew!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

               Controlling the seam

 9 Continue this ‘sew, flip and press’ method until both the sheets of paper are covered. Give the panels a final press and put them to one side until several more have been completed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                   Final press