working with lightweight fabrics can create very delicate effects and to get a more see through effect i wondered if (?) i cut away the backing beneath the appliqués, how would that look? it is also a great way, i think, to even out the weight of the overall piece especially if you work layer on layer.
actually i am not sure what the question was, but i was inspired by some paint leftovers and i tried some softer edge discharge on indigo with soft scrub, continued from here but i used wet fabric and no stencil. and then i sliced and re-pieced, because i was thinking what if (?) i did that, probably left over from some other thought. at the same time i was wondering what if (?) i pressed the seams outward instead of to one side. i did that and now i am wondering if (?) this side wouldn't be interesting to work with.
over dyed patchwork, un-sewn to see IF(?) the seams resisted the dye. unexpected resist in seam overlap. thicker fabric, in this case corduroy has more potential for the framing effect which shows up on the back.
....of course after doing sheer patchwork, i started wondering if i could execute the same idea with shapes. 
cotton print on top of linen sheer. fairly simple but a little more difficult on a commuter train.
cut the star out first. and baste well to avoid shifting.
still using the dirty dye pot, and asking what if i do more trial dyeing over prints. i am really liking the backs of prints. the muted design looks great with the dirty dye and doesn't fight the shibori effect as much. refined slub printed cotton poplin with grey over dye. back and front.
mending methods have my interest at the moment. i am still working with the vintage piece i started in the previous post. i should mention i quickly dipped it in in brown dye to disguise some staining. some of hand stitch seams have pulled apart so i thought what if (?) i wrap the seam in a bar of satin stitch. in this case i am going all the way through and catching the backing fabric. i used one layer of thin cotton batting and gauze so i could really get a feel for the tension created. the stitch forms a gully type line on the back and fits in with regular quilting. the method is decorative and very reinforcing. not to mention the texture. and again, quilting and embroidery become one step.
the question: what if quilting is done with dots?
the reasoning: like tying without the tails. points of color. tacking the layers without lines of stitching. a new kind of texture. a short cut to combine embellishment with quilting.
the texture is very fun.
the process is very simple.
the back is clean and acceptable.(picture 2)
designs and shading can be accomplished with different color dots or combining different strands of color.
4 strands give a nice bulk .
i learned that threading the needle with 2 strands and using them double gives less bulk at the needle eye and it is easier to get through the fabric. threading the needle with 4 strands is difficult and is like 8 strands at the needle eye when sewing.
freehand dot placement and varying the stitch repeat gives nice variation.
the drape of the final product depends on how close the dots are.
it is easier to stitch the dots farther apart and then go back and fill in if you want them closer.
after catching both layers several times, the thread from each complete dot is carried in between the layers to the next dot so the stitch is a dot on both sides.
this post is continued from here
the answer to what if quilting was to be done with dots(?) is you get a very interesting texture and tack the layers together very securely.
6" x 6"
linen sandwich, thinnest cotton batting
9 patch sampler
dots embroidered with 4 strands of cotton floss.
reversible
in process
continued here
what if a patchwork block is pieced using both the back and front of the fabric to create the motif. 
that could work.
one fabric nine patch
english paper piecing method
front and back of printed dot on cotton
3" x 3"
a good approach for a limited stash.
back of fabric has a nice worn or antiqued look to it.
many more possibilities here, a series.....
and i have included the back of this block, because it inspires me...
Recent Comments