crafting that isn't sewing, knitting, or crochet Archives - Page 7 of 8

September 3, 2009

Bleach Discharge Patchwork

I made this patchwork quilted piece using some of the fabrics I discharged with bleach a few days ago. With all the squares and stripes in this patchwork piece I thought it might like a round home, and I’ve had a few round fabric pillow forms in my supplies for a while. A few trials and I could possibly be getting closer to a round shape that actually looks like I want it to, but its frustrating. Why do round pillows stump me? Random things in sewing stump me. Zipper? No problem… Making a king sized quilt? Not a problem?…. Oh, wait, you said a round pillow? Complete Befuddlement. I’ll get there.
I did a post today over at nonchalant mom on heading back to school. I’d love to hear what routines and strategies are working for you guys. I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve to keep them on task. I’m sure going to miss them when they head back next week, but I am looking forward to being a little more productive and focused all around.
And quite honestly Ian could stand to read something other than the Lego catalog. Anything.
Hey, this posting every day thing is not too bad!

August 31, 2009

Bleaching Fabrics

Bleaching fabrics like quilting cottons is something I’ve wanted to try for a while. This seems like a natural progression for someone obsessed with fabric like I am, and apparently the crafting world at large is thinking the same thing, because there are some fabulous books currently out and soon to be out that can easily walk you through all you need to know to do this (more on that in a minute).
On Sunday, I decided to try bleach discharge. I pulled out a dozen or so fabrics, in a range of shades from dark to light, some blues and greens, some pinks and reds, to see how the different colors would react. I set up shop in the backyard with an empty plastic bin, and mixed a simple solution of 4 quarts water with 4 cups bleach. I added the fabric into the solution in three different batches (not sure this was entirely necessary, but I did), then set the timer for 5 minute increments. (Note I did not add soap in the solution, the bubbles could be from stirring.)

I have to say it didn’t seem to alter the fabric at all for most of the time it was in the solution (although I’m sure it was), but when I did start to see a change in the fabric colors it happened fast, so my advice is to keep your eyes on it. This batch came out about 15 minutes later, I left the next fabrics in for the same amount of time. Then I ran them all through a wash cycle to remove the bleach, then pressed them out.
Here’s the results-

All of these are quilting cottons, with the exception of the linen Lotta Jansdotter on the bottom right of the last photo. Some fabrics changed quite a bit, some not so much. But fun, right? The most interesting changes are when the dye washes away and brings out some undertone in the original color that didn’t show up as much in the original. I think I’d like to play with this some more, adjusting the times the fabrics are in the solution, etc.

I started a new pillow, pairing one of the bleached pieces with its original (an Amy Butler print). This is very cool stuff. I am really excited that Malka’s book is due out in November. If its anything like her blog and beautiful fabrics, it will only inspire me further. And Amy’s book came last week, which sort of sent me off on this tangent to begin with, but more on that tomorrow. I’m going to try to blog every day this week, to get me back in the habit, plus I just have lots to talk about.
Oh! And today I have a interview up over at The Progressive Pioneer
(thank you Amy!).
Have a great day!

August 24, 2009

More Patchwork

More patchwork. This time done in a long (28″) rectangular pillow.
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July 15, 2009

Bits of Our Wednesday

Today is first quiet day we’ve had in a while. I took the kids with me for a quick visit to our accountant’s office, which meant a stop on the way home at the really large Goodwill nearby. My kids zero’d in on an electronic Battleship game, then found a treasure trove of 79 cent paperback books. I, myself was browsing through the other shelves and hit the jackpot on a back wall.READ MORE

July 12, 2009

Patchwork Pillow Color Study

I had temporarily forgotten how much I love patchwork and patchwork pillows. Much like Goddess dressing to my food, I think everything sewn can be made just a little better with patchwork. Patchwork can satisfy my need to buy smallish cuts of pretty fabric, and it creates a brand new piece of fabric that I never get tired of. Fabric that I only like a little bit on its own is suddenly so much better when grouped into patchwork.READ MORE

June 10, 2009

Teacher Gifts

Thanks so much for all the kind words on the checker set. If you’re thinking of making one, go for it and include the kids on the felted rock making, they will love it, super easy. Be sure and check back in the comment section of that post, I answered some general questions that came up and linked to a tutorial on making the rocks.READ MORE

June 8, 2009

Homespun Checkers

The kids are getting older around here, which means the game playing is getting a little easier (fewer tears). I’ve had so much fun playing the classics with them lately. The other day, when felting my millionth rock, and wondering what to do with all all these felted rocks I’m accumulating (never mind that some would wonder what to do with even one felted rock)?? I had the idea come to me to make a checker set for the kids and I and, of course, the treehouse.READ MORE

May 24, 2009

Halloween Propping

I’m so glad you guys like the fabric-covered journals!
Last week I was hired to create props for an thrift store chain’s upcoming photo shoot for Halloween (more details will come on all this later). All the crafts had to be recycled, using items from their store, inexpensive, easy, no-sew or low-sew, and family friendly (doable for kids, adults, and teens). All this felt like a surprisingly small order when I actually got down to task and started making up the projects. I really had a lot of fun putting this all together.READ MORE

May 22, 2009

30 minute DIY Fabric Covered Notebook

I love pretty notebooks to make notes and sketches in. These fabric covered notebooks are one of those projects that time spent making is nothing compared to satisfaction gained. Less than 30 minutes, start to finish for a pack of 3 moleskine journals. Its great if you’re like me and have the really pretty fabric and have absolutely nowhere to use it in a project at the moment (a large scrap would do one journal).READ MORE

May 11, 2009

A Drawstring "Stuff" Bag

Pulling up at school each morning, Ian and I get out of the car within a normal, realistic amount of time, and proceed to begin to wait for Emma to emerge. After several minutes of standing by the car and waiting for her, the door opens and she spills out. She has stuff. Lots of stuff. Bedroom stuff…backpack stuff…portable stuff… I do not know if this is typical of all 10 year old girls, but it is for Emma. There really is no other way to describe these bits and trinkets she finds important enough to carry with her.
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