fabric

Last week I wanted to make some pom poms from fabric, in particular try out some purple organza I had. I have noticed fabric pom poms seem to be a popular decoration at weddings at the moment. I get a lot of hits, from search engines, looking for fabric pom poms. To start with I tore the organza into long strips (the width of the fabric) of about 1.5cm wide, tearing makes the fabric nice and 'hairy'.

This is how I made a passport cover following the basic removable book cover tutorial here. I chose small floral print fabrics instead of the normal plain red, white and blue for the Union Jack flag. I didn't neaten off the edges, of the applique, I wanted to leave them frayed to give a softer effect. To emphasise the frayed edges after I had sewn the shapes down, with a straight stitch, I washed the material.

These bright flowers couldn't be easier to make, just a little sewing involved.

Following my diagram make a pattern.

Cut out the felt.

The petals are formed by folding the main oblong of felt in half, making six cuts as indicated, giving you seven petals. Sew a running stitch along the bottom edge, pull thread to form a circle. Sew the two ends together, at the base.

After doing previous projects using the Suffolk puff (yo-yo's), and being pleased with the effect they give, I wanted to try something else. I liked a brooch I saw on The Eternal Magpie it was another twist on the Suffolk puff. This is my version of the flower.

I used a fine cotton lawn fabric, from this I cut out six circles for the petals and one in a contrasting colour for the centre.

My theme this week has been flowers made from fabric, I think I'm looking forward to spring, wishing away these cold winter days.

These flowers are so easy to make but I think look spectacular. I bought organza made from polyester, silk organza won't work, from the local market, only £2 a metre. I chose a few plain colours but also found a couple that were multi coloured, these are particularly good for depth and colour variation when constructing a flower.

For the pattern I cut out three concentric circles, I just drew round drinking glasses and a lid.

I bought some ribbon before Christmas, from the local market, wired edged ombre ribbon. Because the colours are graduated I thought they would make interesting flowers. I cut a length of ribbon 70cm long, removed the wire, by pulling it, from one edge, the base edge. At either end of the ribbon I folded over the ends, as shown in the photograph. With a needle and thread I sewed a running stitch along the length of the ribbon. I pulled the thread, to gather the ribbon, not too gathered or the flower would look like a rosette!

I made my two pieces of Redwork embroidery into a removable book cover. I realise a white cover isn't the most practical colour, but it is washable, and a few coffee stains might compliment the design!

Today I did a sketch of my kettle, turned it into a line drawing then embroidered it. Redwork is addictive, no household object is safe from the Redwork treatment, the more mundane the better! Find out more about Redwork, history and method here

Yesterday I drew an espresso coffeepot, today I have turned it into an embroidery. I wanted to try Redwork. You can find out more about Redwork, the history and method here I traced my line drawing, of the coffeepot, onto white cotton fabric, I don't have a light box so used my window to do this. I traced the image using a red propelling pencil, this gave ma a fine line, the same colour as my thread. The stitch I used was backstitch, couldn't be easier.

First make a pattern, to do this measure the height and around your book plus an amount for inside flaps. Add a seam allowance of 1cm (3/8th") all round plus an extra 0.5cm (3/16th") to the top and bottom of your pattern.

Cut out two pieces from the pattern.

Place the 2 pieces right sides together, and pin them.

Using a straight stitch, sew them together along the edges (seam allowance of 1cm (3/8th"). Leave a 5cm (2") gap, along one of the short edges, and use it to turn the cover right side out.