LEAF DARTS
 

These leaves were made by sewing a dart on a triangular piece of fabric.

I got the idea from dressmaking (like pleated patchwork here).

 

When sewing clothes, darts are used to transform a flat piece of cloth

 into a three-dimensional shape that accommodates the human body.

 

Think, for example, of bust darts that create space for “the girls”.

 

Layers of leaves on audition. Not sewn to base fabric.
"Trunk" is a chopstick.

 

 I made these after reading Lara's AHIQ post here
asking for suggestions on leaves.
 

 Here's one Aspen leaf:

 

Backstitching secures the thread so it doesn't unravel

and lose the three-D volume. 

For me, I backstitch it all the way to the start.

It's a short dart, I don't mind back tracking for security.

 

Round leaves, elongated leaves...all can be created.
Just cut fabric to the shape required.

The degree of puffiness depends on dart shape and length:

 

I like the one on the lower left, stripes look like the veins of a leaf.
 

How to attach such leaves?

 

The green leaf:
*fray-checked edges, sewn down with running stitch

 *scrap batting tucked into the leaf

 

The purple leaf:
*needle turn hand-applique - in progress

 

 

These leaves sew up quickly and use up all those small scraps.

 

They're fun to make.

 

And they're pretty!

 

 

 

~Ema N~

 

 Linking up with AHIQ.

 

 



K1P1

Lots of moss stitch and double moss stitch recently

as I knitted scarves for a charity drive.

The best part of this is a colleague who has not knitted

for over 20 years picked up her needles again!

She knitted six scarves and enjoyed it.

There's no stopping her now :-)

~Ema N~

Photos and text belong to the author of this blog, unless otherwise stated.

Please do not use without permission.

 

FABRIC RECIPE

When I was young, my mom had me copy out recipes from cookbooks

as a way of keeping me quiet for an hour or two.

 

I remember writing out the word, “Method”, many times over.

That's why recipes are my inspiration for this month's Le Challenge.

 

I baked this when I was 14 years old!

 

I chose this Swiss Roll recipe from my Home Economics textbook.

The plan was to make a fabric version of it.
 

 

The text was embroidered on a piece of calico.

First, it was written on the fabric using disappearing ink pen.

 

The problem was the ink faded faster than I could embroider!

Over half the words were done more-or-less freehand,

guided only by the faintest of lines, sometimes none at all.

 

That's why it's wonky.

 

All part of the charm, I say.

 

 

The swiss roll was appliqued.

 

There is batting under because I wanted

to quilt in swirling lines to reflect the roll of the swiss roll :-)

It's nice, the three-dimensional effect and texture.
 

 

The swiss roll pattern is from Patchwork Tsushin, October 2012.

 

Sadly, this Japanese magazine ceased publication earlier this year.

 

It was a delight, full of inspiration. I'll miss it.

Drying out after a wash. The purple thread bled!

The whole thing is tucked into a tile and metal frame
 suited to the rustic vibe of this fabric recipe.

 It's pretty on the bookshelf.

~Ema N~

Linking up with

 Crazy Mom Quilts' Finish It Up Friday.

Kathy's Quilts Slow Sunday Stitching

Photos and text belong to the author of this blog, unless otherwise stated.

Please do not use without permission