Tip of the Day

I used to have two bathrooms.  Each had it's own decor style.  I now have one.  Sew . . . what do I do with some of my decor items now?  Here's one idea--a leftover toothbrush holder.

Yep!  It holds my scissors, my sewing machine cleaning brush, and a chalk marking pencil.  The scissors stand up, ready to be used, easy to grab!

What have you re-purposed for your craft?

Yesteryear - Applique Art

Last week, in the ongoing "Yesteryear" blog post, I talked about an invisible applique stitch.  I personally like a combination of applique and patchwork, which was a technique used often for many years providing extra art in quilt design.  Many applique designs were done on a white background, so as to highlight the applique motifs.  Designs ranged from scrolls to tulips to bows and flowers patterns.  

A pair of very sharp scissors are a definite must have for applique work.  Designs must be cut precisely. I like to use a fine grit sandpaper to make my pattern.  Then it will not slip on the fabric as I draw the cut line around the design onto the fabric. After cutting out the design, an anti-fray product can be used around the cut edges of the fabric, before the pieces are turned under and sewn.  This procedure guards against fraying and provides extra strength. You will also need a supply of sharp pins to hold the design down before hand sewing.  For machine applique, you will probably need to pin and then hand baste the design in place before machine stitching your design in place.  

Tip:  If you can cut your patterns so that the straight grain of the fabric will allow the applique to lie in the same direction of the straight grain of the foundation fabric, you will avoid puckering and/or stretching of the design.

Question:  Ever tried applique, of any kind, before?

Tools of the trade

Another blogger, the other day, said something about her tools. It made me think about my tools. So I got them out of their resting places and photographed them:


Counter clockwise:

• Hand forged Utility scissors that I purchased in Amish country several years back--sharp!
• My workhorse for fabrics--and ONLY fabrics-- my 9" Fiskars Razor Edge
• 9" Pinking shears
• Utility scissors--I have several of these in various places around the house--use 'em for everything!
• Two small sewing basket pairs--one blue, one red handled, for snipping thread
• Curved end paper scissors for the grand kids
• and my prized pair of stork embroidery scissors--They belonged to my mother-in-law and were handed down to me! Yay!

Is this all, you say? Nope! I have other paper cutters, special scrap booking scissors, rotary cutters, etc. When fabric is your passion, a pair of scissors are your implement of choice!

What is your implement of choice?