Posts
We have a Flickr group all ready to go. The group is public so anyone can post a pic. Anyone who posts class pics each week will get an entry into a drawing to be held at the end of the 6 week class. The prize pack is a free Christi Friesen book and Lila Tueller charm pack.
Applique 3D Flowers
Calendar:
Week 1 - Get Ready, Get Set, Go
Week 2 - Supplies and Design
Week 3 - Making a Pattern
Week 4 - Stems
Week 5 - Flowers
Week 6 - Centers and Leaves
This week: Supplies and Design
Design
Layout your project, fold, and pin your prospective fabric to it. Don't worry about being neat. At this stage we are only getting an idea of the size needed and how the fabrics work together. We will make a pattern, cut, and sew later. Try different fabric combinations and sizes until you are satisfied. It's easier to change your mind now than later. If you are making something from scratch (a journal or hat) it's easier to do the applique first on the cut fabric before sewing the fabric together. Obvious right? Sometimes the obvious isn't so obvious :)
Interfacing
Interfacing is an important choice at this point. I generally use Pellon interfacing because it's readily available and fairly inexpensive. The curtains with the giant flowers were made using double sided heavyweight fusible. The Tshirt I'm designing will be too stiff if I use the same interfacing for the stems and leaves as I used for the curtains , but I want the flowers to be stiff so I will use it there. I like double sided interfacing since it stabilizes the design so nicely (no pins to stick myself with when sewing!). For the stems and leaves on the Tshirt I'll be using Pellon's Wonder Under, a very lightweight non-woven interfacing.
Supplies
The amount of fabric needed depends of what size your applique is. I plan to use a charm pack for my fabric, but as you can see from the design I may need to seam the stem on one of the flowers or use a different stem fabric. There needs to be enough fabric to cover the flowers front and back. Stems and leaves only need enough for the front. Interfacing should be double sided fusible so the fabric can be ironed to it and easily sewn. Heavy interfacing is needed for the flowers (only 1 layer), and interfacing to match your project is needed for the stem and leaves (again only 1 layer). On the curtains I used 1/2 yard for the stems and leaves, and 1 fat quarter for each flower.
What's going to happen when I wash the Tshirt with the flowers on it? I don't know. I guess it's all part of the project :)
Come on and post your project in the comments :) When I post something I find it gives me the added incentive to finish the project.
