Dresden Plate.....

[Bill]

That's what I'm doing today.
My current project is an apron for my dear old mum. I'm sticking a dresden plate on the front pocket and each blade has our names, the kids and the dogs names embroidered on. The embroidering I did last night. Stuck the fabric pieces in the washer to get rid of the stabilizer and then the dryer and then tried to ironsorry, PRESS them flat. The bits around the embroidery are still a wee bit wrinkly and I dunno how to sort that.
I'm now currently cutting out each of the 20 blades using a card template. Fun! 

[Bodgeitandscarper]

Blades??    Sorry, gonna need pics before I can understand what you're doing 

[Bill]

I saw the term used on a dresden plate tutorial. It describes each segment.
Obviously not in this order...
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Looking at it now though....it may possibly be a teeny weeny bit on the large side. 

[Bodgeitandscarper]

Ah, I see 

Um, I think you're right, they may be a teensy bit too big for a pocket...

[coffeeandcake]

@Bill when you use wash away stabiliser try just swishing the fabric around in a bowl of water to dissolve it.

[Renegade Sewist]

@Bill assuming that is cotton had you pre-shrunk the fabric before you embroidered it? That's looking like normal fabric shrinkage to me. Anything that will be washed in normal usage really,  IMO, needs to be washed before hand to get the shrinkage out of the way.

That's a problem with commercially embroidered cotton towels. They are lovely until you wash them.

Also blade is the correct term. These are similar to the individual parts of a hand fan which are indeed called blades.

[Bill]

@Bill assuming that is cotton had you pre-shrunk the fabric before you embroidered it?

Erm..........oops.
No.

 

[Esme866]

Bill, your avatar is so apropos in this situation.


We've all been there.

[Renegade Sewist]

@Bill , it's one of those conundrums. Piecing quilt blocks and doing machine embroidery are much more pleasant and quick on fabric that still retains the factory finish. That is a given. But you always have to keep the end use in mind as well as any surface alteration you have planned. If the object will commonly get washed you need to factor that in at the beginning. Like quilts. I generally prewash all the fabric, others don't. My reason is I'm using assorted fabrics, some 30 years old or more, so from all sorts of manufacturers and some prewashed along the way. If I had the luxury of going into a shop and getting all the fabrics from one line, let's say Moda Grunge, I would proceed to cut and sew and it would be lovely to work with. Any leftover fabric I would wash because it would be mixed in with other stuff. If I was embroidering a wall hanging or visor cap I'd leave things to nature.

PS,  this is something we all have done or will do in the future. I don't think the blades are all that bad. Considering the end use I'd still use them BUT make sure you wash the apron fabric before you attach the pockets.

[Bill]

Forgotten to prewash stuff countless times in the past so this doesn't surprise me 
However, I've made it this far...

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My piecing? stitches could have been better along with my lining up of blades but it's not a complete disaster. The disaster is yet to come either when I try the center applique (I really hate that stupid Frenchie sounding word!) or the apron itself.
I've trimmed the blades so it isn't as big as it was but still might be too big to fit on a pocket. Well see

[Diane]

@Bill You could divide it into two and make two pockets, it would still be effective

[Lilian]

It's looking good @Bill 

[Esme866]

@Bill It does seem it may be a bit large for a pocket, but also seems it would be a good size to fit on the chest area and color coordinating pockets could be added.

Just a thought, just in case.

[Bill]

@Bill You could divide it into two and make two pockets, it would still be effective

Ah but it wouldn't work because of the center applique thingybob.

@Esme866 

[Bill]

Aaaaaaaaand here's where I'm at now. I'm done sewing and cursing today. Film time 
I'm hoping to order the apron fabric tomorrow (finances allowing, it's not looking good atm)

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Dogma because she's grandma to the doggies too...not coz she's a religious nut :p