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Topics - BrendaP

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1
Publications / Textile image on Christmas cards
« on: November 19, 2023, 09:53:44 AM »
I've just seen on FB - one of the packs of Christmas cards offered by the RSPB is an image of a wren that's machine appliqued/collaged by textile artist Caroline Armstrong.  I'd love to be able to make something that's as realistic as that.

https://shopping.rspb.org.uk/christmas-shop/charity-christmas-cards/merry-wren-christmas-cards-10-pack.html?fbclid=IwAR13XL1vvMwZuj1UfJGAvk7rvgoXcvOIph83Feq9ghAQvq0kj8ErmKmbwiw

2
A Good Yarn / Knitted "paper chains"
« on: November 11, 2023, 10:35:17 AM »
At church hub cafe last week I was asked 'can you knit?' and after saying 'yes' it was 'will you make some of this?' and a pattern from a magazine was produced.

Pattern says three strands of DK on four 7mm needles (and also instructed to knit the first roud through the back loops which isn't necessary with the thumb cast on that I usually do.  The biggest DPNs I have are 4.5mm so I used them and I followed the pattern for the first few links, but it was fiddly and the previous link had to be moved around at each needle change so I changed to using two needles.  The ends still need to be darned in so the time taken to join a seam about 2cm long is negilagble compared to the time saved!  I also used a variety of yarn thicknesses - aran is about twice DK and 4-ply is about half.

3 strands DK or equivalent.  5.5 mm needles.
Cast on 30st.
Work 6 rows stocking stitch.
Cast off.
Join the short ends of the knitting making sure that the loop is connected to the previous loop and darn in ends of yarn.
Repeat until chain is long enough.

Couldn't be simpler.

My chain is currently about 10ft/3m long and I have another two weeks before it's needed for decorating the church for Christmas.

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3
Events / Threads through Creation
« on: August 27, 2023, 09:03:59 AM »
If anyone is able to get to Rochester Cathedral by 3rd September they have a stunning display of large embroideries depicting the creation and the garden of Eden.
https://www.rochestercathedral.org/new-events/2023/7/29/threads-through-creation

The bog oak table will be there until next March.
https://www.rochestercathedral.org/fenland-black-oak-table


4
Your Favourite Suppliers / Wolfairy
« on: August 24, 2023, 10:15:24 AM »
Adverts for Wolfairy  have popped up on Facebook.  They are primarily a shop for larger sized ladies garments but it seems that they make their clothes to measure and have a range of styles offered in various colourways but they also sell a small amount of fabric; currently patterned viscose jersey and plain cotton jersey at reasonable prices.

Website says orders will be despatched within a week - they obviously need that time to make up a garment - and it said the same on a fabric order.  I placed an order on Monday morning and it arrived the next day.  Bold patterns for a few autumn makes, the fabric has had it's pre-wash and is waiting to be pressed.

5
Alterations Advice Please / Shortening sleeves of leather jacket
« on: July 31, 2023, 13:04:31 PM »
I have agreed to have a go at shortening the sleeves of a leather jacket for a friend. ::thinks::

After closely inspecting the lining I could find nowhere that appers to heve been closed from the outside so I can only think that the separating zip at the front would have been the final closure.  Skilled seamstress.

So I've decided to tackle it from the outside.  I've undone the seams around the end of teh sleeve and marked both leather and lining with a cutting line 2.5 inches (the required amount of shortening) from the cut edge.  I theory once cut it will only be a case of hand stitching the lining to the sleeve and turning the sleeve under.  The original had the usual pleat at the end of the lining so it shouldn't be that critical.  I'm planning to run line of machine 'stitching' without any thread along the stitching line so that I have somewhere to put the needle

However the leather inside has been stabilised with what looks like an iron-on interfacing.  Can I iron the back of leather in order to stabilise again?


6
Events / GBSB Series 10
« on: April 23, 2023, 11:59:59 AM »
I've just seen this on Facebook.  Is anyone up for it?
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7
Access All Accessories / Momigami sun hat
« on: March 24, 2023, 19:29:54 PM »
I have spent much of today sorting samples for the momi-gami workshop I'm leading at craft club in a few weeks time - samples need to be made for the month before.

Momi-gami is the Japanese technique of kneading paper (ie screwing it up!)  Whilst I very much doubt that anyone will get more than a basic card or small bag done on the day I though it would be nice to try something a bit more ambitious, and apparently back in the day,  Japanese monks used to make their clothing from momi-gami paper.

Here are my creations.  The hat is bog standard A4 copier paper from Amazon, coloured with acrylic paint using the gelli plate, screwed up, cut out and hand stitched together.

Sewing it wasn't difficult but getting the cast ons and cast offs to hold was!  In lots of places I've had to restitch.  :S
It has a lining made in exactly the same way as the outside and really it's the blanket stitching which is holding it together as much as the joining seams.  It is very light to wear.

The colour is better in the photo of headless Agatha modelling it.

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8
For Sale, Wanted & Free to a good home / Free Bra pattern
« on: August 22, 2022, 17:27:18 PM »
Duplicate pattern, free to the first requester.

Uncut, but size 36C traced off  and included.  IMO would be better for the smaller cup sizes (bigger cups are better with a two part lower cup).
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9
What lies beneath... / Sports bra toile
« on: August 11, 2022, 18:54:16 PM »
It's several years since I made a bra and this is a new pattern to me
https://fit2sew.co.uk/product/ingrid-wirefree-bra-pattern/

I made the 36" band with 4.5" bottom cup depth and it actually fits me; better than it fits Agatha.

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Because I wasn't expecting it to fit I used up bits and pieces of odd colours from stash, and I didn't have a wide enough set of hooks and eyes so used two narrow sets.  I have one set that's almost wide enough to use on the proper version, and it's not difficult to adjust the back provided you do it before sewing on the strap elastic.

It's the first time I've used fold over elastic on a bra and I clearly didn't stretch it enough.   :scream: I might go back to picot elastic for the neckline. 

Note to self; sew the stabiliser strips to the WRONG side so that it doesn't show on the finished item.

10
Tech Know How / Gremlins again?
« on: February 12, 2022, 09:52:10 AM »
I couldn't edit a post just now.

In the wordle thread I tried to add that I see colours when using my MacBookPro laptop.  I clicked on edit, added a few words and tried to save but got an error message about the body of the message being blank.

Not the end of the world but not right.  Roll on Wednesday when hopefully the server will be kicked into submission.

11
Embroidery and Embellishment / Textile Artwork
« on: November 21, 2021, 11:57:49 AM »
The Fibre Arts Take Two  "Making Connections" course with Cas Holmes is coming to an end now and I have submitted my entry for the end of course virtual exhibition.
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Yesterday I went to see an exhibition of Cas' work on the redundant lightship, LV21, now moored at Gravesend.
https://lv21.co.uk/whats-on/places-spaces-and-traces-shipping-forecast/

Despite using similar techniques her work is very different to mine.  Her long hanging pieces are mich lighter (weight) almost gauzy despite being designed to be viewed from both sides, and her use of colour is much more limited.

12
A bit of a 'do' / Dress code Glam/black tie
« on: November 11, 2021, 17:47:09 PM »
We have been invited to a 40th birthday party, which is lovely, but the dress code is glam/black tie.  Do I spend hours making something I might only wear once, or take a risk and wait until after Christmas and hope to find something in the sales?  It's not until the end of January so plenty of time.  Or would my quirky, Hadron Collider inspired Christmas party skirt be suitable if glammed up with a bit of shiny jewellery?
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The other problem is a husband whose preferred dress code is somewhere between Compo and Worzel Gummage!  He does have a dress suit hanging in the wardrobe but it's so long since he's worn it.  The jacket might still fit but I doubt if the trousers will!

13
Embroidery and Embellishment / Sunflowers I, II, III and IV
« on: September 12, 2021, 17:43:08 PM »
I am enrolled on the  Fibre Arts Take Two course Making Connections tutored by Cas Holmes.  FATT is an Australian company, I paid the course fee in US dollars, but Cas lives just a few miles away in Maidstone!

The course is really about how the tutor works; and exercises to try for ourselves.  Sketchbook work every day is encouraged and then a disparate mix of fabrics and papers, often printed or drawn on are collaged onto fabric and held together with a mix of machine and hand embroidery

I found the hardest part was laying out the collages, and despite watching it through twice I didn't see that the samples she was making were small, maybe 6"x6" or 8"x8" at most.  I jumped in and cut substrate (backing fabric) 15"x11" for two and similarly big pieces for the other two. ><  I also kept everything neatly within the 'frame' and haven't let bits overlap.

But, I have now have the makings of four small wallhangings which just need to be backed and finished; I'm going to do traditional quilt bindings and I'll have something a bit different to offer for this year's art group exhibition in November.  Then I'll go back and watch the course videos again and have a go at doing some samples more like the ones demonstrated.

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14
Vintage Machines / Singer 367
« on: May 25, 2021, 00:17:48 AM »
Ihave been given a Singer 367 which a friend rescued from a skip.  Dates from 1974 I think, and made in Italy.

I've oiled and de-fluffed it, though it wasn't that bad, replaced the 13amp fuse with a 3amp one! and given it a new needle.

It sort of sews, but misses more stitches than it catches. :'( 
I'm using Guetermann Sew All.  The top tension feels very tight and has to be at about 0-1 to sew at all.

is it worth fiddling with or shall I return it to the skip?

15
Tech Know How / Are the gremlins getting in again?
« on: May 13, 2021, 09:50:22 AM »
For the last couple of days TSP has been running slowly again and I've had timed out error messages, but by clicking again the required page has opened OK.

This morning I had a different error, which I took a screen shot of:
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Does this mean anything to the gurus?  @Acorn  @Mr Twingo

eta - on my screen only the top half of the screen shot is displaying.


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