Bobbin Street dies launch - DT makes

Todays post is something a little different, I was asked to make some samples for a new range of dies that are launching tomorrow from Bobbin Street.

I'm not the best sewist but I do like to have a go, below are some of the project I made and links to the products used.

I started off with a simple applique using the buttefly from the new launch. This was a very simple die cut and stitch type of project. I did however add some little stitches to look like a trail.

This project was one of my biggest samples and took a lot of hand stitching I used the English Paper Piecing die set 2. I had never Paper pieced with fabric before and this took a while but I am really happy with how it turned out.  

After getting the hang of English paper piecing I decided to up my game and try something even more adventurous......why do I do this to myself?

I found some pictures of Moravian star ornaments and thought I can do that. 60 individual English paper pieced diamonds later and my fingers almost fell off, lol

It is around 6" tall and took me roughly 5 evenings of stitching to complete.

To give me fingers a little rest I decided to use the diamond shape dies to create some mini bunting adorned with bows and buttons.

Lastly I used the applique butterfly to embellish a simple tote bag. 

The dies are so versatile as you can cut both paper and fabric with them. 

Links to products used

bobbin-street-applique-butterfly-die-set

bobbin-street-english-paper-piecing-die-set-2

bobbin-street-diamond-die-set

You can watch the launch at 9am tomorrow on Create and Craft TV

• Sky 674
 
• Freeview 23
 
• Virgin 748
 
• Freesat 813
 
• Apple TV
 
• Amazon Fire

Autumn Squash home decor tutorial

In today's tutorial I am sharing some Autumnal home decor items with you that I have sewn, yes you heard me right I sew a little too (don't get me wrong I wont be appearing on The Great British sewing Bee anytime soon, my sewing machine hates me and the feelings mutual)

Materials;
Cotton fabric in your chosen design
Small elastic band
Loose fill toy stuffing
Embroidery thread to co ordinate with fabric
Thin rope/thick twine
Cotton thread

Cut your fabric to measure 36cm x 24cm, fold in half and pin the outer edge,  Sew a line of stitches along the pinned outer edge of the fabric (creating a tube)

Hand sew a line of running stitch along the bottom edge of the fabric using a double thickness of cotton thread, this doesn’t have to be ultra tidy as we are going to gather the fabric.

With your needle still attached pull on the thread to gather the fabric as tightly as possible and secure with a couple of stitches.  Knot the thread and cut of the excess. Turn the fabric out so the pattern is facing outwards.

Fill the tube with loose fill toy stuffing until ¾ full, compact it down as you go so that you have a tight fill.

Add an elastic band just above the stuffing to close the fabric. Make sure this is secure and as central as possible.

Using a large needle and embroidery thread (6 strands) anchor the thread in the underside of the squash, you can hide the knotted end of the thread in one of the creases.

Bring the needle through the stalk of the squash just below the elastic band

Pull the thread through, the more you pull the bigger the indent will be. Take the thread back to the bottom of the squash and make a stitch and pull, you will now have 2 indents in the squash.

Repeat at least two more times.  You can add more indents depending on the look you want to achieve. You should now be able to tell that it looks like a squash. Secure the thread at the base of the stalk with a couple of stitches.

Creating the stalk

To create the stalk for your squash we need to bind the excess fabric by wrapping it with thin rope/thick twine.

Start by creating a large u shape, the end of the rope is on the left and the ball or rope is on the right. You need around 2 inches of rope above the fabric on the right hand side.

Using the ball of rope we now need to start wrapping the u shape we formed in the previous step, this needs to be a tight wrap.

When you get the base of the stalk you should still have a small loop showing at the bottom.  Cut the rope leaving a 3 inch tail.

Tuck the tail end into the loop as shown and then pull on the rope that is at the top of the stalk as this will pull the loop and tail into the steam and secure it.

If you have a small tail of rope left you can either cut it shorter or separate the treads a little to give the effect of the vine which a squash is cut from.

I then cut the excess roe from the top of the stalk to give a neater look.

You can experiment with a different size piece of fabric to give you a different shape and finished size.

Thank you for taking the time out to stop by, I hope you will give my Autumn Squash tutorial a go.

Paperbabe Stamps Challenge - Design team project

Yay it's friday, almost time for some R&R but first lets talk craft.

We have a new challenge live on the Paperbabe Stamps blog today.

The theme 

"Picture inspiration"

If you'd like to join in all you need to do is pop over to the blog and use the linkup to add your project, 

Paperbabe Stamps Challenges are open to everyone...

As usual you are welcome to combine with other challenges.

Here's my Design team project

I created my card by using stamps from the Folk Fabrique and Birthday Wishes stamp sets. I stamped them on to some linen fabric with Versafine ink, I then heat set it with my iron.

Next I used some cosmic shimmer luster fabric paint to create a background, I water the paint down and apply it to the fabric which I spritz with water first. The paint then bleeds creating a softer look, while wet I then sprinkle with course salt and leave to dry. As you can see the salt moves the paint around and leaves a blotchy effect.

Once dry I use the paint in it's raw state to add color to the Peacock, I added the fabric o the card using Red liner tape. I hand drew a sketchy border on the card and added some Aurora Borealis gems.

I hope you'll have a go at entering the challenge and look forward to seeing your creations.

Terri

Dragonfly Dreams

Today I am sharing a beautiful project inspired by Cathie Shuttleworth, I recently saw her on Hochanda and was captivated by her work and wanted to try some thing similar.

I've used fabric paints, thread and beads to add dimention

 I'm not a sewist but I found this really easy and fun to create

I plan on doing a tutorial on how to create this effect soon and may even do a video.

Until next time, take care x