Monday, March 15, 2010

Cricut, fabric and quilts


Costa Rican Rainforest

I combined several challenges for this quilt including the Fast Friday challenge and the Michigan Invitational. I also challenged myself to create a quilt where the majority of the shapes were cut with the Cricut Expression. The only fusible interfacing that worked for cutting fabric was Heat n Bond Ultrahold. I was so impressed with how well this machine cut the intricate details in fabric.

Also used: Tyvek, beads, cheescloth, lame, net, shelfliner, trims, recycled blouse.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Operation Quiet Comfort Quilt





This quilt is made for wounded soldiers following their guidelines.
I used the Serenity Prayer fabric on the back.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Cyberhints

Cover a stretched canvas with hand dyed fabric that is stapled to the back of the canvas. Hand sew along the top and bottom of the completed quilt onto the hand dyed fabric. Then, center the quilt over the canvas and staple the hand dyed onto the stretcher frame on the back. Attach small screw eyes on the back and attach the hanging wire

The sander can replace most of the felting by hand process on the kitchen counter. Cover it with about 3 layers of towels for counter protection, then begin a wet felting project. Work on it until the fibers (and design) have begun to felt and don't easily pull apart. Then use the sander on top of your plastic sheet. You don't need to use any pressure. The pressure of the weight of the sander is enough.


Fabric dyeing in the microwave. Use a separate microwave for dyeing

- Presoak the fabric in soda ash solution (approx. 20-30 minutes)

- Place fabric in a microwaveable container (like Pyrex pie plates)

- Pour the dye solution on the fabric, blending colors as you like

- Mush the fabric around a little or a lot to move the dye around - the more you mush, the less white shows

- Slide the pie plate into a gallon size ziploc bag and seal

- Put the bagged pie plate into the microwave and nuke for 2 minutes

- Take the plate out and let it rest for about 10 minutes - do not open the bag

- Put the plate back into the microwave and nuke for 2 more minutes

- Take the plate out and VERY CAREFULLY open the ziploc bag to release the steam

- Allow fabric to cool down to room temperature

- Rinse and wash as usual



In a pie plate, you can do a yard of cotton, about 3 yards of silk, hanks of yarn, socks, etc.



Use your refrigerator freezer to almost the same effect as snow dying. Batch fabric in the freezer, freeze it first then put it in the dye. It produces variations on that stark spiky icy patterns. Freeze the fabric first (wet it, then put it in the freezer, then put it directly in the dye bath.



The sander can replace most of the felting by hand process on the kitchen counter. Cover it with about 3 layers of towels for counter protection, then begin a wet felting project. Work on it until the fibers (and design) have begun to felt and don't easily pull apart. Then use the sander on top of your plastic sheet. You don't need to use any pressure. The pressure of the weight of the sander is enough.



Print mirror image in WORD. Click on PRINT, then on PROPERTIES. Click on the Advanced, and check the box Mirror Image, then print.



no sticky residue or stiffness spray sealent for inkjet printed textiles is called PYMII (Preserve Your Memories II)

from http://www.precision-blue.com/







Embossing, texturing and coloring bamboo batting:

http://ingoodcompanytarts.blogspot.com/2010/02/february-tart-lesson-embossing-bamboo.html

http://www.quiltshops.com/search.htm

http://elsiemcampbell.com/BOM.html

http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/3833/video-manuels-free-motion-embroidery-technique incredible!

http://www.ericas.com/sewing/patterns/totes2.htm http://alturl.com/ny3b the Snap HAPPIER Purse insert



http://www.internationalfibercollaborative.com/index.html Dream Rocket team has 2 shows coming up. We are having 13 and counting shows around the country to display your panels before they are assembled together and wrap the Saturn V Rocket! You can be a part of the Dream Rocket Saturn V Rocket Wrap and the Dream Rocket Tour Express for only $25! To be included in these shows your reservation &panel submission needs to be completed by April1…images of submitted panels http://www.flickr.com/photos/thedreamrocket

I participated in the leaf project last year and it was great!

http://www.internationalfibercollaborative.com/html/treeproject.html

http://www.quiltpoetry.com/hints-01.html

http://www.quiltcetera.com/ Click on Tutorials on the left side, three patterns, including a tiny origami purse that could be made larger.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JWRtsyoLhQ&feature=channel

http://www.quilterbydesign.com/lessons2.html

companies that offer the service of printing yardage of your fabric design:

http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2010/02/update-print-your-own-fabric-companies.html

http://www.designersplacenw.com/ezine/TextileArtsQuarterly_Issue1_feb2010.pdf

http://almaart.com/Portfolio.html

http://www.andrusgardensquilts.com/blog/what-to-do-with-a-mini-art-quilt

http://www.laurieswim.com/Quilt%20Gallery/

http://fiberfocus.blogspot.com/2008/11/how-to-machine-quilt-large-bed-quilt-on.html