For some obscure reason I put my name down - for TWO swaps!
I've never done anything like this before and I've been worrying about it ever since.
I need to complete these over the weekend as I would like to post them on Monday - one of them has to go to Australia.I have the idea of what I would like to do, I've now got to work on the technical part, so yesterday evening I made a few samples.
These are all made from UFO's I have laying about - I haven't made them all from scratch. :)
I have cut them all to postcard size (6 x 4 inches) and backed them with felt. It's the edges I cannot get right. On the first few I did a heavy zig-zag stitch but changed to a wider spaced stitch in the last ones. The edges though are all mis-shapen, especially on the embellised pieces.
These three are scraps of silk velvet and organza laid on a calico background with zigzag stitch in red thread first to hold the pieces in place and then a metallic blue thread on top.
This piece also has snippets of a metallic fabric scattered on and a further gold coloured thread.
These two pieces have a silk velvet background with a complete piece of multicoloured organza laid over the top and alternating rows of red and dark green thread.
Space-dyed silk velvet with rows of zigzag stitch in a red rayon thread.
This one is a piece of organza laid on felt with rows of heavy machine embroidery on top. The length and width of the background zigzag stitch was altered randomly as I was stitching.
This postcard is also pieces of silk velvet and organza held down with blue, red and gold metallic threads but this time the scraps of fabric were laid down in such a way as to form a pattern.
These pieces below are the ones I made recently on the embellisher. As you can see, the edges are really distorted.
This one is a felt backing with scraps of organza and Colinette yarn.
These two are merino wool tops with silk.
This last piece is made from merino wool tops.
The angle I have taken the photos at hasn't helped and the colours are of course a lot better in the daylight. I think some of them could do with some extra bits of something or other on top, they are a bit plain otherwise.
If anyone has any tips or hints to give me, especially with regards to the edges, I would be really grateful.
3 comments:
Like Sue already suggested, a layer to stiffen will help a lot. If you don´t have timtex or anything similar on hand you can use cardboard. This way you can write easily on the back, too. Or if you fuse a piece of fabric to the back, it will help keep the edges in shape. Anything that is stiffer than felt or a piece of fabric should help.
BTW, I like the "unedgy" look a lot. Wouldn´t mind to trade one of these ;-)
I think your postcards are really beautiful - I especially like the odd shapes - as the other say for your next postcards try using pelmet vilene (UK) and bondaweb it to your surfaces (sandwich)! If you need small qty of pelmet vilene I do sell it! THanks for hte comment on my blog re my Stay - no not part of C&G - had started it during HNC correspondence but have used it for my own work now as it does not fit the syllabus. Email me for a chat? anna@pumpkin1.fsnet.co.uk - I don't have your email address.
These are great Linda,
like the others I add a pelmet vilene layer this is how I do my edges.
I start out with a narrow zig-zag and long stitch, and each round I widen the zig-zag and shorten the stitch, until I end the rounds with the widest
zig- zag and short stitch, this way it doesn't catch or clog up, and continues smoothly.
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