Seriously. (1) how did this happen? (2) how did I not notice it was happening until I was done (3) how could Sandra let me down?
I thought we were close? I suppose I'm out of practice, but this is bad. I did such a nice job on the pockets and a nice job putting the zipper in. Well, except for one itty-bitty little detail. This is (was?) a pair of slacks from a recent BWOF magazine and some stretch suiting from G Street. As you can see, at the top above my fingers that I've even done the top stitching. I'm not sure I can get this out to re-work, the thread is a very good match and it sinks into the fabric a lot. As you may suppose, they are currently wadded in the time out corner, spending some time thinking about what they've done wrong.
I thought we were close? I suppose I'm out of practice, but this is bad. I did such a nice job on the pockets and a nice job putting the zipper in. Well, except for one itty-bitty little detail. This is (was?) a pair of slacks from a recent BWOF magazine and some stretch suiting from G Street. As you can see, at the top above my fingers that I've even done the top stitching. I'm not sure I can get this out to re-work, the thread is a very good match and it sinks into the fabric a lot. As you may suppose, they are currently wadded in the time out corner, spending some time thinking about what they've done wrong. So in order to have something to show for my long weekend, other than a wadder of a pair of slacks and some missing colors for my embroidery project, I picked up my bargello placemats that I left unfinished last summer (click the link to see the original post from September, about 2 weeks before I left for my banishment to Detroit). No, they aren't perfect, there are a number of wonky stripes, but they are usable and it was fun. The pattern was to make 6, in 2 batches - so you piece three at a time and then cut them apart and finish them. Well, with the wonkiness of stitching, and I think I'm still making too "generous" of a 1/4" seam allowance, I didn't have enough cut strips to make 2 sets. AND (in keeping with this weekend's theme), I put the binding on one set wrong side out (it's sitting in the corner with the slacks, but has a much brighter future ahead of it). 
But here are the 2 that did get finished and used. I photographed them before we had Mexican for dinner. I will be doing this again, it was fun. The back (ack!) 
actually shows the bad striping worse than the front, I think. You can't really tell in the picture, but you quilt as you go, each row is sewn onto the flannel "batting" and the back so the back is quilted and the front is smooth. I wasn't sure how to finish the binding without putting stitching on the top so I really cheated and Steam-a-seams the back of the binding. I was tired of messing with them. The quilting lines really show up wonky on the back. Boo. But I learned a lot doing this, and this style of quilting really lends itself to this type of project. It is much too stiff a result for a bed quilt or throw (though I suppose you could make it work with different fabrics), but worked fabulously for placemats and would be wonderful for wall hangings or table runners. It isn't very heavy or fluffy - just very stiff. I used all quilting cottons from Hancock's with a piece of flannel as the batting. Just cheap PJ type flannel. 
I found some woven with a gingham pattern that was great for lining up the strips. A stripe (woven in - not printed on, too often off grain) would also do very well. Not too sure how well these will launder - all the fabrics are likely to shrink and at different rates. I have a book that has some nice tutorials and patterns in it. I used it with my own color choices.
But here are the 2 that did get finished and used. I photographed them before we had Mexican for dinner. I will be doing this again, it was fun. The back (ack!) 
actually shows the bad striping worse than the front, I think. You can't really tell in the picture, but you quilt as you go, each row is sewn onto the flannel "batting" and the back so the back is quilted and the front is smooth. I wasn't sure how to finish the binding without putting stitching on the top so I really cheated and Steam-a-seams the back of the binding. I was tired of messing with them. The quilting lines really show up wonky on the back. Boo. But I learned a lot doing this, and this style of quilting really lends itself to this type of project. It is much too stiff a result for a bed quilt or throw (though I suppose you could make it work with different fabrics), but worked fabulously for placemats and would be wonderful for wall hangings or table runners. It isn't very heavy or fluffy - just very stiff. I used all quilting cottons from Hancock's with a piece of flannel as the batting. Just cheap PJ type flannel. 
I found some woven with a gingham pattern that was great for lining up the strips. A stripe (woven in - not printed on, too often off grain) would also do very well. Not too sure how well these will launder - all the fabrics are likely to shrink and at different rates. I have a book that has some nice tutorials and patterns in it. I used it with my own color choices. So, is it cold enough for you?
Huh. I swear by Sandra's zipper method, and keep "Power Sewing" open next to me through every pair of pants. I'm sure they'll snap into shape after the "time out" they're suffering through! Hang in there, and stay warm!
ReplyDeleteI love the way the colors flow, kinda like a kaleidoscope. I think you did a great job and if you feel like you learned something, so much the better!
ReplyDeleteTell me that snow is not down south??
I understand exactly. My skirt spent the night in time out too because the waist facing was acting up. Today with a little coaxing though it reluctantly behaved.
ReplyDeleteWhen you're pants come out of time-out, they will shape up properly. Did you use Betty Cotton's "Cotton Theory Quilting" technique on your placemats? If not, you may like to check out the book from a library, or buy it. It's an excellent quilt-as-you-go method.
ReplyDeleteYou can salvage that zipper. Just stitch across the teeth with a zigzag where you want the top to be (each side separately) then cut it off. This really should work. I hope it makes sense.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment on my paper cutting. Do you have your email address on your profile? If you do I don't see it, but then again I'm not always the most observant person. I thought I had emailed you before.
ReplyDelete