Saturday, April 30, 2011

Slippery Fabric Cheat


I actually hand-basted this panel and it came out nicely except for one thing: I lost 1/4 to both top and bottom as the feed dog pulled the fabric through.

 Tomorrow I'm reworking it with some Stitch Witchery or Heat n' Bond, which ever works best, tucking it into the seams and pressing it before I stitch.  In a garment, 1/4 inch is too much to waste.  Things won't sit right or play nice together unless they match up and I'd spent a lot of time aiming for an accurate cut.

Friday, April 29, 2011

Have on Hand - Black Piano Shawl


This thing is amazing.  I found it at a very strange theatrical supply shop (here today, gone tomorrow) and I don't think they knew what they had, much less how to price it.  I grabbed this for a song, and quickly, least someone come in and also recognize it and snatch if from my warm fingers.  I've pressed it and it remains fairly wrinkled, but still beautiful.  It's all silk, with black on black embroidery along the edges and in each corner.  A couple small holes and some sun fading to dark brown: lovely!  It drapes unlike anything  else.