Pincushion for a competition

Today, I'm posting a set of instructions to make a pincushion. I am making this as I am going to enter it for a WI competition in the summer. So. as I was going to do it for this, I thought that I might as well do the instructions and blog it as well. Being in posession of a huge choice of ribbons I really had no choice but to use them. All the ribbons that you see here are available from craftfairy.co.uk

Here is the finished cushion. I know that it is really girly and over the top kitch but who cares. I thought that if I was going to go for a domestic goddess kind of thing I might as well go over the top. 1950's at least. I even feel a frilly apron coming on. Perhaps not today though.

So. if you want to make something like this you will need to do some ribbon weaving first. This really is a good way to use up your scraps too as it only requires short lengths. the sort that are usually too short to be used for anything else.

Cut yourself a piece of fuisable interfacing about 2cm larger than the finished size of the pinchshion. E.g. if your pinchshion is to be 50cm x 50cm then cut your square 51cm x 51cm. I used a lightweight interfacing as I wanted the finished cushion to be soft not stiff.

Put the interfacing on the ironing board, fuisable side up. If your don't do it this way your will fuse it to the board. Lay your ribbons out in a pattern and pin to the ironing board over the interfacing.

Cut your lengths of ribbon so that they extend beyond the size of the backing fabric. You will trim them later so don't worry about being too precise. I used a mixture of widths and patterns but to keep the design looking good I used only three harmonizing colours. Pink, blue and a touch of white in the pattern. Lay them vertically over the interfacing.

Now weave the same pattern of ribbon in the horizontal direction as shown.

You should end up with what you see below. Push the ribbons together so that there are no gaps showing and pin in place. You will need to do this or the ribbon will move when you iron it.

Cover the ribbon weaving with a cloth and press with the iron. Do not use steam. This will create enough adhesion to allow you to flip the ribbon weave over and then press again to cause a better adhesion and create your fabric. See below. Now, flip the fabric over, and iron from the back. This will ensure that the ribbons stick to the interfacing really well.

Now, take a length of sewing thread with a knot in one side and sew a running stitch along one edge of the ribbon very close to the edge. When you have reached the end pull the thread to gather it to approximately the length of your 4 sides combined. 40 cm in my case. Secure the end of the thread.

Pin to the right side of the edge of the ribbon fabric. Tack the ribbon in place very near the edge. You will not reallt have a seam allowance on the ribbon. No need to have one really as the ribbon has a sewn edge should not frey. There will be a seam allowance on the ribbon fabric though.

Cut a piece of backing fabric that is the same size as the interfacing. I used a little broiderie anglais that I had in my scraps basket. With right sides together and the ribbon in the middle like a sandwich sew around three sided of the pincushion. I did this by hand as it really is too fiddly to even contemplate sewing on the machine.

When you have done this turn the pincushion around to the right side and fill with kapok or any other stuffing that you have. I had some left over from goodness knows when. Sew the last side into place from the back of the cushion and you have done.

Craft Fairy at Ally Pally

It's that time of year again when Craft Fairy will be at Ally Pally. I have to say that it's out favourite venue. It is all dedicated to paper craft.... no garlic graters anywhere! I exhibit and demo, but I also have a mooch around for things to buy for myself too. Ally Pally is one of those shows that always has something to temp you. Last year I bought some Marianne dies for threding ribbon on to. Well, I would! This year, who knows. One word though, if you're coming and want to buy something from me then please let me know before I leave tomorrow. So many peole come to me and say, 'you have those ....' and unfortunately I've not brought them with me. So mail me please.

How to draw a flower with calligraphy pens

Well, I've finally done it. While at the NEC last week, I told lots of people that I would make a video of flower drawing and this is the result. It's my first effort so be kind. I will make more. By then I will probably have figured out better lighting too!

Can you guess what it is yet?

I thought that for, this post, I would keep you guessing.

If you want to play along with me though you will need a length of swiss dot grosgrain ribbon in 23mm width. I used shocking pink so click here to get it.

Our Stand at Stitches

Putting together a stand for a show is hard enough work at the best of times, but the stand at Stitches was even more difficult as we were aiming for pretty. We wanted to get rid of the awful grey background so we coverd it with fabric bought from Bridgend Fabrics and we chose a spotty one to reflect the packaging that is used for Craft Fairy products.

Off to the Spring Fair

If you're wondering where I am at the moment, I'll enlighten you all. I am still here, but busy with preparations for the Spring Fair (NEC) so i've not had any time at all to blog. I'll get back to it as soon as I can.

Cute little accordion album

This is a first for me again. My first mini book album. As usual I love it. I am easily pleased I know but whan I saw this cute little thing I just had to make one. These mini albums are also a perfecr way to use up scraps and bits and pieces. too. If you don't have any scraps though you can get the ribbons here, I used 3mm lime juice abd dusty rose. Your flowers here.

This is entered for the Do You Stack Up challenge -Pink

Time to Craft Challenge - Spots and Dots

Craft your passion - Two patterned papers.

Valentine will be with us so soon

Here's a little something to get you going for the Valentine season. Fill it with choccies for an irrisistable pressie.You will need

1 A4 sheet of heavy paper

1 piece of white card to stamp the Babe with a Heart

Art and Graphic pens

Stix2 3d foam pads

Double sided sticky tape

Paper raffia

Message stamp of your choice, we have lots at reduced prices but their going fast.

Tag

Glue

Stazon inkpad in Stone Grey

1. Ink up the stamp with the Stazon and stamp it on to a piece of card. Colour the edges with the colour of your choice pen as seen above. Stick to the bag with Stix 2 foam pads.

2. Ink the message stamp and stamp on to a piece of white card.

3. Cut out and stick to the base bag with 3d foam pads as seen.

4. Cut a length of raffia ribbon and stick to the bag with double sided sticky tape. Tie a bow and stick to the ribbon.

5. Now make the matching card. No need to change the layout.

This is entered in the Shabby tea rooms challenge - White plus bright

A different colour for a change

I've managed to stay away from pink again today as I had this beautiful designer paper that I think looks rather like a chackered tablecloth. I picked up the colours of the cloth to colour in the fairy which is from the Baking Fairy set of stamps by Craft Fairy.


I've entered this card in the Craft Your Passion challenge for buttons.

Distressing

Distressing is not something that I do very often. Possibly because I spend most of my life distresses or is that stressed in some way or another, but never one to flinch from a challenge as you may well know by now, I have made a distressed card for the Do you stack up challenge 2 Distress It. I loved it! You never know if you might like a thing until after you've tried it.

For the uninitiated the daisy that I used is just one small stamp which you can get here for just £2.50. A bargain.
To achieve this effect you will need to colour up and stamp the card several times using two shades of blue from the Kuretake range of pens which can be found here. Don't forget that is you vary the colours you will get a different effect.
The flowers that I used at the top of the page are from the range of £1.50 blooms and they were a little to large so I cut them down. Perfect. They can be bought here.
The sentiment is from I Brake for Stamps and can be bought here.
Be warned as I've only got one sheet of these wonderful sentiment left so get in quick if you want one.