something a little different

to my collages. I've been busy making samples for my workshop . As I had out alll the white cream & lacey fabric I thought I'd start with that. As Rag Tag n Textiles are all about using making beautiful things using recycled fabric to aid mental health recovery I decided my workshop would be along the lines of making a new fabric using the unwanted bits from the recycled fabrics, particularly as there's always a bucket under the table for tiny pieces that could be used later. They are always kindly keeping little bits for me, stuff even they can't reuse. Recycled recycled - in fact it's very hard to find a real bin in the place!

For these samples I 'stripped' pieces of fabric into about a rulers length, or whatever the length of that fabric was (within reason!) The idea (not mine!) is to make a piece of new reconstructed fabric. The bit that's my idea is to make the size with which to make a notebook cover a cuff & a brooch in one.

I started of with the fabrics still out from last week  (just a bit of continuity ;)

My A5 notebook cover, including flaps is 450mm x 220mm wide. Add about 65mm to the top which will be the width of the strip of new fabric left after you've cut the book cover off. That strip is still 450 long so out of it can be  a cuff of about 180mm leaving 260mm to make a brooch, a pendant, a square motif for your notebook, motifs for your cuff & a button for the cuff. Confused?

Lots of stitching up & down, straight & zigzag. I tried to make a 'neat' cuff as the book was quite 'hairy' I used an old sheet as backing, not substantial enough, the corners kept disapearing down the feed dogs. (maybe that was just me)

Decided to try an old towel next, quite thick, .....& blue? Lesson learnt, use a backing in your chosen colors - how many times have I read that?

The one below is cut, you can just see.

Lots more stitching & extra strips to cover the blue towel peeping thru ;( (learning all the time!)

Notebook cover, lovely & hairy, feels great ;)

Decided to make a cuff

Looks like something swimming in the depths of the sea!

Getting nearer! Looks quite nice on! Then a needlecase - everyone is making them & I need one, can never find a needle!

Look at these by Julia, Ro Bruhn's friend, quite quite delicious! (scroll down to the bottom of the post)

just added, hello to Borgens 2, welcome! I can't visit you back as you don't have a link, I'd love you to comment then I can come over, thanks;)

I got behind myself this week. My middlest boy has just gone off to New Zealand with a mate for 3 months to travel & work - fruit picking hopefully. So exciting for him & I'm looking forward to more 'space' in the house. The longest we've been apart in his 18 years? A week or 2 here & there. I'm not weeping & wailing, just missing him...already. I'll try & get the rest of my samples up mid week....if I can keep the emotions in check ;)