The Crafter’s Way 189–Fabric Brooch

If you want to jazz up an outfit without spending a fortune making your own brooches is a fun and effective way to go. This brooch is simple and quick. You don’t need a sewing machine but by all means use it if you have one threaded up and ready to go.
You will need some lightweight fabric scraps, sewing thread, felt and a brooch back.
Step 1: Cut your fabric into strips 5 cm x 3 metres. Don’t worry too much if you don’t have quite the length. You can also sew strips together to make up the length.
Step 2: On one long edge sew a row of stitching approx 6 mm from the raw edge. You can delete this step if you are sure your fabric is not going to fray.
Step 3: On the other long edge sew 2 rows of gathering stitch. Don’t be tempted to only sew one row. The time you save will be lost when you start gathering. It is much easier to gather with two rows.
Step 4: Gather the fabric length up. It is much easier if you pull up the bobbin thread.
Step 5: Cut 2 circles of felt. I wish I could give you an exact measurement but the diameter will be dictated by the weight/thickness of the fabric. For the fabric I used in the image the 3 metres gathered up to 40cm and I cut 2 x 7cm diameter circles.
Step 6: Starting on the outer edge of the circle stitch the gathered fabric to the felt. Working inwards adjust the fabric so that it covers the felt circle completely.
Step 7: On the other circle of felt attach the brooch back before stitching the circles together. Fluff up the fabric.
The red brooch was made using a sheer vintage scarf; I didn’t need to sew the first row of stitching. The black/grey brooch was made using double thickness sheer curtaining. It is much bigger than the pink brooch made with the same directions. I added a row of decorative hand stitching for variety. The options are endless.

Press Releases are Bull S%#t?

Ha! No I don’t think they are. It was a question posed to Matthew Williamson at the launch of his autumn/winter collection of MW.

It is a very interesting interview by Alexandria Symonds for Interview Magazine. You can read the full interview here http://www.interviewmagazine.com/blogs/fashion/2011-07-29/matthew-williamson-mw-aw-2011/ 

The Crafter’s Way 188–Heart Beat

Heart Beat

Over the years I have introduced readers to many local Artists, Crafters and Designers. This column is no different except that this week’s local, featured Designers have travelled a little further to call our region home.

Aiko & Keiko Kondo from J-Kos Designs migrated from Japan to Brisbane before rediscovering their creativity. Combining fashion items that have both a touch of Japan and the unique quirkiness of Australia led to J-Kos being born. The move to Brisbane may have been quite recent however, their love of design started generations ago. In the 1930’s, Aiko’s Grandmother, Kaoru started studying dressmaking. As was common in those days mother passed those skills down to her daughter who in turn introduced her own daughter to dressmaking.

Kaoro also passed on her love for the simple beauty of bonsai. Aiko and Keiko have transferred that simplicity to their dressmaking. Fast forward to a new century to find that same beauty and simplicity have become their unique point of difference.

While both ladies plan to continue to creating one-off pieces with beautiful vintage kimonos they also create bags, homewares and clay/pottery buttons. ”We get a lot of inspiration from nature such as shapes/colours of flowers, trees, stones and mud for dye etc. We love the Australian way of enjoying life. It is much easier to find more time for what we really like to do, being surrounded by nature,” enthuse the Ladies.

When choosing the name for their designs Aiko and Keiko looked no further than their love for Kaoru. “Ko is Japanese for children and shows respect for Kaoru as they are both the child and grandchild of a wonderful Tokyo dressmaker. “Ko” is also a part of the word “Taiko” meaning drums. The written form for the word ‘Taiko” is made up of two kanji. The first kanji means joyful or happy. The second kanji means to support each other. The combination of these two kanji indicates the touching of one’s heart with a beat,” explains Aiko. “J-KOs wants to touch your heart with a beat when you wear their designs knowing that your design is yours and yours alone.”

If you would like to learn more about the designers and their fabulous creations visit their website www.j-kos.com.au or phone on 0417 743 185

What a Week

Another crazy week has just finished and while I haven’t created anything new I have been very, very busy doing lots of preparation.

I have sewn many rows of gathering in readiness to create some new brooches.

Worked out the next stage for another brooch design. Started cutting out circles and checked how many brooch backs I had on hand.

Painted Mod Podge onto a Fat Quarter

 

The fabric is going to be decoupaged onto this bag so I gave it a quick clean so everything would adhere properly. Was half way through all this before I thought to take some snaps. Apologies for the lack of styling in the images. That is my clothes dryer the bag is sitting on.

And finally I got around to cutting out the motifs. Hopefully this weekend will see at least one of these projects completed. Maybe….?

New Brooch Designs

This little treasure took almost  two days to get right. First attempt was too big. Next one too fluffy. This one is just right. I have used an old (ooops I meant vintage), sheer scarf. I’m now using the same steps to make some out of different fabrics. In the meantime I came up with another bright idea.I bought these,whatever these are, in a bag of plastic mesh. I had forgotten I had them until I went looking for some other plastic bits for a friend. Have a plan to make them into brooches as well. First step was to paint front and back with gel medium. I needed to create a surface that acrylic paint would adhere to. They are slow drying so I can’t start planning the next step. I’m going to add some fabric and other bits and pieces before I’m done. I have another twenty or so of these so any other ideas will be appreciated.

The Crafter’s Way 187–Do I Need An Embroidery Hoop?

This week’s Messenger column discusses this question.

This is one of the most asked questions by people wanting to learn Embroidery. There is no simple Yes/No answer to this question. The purpose of an embroidery hoop is to keep the fabric taut and smooth. This will assist you to keep your stitch tension and size even.

I always use a hoop when I am using a fine or flimsy material such as silk or organza. I also always use a hoop when stitching french knots, bullion stitches etc, however, if I’m using stem stitch I prefer to pop my fabric out of the hoop and hold the fabric in my hands. The smaller the piece I’m working on the more likely I will be using a hoop.

How do you decide which type of hoop? Again this will come down to personal preference. Hoops can be made from wood, plastic or metal. They come in many different sizes and styles. If you are a novice embroiderer or haven’t used a hoop before try a small hoop to begin with. This will feel less cumbersome in your hand.

Most embroidery hoops have two circles which are held together under tension by a screw clamp.

1. Prepare your fabric so that the fabric is straight in both directions.
2. Place the ring which is the enclosed circle, on a table.
3. Place your fabric on top.
4. Loosen the screw on the second ring and slide over the fabric and first ring.
5. Tighten screw. As you tighten adjust fabric to ensure that it is held taut within the hoops. The fabric should make a sound when gently tapped.

Some Embroiderers choose to bind their hoops. Again this is personal preference. The theory is that binding assists to hold the fabric tauter and that the hoop is less likely to mark your work. There are some clear online tutorials on how to bind hoops if you prefer to work with one. Hoops may mark your fabric if left for a long time. If you have long periods of time where you don’t do any embroidery always pop your fabric out of the hoop before putting to one side. I must admit I always leave my fabric in. I find that if have to spend those few minutes resetting the hoop every time I want to stitch a bit I simply can’t be bothered. If I leave it in the hoop I pick up and do a few stitches whenever I have 5 minutes.

My favourite hoop is a free standing one. It sits on my lap allowing me to use both hands. This minimizes thread twist and knotting. I still pop the fabric out if doing Stem Stitch.

Using an embroidery hoop is a personal preference. If you have not used on before give it a go. They are not expensive and you may find that you enjoy your stitching more.

Cross Stitch Bears

A few weeks back I picked up  couple of completed cross stitch designs. Somebody had gone to a lot of trouble to stitch them then hadn’t done anything with them. I wasn’t really sure what I would do with them but after the success of my “fabric on canvas” letters I decided that I would do something along the same lines. I found this piece of coordinating linen in my stash. Mixed up some paint for the canvas. Then after pressing the linen to within an inch of its life I painted some mod podge onto the fabric. It is a really cold, wet day here today so I’m still waiting for it to dry before I do any more.

Waiting……waiting……

The Crafter’s Way 186 – Medicine Glass

The Ranamok Glass Prize is an annual acquisitive award for glass artists who are resident in either Australia or New Zealand. The Prize, founded in 1994, is a way to promote glass as a public art form. Artisan welcomes the Ranamok Glass Prize Exhibtion to its Gallery Artisan space until the 20^th August.

The internationally renowned prize is keenly observed by those wanting to spot the next big thing in contemporary glass work. This year is the first time an international judge has participated. “When an artist wins the Ranamok Glass Prize, they are immediately recognised internationally as being at the forefront of glass art”, says Oldknow. “Although the Ranamok is open only to artists from Australia and New Zealand, the stage on which finalists play is an international one.”

The Ranamok is the only glass prize that travels. Given the works range from a 200kg lovers’ seat to sculptural interpretations of dragon tattoos and an intricate, baroque bird cage this is a remarkable feat. Don’t miss this opportunity to see some of our Glass Artists most intricate and daring works. 

While you are enjoying the Ranamok Prize be sure to pop your head into Artisan’s Crucible space. Here you will find a fascinating exhibition by Brisbane jeweller Elizabeth Shaw. Inspired by Victorian medical instruments Elizabeth has crafted intricate objects from recycled materials including wood, bone, steel and silver. “In these works I draw on the aesthetic of repair and honesty in mechanics that was valued in early mechanical tools, apparatus and implements,” says Shaw.

Head in the Clouds

Flowers from Peg’s Garden.

Alan snapped these photos while doing Mum’s gardening last week. Mum can’t make it down the stairs to see them at the moment. When mum was in hospital recently Alan gave these bushes a good trim back. He was a bit worried that he might have killed them. I think these images are proof of life. Alan then cut a few and popped them into a vase for Mum to enjoy inside.

More Faux Crazy Patch

Had a few people message me wanting to see more of the Faux Crazy Patch Angels.

Unfortunately they haven’t earned their wings yet so I can’t show you the finished pieces but I can show more images of the stitching.

The pencil guidelines rinse right out at the end.

I’ll also add a few bead embellishments before I make them up.

I have a few more stitched fronts to complete before I get down to the assembly stage. Sitting here isn’t getting me any closer to being finished, so Bye for now.

A Quick Round Up

It has been another busy week. So busy that I have only just realised that I haven’t posted here since last Monday. I’ve been making more Faux Crazy Patchwork Angels. Stamped some Calico Ribbon. Yesterday I went to the BrisStyle Indie Designers Market. We didn’t have a stall however I went and found a spot in the sun and  helped out with the Promo Team.

I did manage to spare some all important shopping time before heading home. I bought myself this very chic coin purse by Sybella.Just love the fabric.

I promise I will try to be more organised this week.

Fairy Art

Remember the fabric I bought at The Best Garage Sale Ever? Well today I started using it. I started by painting some canvas panels. The I went looking for some glue. I had no Modge Podge. This was my collection of suitable adhesives. I chose to use the Matt Medium simply because that was the only jar I could get the lid off. I used my brayer to smooth out the fabric and remove any air bubbles. I forgot to take a photo of this step on the pink one. After the glued fabric had dried well I put a good dollop of the medium on top and spread it all over. All finished.While I was looking for my Brayer I found this magical little tool. I love using this. You simply heat the foam then press it into a textured surface. Then you ink it up and stamp away. When you wash away the ink you wash away the textured surface ready for you to on something else.

The Crafter’s Way 185 – Wood Carving

This week’s Messenger column

I recently met Radha Pedersen, a self taught wood Carver, at an exhibition. I was drawn to his work, not just because it stood alone in a room full of textile art and paintings but because his carvings have breathed new life into something so often discarded.

Radha grew up on acreage and enjoyed being surrounded by nature. Initially his work reflected his interest in nature and realistic form. More recently Radha has been focusing on portraiture, “Taking the self taught route I kept practising and learning, studying art and anatomy books etc. I really enjoy exploring the variety and uniqueness of individuals.”

Having spent years honing his craft Radha is now ready to start sharing his skills and knowledge to help others develop their skills. Radha doesn’t believe you need any previous experience in art or carving. If you have an interest and passion you can learn wood carving. “You never know unless you try, there might be a hidden talent somewhere that is waiting to be released”, believes Radha.

To facilitate this wood carving classes are kept small with a maximum of six people per class. The classes are perpetual which gives the Participant control over how far they wish to develop their skill. The classes are conducted in a relaxed atmosphere focussing on where each individual is at rather than trying to move through a project to a set time frame. Radha says, “The main purpose of my classes is to teach people how to see and construct in 3 dimensions which is the main factor of sculpture whatever the medium”.

Radha is currently holding classes at Eagleby/Beenleigh, half way between Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Currently he has a Tuesday and Wednesday evening class 6 -9. Radha is hoping to start two- day classes on Wednesdays. People can register their interest via email at info@radhapedersen.com.au

When Radha is not teaching he continues to create his highly sought after commissioned pieces. If after visiting his website: www.radhapedersen.com.au you decide that you would like to learn more about his woodcarvings you can follow on www.facebook.com/RadhaPedersen or phone (07) 354725794