Tuesday 13 March 2012

Try It Out Tuesday... Using Up Scrap...

The completed piece.
It comes to us all... too many scraps, not enough time.  I have several bits of Lutradur and Evolon that were surplus to requirements for various reasons, so I put together this little postcard (told you I liked postcard size for trying things out).  First I cut a piece of Lutradur 100, to act as a base, and then fussy cut little bits of Lutradur and Evolon; in fact, if you have read Exquisite Evolon, you'll recognise the little leaf shape!  I laid them out in the pattern I wanted, making sure that they covered the base, and free machine zig zagged them into place. 
Assembling the postcard on the base.


Why free machine?  Because I find automatic zig zag boring; I can vary the width and positioning of each stitch as I please when free machining.  I used variegated thread deliberately; I wanted the colour to vary, to make the stitch a feature.  Of course, other than keeping the fabric attached to the backing, the stitch plays no useful purpose; these fabrics don't fray, so there is no real need for stitch.  I could have simply fused the fabric onto the base, but I like the link with Crazy Quilting that the stitch suggests.  So... Crazy Quilting Goes Modern!  You could, of course, embellish madly.  If you want a postcard finish on the back, fuse the piece onto Lutradur XL, and stitch discretely round the edges in either straight or zigzag stitch. 

Postcard complete...ta dah!

2 comments:

Heidi Rand said...

Love it! Great colors-- stitching definitely adds a nice touch.

Angela said...

Love the colours and thanks for the idea - I've got loads of bits! I won't throw anything away ;o) I also love working postcard size.