I purchased a Cadillac of an embroidery machine last year so that I could digitize my own embroidery designs, as well as applique designs. I had come across this Geisha Girl picture somewhere, and decided to create an applique for a tote bag. For the tote bag pattern, I followed my favorite instructions for the Jordy bag that I found over at Craftster.org.
I had in my stash this beautiful Oriental satin brocade fabric covered in colored peonies that was screaming to be used! So I used it for the back of the tote.
Also in my stash I had this vintage floral fabric, but it very sheer, so I backed it with a pink satin. I did some random stitching to bond the two fabrics together. When I attached it to the black fabric, I decided that I wanted an embroidered flower, like a peony in black, but I wanted it to have a bit of a cut work look to it, so I placed it where it covered the black fabric, and then cut away the black fabric to show the pink underneath.
When I was gathering fabric for my applique, I just couldn't find the right colors I wanted to use, and I couldn't justify going to the fabric store to buy more bits of fabric when I had gobs at home. Imagine that! If I had needed more than just little bits, I would have gone to the fabric store in a second, but to make a trip for fabric when I needed an inch or so sized square of this, or a three inch sized piece of that, I figured there had to be another way. Since I had yards and yards of plain white cotton, and a rainbow supply of RIT dye, I thought I would just dye my own fabric. Now one thing I have noticed when dyeing fabric in the past for tye dye or whatever, RIT dyes always seemed to be very washed out looking after doing the rinse process. Now on the Internet, I had come across some instructions for using RIT dye, shaving cream and curing your fabric in the microwave. I didn't use the shaving cream, but rather just dabbed on my colors that I wanted and then mixed them about with a paintbrush. I ended up with really nice vibrant colors, and I think the key to that is using a smaller amount of really hot hot hot boiling water (1/2 cup) to 2 teaspoons of dye powder. And while I was searching for the link for those dyeing instructions, I came across many other sites saying you shouldn't dye fabric in your microwave. You know what, I'd do it again, because I'm a bit of a rebel that way! I do remember that when I placed my rolled up fabric logs in the microwave, I first put them into a lidded container. And we are still using that same microwave for food prep and haven't had any ill effects. Now I wouldn't suggest doing this process if you don't enclose that fabric in a sealed container though, because I'm sure the steam that is generated from the wet fabric would have some sort of nasties that you wouldn't want to transfer into that evening's dinner you may be heating up.
For my inside lining, I used a pink satin. For no particular reason other than I have a whack of it, and I like pink! I sewed in my standard two deep pockets, which come in real handy for keeping things organized. I also put a Funky Olive label in there too, because I thought I may sell this tote on eBay, which is also why my pictures are somewhat decorated with Oriental text as well. I did list it with a higher reserve, as there is a lot of work that went into this handbag, with the hand beading and everything. The applique alone took many hours, from digitizing the design on the computer, which took the longest to actually creating it on the sewing machine. There are a lot of thread color changes and cutting around the tiniest of applique pieces. I would say the sewing of the applique alone took over two hours, and that's using a computerized machine that basically does the embroidery for you without having to guide the foot. In the end I was kind of glad it didn't sell, because it's one of my favorite creations I have ever sewn, and I sure do get loads and loads of compliments when I am toting it! :-)
Olivia
No comments:
Post a Comment