QUILTsocial Issue 5 | Page 15

skill level  easy finished measurements corn cob 3” x 10” [7.5 x 25.5cm] leaf 4½'' x 9” [11.5 x 23cm] materials Sulky Sticky Fabri-Solvy or Printable Sticky Fabri-Solvy stabilizer Sulky Solvy stabilizer Assortment of fabrics (batiks are easy to work with) Assortment of ribbons Assortment of thread Rayon Metallic threads add sparkle to the project! Sulky Holoshimmer for even more shine notions fabric marker to mark on the Fabric-Solvy Heirloom Sew Smooth Scissors Topstitch needle Extra bobbins (before starting to stitch pre-wind bobbins with decorative threads) instructions Pattern 1. Trace the outline of a leaf, corn cob or any other shape onto the fabric side of Sticky Fabri-Solvy. TIP Lots of basic shapes can be found in children’s coloring books, and the internet has thousands of clip art images that are simple and easy to re-size. 2. If you have an ink jet printer, print the design onto an 8½” x 11” piece of Printable Sticky Fabri-Solvy. Follow the directions on the package and print on the fabric side. Create the design 1. Remove the backing paper from the Sticky Fabri-Solvy. Lay the Sticky Fabric-Solvy with design facing down and the sticky side up on the table. 2. Using small snipped pieces of fabric, ribbon and threads in chosen colors, arrange them willy-nilly over the entire design. 3. Cover the entire design including the outline. The design will be trimmed to the correct size and shape, so ensure the edges are completely covered to make a nice finish. The more layers of filler materials are added, the thicker and denser the 3D design will be. 4. Once the placement of all of the bits is done, cut a piece of Solvy that is large enough to cover the entire sticky area of the pattern. 5. Create a sandwich by lightly spraying one side of the Solvy with KK2000 and stick it on the top of the design. The sandwich is made up of the Sticky Fabri-Solvy on the bottom, bits of fabric, ribbon and threads in the middle, and Solvy on the top. 6. Turn the sandwich over so the Sticky Fabri-Solvy is now on top and the design can be seen. 7. Thread the machine with all purpose, rayon or metallic thread. Experiment with different threads on the top and in the bobbin. The stitching can be done with co-ordinating colors or contrasting colors. Needle Choose a needle that will work well with the chosen threads for stitching. A size 90/12 topstitch needle works well with most decorative threads. Stitching Now it’s time to have fun. 1. Using a 2.5 or 3.0 straight stitch, stitch 2 lines around the outline of the design. This is not the time to stress about staying in or on the lines; the printed pattern lines will disappear when the Fabri-Solvy is rinsed away! 2. Stitch curvy lines all over the design, criss-crossing them as you turn your sandwich under the pressure foot. In the sample the stitches follow the natural contours of the designs. The more lines are stitched the more stable 3D design will be. Change threads as often as desired. The bobbin thread is just as important as the top thread as it will show through the thread web from both sides of the 3D design. TIP To ensure enough lines are sewn, hold the sandwich up to the light and check to see that all of the filler material has been caught in the stitching web. If a piece of fabric or ribbon isn’t caught it will fall away when rinsed out of the Fabri-Solvy. Add more lines of stitching if needed. 3. For the corn cob gold metallic thread was used on top and yellow rayon in the bobbin and green Holoshimmer on the top and green rayon in the bobbin for the husks. On the Oak Leaf copper metallic was used for the top and bobbin. Rinsing and shaping the decoration 1. Trim around the design with scissors when pleased with your stitching. I like to trim just outside the original 2 rows of stitching. Remember this isn’t a precise project so relax and enjoy the process. 2. Take a few minutes to think about the shape of the finished design and then start searching for a “mould” that will help achieve that shape. For the corn cob a small spray can was used (the KK2000 can was perfect!). For an apple design use a small bowl. Cover the ‘mould’ with a layer of plastic wrap. 3. Use a basin of warm water to rinse the project until most of the Fabri-Solvy and Solvy is dissolved. The pattern will dissolve away with the Fabri-Solvy so if you didn’t stay in or on the lines no one will know. Ensure the design still feels gooey. Note: If you rinse away the entire stabilizer the design will not hold its 3 dimensional shape. Shape your design over the ‘mould’ and let d ry overnight. 4. In the morning peel the ornament off of the mould and voilà…your beautiful 3D Harvest Fibre Art Design is complete! Donna Housley www.hakidd.com QUILTsocial .com | issue 5 15