Sunday 17 April 2011

Fabric Postcards for Easter

I thought I'd give you a break from my reports on the QGBI Conference and show you what I've been making.  This is a set of fabric postcards for the BQLPC Easter swap and I'm quite pleased with them.  I love the way a set of cards looks when put together as a patchwork too - must put something similar on my to do list!
The design is based on a stained glass window I photographed when I was in Jerusalem with DS in 2009.  I always thought I would translate it into a fabric project and these Easter cards seemed ideal.
I tried to make the colours using fabric crayons and adding lace for texture but wasn't very happy with my first attempt:
so I raided my stash for a brilliant blue fabric, a batik and also a gold metallic fabric for a bit of additional texture.  NB There's an article by Chris Hammacott in this month's British Patchwork and Quilting magazine about texture in patchwork, very interesting.
Here's a quick "how I did it" in photos:
Mark the design on the background fabric in pencil
 Mark the lines with a Hera marker onto the fabric to be applied (below the background)
 Cut just beyond the marked lines
 Position the pieces and attach with fabric glue or bondaweb
 Pin bias tape into place around the awkward bits and iron into position
 Add the rest of the bias tape, iron to hold and then stitch it all in place 
(preferably while sitting outside in the sunshine as I was able to)
I backed the cards with calico and pelmet vilene, 
cut them to size 
and machine buttonhole stitched around the outside.
I couldn't manage the Hebrew text from the window
so added the words "Alleluia" in Pigma pen and
voila!
I've been alternating making these cards with short sessions in the garden today.  It's been so glorious and the weeds seem to be growing at a massive rate.  I sat and pulled the weeds and moss out of the cracks in the patio and then DH and I had lunch - including yummy asparagus and herbs from the garden -outside on a very tidy patio and admired our work, bliss.  I hope you've all had a good weekend too.

2 comments:

  1. What clever little postcards!
    I love the vision of you working in the garden enjoying the newness of spring, don't forget to post some photo's of all your hard work!
    It is a very wet wintry day here today, not much good for anything besides curling up with a good book and a bit of stitching!

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  2. It's interesting to actually see what inspired your work rather than just saying it was inspired by something. Love the finished effect!
    Teresa x

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