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Entries in double miter (2)

Sunday
19Apr2009

Make Only New Mistakes


One of my pet peeves is making the same mistake twice. I like to think that I learn from my mistakes and only make new mistakes. One of the benefits of the Internet is that we no longer have to make all the mistakes ourselves. Others have blazed the artistic trail and are generously willing to share their knowledge.

For example, look for HELPFUL STUFF on Melody Johnson's blog including a great little book on free motion machine quilting designs. You can find it at:http://www.meliscellaneous.com/misc/fibermania/Free_Motion_Machine_Quilting_Designs.pdf

Judy Cotes Perez has instructions on making canvas book with a tooled copper cover. http://judyperez.blogspot.com/2009/03/flora-copper-canvas-book.html

Empty Easel gives advice on marketing your art work online. http://emptyeasel.com/art-business-advice/selling-art-online/

I found one more cool site to share with you this week. Visit Jodie at http://vintagericrac.blogspot.com/2008/03/selvedge-bag.html. She makes amazing things from the selvedges of fabric! I love this type of creativity. Something that most throw away she turns into bags, scarves and even a dress.

Thursday
16Apr2009

Interesting Discovery

Interesting discovery -- most of my UFOs are complete except for the binding. Why is this?

I enjoy the entire process; designing, picking out the fabric and embellishments, sewing, painting, quilting….but then it comes to a screeching halt at the binding. I don't enjoy (dare I say hate?) putting on the bindings! This might be because bindings are most unpredictable for me. My bindings are sometimes flat and perfectly mitered and other times fat and obtuse. Is it me? Is it the fabric? Is it the Houston humidity? (I thought this excuse was quite creative!)

Recently I found a solution for smaller quilts, potholders, scarves, greeting cards, and similar projects that need a wide finished edge -- I use a double mitered edging. It creates a “frame” that lays flat and is less bulky than traditional bound edges. Also, since the backing fabric wraps to the front and forms the border, it has the added benefit of neatly covering a messy back (beading knots, quilting bird’s nests, etc.).


This art quilt wanted a 1” wide edging and is what actually prompted me to try out the technique. Originally I tried a narrower traditional binding but it just looked out of proportion.


Here is a photo of a coaster that shows just how nice and flat the corners can be. It is photographed on a black background because my flash was over reacting to a white background.

If there is any interest I'll create an instruction sheet on the technique.
A few of the things that I am grateful for today:
  1. Friday night Tex-Mex with my husband
  2. Todays' rain without any hail or damaging winds
  3. The online artistic community of people that I may never meet in person but from whom I have learned so much.
  4. Dark chocolate. Chocolate or ice cream seem to show up every week...
  5. Saturdays. My official play day.