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Saturday, March 16, 2013

An Emerging Butterfly.....

I thought I'd show you a bit more of this emerging butterfly
(whilst I am still ultra excited about it)
and also to show anyone thinking about doing one of these what is involved
maybe you will start one too (??? Susan???? you know who you are....)

choosing which fabrics should go where, ironing the applique bonding and keeping them in order took me all morning .....

It wasn't necessary to leave the 1/4" around all the bonding edges - a lot easier and quicker - cut the vliesofix to the shape and then trim just off the edges - doesn't have to be too totally exact as the bias will go over the top and cover any little bits...


I pinned my backing onto the pattern so I could see where to place the pieces

and started pressing them on carefully.....


... this part took hardly any time at all.....


the backing is a pretty pale green ....
(more like the second picture)

now I need several metres of black 1/4" binding.... I am going to make it myself .... I know you can buy it ready made .. and my friend did but it ended up being quite costly ......

... any tips doing this will be much appreciated ...

So I'm off to the shops later to look for black fabric, strip vleisofix, a binding tool, and a twin needle before I can do the next stage ......  I think it will still end up more cost effective....... and give me time to finish off this project for SAL ....


Righto, Gotto Go.....  a couple of pretty pincushions to make .....
I do hope you find some time for fun this weekend

32 comments:

  1. Your butterfly is amazing..all those little bits look so fiddley but its come together well....my pin cushion is at the same point. I loved you sailor a few posts back too!! XX

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  2. wow and double wow Fiona this is awesome,the colours you have chosen for your butterfly are perfect,oh i am gunna love seeing this come together,well done my friend.xx

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  3. I was in a class where this technique was shown, and we all had to make one too.
    I decided using the bias was too 'hard' for me so I improvised.

    I did a thick satin stitch with my machine, using black cotton. It was so much faster and easier!

    I have done several wall hangings this way now and I'm never unhappy with the result.

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  4. Wow Fiona, this is looking fantastic. As for the binding, just grab a clover tool but one where you can add the visofix as up pull it through. I had trouble buying the thin visofox for the Clover thingie so just cut it myself, much cheaper too. hugs

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  5. Ooh that is one tropical butterfly emerging from your sewing space. Enjoy watching him come to life.
    Pretty pin cushions too.

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  7. Beautiful Fiona. It is going to be amazing. You are a wonder. Have fun.

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  8. WOW!! It is looking amazing. Love it on the green background too. You are making it look so easy!
    loving your little pin cushions to be, I have one stitched waiting to be sewn up too.

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  9. Those are gorgeous shades, that is going to be beautiful. My DIL loves butterflies so maybe I will do a piece for her.

    Debbie

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  10. ???Susan??? which Susan???
    Your butterfly is looking lovely - I think you are on the home stretch now...Luckily I already have my black tape...just missing "time".
    And of course you have at least 2 pin cushions !!! LOL - both very pretty!

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  11. What a truly gorgeous butterfly! Several years ago I did a bias applique workshop and we cut our own fusible stuff using a rotary cutter......not the new blade though. The teacher said she keeps an older blade which only gets used for cutting those strips. Ironing them on took no time at all.

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  12. Love your new project! Going to be a gorgeous butterfly. Can't wait for my book to arrive so I can make the pin cushion from it along with a host of other things lol. I'd definitely get one of those binding tools as when I used to make the girls smocked dresses everything was bound or piped lol. My tools came in handy and are so easy to use. I also use 'crisp' spray starch too. Just watch the steam setting on the iron as I steam burned a finger once. Not a very pleasant experience.

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  13. OMG the butterfly is looking grat already.
    I agree it will be a lot cheaper to buy your black bias but it is fiddley to make.. Good luck.
    What did you say your SAL project... Don't you mean a three????

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  14. Stunning, I can't wait to see the next stage

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  15. The Butterfly will be stunning....and so will your pin cushions..

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  16. Gorgeous colours in your butterfly. I have used both bought and "made myself" binding - it is not too difficult to make and definitely cheaper. I used the 1/4 inch steam a seam. I have also cut 1/4 inch wide vliesofix for smaller amounts of binding. Either way you will be right and it will be beautiful.

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  17. Stunning butterfly, lovely colours, will watch as he evolves

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  18. wow, that butterfly is amazing.

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  19. Wow....beautiful butterfly....And a shopping trip...wonder if you came back with extra ha ha! Lovely pin cushion there!

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  20. Crickey Fiona!! That butterfly is super duper and you have done alot of it.....no housework at your house either? lol. Still looking for the magic fairy to do my housework. If I find her, I'll pass her on to you.
    Cheers, Anita.

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  21. What a stunning butterfly, you've done a wonderful job to get it all lined up perfectly. Your little pincushions are going to be darlings too....

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  22. The butterfly is gorgeous. Hugs,xx

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  23. This is gorgeous Fiona!!! Cute pincushions...

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  24. you don't hang about do you! The butterfly looks amazing already

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  25. Your butterfly is going to be gorgeous - and I love those little pin cushions, I am ordering the book!

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  26. Your butterfly looks wonderful and I love your pincushions! Hugs Sheila

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  27. Your butterfly is looking gorgeous already, it looks a long process with all the little bits. Love your stitchery too, hugs Wendy

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