Sunday, December 22, 2019

Island Batik 3-D Project 2

Hi.  I was asked to make a jacket for a friend.  She requested something flowing and showed me a photo of something similar to what she wanted, but not in the colors she needed.  I suggested Island Batik Rayon, which has a gorgeous drape and would work well in the design style she chose, and suggested she look at Island Batik's website to pick a color.  She picked Raspberry Fusion, which was a design from 2018, and is now currently in stores (including mine).  I've gotten samples and scarves from the Rayon collection, and just love the drape and the silky hand of the fabric.  The colors are gorgeous, too.  So, when it became available to ship, I purchased a bolt.  




She picked Vogue pattern 1505.  
Although this pattern calls for 60" wide fabric for View B, the person who is going to wear the jacket is petite, so I was able to adjust the length to just fit on the 45" wide fabric.  I think it came out so pretty.  



I paired it with some lightweight fusible interfacing for the bands, and Aurifil 50wt in 2452, Dusty Rose.  I have quite the variety of Aurifil colors, and am so glad I do, because I always find a color to match the project.  


Okay, the photos don't show it as 3-D, with someone wearing it, but I did try it on and look in the mirror.  It's beautiful, and I'm happy with it, so I hope they are, too.  I did try to get a photo of me trying in the mirror, but it would not come out good (okay, the bins for holiday decorating also showed, and I didn't want to advertise that I still had so much to do! lol) 

If you haven't tried sewing a garment with Island Batik rayon, I suggest you do.  It would make a gorgeous flowing top or skirt, or jacket like this.  It's cool to the touch, so won't be too hot in most situations, and will add a gorgeous touch to your outfit.  I do recommend a new, good, sharp needle, Aurifil thread, and lots of pins or hand basting.  It has a tendency to shift a little, so you really need to take your time when sewing it.  The rolled hem was perfect for it, though.  I used my Babylock Imagine serger to finish the edge first, just the regular stitch, and then turned it up to encase that stitching, and used the rolled hem foot, without putting it into the roller, to make a nice top-stitched hem on my Husqvarna Viking Sapphire 850.  I've used the serger trick on most of the things I need to do a rolled hem on, and it makes it so easy.  This jacket is being mailed to the recipient, so I hope it arrives in time to be under the tree.  

Thanks so much for visiting!  I'm working on a quilt with the new Island Batik Solids, so I'll blog about that, soon.  In the meantime, I hope you're enjoying holiday traditions.  I need to bake some cookies, one of my favorite traditions.  Enjoy! 


Maryellen

Linking up with prettypiney.com for What I made Monday. 



Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Island Batik in 3-D

Hi and welcome to this month's Island Batik Ambassador Challenge! 
We're going 3-D.  Not Dark Dreary December (today was really rainy and dreary), but 3 dimensional.  Some of the Ambassadors are doing things that puff or stick up from a quilt, like fish tails, some are doing 3-D illusions (it looks like 3-D but it's actually flat), and others are doing things like this.  I decided a first project would be a purse.  I may do more, depending on the rest of the month.
Thanks to the Sacred Heart Academy student who modeled for me! I'm class of guess, lol, (don't want to admit my age, lol)
I've been doing craft fairs lately, and enjoy making purses, and had some great fabric for them.  Which I didn't find right away, but I did have scraps from another 3-D thing I made last year.  I'll make the other one soon.
Here, Hannah Hedgehog from Funky Friends featured this fabric collection, but I can't find the name of the fabric (this may change, lol).  **It's Soul Song by Bella Nonna Designs.  I  plan to make more purses, and probably will also use a different design, as well.  

Anyway, back to the 3-D purse.  I used the Pink Sands Beach designs Barbados Bag, which is a cross body style with lots of great pockets.  I've made quite a few of these in other fabrics, and thought it would sell well at the high school fair I did last weekend (it didn't sell yet, it's in my Etsy shop if you happen to love it, or know someone who will).   I used the beige and navy swirl dots as the main part, and Basics navy for the outside and lining, and the yellow mini dot for the pocket accent on the front.  I had silver tone hardware, so used that for the strap buckle, clip and D ring.  For the inside of the bag, I used Pellon Fusible Fleece.  I also had navy zippers on hand.  I purchase bag supplies when I see them on sale, and like the challenge of making bags.  This one measures about 9 by 11", and about 1 inch high at the bottom.  The front has an outside zip pocket, and then a second pocket that's the full width and depth, and large enough to hold a tablet or small notebook.  The back has 2 deep pockets, perfect for a passport, small camera, or assortment of pencils.  The inside has 2 smaller pockets, perfect for cards or coupons, and it's nice and deep to hold other necessary items.  The strap is about 48" long and adjustable (used the Basics Navy).  I used Aurifil 40wt in navy for all the stitching.  I like using the heavier weight for bags.  It is just a bit stronger than 50wt, and looks great in the topstitching.  


 I do sew my label into the bags I make! 
Back has 2 pockets. 
 That's my tablet in there!  Plenty of room!

I do find the pattern easy and well written, but with so many layers, with the fleece, pocket and base fabric, I increase the seam allowance to 1/2".  I think it calls for 1/4".  It's okay to just make the bag a little smaller, but if I do remember before cutting the fabric, I'll cut it 1/2" larger.  

So, have you made a purse, or other thing that's 3-D?  I do hope you try.  There are tons of great patterns available, including many free ones.  It's always good to add a challenge into your skill set.  It makes you grow as a maker!  
Please also visit the other Island Batik Ambassadors to see their 3-D items.  

I do hope you're taking time to enjoy the season's festivities and making sweet memories with your favorite people.  Happy Holidays!  I may have another project or 2 done before the end of the month.  Thanks so much for visiting! 

Maryellen