Let's Have a Luau!
Since Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer for many families, I am already thinking about warm weather entertaining, which means luaus, luaus and more luaus. I love a little theme decor, and hibiscus everything is a big favorite, so I decided to create some table accessories featuring a simple hibiscus graphic as the primary design element.
For inspiration and a pattern, I turned to my sewing room, which has a Hawaiian theme. My accent wall is painted with large-scale hibiscus (I used an opaque projector to throw the images on the wall and then just painted in the designs), so I figured I'd just trace those to make my appliques.
For inspiration and a pattern, I turned to my sewing room, which has a Hawaiian theme. My accent wall is painted with large-scale hibiscus (I used an opaque projector to throw the images on the wall and then just painted in the designs), so I figured I'd just trace those to make my appliques.
I taped my Wonder Under directly over my wall hibiscus and traced around the design with a water-based marker to avoid any bleed-through that might discolor the wall. Since the design is bigger than my fusible, I had to piece things a bit. I made two versions of the design for my table, one large and one VERY large.
After I took the Wonder Under down from the wall, I went over my tracing with a sharpie.
After I had my complete flower design transferred to the fusible, I ironed it to a pink duchess satin. For the stamen, I used a yellow duchess satin.
If you're careful when you peel the backing paper off your fabric once you've fused it, you can keep it as a pattern for future projects!
After my pieces were all fused and peeled, I arranged them on a green twill that I've had in the stash for a while.
Once I had the pieces arranged to my satisfaction, I ironed them down to the twill following manufacturer's instructions.
For the smaller of the two designs, I used a fleece backing. I safety pinned the top layer to a layer of fleece before I stitched my pieces down. To start with the tricky stamen, I first straight stitched it into place with a long basting stitch. Then I zig-zagged over it.
Once I had my whole flower stitched along all edges (this was the most time consuming part of the process), I cut the piece down to follow the contours of the flower but still leave a green border.
I used a pale green iridescent satin that I had on hand to create a bias binding, and voila! The smaller one can be used with warm dishes, since it has a fleece backing.
The larger version is more like a table cloth, and covers most of our dining room table. It doesn't have a fleece backing. It also needs more ironing!
I love knowing I can pull these out any time a festive tropical mood hits me -- and that I can machine wash them.
Of course, every time I do a Wonder Under project, I immediately think of 30 other projects I could use it for. But for now, I'm going to enjoy my Hawaiian getaway in my own house. Who's ready for a Mai Tai?
After I took the Wonder Under down from the wall, I went over my tracing with a sharpie.After I had my complete flower design transferred to the fusible, I ironed it to a pink duchess satin. For the stamen, I used a yellow duchess satin.If you're careful when you peel the backing paper off your fabric once you've fused it, you can keep it as a pattern for future projects!After my pieces were all fused and peeled, I arranged them on a green twill that I've had in the stash for a while.Once I had the pieces arranged to my satisfaction, I ironed them down to the twill following manufacturer's instructions.For the smaller of the two designs, I used a fleece backing. I safety pinned the top layer to a layer of fleece before I stitched my pieces down. To start with the tricky stamen, I first straight stitched it into place with a long basting stitch. Then I zig-zagged over it.Once I had my whole flower stitched along all edges (this was the most time consuming part of the process), I cut the piece down to follow the contours of the flower but still leave a green border.I used a pale green iridescent satin that I had on hand to create a bias binding, and voila! The smaller one can be used with warm dishes, since it has a fleece backing. The larger version is more like a table cloth, and covers most of our dining room table. It doesn't have a fleece backing. It also needs more ironing!I love knowing I can pull these out any time a festive tropical mood hits me -- and that I can machine wash them.
Of course, every time I do a Wonder Under project, I immediately think of 30 other projects I could use it for. But for now, I'm going to enjoy my Hawaiian getaway in my own house. Who's ready for a Mai Tai?
Categories
Sewing , Staff Tips & Tricks1 Comments
Leave a comment
(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)
Me and my friend were arguing about an issue similar to this! Now I know that I was right. lol! Thanks for the information you post.
http://www.boycosplay.net