Not love at first sight!

This is a piece of fabric that I printed several weeks ago.
I used disperse dyes direct onto the screen using a sponge and a bit of a spatter effect. Left this to dry and then this was transferred to the fabric.
It was ok, not too good, definitely not love at first sight!
Left it alone for a while, and now I have over printed onto it and it is much better.
Will let you know what it looks like soon!

The pile is growing!

Three quilting classes and my little pile of blocks is steadily growing!
Here are a few of my most recent blocks........
My first attempt at a traditional log cabin block ~


Log cabin block using a slightly larger square for the centre ~


My first attempt at Courthouse steps ~


Only realised now I've seen the photos I need to trim the blocks!
Loving all these designs and they were great fun to do! No favourites as of yet!

I don't mind ironing.....

When I'm ironing lovely new fabric!!



(Photos don't do the fabric justice when its dull and dark! Or maybe its just my new camera?)

Catch up on Printing

A while a go I posted some photos of fabric that I had printed and I've had a few emails asking how I did it.
This was me experimenting with a range of techniques to create different textures in the actual printing.
First I started with a blank lino block, from which I then cut out my design.


Using the lino as a stamp I covered it with a disperse dye. This type of dye you paint onto paper with, let this dry and then using a heat press (or iron) transfer the image onto fabric.
So once my paper was dry it was onto the fabric. The only downside I can see is that the dyes only transfer the vibrant colours onto synthetic fabrics. You can use natural fabrics but it comes out very faintly.
The positive side is that every little cut from the lino appears in the print which gives it great texture and once the design is transferred that's it! It is completely dry straight away and is also heat fast.


So from the paper to the fabric. I now just need to come up with an idea of what to do with the fabric!



I've also used this design on a screen print which I am really pleased with - will take some photos and post soon!

Inches and me just don't go!

I've now completed my third quilting class and it's been loads of fun!
Being shown how to complete the blocks correctly is great and learning all the tips and techniques is much easier than using a book at the moment! Plus meeting people who enjoy to sew is also fab!
The only problem I've come across is this inches thing! 1/4 of an inch?! 7/8 of an inch?!
Unfortunately I'm a centimetre girl so it has taken a bit of time to get used to.
So far I've been experimenting with different blocks, fabrics and colours. I'm slowly finding my style.


I did also manage to put together a random log cabin block and then along came a pincushion. A girl can never have too many pincushions! (I was also proud to display this at the class on Saturday - I'm a quilting class geek!)



Until next time,

Just popping in!

Hello! I'm still here but life and day job have been extremely busy!!
Unfortunately that has left little time for any sewing around here. Thankfully my Thursday evening class has kept me busy printing fabric.

Hope to get back to some normality soon!