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Dress Up Garments with Frayed Patchwork Patches and Embroidery Samples
Debbie Colgrove 5/28/04 |
Inexpensive pullover shirts, jeans or almost any casual garment can take on a whole new appearance when you add artwork. Inexpensive tee shirt type shirts are available for every season in most department stores. You may have all kinds of paper pieced quilt blocks that you started and never got around to finishing. You may have embroidery samples that were tests before you embroidered the finished item. You have all kinds of fancy stitches available on your sewing machine that you never use. Here is just one way to justify all those stitch options and put all these things that are too good to throw away but taking up valuable space in you sewing area. Let's face it... we all need to make space for more fabric!
Materials:
Understanding fabric grain is important to achieve the desired frayed edge. Learn more about fabric grain here.
Almost anyone who has tried paper piecing will agree it is additive and FUN! If you haven't tried it, Susan offers a wonderful article to get you started. The first block you ever make will probably be large, but once you get the hang of it, use a copy machine to re-size the blocks for the size you desire to embellish a shirt. A 3" block works well on a large women's shirt.
Using a Paper Pieced Block
There are many free paper piecing patterns on the Internet. About Quilting has a huge selection of paper piecing information.
Most paper piecing will not have straight grain edges. Using a similar piece of fabric or one of the fabrics in the piecing, cut it to the same size as your finished square being sure it is cut on straight grain lines. Place the straight grain block behind the pieced block. Quilt the blocks together, without quilting in the outer 1/4" seam allowance.
Using an Embroidered Block
Center the embroidery design or trim around the design to center it.
Placing and Attaching the Block to a Garment
Place blocks on the garment in a desired pattern or desired position. Pin them in place and try on the garment.
When you are happy with the placement, using a short stitch length, sew 1/4" in from the edge of the blocks, pivoting at the corners. If the fabric is a very loose weave, use a narrow zig zag to prevent fraying into the block that you want to remain.
Now comes that part that is a great project for when you are watching tv or stuck in the car waiting to pick up the kids. (But don't plan on stopping anywhere else because threads end up all over you if you are anything like I am.)
Using a straight pin, start pulling the threads from the fabric edges. Once you have most of the threads pulled, machine wash and dry the garment. This will finish the job on most fabrics but may need to be repeated on some. Trim any threads to create an even frayed border.
Optional:
Projects that may inspire and jog your creative spirit:
Dressed Up Sweat Shirt - Use a reverse applique to create a sweat shirt with class.
Sewing a Dressed Up Sweat Shirt - Use reverse applique to create curled edges, fringe and beads class up a plain sweat shirt
Applique Links Neckline Nuance From Sew News Magazine
Serger Secrets- Add to the fun with an easy coverstitch and lettuce edge. --Sew News Library
The forum is always open and a great place to discuss ideas and ask questions!
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