I am not a pack rat by nature…well…except when it comes to any of my art quilting supplies 😉. When I am finished with a big project, I often have scraps of hand-dyed pieces that are just too lovely to waste.
A very fast and fun solution is to turn them into mini-wallets that can be used for a number of purposes, and make great little gifts.
- Cut out a roughly-postcard-sized piece (I like to aim for finished size 4 1/4 x 6 1/2…plenty of room inside the finished piece and enough length) of the fabric in question, as well as Peltex II (or other super-stiff fusible) and a backing/interior fabric. Fuse.
- Choose a decorative thread…I love Superior Threads’ Mettalics but have used all sorts. (You will need a matching thread in the bobbin.)
- Have fun stitching the sandwich, following the lines of the fabric artist’s dye or creating your own pattern.
- When finished with the surface, switch from free-motion to a wide, dense zig-zag. Stitch along one of the short ends and trim.
- Fold the piece so that about a half-inch of the interior is visible, and give it a blast with your iron to help keep it folded. (This can be helpful if the fabrics are thick!)
- Begin the zigzag or satin stitch at one folded corner, continue to the top side, and down the other side of the pieces. (Now you’ll see why you finished the one short side first!). I like to get to the end of the zigzag, switch to a straight stitch, and stitch back along the inside of the the zigzag to secure the thread.
Done…and on to the next one! A perfect project if you are very short on time but crave a burst of creativity and a super-useful result :).
neonkittyquilts 