Attaching needlepoint to a bag

 Before I start I should add that this would also work for a prefinished pillow or even the likes of a demin jacket.

The hardest part for me is the cutting of the canvas, my little one Amanda was saying "mom you shouldn't cut it!".  My nerves must have been showing.

 For a project with shaping like this heart you will also need to clip any curves and inside corners.

 Finger pressing next.  This piece has a sharp point which is pressed first across the horizontal and then the sides and pressed in too.  This may lead to the necessity of trimming more from the excess canvas as was the case here.

Pins hold everything is place.

 This is the bag Amanda and I choose for the heart.  The finished bag will be a birthday present for Fiona with a new swimming towel inside.  I loved the canvas handles and gromits.  It is surprislingly well made with a lining, zip and even welting at the base.  Found it at Meijers (a local grocery store).  I had also considered a straw bag but the gromits sold it for me.

 Here you can see everything pressed and pinned.

 In this case I wanted a casual placement so no headaches about it being centred.

Using the pins that are already in place I then pinned it to the bag.

 I attached this using quilting thread but for a novice I would suggest using invisible thread, particularly if you are not going to add a cording.

The knot is buried under the needlepoint and the piece is then attached using small slip stitches.

I only take a thread or two so as to reduce the amount of stitching that shows on the inside of the bag.

 If you intend to add cording as I did leave a gap for the ends of the cording to be tucked into.  I did this at the inside corner at the top.

 At this stage I did briefly consider not adding a cording, however I always think they look more finished with a bit of trim.

 I made this cording using DMC floss that I'd used to attach the spirals.  There is also a small amount of silver thread for bling.

 The same thread is used to attach the cording with the stitches burrowed into the needlepoint.

 Finished, as there was some cording left I added it to the zipper pull.

Beginning to end for this finishing project was about 90 minutes with a cost of $15 for the bag.  Not bad if I do say so myself.

Oh and then Amanda and I went got the beach towel to round off this gift.

Finishing off Halloween Treat

 Lets get started.  This was the first one of my own pieces that I actually had to block.  In this case I think was because of the canvas I used.  It is not of the best quality.

 Here you can see one of the scrap booking brads I used.  At the rear I over stitched the brad legs just in case any little hands decide to give a pull.

 More brads and the candy is a sticker with the sticky removed and stitched in place.

 Just so you can see it being blocked.

 This is the fabric to go around the sides of the block, you need to measure the sides and add one inch for the hems.

In this case I also cut the fabric on the bias to get the diagonal effect that matches a section in the needlepoint piece.

I would not recommend that a beginner does this as the bias edges stretch which can cause problems.

 Quilters batting cut just a tiny bit smaller than the cube, front back and sides.

This helps even out any unevenness in the piece due to embellishments etc.

 After removing from the blocking board I trim the canvas and finger press the edges.

 Batting placed on the canvas (could also place on the foam block).

 I started by using large pins (aren't these pretty) to give me the extra pairs of hands I always seem to need.

 Pin the canvas to the block, don't be afraid to use too many pins.

 Nicely fold the excess corner canvas in and again pin.

The same is then done with the backing fabric.  Remember to put the batting under this for a softer look.

 Batting strip again for a softer look and help cushion the folds in the canvas and backing fabric.

 Now this is a personal preference.  You could over lap the ends of the side fabric, but the sewer in me had to measure and do a seam.

 In the instructions I found on this technique the edges are not sew in place.  Again this just did not work for me so out comes the needle and thread.

First I pinned the hem to the edge of the needlepoint.

 I stitched this in a similar method to how I attach a cording.

It works really nicely and pulls everything together.

To get to the next stitch into the canvas I travel the needle inside the fold of the hem so the stitch is only seen on the entry and exit points.

 Then down into the canvas being careful not to split the threads.

 The back and sides are stitched using a ladder stitch which in this case means traveling inside the hem of the side and along the edge of the back.

For more info on ladder stitch try this link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CjOXMuTFXo

 Finished and if I do say so myself very neat and tidy.

 I also added some feet made from unfinished wood parts (JoAnn Fabrics).

I know that online these cubes have fancy bows on top, I tryed one and it was just too fussy for my taste.

I hope you have enjoyed this latest in my finishing tutorials.  I think I will have to start giving classes soon.

Finishing Pretty Petals

 Well folks here we go.

This one was interesting as I did not want to add any stiff inner layer.

First I traced the original pattern twice onto freezer paper (on the mat side).

 Now iron this shiny side down onto Ultra Suede and cotton quilters batting.

I used Ultra Suede to make life a bit easier as there is no need to turn the edges under.

Cut out the Ultra Suede on the line.

I cut the batting out a little bit inside the line.

MAKE SURE YOU REMEMBER TO KEEP EACH PIECE LABELED WITH THE APPROPRIATE LETTER.

 I know this bit is nerve racking but you can do this.

AGAIN label each petal layer, then cut around leaving about a 1/4 inch of canvas.

Now clip into each base at the corners.

 I then finger pressed the excess canvas to the rear, if you wish a firmer edge and be hassled with dragging out the iron then go ahead and GENTLY press with an iron.  Just be careful that you don't compress the threads.

 Here you see the layers.

Note that I have only finger pressed one petal at the moment.  That is just personal preference.

 Not begins the stitching.  I catch the edge of the pressed under canvas and the Ultra Suede.

 Continue working around in tiny little stitches.  Some finishers will do this at the same time of attaching the cording but I prefer to do each part separately.

Takes longer but easier to manage.

 Here you can see how I finger press as I'm going along.

 Just another view, here you can see just how tiny the stitches are.  Just taking a nibble of the Ultra Suede.

When you get close to the end leave a gap at the center for insertion of wire and cording ends.

I choose to use a french knot instead of the suggested stitch.

Again cut this out and finger press the excess canvas to the wrong side.

Put to one side for now.

 I did tack down the excess canvas and left a long tail of quilting thread for later.

 All four parts ready for cording and assembly.

I used DMC memory thread that is a wire wrapped in thread but you could use floral wire.  As chose the DMC because it will show on the rear and this allowed me some degree of colour matching.

The cording is made to match using the same two blues I stitched with.  Again you could use a purchased cord if you wished.

The wire is attached first.  I tried to keep it towards the back of each piece so the cording can nestle on top.

The cording comes next and is attached by sewing though the actual cording (into the valley) and coming out into your needlepoint being careful not to split the threads.

Then back towards the cording again into a valley.

When you have done each layer stack them in the most pleasing manner.

Using a darning needle and quilting thread stitch them together though the center.  I was careful to come out at the edge on the bottom layer for a neater look.

While you are doing this part you may add a magnet between the bottom two layers.  This is what is suggested in the original instructions.

 This allows for either a really cool fridge magnet or with the use of a second magnet a pin.

 Now back to the center piece.

I used the leftover quilting thread and gathered the piece to match the previously finished section.  I also added a piece of batting into the center.

 Again using the quilting thread attach to the petals.

Your master piece is now done.

Mine is currently being used as a pin and the center makes a very useful pin cushion.

It will be interesting to see how people react to this unusual pin.

Today is the perfect day for such a spring like piece.