Dec 6, 2014

Plaid finish

Good day all.  No news on Carole.  She is having a difficult time breathing and will call an ambulance if she feels the need.  I did not have to convince her to get to the hospital.  I'll be there cleaning this afternoon (my drywall won't get done today either!) and Monday morning I need to take her for blood work (wheelchair) and then to the doc, and both of us feel he will have her admitted as emergency for the procedure.  Her appointment yesterday was only for a pacemaker check and he called the nurses in when he saw the reading, no doctor was there. The electrophysiologist is only there one day in the next two weeks so she has to wait for that day.  Going to Pittsburgh would be the same since she would have to see a doc first, they will want their own testing, and then schedule so she wants to wait it out here.  It has to be done by an electrophysiologist, not a cardiologist.
 
I wanted to show you what I do when backing with plaids.  As usual, you already know this, but a few may not.  It just makes it easier for me because I don't like to see wonky plaids. 
 
After I pull a thread out of the linen about 1/4" from where I want the stitch line, I fold back on that line and center with the plaid, use a fabric glue stick to make sure it doesn't move, and continue around the three sides.  I don't fuse interfacing until after it's sewn so I can see the removed thread line which my presser foot edge follows. 
 
 
 
 The stitching comes out nice and straight on the plaid, even when sewing from the linen side.  Then I added fusible interfacing on the linen side only.
 Storing my fusibles with the directions clearly visible for each was one of the best things I ever did.  I would usually lose the paper and not know what weight it was, steam or no steam, hot or not, dry or damp cover.
 Came out pretty good!  I guess I could have centered the plaid - maybe next time.
 The piece looked off, like more margin on the left.  But when I checked, they were the same.  When this happens, do you make a centering adjustment for looks, or keep the numbers?  I moved the seam over as the little gap on the left shows and it looked better. 
 
 

 
 
 
 

.
 Checked my rusty bell inventory and added a few at the bottom.

A little aging using a dark brown archival ink pad and a soft brush.  Of course I changed the thread colors.  Santa is 3858, the vine is 3051, beard is ecru, 640 changed to 830.  Thank you Pineberry Lane for this sweet guy! 

I'll be back tomorrow with the gift certificate winner.
Thanks for visiting, and for your prayers.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
 
 

24 comments:

Jessica said...

Great idea for finishing! Thank you for sharing!
Jessica

Rugs and Pugs said...

Fun finish!
I never know the tips you share, so thank you very much!
Hugs :)
Lauren

Jacqueline said...

Looks good. I love that you share tips with us. How about more info on the ink you use. Thanks and prayers for your sister.

Unknown said...

Ohhhh, I love how you finished this piece. And your "tips" are always appreciated.
Continued thoughts of your sister.

Margaret said...

Beautiful finish! Plaids scare me. lol! Thanks for the tips on using them. Continued prayers for your sister. I'll be thinking of you and her.

Barb said...

I appreciated your info on the plaid. I don't like it looking uneven either. I'll still keep your sister in my thoughts and prayers. She is really having a difficult time-you too because you care.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful finish! I appreciate your noting your color changes. Love you tips also. Mouse

gracie said...

Thank you for the tutorial. I never use plaids because I think they will not be straight. Hope all goes well for Carole. I must buy some rusted bells, they look wonderful on the finished piece.

celkalee said...

Plaids are fickle little buggers but this method looks like it might tame my problems, thanks.

Merry Wind Farm said...

Thanks for sharing your tricks for backing with plaid. I need to get a few ornaments put together and this will come in handy. I'm sorry to hear about your sister, I had hoped things were improving. Maybe this will do the trick...I sure hope so!
Melinda

Dede said...

Thanks for the tips! I had not seen that. I too am stitching this cute Santa. Love your finish so may have to copy it!

Loraine said...

You are so cleaver! I love this idea! Thanks for sharing.
Today I used 6 of my highly coveted rusty bells that you gifted me a few years ago. We were making a Christmas mouse and a bell was sewn to his tail. I told my sewing friends about your generosity and sweet gift and we were all grateful for wonderful people like you in this world.
Many thought and prayers going your way for Carol. Hang in there!

Truus said...

Do love your new header!
Still prayers for you and your sister.
Never thought of pulling out a thread for sewing the 2 pieces together--thanks for this tip.
greetings,Truus from the Netherlands

C M Designs said...

I'm praying for strength for Carole and for you, Marly. Such a long siege you've both been through.
I love reading all of your tips about colors, plaids, bells, etc. Such beautiful work you do.
Your header is beautiful.. I have the book with that chart in it.. Will try to start it in the new year..
Thinking about you !
Charlotte in Virginia

Penny Shepherd said...

Thanks for sharing these tips. Did not know this trick for plaids. Will keep your sister in prayer.
Penny

Anonymous said...

What an adorable Santa! He's perfect!! We love how you finished him! Keeping you and Carole in our thoughts and prayers. SAH

Cricket-bug Corner said...

That looks great! Thanks for the directions!

Karen said...

Oh I am so happy! I did cross stitch 30 years ago and made ornaments but didn't do any lining up except by eye. Well, now that I am came back to stitching last year I have been hesitant and a little anxious about this putting together of a project. Having someone frame is so different from sewing a stitched piece. Well I did two for the holidays. One I did the fusing and one without. When I used the pellon I applied it first. Thank you so much for this tutorial! I have lots to do and this is going to really help!

Melody said...

You did a lovely job finishing the santa. Thanks for sharing the tips. It's always helpful.

Maggee said...

I will be praying that Carole's breathing improves, and that there is no time before the electrophysiologist arrives to help her! I, too, was messing up when using plaids, so truly appreciate your tips! Thanks for sharing! Hugs!

Judy said...

Thanks for the finishing tip. Always welcome advice! The santa ornament is quite cute. Hope things will get better for your sister. She sure has been through more than her share of issues. The outdoor decorating is very nice and festive.

Judy Heartland stitcher

Deb said...

Great tips, thanks Marly. Healing energy continuing to be sent to Carol.

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

Beautiful finish Marly!
Praying for Carole....

Unknown said...

Love so much your finishing!!!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...