Game Plan - Part 3

When I return to the studio, I don’t plan to “cross the cattle” guard for a good while! I hope it works out this way! (It's already changed! Must attend training to work the November election! Oh well, at least I'm working!) Setting up a game plan has been a big help to keep me focused and on point. After I get a bunch done shared in Part 1 and Part 2, I plan to create a few things I found during the September long National Sewing Month’s celebration ~ for myself.

I recently made a camo handbag but it needs to be a bit larger for all the stuff I carry around with me. The next one will have an internal zipper like Craft Passion explains in her tutorial.

Although summer 2013 is over, I think the wide brim hat is perfect protection from the Texas fall/winter sun rays as well. Before I start the much needed work on our keyhole garden before winter hits (readying it for a spring garden), I need something like this. I’m thankful The Weekend Designer provided a great tutorial.

I have a bit of muslin fabric in my stash I’m sure won’t be used in the other projects previously listed/planned. I believe it will be perfect to try my hand at printing… oops, reminds me, I need to put celery on the grocery list! Wonder what I could make to display the original printed fabric? Maybe a pillow?

I know I have to wait a while before tackling the suitcase. I would love to work on it, to get it done to help organize my dolly things, but I must place it on the bottom of my list. 

And, Last But Not Least … I want to learn how to use my new embroidery machine!!!! I need quiet time to study and practice…

Now, something fun for you…

• When you see a post on my Facebook page, something like: “Part 1, DONE” or “Part 2, DONE” etc. ~ you’ll know what I’m talking about!
•  Be the first to comment on my Facebook page, mentioning at least three (3) items I should have completed to be “Done” and win a handmade prize!

Good luck!

Print Your Own Fabric

Have you tried printing your own fabric? I’ve only done the tie-dye method, decades ago. Of late, I’ve seen some really interesting articles about designing and creating the print by other means ~ adding personal touches ~ to the project.

I didn’t have a clue how to do this, other than the “tie-dye” method, until I went on a mission around the internet!

The first technique that caught my eye, and gave me the inspiration for this article, was when I stumbled upon a short video clip from Better Homes and Gardens! They used celery to create a fabric stamp… that looks like a rose!

Then I went to YouTube and found lots and lots… like this one from Super Simple with Terri O (although I couldn’t find it on her actual website – and the search feature didn’t find it – but I found lots of other cool projects unrelated to sewing…but I digress…)

wikiHow provides the steps and tips and techniques to Make Your Own Fabric Prints. I will re-read this one before starting a project!

Poppytalk had a guest blogger, Karina Manarin, who gave a STEP-BY-STEP pictured tutorial “DIY: Print Your Own Fabric”!!! This is so doable!!!

I’m thinking a lot of us have used the trusty raw potato as a print stamp at one time or another. Sew Daily has a great article, “Simple Tips for Hand printing Your Own Fabric, Prints Charming” that is a good reminder of tips and techniques. It’s a must re-read once I get the potato out!

FYI: I’ve done this a couple of times ~ used my printer for small projects. If you want to use your ink-jet printer, wikiHow has a nice article explaining the process.

Taking it to the next level –

Okay, now you’ve created the most awesome print design ever and you want to get it professionally printed by the yard! There are companies that do this!

Kim over at True Up wrote a great article “My Big Digital Fabric Printing Experiment” comparing the four major production companies. I will re-read this post if ever I want to pursue this further! I noticed reading the comments were also helpful!  And, then her updated chart!

Have you printed your own fabric? What projects did you create? I can hardly wait to try my hand with printing my own fabric!