Sometimes, you just want to sew with no plan in mind and see where it takes you. When I made this shamrock block, I wasn't sure what the finished product might be but I really enjoyed the process.
One of my new tools in my studio is an electronic cutter. I had some glitter Heat Transfer Vinyl and I thought a shamrock would be an easy object to cut out with it. I used my cutter software and my embroidery software to create the cutting line as well as the placement line so I could applique the vinyl to a piece of denim.
If you are thinking about purchasing an electronic cutter or if you already have one but are afraid to use it, take a close look at the text. That is not embroidery. It is the fabric background from the text being cut from the vinyl. This is so precise if you have a good blade and all of the correct settings. Once I had it cut out, I embroidered a placement line, put it exactly where I wanted on the fabric and then tacked it down with a zig-zag stitch. A warm iron applied on the vinyl secured it to the fabric and finally the outline stitched around the shamrock. At this point it looked so pretty I knew I wanted to make something that could be displayed.
So I went into my fabric stash and found the floral quilting print. I recently attended a seminar at my local quilt shop and the floral was part of a free sample. I only had one piece so I knew I had to do something on the small side. I cut the center fabric to 8 x 8 inches. Then I cut four 2x2 squares for the corners and four 2X8 pieces of the floral.
I pieced everything together and ironed the seams.
Next I added a piece of quilt batting behind the pieced front and started playing with several stitches on my machine.
I lowered the feed dogs and did some free motion stippling
I tried a decorative stitch along all four sides and also quilted in the ditch.
I used heavy duty interfacing and made a couple of tabs so I could hang it like a sign. My sewing machine has a decorative stitch that sews a circle. This was perfect to pass some organza ribbon though.
I used the remainder of the floral print for the back without any quilting. So it was a simple sew around three sides turn and then topstitch the perimeter.
This was a very relaxing way to bring a project together. I just kind of played with materials I had on hand and I used the tools in my studio.
I hope you have enjoyed this post and that it inspires you to sew for relaxation once in a while. Share what you have learned and be generous with what you make. Someone will appreciate your hard work.
