Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Day 2 - the process of an Elefantz design

Yesterday I showed you how I go from an idea to a formulated sketch and layout.
Today I'm going to transfer the design to fabric by preparing it for stitching.
There are four, 4" applique blocks in my table runner design, so I cut a 13" square of cream tonal fabric and divide it into four sections using a heat erasable Frixion pen...
Then I trace my four applique blocks into one square each, keeping them closer to the inside edge of their square than the outside, but being sure to give the 4" blocks a 1" buffer from the cross lines...

NOTE: I only bought this light box late last year. Before that I normally taped the pattern sheet onto a window, and then the fabric over the top! This works brilliantly, so if you don't have a light box I highly recommend the window method. I also have a huge home-made light box that Mr E configured for me but found the window easier to manage unless I had a very big design to trace.

I trace all my designs onto fabric with a brown 0.3mm Zig Millenium pen.

Because 99.9% of the time I use the blanket stitch method of applique, I need to reverse my pattern sheet to make reverse templates.
After tracing the reverse shapes onto the smooth side of some fusible bonding paper (I use Vliesofix)...
 ...and choosing which fabrics I will use for the applique sections of the blocks...
 ...I fuse the shapes to the wrong side of the fabric.
Because the fabrics I've chosen for the daisy centres have little circles on them, I've chosen to fussy cut my applique pieces and make the most of the little circles...
I've chosen grey fabrics for three of the four blocks...
...and after cutting out each shape I peel off the Vliesofix and fuse the shapes in place on the traced blocks with a warm iron.
(When I iron the shapes in place on their blocks the red Frixion pen lines disappear.)
I cut a 13" square of fusible fabric stabiliser, and fuse it to the back of the prepared fabric with a warm dry iron. When I am stitching a block that has applique I like to use Weaveline...

My final preparation before I begin hand stitching is to trim the block all around with pinking shears to prevent any fraying of fabric...
 

 So now my blocks are ready to stitch, and all I have to do is choose my thread colours...

Tomorrow I'll show you how they were stitched!


When I was out shopping for fresh fruit and vegetables today I found the market had bunches of roses marked down to $5! How could I resist?
 Blooming beauties make me smile...

See you tomorrow,
hugs
Jenny
xx

23 comments:

Liz said...

The roses are gorgeous. Thank you so much for sharing your designing process this week.

Michelle May-The Raspberry Rabbits said...

We design the same kinda way Jenny. Kindred sisters we are.
HUGS! :)

Joyce Carter said...

Beautiful roses, Jenny-very feminine and delicate looking. I basically design like you do, but I have never thought to pink the edges to keep them from raveling.DUH. That is why you're the pro. Thanks for sharing.

Karen said...

What cool applique pieces and it is fun seeing how you design. Mark made a light box for me with a small fish aquarium turned upside down on a piece of wood and a light attached. It comes apart in case we fancy having fish again! It works quite well. Have a great day.

Allie said...

It's a lot of fun seeing your process, Jenny! This is an absolutely darling design. Love your roses!!!

Jenny Schulz said...

Hi Jenny,
This has been so informative thank you.
Can you please tell me where I can buy a Zig Millenium Pen from and how much I should expect to pay - there is a huge price range on the net.
Ive used so many different pens - and never found one I like - I was always under the impression you had to use a pen that washed out.

Kind Regards
Jenny

e said...

Hi Jenny,

Wonderful tutorial on the design process. I also use the Zig Millenium. They are great pens, not just for tracing designs but even for every day writings. (For Jenny Schults: The last one I ordered was $3.00 here in the U.S.)

The roses are gorgeous, I wouldn't have passed them up either.

Jenny of Elefantz said...

Jenny, the Zig Milleniums retail for between $5-6 each in Australia, but I purchased a bulk order from http://www.theartshop.com.au
and paid $3.25 each.
I have 20 now so won't run out!
hugs
Jenny

Jenny said...

Hi Jenny,
Thank you - I just popped out to the local fabric shop during my lunch break - bit too convenient - on 3 doors down! She's lovely with a wonderful quilting section and ofcourse she had them. Although they were $7 - but I like buying local. I will give it a go and purchase online in the future.
Thanks again
Kind Regards
Jenny

Unknown said...

Спасибо за мастер-класс! Очень понятно, обязательно найду применение.

margaret said...

another tutorial I could follow with ease, so very clear instruction, Most of us seem new to the pen you use, I will check it out on line, not sure if we can get them here in the UK.
A beautiful bunch of roses, could almost smell the scent through the computer!

Jenny of Elefantz said...

Let me know how you like the pen, Jenny. I find it just glides over the fabric so beautifully.
hugs
Jenny

Corina said...

Thanks for showing how you make your beautiful designs!

Noela said...

Thanks for the next installment. Love roses too. Yours are very pretty. Hugs.....

prsd4tim2 said...

Thanks for sharing your process. I always struggle getting the design from paper to fabric. You make it look so easy! Can't wait to see it stitched. =)

Melody said...

I'm really enjoying this series of posts.

~Carla~ said...

This is soo awesome!! Thanks SO much for sharing! :) I'm learning so very much!

Sue said...

Thankyou so much Jenny.. it is so good of you share your design process. I also do much the same, but there are little things that you mention that I had not thought of, which will help me in the future, so I am very grateful to you. You do beautiful work. Hugs n blessings, Sue

Gunn V said...

Hallo from Norway. I already love this design,hope You will make a pattern to purchase. I love all your patterns,think Elefanz Designs are my favorit,the projects are so Nice,find the combination of applique and stitchery just amazing!

Judy1522 said...

Gorgeous roses! I am very much enjoying reading about your design process. Thank you so much for sharing.

Lesley Olivieri said...

HI Jenny, I didn't know the Weaveline backing is it similar to Amorweft (a loose weave netting in black and off white)available through Spotlight, Lincraft and quilting shops.
LesleyO

Jenny of Elefantz said...

Lesley, it is different to Armorweft (which I call Whisperweft and use sometimes on the back of a stitchery that has no applique).
Weaveline is almost like a very fine paper but it's fabric.
hugs
Jenny

Tammy said...

really enjoying this series.