crazy randomness part 2

I wrote on a previous post about a collaboration with Ali from Random Wooliness. We decided to work on a joint project, pick a theme then work independently on a piece and reveal our results at Easter. The theme was "Spring", and we looked to the poem - "It's Spring" by John Foster for inspiration.......
 

It's Spring

It's spring

And the garden is changing its clothes,

Putting away

Its dark winter suits,

Its dull scarves

And drab brown overcoats. 

Now, it wraps itself in green shoots,

Slips on blouses

Sleeved with pink and white blossom,

Pulls on skirts of daffodil and primrose,

Snowdrop socks and purple crocus shoes,

Then dances in the sunlight.

John Foster 

Just to give us a bit of a challenge we decided to include something recycled (or from a charity shop) and also use a new technique in our final piece.
Well I've finished mine, here it is dancing in the sunlight...............

 

I decided to develop a previous idea where I had sewed yarn using water soluble fabric to make a bowl (to see previous post click here).
Instead of using yarn, I used the loopy threads which are produced when an overlocker does not sew onto fabric. This was my new technique. I was given the overlocker a while ago, but me and it are still getting acquainted....it takes me about an hour to thread it!.
I used the colours mentioned in the poem - green, pink, white, yellow and purple.
As well as the thread string from the overlocker, I added snippets of coloured silk, organza and chiffon, all recycled from previous projects, including embroidery and nuno felting.
This joint project was great fun, I cant wait to see what the other Ali has come up with.

 

Hope you are all having a nice Easter. Till next time, Ali.

blossom easter tree

Thought I would share my blossom tree idea, which could be decorated and used for an Easter decoration.

It only requires minimal sewing, or if you prefer no sewing at all, as you can use a glue gun instead. The blossoms are simply fabric pompoms and I got to use my new gadget by Knitpro for the first time. 

If you are unsure about making pompoms have a look on youtube for a tutorial.

A pompom making gadget can be used or alternatively circles of card. For a tutorial using cardboard circles click here

WHAT YOU NEED

fine pink fabric for blossoms (I used polyester chiffon, but an light fabric will do   even dress lining)
green fabric for leaves (I used organza)
bondaweb
baking parchment
pompom making gadget or card
green embroidery floss
sewing thread and needle or glue gun
scissors
twigs
vase
easter decorations (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

Blossoms
My plastic circle was 3.5cms/1.5ins at the widest point.
Cut strips of the pink fabric, approximately 2cms/0.75ins wide. This is easier if you fold the fabric in a concertina way before cutting.

  

Wrap the fabric as you would for an ordinary yarn pompom, twisting the strips, making them thinner as you wind round the circle. 



Cut the fabric strips by inserting the scissors between the plastic or card circles, to form the pompom

The pompom is tied twice. Insert the green embroidery floss between the two circles. Tie the pompom round the middle, pulling very tight before knotting. The ends of the floss form the stamens of the blossom. Cut a longer piece and tie again. Knot at the opposite side this time and these longer ends will be used later to tie the blossom to the twig.

Remove the card or plastic rings and trim pompom cutting off any stray ends of fabric. Push into shape.
Separate the threads of the floss for the stamens and fluff threads up a bit.
Tie blossoms to twig with the longer floss ends.

Leaves
Bondaweb two pieces of organza together, not forgetting to sandwich the fabric between two pieces of baking parchment before ironing.

Fold fabric in half and cut out in a leaf shape. make sure the base of the leaf is approximately 3cms/1.25ins wide or wide enough to wrap round twig.

To attach leaf to twig, wrap the base of the leaf around the twig and sew a few stitches through the two leaf layers to hold in place. Alternatively use a glue gun to hold the base of the leaf in place.

Place twigs in a vase.
Display as a floral arrangement or add a few Easter decorations to make into an Easter tree.

Have a great week, Ali.