The zip is a little longer than required...
so I cut it to size and securely zig-zag end.
Pin zip...
and machine sew.
Mitre corner...
Voila!
Attach front and back
The finished result, showing the boxed corners..
And the front view...very pleased with the final outcome!
Have finally decided on the backing fabric for the cushion that Annelise embroidered during our last trip to Greece.
Will post pics of production!
Thanks Pinterest! (That great enabler...)
My discovering Pinterest has been one of the most amazing and life changing experiences in recent years, for through it I have become totally absorbed in my latest obsession, SLOW fashion.
And a way it was inevitable; the endless revisiting of inspirational artisans and their amazing creations and the marrying of my past defining passions:
- embellished and hand made garments,
- caftans,
- the national costume of my region in Greece (Eratyra, Kozani)
- embroidery
This is a little teaser, with my latest mani...
Officially back on the blogging wagon, and finally completed this bag!
Having been out of action for the last 2 mths - broken wrist!- I have been desperate to get back into my workroom (the scene of the crime, lol!)
I had been meaning to organise my calico/work in progress forever... the laundrey basket was a throwaway as the original calico bag had aged and was torn.
So I went through my remnants, and settled on a floral from Nauru that my friend Michelle had given me. I used a contrast, and mounted them onto calico to give it more body.
I put a box inside to help it retain it's shape. My gorgeous hubby cut me a board that rests on the bottom rails which gives it more support.
In situ... feeling very pleased with my effort!
I have mentioned previously that my maternal grandmother (yiayia) had a weaving loom. One of my fondest memories of her was seeing her setting it up.
She gave me quite a few woven pieces. This one covered the door to her living/bedroom, which was the only heated room in winter. Firewood was scarce, so it was commonsensical to heat one space and use it for as many purposes as possible!
Unfortunately, I dont have a picture of this room as the house was demolished after the Grevena earthquakes in 1995.
The next rug was spread between the two low divans which doubled as sofas during the day.
This hall runner was woven by my mum when she was 16.
Two years later, she wove this rug.
I grew up with it in our lounge room and was ecstatic when my mum gifted it to me.
Nostalgically, I now use it in my own lounge...
And did you spot the ever present Lou Lou??
There are more pieces, but I will have to treasure trove unearth and reveal them later!
I often wonder whatever became of my yiayia's loom...
I am feeling very pleased with myself as I have finally settled on my bead design for the burgundy lurex embroidered cushion. As I have been actually finishing pieces lately (!!!) I got a bee in my bonnet to resolve and complete it.
Sometimes I have to leave things lying around while I contemplate alternate designs...
Anyway, the short story is that I UNPICKED all the beading (a week's work down the gurgler...) and have spent this past week flat stick on this - I am so impressed with myself!
Spotting this gorgeous lace trim in ALL of my cousin Litsa's kitchen cabinets, prompted me to ask the question, "Can you please show me the rest of your work?"
Well, here goes!
It just kept coming out...
Soon there was a massive pile of embroideries!
A close up
Luscious colours with gold and silver
Millions of cross-stitches
This one was a massive square meter!
And lastly, this gold square. All these embroideries are counted!
We feasted at Litsa's on lots of yummy food, and my eyes also feasted on divine embroidery.
Thank you Litsa!
Another step of finishing off this pair of cushions has been completed... it took a while to get there, but I'm quite pleased with result.
Just to refresh your memory, here is my final selection.
I wanted to make continuous binding having finally decided to use this small square of striped silk.
I solved the problem of how to turn it into bias strips by cutting through the square diagonally, then joining the top and bottom straight edges.
I measured the perimeter of the cushion ( mutiplied twice as I have 2 to finish) and worked out the total length of bias that I needed by dividing that number by the length of my bias edge. I was then able to work out how many lengths I needed and how wide these would be.
I used a chalk pencil to rule the strips. You can see the bias edge, the seam, and the chalk lines here.
I cut into the ends before pinning the tube closed.
After stitching the seam, I preceeded to cut the rest of the binding. By off-setting the seam by one bias strip, it became one long continuous strip. I secured this by machining with long stitches, but not too tightly.
I pinned the piping around the cushion, and joined the last seam.
Hand-stitching piping cord together. I always offset the 2 joins to keep bulk to a minimum.
The finished piping edge...
Now all I have to do is make a decision re the ruffle!!
Let's see how long that stage takes!!
