Shibori Dyed Cape

Cape Front

Finally finished just in time for attending a wedding.  For those of you who haven't been following all of the dying steps, this is a recycled white polyester satin skirt from a wedding dress.    I made up the pattern to fit the pieces of fabric.    Because of the sheen to the fabric, the look of the color changes with the light.    

Cape Back

I think this is the closest to the real color of the cape.

Cape Side View

Front Detail

I made small piping to go around these buttons.   As you can see, this cape is heavily quilted with a pattern that flows vertically.     I thought that would help with the drape.

I finished the neck by making darts to take in the neck and add more girth to the cape at the shoulders.     I then folded some of that quilted fabric over, put in some temporary stay stitches, then quilted from the front to hold things in place.   I did not want a 'ring around the neck', but rather a flow.   This formed a slight ruffle around the neck.  I'm very happy with the results.     Not sure I ever want to make something this complicated to finish again.    I faced the edges, then added a lining.   LOTS of hand work.   I do love the dye process.     Tedious, but fun results.

Cape is quilted

Cape Quilted

I wasn't thinking when I put the darts in before blocking.  However, it is going to work.

Hanging for Final Fitting

Facing in second dye stage

I couldn't make the facing until I discovered how the cape was going to be after quilting and fitting.    I'm using a commercial purple for the lining. Of course that has to wait until it is faced.  I'm thinking about rounding the bottom front corners.   Just want to be sure it still covers my belly. 

This is taking way way too long. I am making progress. Looks like it will be a push to get it finished in time.

I want to get back to my Comfort Quilts for Japan that I am working on between cape work.

Recycling A Discarded Wedding Gown

The bride left this gown with a friend 3 years ago.  The friend kept asking her what she should do with it.  Did she want it?  Finally, the bride said, "Just get rid of it!"    I saw it on freecycle, wrote stating why I wanted it = to use the material.  After a couple of weeks, when no one else responded [she really wanted someone to use it as a wedding dress], she gave it to me.   

Now some facts and questions.   The material is a heavy polyester satin, lining is polyester, and the tulle is nylon.  I will not be using the tulle.  I intend to take the gown apart and use the pieces.   It is a size 28, so there is LOTS of material.   I would like to dye the fabric.   Any suggestions on what dye to use.  I have never dyed before. However, I would really like to do shibori IF it is not too difficult. I want to use this to create a jacket [or cape] to wear to an April plus a dinner-dance in September for my 50th high school reunion.  Any and all suggestions welcomed.

Back of Gown showing staining on front



Bottom of Gown showing some of the mud stains

Bi-fold Coccyx Cushion

Original Piece of Foam With Cuts

I started with a piece of faom 19" x 8" x 3".  I knew I wanted the cushion to be 16" wide, so I started with this chunk.  I used my bread knife to cut the foam.  However, when I bought the original piece, they cut it with an electrical knife.  That works much better; makes a smoother, cleaner cut.  I do hope you can see how I slice this piece to make the two parts.

Cutting and Trimming the Pieces

After slicing the piece of foam, I cut off the little ends and took out the chunk I needed gone in order to make it good for my spine.

Making Pattern Pieces

I made my pattern pieces by using the foam that I had cut out.  I decided the best way to insert the foam was by having the outside edges open and then closed with velcro.

Checking How the Pattern Pieces Fit

I highly recommend this step.  I found I had forgotten the seam allowance on one piece.  Better now than after the fabric is cut.

Checking How the Sewn Fabric Cover Fits

This gives a little reassurance that things are going to fit.

The Finished Cushion

I sewed the two pieces together at the center of the top.  For easy carry, it will fold on this 'joint'.  I'm sure you will do a better job of sewing.  However, the 'sitting test' gave my new 'watermelon cushion' high marks.  Very comfy.  I'm all set for that long long long trip to Houston.

What would I do differently:  allow more time, make my pattern a little more accurate, and try to work when I am not tired.  My pattern was a bit sloppy and the fit is very loose.  I could have cut those pieces a little smaller.  Just very happy it is DONE.  Done is alway good!

Quilting: Year 3 in Review

This is a review of the quilts I completed from October 2009 through September 2010.  

Blast Off

for a Fast Friday Fabric Challenge

Crazy Quilt for Morgandy

Christmas Star block

for a guild project

Cathedral Window Pin Cushion

from a guild demo

Me and My Buddies

for a Fast Friday Fabric Challenge

I printed my brain scan and then stitched away.

Crazy Quilt Purse

for my new red 3 season coat

Mermaid Study

for a Fast Friday Fabric Challenge

Whole Wall Insulating Quilt

for winter warmth and summer cool

I put a reflective fabric on the back.

Wild Rose

for a Fast Friday Fabric Challenge

Chair for Morgandy

Morgandy means 'litle one by the sea'

The Tigress in the Tortoise

for a Quilting Arts Challenge

Based on my outer and inner animal.

Egret Mobile

for a Fast Friday Fabric Challenge

Comfortable

for a word challenge

Flower Child

for a Fast Friday Fabric Challenge

Given to Morgandy's mother, Jodi, on Mother's Day

A Taste of Summer

my entry for the 2011 Quilting Arts Calender

The challenge wanted a taste for each month or season.

Colts Banner

for my grandson, Max, a BIG Colts fan.

15 Pears

for a 10x10 show and sale

I started this during a surface design workshop.

Psychedelic Fungi

for a Fast Friday Fabric Challenge

Quinceaneros:  The Dance

Celebrating 15 years of Quiltart

3 Golden Pears

made for a 10x10 Show and Sale

I like it so much, I decided to keep it.

Geode

for a Fast Friday Fabric Challenge

Rebirth: My Apricot Tree

for a Fast Friday Fabric Challenge

Artist Trading Cards

In response to a call for donations for a charity fundraiser, I made 28 ATC's.  Because of the number, they have their own gallery.

Lace

for a Fast Friday Fabric Challenge