T-shirts get old. Fact. Your favorites fare no better- worse if anything depending on your wearing habits. So those memories, stains and sentimentality-preventing, cannot go to the charity shop, or the ragbag…enter craft hour(s). I love a snuggle on the sofa (stingy with heating bill); and want to make the most of the branded investments and 15 years just isn't enough! The patchwork blanket tradition is a beautiful one. Old scraps used and re-used for winter warmth, with the work and time-taken absent of modern technology these were naturally passed from generation to generation. >In some cases, notes and photos were sewn into the layers for discovery years later.
TO MAKE YOUR OWN STYLISH HEIRLOOM:
1. Cut 12cm squares of iron-on interfacing (e.g. Vilene available from most sewing shops)
2. Iron onto back of pieces of t-shirt, trim to 1.5cm extra t-shirt around the edge, be accurate here.
3. Line-up to create a pattern of 10x12 squares.
4. Sew side-by-side in horizontal strips, then sew strips together side-by side to create your rectangle.
5. Cut a backing blanket from an old/cheap soft blanket. (2 blankets for warmth although it can make it harder to sew).
6. Place decorative side facing nice side of blanket, pin around the edges and sew- leaving a small gap at bottom edge for turning right-side-out.
7. Turn your beautiful blanket the right-way-out and hand sew the gap closed. >You could put a cross-stitch at each corner of each patch once sewn together to holder layers together and neaten any wonky sewing. Traditionally these blankets would've been sewn differently, this is a quick-make for busy people and those new to sewing but keen to be stylish and eco.
No comments:
Post a Comment