I had some trouble with the edging. I chose this machine embroidery stitch as being vaguely 'African'. I did samples to decide the best stitch length and off I went. Luckily the bobbin ran out of thread after two sides, because the result was horrible - wrinkled and ugly. Hmmm. Use a different pattern or make adjustments to my sewing machine? I used a finer needle, changed the foot and loosened the tension, sewing samples as I went, until I got it right.
Cute, and great idea!
ReplyDeleteI have some organza that needs to be sewn up. I've hesitated because I'm sure it will be a pain. Maybe I should follow your lead and tat up some geckos for it! I love what you've done with your geckos!
ReplyDeleteThanks Diane and Orsi. Yes, good use for the organza, even if you have to do some experimenting before you sew it.
DeleteYour geckos are so colouful! - shame that the machining didn't work. It helps to have tissue, or some sort of stabiliser behind very sheer fabric when you sew on the machine - it tears away afterwards. I haven't used the technique myself, but I have seen it demonstrated,there's a product made especially for the purpose.
ReplyDeleteHave you seen Karen Bickerton's Gecko? Coincidentally I am tatting one tonight to wear as an adornment on a new jacket.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/KBDesignOriginals?ref=pr_shop_more
Thanks for the link, yeah, they look good too. The thing is, I have done similar edgings on several other food covers, without any problem at all. Using tissue is a shlep to be avoided if possible!
DeleteLike your food cover.
ReplyDeleteyou are right, that stitch does have a vaguely african feel to it.
I am curious, we don't use food covers like this here in the US. Am I thinking correctly this is to keep flies and other insects out of the food?
Yes, keeps the flies and other nasties away. I think it was originally intended for keeping flies off cakes and biscuits at tea time, but I use mine more to protect salads etc. It should really be made of net, and I did used to do that, but the net tends to disintegrate before the tatting does, which is a shame. I guess you could use any material, but net or organza allows you to see the food that's underneath the cover.
DeleteVery pretty! What fun to have the geckos on it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a good idea to put the geckos on organza, they look as though they are just shimmering or perhaps creeping over it! I purchased some gold organza (ages ago for a project which has not been done!) and it has inspired me to tat something and then sew it on the material. One day perhaps!
ReplyDeleteDo, tatting and organza combine well together!
ReplyDelete