January Snowmen and Snowflakes

The January Pieceful Patchwork banner kit from Shabby Fabrics featured two jaunty snowmen who sport top hats with coal eyes and a carrot nose along with two snowflakes that are simpler to assembly than their intricate demeanor would imply. For some inexplicable reason, I have a soft spot for fabrics with words, so I am pleased with the snowmen background. When I cut out the fabric from this kit, I paid little attention to fabric print details. When I pieced the snowmen, I did make sure the writing faced the same direction, but I did not fussy cut anything in particular. 

I used my Melamine Trays, Alphabitties and Clover Wonder Clips to organize the cut pieces for the snowmen and snowflakes.

Adding the carrot and coal facial features was very easy. They were pre-cut by a laser and had a pre-fused backing. They punched out easily from the sheet they were on. After using a light box to help establish the positioning, I ironed on the features seamlessly. Per the advice on the instructional video, I waited to add appliqué stitching on the carrot nose and on the coal eyes and mouth until after the surrounding background pieces had been added. Waiting avoided the chance that the appliqué could distort the face piece. I was careful to use a narrow satin stitch width and a not too-too small stitch length and both faces remained smooth and did not pucker.

After assembling the snowflakes I did note that the nordic stripe print happened to fall centered in some spokes and not centered in others. Had I noticed this earlier I would have fussy cut that print. The kits from Shabby Fabrics are generous in their fabrics, allowing for occasional mistakes, so there was sufficient fabric to have fussy cut. I just did not notice until the snowflakes were assembled. Here the two snowflakes are side by side. The one on the left has centered stars on the horizontal spokes and on the lower vertical spoke, but the upper vertical spoke has non-centered stars. The reverse is true of the snowflake on the right, centered on only one spoke and non-centered on the other three spokes. It occurred to me I could switch the two top halves and have each snowflake be self-consistent.

I unstitched the two top halves and interchanged them; here are the two revised snowflakes. Each is axisymmetric unto itself but they are different from each other. Anyway, isn't it theorized that no two snowflakes are exactly alike?

Here is the January banner assembled and sandwiched with sashing and borders. Next up is the FMQ. I had inspiration for the snowflakes but I am still contemplating FMQ on the snowmen.

Velvet Christmas Stocking

Yes, it is after Christmas but sometimes when I set aside seasonal items to pursue at a more appropriate time of year, I forget about them or can't remember where I've put them. This kit was for a Christmas stocking with coordinating ornaments created by French designer odille bailloeul.

I love the brilliant colors and the very gypsy-like vibe of the work of this designer. I first learned about odile bailloeoul at the Road2CA show I attended in January of 2018. She has an online boutique of her own but I have bought her designs also from Renaissance Ribbons. One of the ribbons she designed shows a gypsy caravan wagon and I wonder if this is the an homage to a colorful, vivacious, flamboyant gypsy background. The moniker "gypsy" can be construed in a negative sense, such as in the song made famous by Cher; but I take only the best feelings of joyfulness and gay abandon from the gypsy-associated symbol. Gypsy to me means happy, fun-loving, and free-spirited. 

 

This kit is made from a heavy 100% polyester velvet, luxurious to the touch and striking for the eyes. It whipped up quickly. I admit, I also feel a bit smug that the directions were in French and I still could follow them. The self-cuff at the top came from a clever way to double and fold over the edge. The shocking lime fringe was added afterward. The ball detail at the pointy toe makes me giggle.