Applique, a story

A while back, I did a custom order for a nice lady. Her friend was from Hawaii, and she had recently visited there, and wanted to send one of my handmade purses as a gift. She wanted it to have Birds of Paradise on it. Often, I am bored with custom orders. I have so many images of things I want to make, that putting them aside to make what somebody else invisions seems traitorous to my own well being.

However, this custom order came to me much the way a good idea does, in the night. While I lay in bed waiting to sleep, I frequently dream up some wild and intricate imagery of appliques and designs I would love to create. One night, while falling asleep, I heard my phone buzz away. It was alerting me to the email requesting I make this bag. I read,  "custom order" and sighed... I do not mean to sound ungrateful for business, but it is hard to turn away money when you need it, so it is easy to commit to jobs you are not thrilled about.

Anyway, I read the entire email, and started thinking about Birds of Paradise. I knew immediately I would enjoy this custom.. I was glad this was a job I could be thrilled about! My mind began to take me back to warm shady days in the side yard of my mother's house. The birds of paradise poking their heads out over the pathway. The ferns and the caterpillar bush brushing against my tan skin as I run by. My mom smiling, standing next to the birds of paradise, with a hose in her hand. Pointed directly at me. I run. She chases. That is one of my fondest memories.

San Diego seems a lifetime away from the snowy winter of New York where I lived while making this bag. (Still do) and, if I had not had so much childhood inspiration, I do not know if I could have agreed to this. It is difficult for me to create well when I am not connected to what I am making. And it is hard to imagine a world of tropical plants when everything is covered in a blank sheet of white outside the window.  But, drawing on my memory, and the help of tropical images online, I was able to bring a little sunshine into my studio, and dream of lazy beachside days with warm sand and a good book.  Here it is:

Step 1

The Drawing

I start with a simple drawing that I can easily view as individual section of color. I have a large sketchbook that I use for this purpose.

Step 2

Puzzle pieces

Next, I place card stock under my original drawing, and trace over the lines of the page so that an imprint will be left in the cardstock. Then, I cut the shapes out so that I have a template to cut the fabric from.

Step 3

Cutting the shapes out of the appropriate fabric pieces

Before I cut the pieces of fabric, I apply a product to the back called "Wonder Under."

It is a fusible web that allows me to iron down all of the pieces onto the background fabric so that I can stitch it down without displacement. After the web is attached (It comes with instructions, you need an iron) I trace the pattern pieces onto the coordinating fabrics. I have to flip the pieces over before I trace, because I am tracing to the backside, and I dn't want to parts going the wrong way! I have done it wrong many times, and allowed myseelf to make a mirror image applique instead of my original vision!

Step 4:

Fabric placement

All of the individual pieces neep to be placed in their final spots. It takes some time to get this right, and there is alot of room for slight changes at this stage. Once it is all lined up, I double check every piece, because it is hard to fix after ironing! After I double checked, I TRIPLE check. Especially when working with small pieces. Then I iron it to the backing.

Step 5:

Begin Stitching

At this point, I look at the applique and find wich pieces are the furthest back. I like a continuity in my stitches, so if I have 2 lines of stitchhing that will overlap, I like to have the one that should naturally be behind, actually be behind! The two photos below show where my stitching begins, and how I will start and stop at every point so that the applique looks more fluid.

In the photo below, you can see where I am pointing with the pencil. This section will be stitched next, all by itself. Every time I begin and end a stitch, I pull the top thread through to the back (Or sew it through with a hand needle) and then tie it off, and further secure it with a dot of glue. (I do the tieing as I go along, and save all of the glueing for the end)

Step 6:

Finished! Once the applique is all sewn and glued, you can do what you like with it. I finished this one off as a large zippered pouch. That is a 12" zipper, so you can get an idea of the size of this bag. I did the image on both sides, so it can be shown off in whichever hand she is holding it. You can see from the front to the back there are slight variations in the design.

Up close of the stitching:

Gratitude

I am a very lucky person. I have always been one, but did not know it until maybe 2 minutes ago. I have been becoming more and more aware of it over the last several years, but only today did I fully realize how wonderful my life is.

I am thankful for my husband, Randy. He sacrifices most of his time to provide for his family. He loves me completely, every day, no matter what. Even when I didn't deserve it. I am thankful that I get to smell his bad breath in the morning, and that he always makes coffee and cleans the cat box when he is home.

I am thankful for my son Riley. He is dependable when I really need help, and he is funny too. He is strong and healthy. His new-found attitude of success is infectious, and I am inspired to do my best along side him.

Mason is another of my oldest 2 boys. He is a great student. He is learning to become a fantastic baker, and seems to have been born with the skill of taking cookies out of the oven at the exact right moment. He calls it a "timer" but I think it is more than that. He is the best cookie maker I know. He can always be counted on for a hug, and he will do sit ups with me all night long. He is a great motivator, and a future karate black belt!

My only daughter, Mirra is another black belt to be. She has the grace of a ballerina while she does her Katas, and her spirit is strong! She is an amazing artist and author as well. She and I can paint together for hours. She also is a great sister, always getting everyones water for school ready in the mornings when I am running behind. Our cat loves to sleep with this kid, as she is so kind and gentle, and always shows him lots of love.

Damien is the youngest, and his smile could light up the sky. He is funny, and kind, and a great friend to all of his family and school mates. Everywhere we go, he carries a book (Usually Dr. Suess). He loves to read and learn. Origami is one of his passions as well, and he can often be found in the living room, folding up a swan, or busting out the scissors for some crazy paper art!

My family is only a small part of this wonderful life I have been given, and have reasons to be thankful. I am thankful for:
Everyone
All the things I learned from all of my friends in life.
My shoes. My house. This chair and keyboard.
Everything, everything.
Thank you Universe!