3.14.2013

How I fringe a Trinity Stitch Prayer Shawl

Recently a reader asked if I'd explain how I fringe the Trinity Stitch Prayer Shawl and I thought it was a great opportunity to write a tutorial with lots of photos.  So here it is...
To refresh your memory.... a couple of examples of the simple knit Trinity Stitch Prayer Shawl pattern.  The 38" wide is to the left, the 45" wide is to the right.  Same pattern, just different widths.  I used double-strands of yarn on the fringing of both shawls.  The shawl to the left, I used two different colors and it really made this shawl 'pop'.  Both look luxurious.   Let's take a closer look at the fringe...
You can see a little clearer the two different colored strands of yarn I used here.   I also fringed it 'tight' with the strands of fringe side-by-side and almost on top of each other.  I, personally, like this look.  It uses a lot of yarn.  Let's look at the other shawl's fringe....
Same thing here..... double-stranded and 'tight'.  I experimented with fringing this shawl two different colors too, but it worked better to use the same multi-colored yarn.   Let's see how fringing is done. 
All my completed Prayer Shawls have been given away, so I used the shawl that is currently on my needles using a contrasting yarn for the fringe as an example.  This would not be the color combination I would choose for the final project, but is used only as the example in this tutorial to show the fringing process.
The fringing you've seen in my example photos have all been fringed with @10" length.  That means you cut your strand of fringing yarn 20" long.
Once I get the first strand of yarn cut, I use it as my 'template' to cut a bunch of other strands of yarn.  That way you don't have to take the time to measure each and every strand of yarn.   Saves a lot of time.  Don't worry about being exactly exact.
Below, I've got a little stack of strands ready for fringing.  Usually I cut a BIG stack of strands for fringing once I've determined my color scheme for that particular shawl.  
First I will show a single strand of fringe.  Below, this strand has been cut 20" and curved back 'round to match up the loose ends to find, not only the mid-point, but to ready it for the fringing application.
Hold the mid-point and 'moosh' it together to bring it to a sort of 'point'.   :) 
Open one of the 'holes' at the bottom of your shawl with your finger.  Just kind of 'feel' it open.  Don't worry about stretching anything, it will be okay.  
Take the mid-point that you 'mooshed' together and 'thread' it into the hole you just created at the bottom of the shawl.
Like this.
You can see a little more clearly here what we're doing.  
Take the 'loop' and thread the two loose ends through.
Like this...
See?... Gently pull the loose ends, trying to keep everything as 'even' as possible.  But it's okay if the ends get a little lop-sided, we'll take care of that later.
 As you pull, gently 'shape' the fringe 'knot' with your fingers.
 And you've just fringed your shawl with a single strand of yarn.

**One important thing to remember: if you 'thread' from the bottom, like my example shown here, thread every single one from the bottom.  If you 'thread' from the top, thread all from the top.  This makes sure your fringe knots are even and consistent.
Below, I've got 2 single strands of fringe on the shawl and now want to show you how to use double strands of yarn to fringe.  My personal preference.  Cut your strands 20" and line up 2 strands, matching loose ends....
....'mooshing' and 'threading' the mid-point through a hole at the bottom of your shawl made with your finger between the loops.   Sometimes if I want my fringe knots 'wider', I may 'thread' over 2 knitted rows, instead of just 1 as shown here.  Just experiment around to what you like on your shawl.  That's really what it's all about.
Now we've got 2 loops coming through.
'Thread' the 4 loose ends through the loops.....
.....gently pull, shaping the fringe knot with your fingers.
Below, you can see the difference between the single stranded fringe and the double-stranded fringe.  The double-stranded takes a lot more yarn, but gives the shawl a pretty finish.   Looking at this picture, I'd go back in and fringe in between those 'gaps' until you could not see any burgundy between the lavender.  That's what I mean by fringing 'tight'.
Okay, now we're going to pretend all our fringing is complete on this shawl and it's time to take care of the uneven loose ends.  I don't measure, I just snip to even them out the best I can. 
It's that easy.
I hope this helps answer any questions about how to fringe.  Some folks may want a shorter fringe than the 10" I do..... some may want more strands in their knots...  less strands.... tightly fringed.... or more loose.  Use your creativity to make your prayer shawl special and unique. 

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3.12.2013

image transfer to fabric and a little bag

Yesterday was spent learning a new technique - transfer an image to fabric - and oh my goodness, it is so easy and opens the creative door wide open.  I wanted to share a little bag that was made using one of the many (MANY!) wonderful images that Graphics Fairy blog offers for free.  My little zippered bag measures @8 1/2" x 5 1/2" and was inspired by this little bag that was featured on Graphics Fairy Brag Monday recently. 
Below, is what the Graphic Fairy's Paris Soap Label image  looks like as an 'image'.  Click on her link to download.  She also includes instructions on how to download the images.  Her sight is truly an amazing sight.  I've also got her link in the sidebar to the right.  For a novice like me, I really appreciate all that she offers and it's all at no charge.   Thank you Karen.

Did you know 'Savon au Jasmin' translates to 'Jasmine Soap'?  I didn't, so my sweet daughter researched it for me/us!   I believe Fontanis is also a town.  I thought this was just a simple, lovely image.
Back to the little bag.... keeping the back simple, gave me an opportunity to try my hand at FMQ (free-motion quilting), so I guess I learned 2 new techniques this day.  I'm usually an 'everything has to be symmetrical' type of person, so all this 'randomness' was something new to me.  I liked it.  It was a lot of fun being 'random'.
Lined the inside.  Actually this was part of the 'quilting', and next time I think I will quilt just the batting and the top fabric, and add the lining separately 'unquilted'.  I've already figured out how to improve the zipper insertion too.  But this isn't too bad for a first, and with no pattern or instructions!
A pretty ribbon from my stash for the zipper pull.   Actually everything came from my stash. 
Let's talk about the image transfer process: 

Supplies needed:  Loctite Spray Adhesive, 8 1/2" x 11" cardstock paper, fabric, computer printer.

After choosing and downloading the image, I used 'Word' to play around with the image size and location I wanted the final print to be on my fabric.  The printer will 'transfer' the image.  Be sure to print it out on paper first, before using your fabric, to make sure everything is like you want it.  Following the Graphics Fairy recommendation (somewhere on her sight she talks about this product, I'm just not sure it's in the link I provided here), she recommended using Loctite Spray Adhesive and simple cardstock paper.  

In a nutshell, you spray one side of your 8 1/2" x 11" cardstock paper with a nice layer of this adhesive and 'glue' your fabric piece (wrong-size) to the paper.  Trim the fabric to match evenly with your cardstock, run through your printer so the 'print' will be on the fabric, gently peel the fabric from the cardstock (the adhesive is temporary), and Voila! your image is transferred to the fabric.  8 1/2" x 11" is perfect for this little bag.   One word of caution, it's best to spray outside, as this is sticky and could get messy inside.  I found the Loctite easily at Wal-Mart's craft department where their 'glues' were located.
One last look at the cute little bag.  I couldnt' resist including my violin in this photo, as it seemed to go well with the theme.  The pretty 'doily' you've seen in the background of these photos, is an antique hand-crocheted with tiny, tiny, thread by one of my grand-mothers.  It's probably older than me, and I'm a little over half-a-century 'young'!  I love having my personal heirloom treasures near.
This little bag was not on my project-to-do list this week, but I could not resist after seeing all the wonderful inspiration, and I'm glad I did as this is such an easy process.  My first image didn't make it through the printer well, so that told me I needed to be more liberal in my spraying.  The second try is what you see above.  It was that easy.  I'm already planning my next image transfer project...... and more FMQ!!  Okay, now back to the to-do list....!

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3.08.2013

a new outfit for this week::NEWLOOK 6108

Continuing with sewing new clothes for my closet, I finished a new outfit this week.  It's such a pretty day outside, I thought the front deck would be a perfect setting for my new spring look.
Am loving the NEWLOOK patterns.  This is NEWLOOK 6108 JUST4KNITS purchased at Wal-Mart for $2.97.  Look at the cute top variations.  (I chose view C for my top.)
Photo Credit:  Pattern Review.com
THE TOP: 
The soft, tiered 1" ruffled knit fabric was purchased at Hobby Lobby for a total of $12.36, which was enough to not only make this pretty top.....
...but also this cute scarf.  (Click here to read the scarf's tutorial post.)
I LOVE this fabric!  It's soft, comfortable, 'clings' in all the right places and wears great.  One warning though, right before I cut into it, I realized I had to plan ahead to match up the side seam 'ruffles' and be aware of where my neck and bottom 'ruffles' began and ended.  I was so STRESSED.  I set it up to be cut, then walked away and came back to make double (triple!) sure I'd thought of everything.
At first I was a little concerned the ruffles might be too much on me, so a white jacket is in-the-works.   Meantime, once I put the top on, I didn't have any problem with the ruffles at all.   I made view C in a size 8 and if you look carefully at the pattern below, it has a cowl neckline with one dart in each shoulder seam.  These get a little 'lost' in the ruffled fabric, but should show up well in a smooth knit.   I will most definitely make this top again, as well as maybe view B.   I chose to NOT line the front top half as the pattern called for, and like it the way I made it.
Photo credit:  PatternReview.com
A closer view of my cowl neckline....
and the 'lost' darts in the shoulder seams....
THE SKIRT:
This is my new favorite skirt, with its comfortable elastic-in-a-casing waistband and flirty flare.  Even on the hanger you can see the slight flare.  It's an oh-so-easy to sew project.  I made a size 10 with no alterations on length or anything.   Now that I know my waist measurement, it should take about 1 hour to make the next time.  I will most definitely be making this skirt again too!  
 The fabric is a soft knit, also purchased at Hobby Lobby for a total of $11.35.
Let's total everything up now, to see how much is invested in this outfit.
  • PATTERN:  $ 2.97 (will use many times!)
  • TOP:          $12.36 (includes a 'free' scarf)
  • SKIRT:       $11.35
  • ELASTIC:  $ 2.00 (plenty leftover for another skirt or two)
  • TOTALS: $28.68
I am happy!
....and a sneak peak of what I'm currently working on..... and hope to share next week....
Hope the sun is shining your way today.  Have a terrific weekend!
P.S. Am also working on a post:  'How to add Fringe to the Trinity Stitch Prayer Shawl' to be published soon.
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