Since we'll be doing duct-tape dress forms early next year, I thought you might appreciate this preview from Wild Onion Studio.
Here's another one from Threads Magazine.
Enjoy!
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
AN ADVENTURE IN MAKING STAMPS
These are notes from our October Stamp-Making evening...
Your kit contains…
2 DICK BLICK soap erasers
1 3 x 4 piece Soft Kut printing plate from Dick Blick
1 3 x 4 piece EZ Cut printing plate from Dick Blick
1 4 x 6 piece Richeson’s Easy-to-Cut linoleum
2 sheets Darice self-adhesive fun foam
Foam core board to support the foam
TIPS
- The first three items can be carved with an X-Acto knife. Linoleum, being thinner, requires linoleum cutting tools. Self-adhesive foam is fun and “instant gratification”—cut shapes with scissors and stick them to the foam core board. We learned that EZ Cut is fragile, and designs shouldn't be too complex. Soft Kut is delightfully easy to work with.
- Eraser Carving: Make the first cut up and down. Make the second cut at an angle to the first cut, touching the bottom of the first cut but not passing through, as if the first cut is a wall. Passing through the “wall” too much will weaken the stamp.
- E6000 adhesive can be used to mount stamps to Plexiglas or wood. But we learned that EZ Cut doens't glue well with this stuff.
- Really quick stamps: Glue string or found objects to a substrate (even cardboard works for short-life stamps). Let it dry and you’re ready to print.
- Apply paint or thickened dye to your stamps with a brayer, spread the dye onto a smooth surface and tap the stamp to it, or use a foam brush as a stamp pad (pat the surface of the stamp with the brush).
- You can cut simple shapes from compressed sponge and stamp with that. It will expand when it gets wet.
- An iron will often transfer photocopied images to a rubber block.
November 2007 Newsletter
There are a few schedule changes—in particular we are NOT meeting at the Menasha library in November or December. Please read carefully and save this newsletter. Have a happy, creative holiday season!
Katy
Recap of October Meeting (October 25, 2007)
We carved stamps! It was fun, sometimes messy, and we learned a lot. Check the blog for process and material notes.
Announcements and Reminders
It’s time for our December party meeting on Thursday December 13th at 6:30 p.m. in Gulliver’s restaurant in Neenah (just off the Breezewood exit from 41). We’ll also have a white elephant gift exchange. Julie will reserve a table for us—it’s time to RSVP! Call Julie by December 10th. Out of courtesy, please call her with a yes or a no, so she knows she’s heard from everyone. Don’t forget “A Finishing Odyssey,” our challenge for 2007. The goal is to show “substantial progress” at the party!
There was a request at the October meeting to move the party back to Katy’s house—it really was a ton of fun in 2005. Unfortunately, I’m scheduled for a business trip that week, and if I make it back for the party, it will be just by the hair of my chinny-chin-chin. So Gulliver’s it is!
It’s time for dues. Please bring your $10 to the holiday party. I’ll deputize someone to collect dues if I’m stuck in Oklahoma. Otherwise, please mail it to me or bring it in January. Our dues support mailing the newsletter and provides a small donation to the library in appreciation of the meeting space.
November Meeting (Thursday November 29, 2007)
CHANGE! We are NOT meeting at the Menasha library this month. Instead, we’ll take a “field trip” to the Oshkosh Public Library (106 Washington Avenue), where Jennifer Chiaverini will give a book talk at 7:00 pm in the Lower Level Meeting Room. Jennifer is a national quilt fiction author known for the Elm Creek Quilts series. She was recently featured in Quilters Newsletter. Tickets are required, but you can get them for free from the First Floor Information Desk at the library. Please contact Michele if this poses a problem for you; since she works at the library she may be able to help out. The Lakeside Quilters will also host a quilt show at the library all day on Thursday. See the library website for more information: www.oshkoshpubliclibrary.org.
Upcoming meetings
With the November schedule change, we’ve rearranged our plans. We’ll do foiling in January, and watch the make-your-own dressform video in February. In March, Katy’s mom, Marilyn, will visit the group and lead us in some right brain drawing activities to teach us to access the “automatic artist” in each of us. We’re still interested in an “art stuff” swap meet, but the date is in flux right now.
January Meeting (Thursday January 31, 2008)
If you have foiling supplies, please bring your own foil and adhesive. If not, you can share Katy’s stuff—please bring a dollar. Other supplies:
Katy
Recap of October Meeting (October 25, 2007)
We carved stamps! It was fun, sometimes messy, and we learned a lot. Check the blog for process and material notes.
Announcements and Reminders
It’s time for our December party meeting on Thursday December 13th at 6:30 p.m. in Gulliver’s restaurant in Neenah (just off the Breezewood exit from 41). We’ll also have a white elephant gift exchange. Julie will reserve a table for us—it’s time to RSVP! Call Julie by December 10th. Out of courtesy, please call her with a yes or a no, so she knows she’s heard from everyone. Don’t forget “A Finishing Odyssey,” our challenge for 2007. The goal is to show “substantial progress” at the party!
There was a request at the October meeting to move the party back to Katy’s house—it really was a ton of fun in 2005. Unfortunately, I’m scheduled for a business trip that week, and if I make it back for the party, it will be just by the hair of my chinny-chin-chin. So Gulliver’s it is!
It’s time for dues. Please bring your $10 to the holiday party. I’ll deputize someone to collect dues if I’m stuck in Oklahoma. Otherwise, please mail it to me or bring it in January. Our dues support mailing the newsletter and provides a small donation to the library in appreciation of the meeting space.
November Meeting (Thursday November 29, 2007)
CHANGE! We are NOT meeting at the Menasha library this month. Instead, we’ll take a “field trip” to the Oshkosh Public Library (106 Washington Avenue), where Jennifer Chiaverini will give a book talk at 7:00 pm in the Lower Level Meeting Room. Jennifer is a national quilt fiction author known for the Elm Creek Quilts series. She was recently featured in Quilters Newsletter. Tickets are required, but you can get them for free from the First Floor Information Desk at the library. Please contact Michele if this poses a problem for you; since she works at the library she may be able to help out. The Lakeside Quilters will also host a quilt show at the library all day on Thursday. See the library website for more information: www.oshkoshpubliclibrary.org.
Upcoming meetings
With the November schedule change, we’ve rearranged our plans. We’ll do foiling in January, and watch the make-your-own dressform video in February. In March, Katy’s mom, Marilyn, will visit the group and lead us in some right brain drawing activities to teach us to access the “automatic artist” in each of us. We’re still interested in an “art stuff” swap meet, but the date is in flux right now.
January Meeting (Thursday January 31, 2008)
If you have foiling supplies, please bring your own foil and adhesive. If not, you can share Katy’s stuff—please bring a dollar. Other supplies:
- Fabric. You can foil just about any smooth fabric that can stand the heat of an iron. Once foiled, the fabric is delicate, so it should be the last step in your embellishment repertoire.
- Stamps! Bring chunky foam stamps, and especially bring some of the stamps you made last month.
- A foam paint brush and a Styrofoam plate, yogurt lid, etc. to hold the liquid adhesive
- An old toothbrush to gently clean your stamps
- Bo-Nash powder—if you have it, bring it. Otherwise, we’ll share.
- Fusible web. Bring any type you have; they all give different results. Heat-n-Bond usually does NOT work, but we can still experiment.
- We will need a couple of irons and SMOOTH ironing surfaces.
Upcoming Events
November 29, 2007: November meeting, 7:00.
December, 13, 2007 (Thursday): Holiday party at Gulliver’s in Neenah.
January 31, 2008: January meeting, 6:30. Foiling
February 28, 2008: February meeting, 6:30. “Clone Yourself A Dressform Double”
March 27, 2008: March Meeting, 6:30. Drawing on the right side of the brain.
Conversations with Cloth meets the last Thursday of each month at 6:30 at the Menasha Public Library.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Katy's Pieces
Katy completed her sheer window inset demo piece (above). A few months ago, she showed us how to do this technique.
This table runner is versatile in that the corners of the stars are held together with hooks and eyes. They can be re-assembled in other configurations (such as a triangle of stars).
Monday, October 22, 2007
Catch The Secret World of Haute Couture in November on WPT
The Secret World of Haute Couture (the program Julie described to our rapt audience a few weeks/months ago) will be re-aired on Wisconsin Public Television early next month :
November 6, 2007 at 9 pm
and
November 7, 2007 at 12 pm
Set your VCRs, or TiVo, Ladies!
Read more ...
November 6, 2007 at 9 pm
and
November 7, 2007 at 12 pm
Set your VCRs, or TiVo, Ladies!
Read more ...
Sunday, October 07, 2007
October Newsletter
Recap of September Meeting (September 27, 2007)
We had tons of fun seeing everyone’s sewing space. Yes, we all DO have that much fabric and mess! It made us all feel so much better! A few highlights…design walls of all sorts, a home-made lightbox, and canning shelves from Fleet Farm. Julie’s pattern organization system included a three-ring binder containing all her pattern envelopes. The “guts” stay at home in a labeled 9×12 manila envelope, and she can take the binder fabric shopping.
Michele’s Northern Lights fabric postcard series was stunning. She’s using them to explore ideas and techniques for a future larger piece—what a great idea! Julie caught a fascinating PBS special “The Secret World of Haute Couture.” It’s not scheduled to re-run in the next two weeks, but keep an eye out.
Announcements and Reminders
Don’t forget “A Finishing Odyssey,” our challenge for 2007. The goal is to show “substantial progress” by our December party meeting, which will be Thursday December 13th at 6:30 p.m. in Gulliver’s restaurant in Neenah (just off the Breezewood exit). We’ll also plan on a white elephant gift exchange. Julie will reserve a table for us—mark your calendars now to save the date and be sure to RSVP come November when the reminder comes out.
October Meeting (Thursday October 25, 2007) at the Menasha Public Library
We’ll be making our own stamps. Because there’s so much to do and try, we’ll start early (at 6:00) for those who can make it. Remember we are in the Gegan room in October (the long conference table, next to the Activity Room we usually have). We’ll explore 5 different materials for stamp-making. Katy will provide kits for $5. Please bring:
We had tons of fun seeing everyone’s sewing space. Yes, we all DO have that much fabric and mess! It made us all feel so much better! A few highlights…design walls of all sorts, a home-made lightbox, and canning shelves from Fleet Farm. Julie’s pattern organization system included a three-ring binder containing all her pattern envelopes. The “guts” stay at home in a labeled 9×12 manila envelope, and she can take the binder fabric shopping.
Michele’s Northern Lights fabric postcard series was stunning. She’s using them to explore ideas and techniques for a future larger piece—what a great idea! Julie caught a fascinating PBS special “The Secret World of Haute Couture.” It’s not scheduled to re-run in the next two weeks, but keep an eye out.
Announcements and Reminders
Don’t forget “A Finishing Odyssey,” our challenge for 2007. The goal is to show “substantial progress” by our December party meeting, which will be Thursday December 13th at 6:30 p.m. in Gulliver’s restaurant in Neenah (just off the Breezewood exit). We’ll also plan on a white elephant gift exchange. Julie will reserve a table for us—mark your calendars now to save the date and be sure to RSVP come November when the reminder comes out.
October Meeting (Thursday October 25, 2007) at the Menasha Public Library
We’ll be making our own stamps. Because there’s so much to do and try, we’ll start early (at 6:00) for those who can make it. Remember we are in the Gegan room in October (the long conference table, next to the Activity Room we usually have). We’ll explore 5 different materials for stamp-making. Katy will provide kits for $5. Please bring:
- Ideas for patterns and shapes for your stamps.
- Pencils and pens to draw your pattern before you carve it. Optional: Bring a photocopy of a design you like in a 3” × 4” size. It must be a phototcopy, not an inkjet printout. We’ll try a simple iron-on transfer technique to transfer your pattern to the carving block.
- Scissors for cutting foam sheets to make “instant gratification” stamps.
- An X-acto knife (Basic ones are at Hobby Lobby for $1.99)
A simple straight blade X-acto knife will work for three of the four carving surfaces.
If you have U or V shaped blades for your X-acto knife or linoleum cutting tools, bring them. No need to purchase these specialty tools if you don’t have them. We’ll share and take turns to carve the fourth surface. - If you have “Grip ‘n Grip” (or plumber’s gasket) non-skid surface, bring it. It will make carving easier.
Upcoming Events
October 25, 2007: October meeting, 6:00. Making stamps—early start for those who can make it
November 29, 2007: November meeting, 6:30. Foiling
December, 13, 2007 (Thursday): Holiday party at Gulliver’s in Neenah.
January 31, 2008: January meeting, 6:30. “Duct tape mummies” (we’ll watch the “Clone Yourself A Dressform Double” DVD, which Theresa owns)
February 28, 2008: February meeting, 6:30. Art stuff swap meet
Conversations with Cloth meets the last Thursday of each month at 6:30 at the Menasha Public Library.
New Shibori Book
The new book I brought to show and tell in September is called Shibori for Textile Artists by Janice Gunner. The book contains many beautiful color pictures and the directions seem clear. I haven't yet played with the techniques but will let everyone know when I do.
Here's a link to the book at Amazon.com.
Katy
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
September 2007 Newsletter
Recap of August Meeting (August 30, 2007)
Julie, personal shopper extraordinaire, delivered the Richeson stuff. She also brought an ooh-and-ah show and tell: a beaded purse from her mom’s snorkeling trip friend. Michelle is still working on her Quilt University dye class, and showed us a variety of ways to have fun with food. A favorite was her mashed potato resist, which was produced by letting a big plop of mashed potatoes dry on fabric and spraying dye over the top. Gill showed us her most recent “stash pot pie” quilt, a beautiful riot of batiks. Marilyn made a simple bracelet at Camp Onaway, and her niece made some postcards. Pat had a cute puppy block to show. Theresa attended Nancy Eha’s beading class through DNQG. She forgot her project, but brought the book for show and tell.
In our main program for the evening, Gill taught us how to make chenille pot holders (it was an easy, “instant gratification” way to learn the technique). Wash those babies up and bring them for show and tell in September!
Announcements and Reminders
Don’t forget “A Finishing Odyssey,” our challenge for 2007. The goal is to show “substantial progress” by our December party meeting, which will be Thursday December 13th at 6:30 p.m. in Gulliver’s restaurant in Neenah (just off the Breezewood exit). We’ll also plan on a white elephant gift exchange. Julie will reserve a table for us—mark your calendars now to save the date and be sure to RSVP come November when the reminder comes out.
Per Theresa, The Sewing Basket in Plymouth (www.sewingbasket.biz) is hosting a fashion show in December and will be soliciting entries. Wouldn’t it be neat to enter as a club? (As of now, I was unable to find any information on their web site pertaining to the show, but perhaps it will be posted as the time draws closer.) This shop also has monthly “Creative Art” classes on Tuesday afternoons. They also host an art quilting “sit and sew.” Check the site for more info.
September Meeting (Thursday September 27, 2007) at the Menasha Public Library
Sewing studios, led by…EVERYONE! Please take photos of your sewing space, whether it be a room of your own or a corner carved out of the dining room. Be sure to include anything that’s not working you’d like advice on and especially any unique features or tips you have to offer.
You may bring your photos in any of the following ways:
Julie, personal shopper extraordinaire, delivered the Richeson stuff. She also brought an ooh-and-ah show and tell: a beaded purse from her mom’s snorkeling trip friend. Michelle is still working on her Quilt University dye class, and showed us a variety of ways to have fun with food. A favorite was her mashed potato resist, which was produced by letting a big plop of mashed potatoes dry on fabric and spraying dye over the top. Gill showed us her most recent “stash pot pie” quilt, a beautiful riot of batiks. Marilyn made a simple bracelet at Camp Onaway, and her niece made some postcards. Pat had a cute puppy block to show. Theresa attended Nancy Eha’s beading class through DNQG. She forgot her project, but brought the book for show and tell.
In our main program for the evening, Gill taught us how to make chenille pot holders (it was an easy, “instant gratification” way to learn the technique). Wash those babies up and bring them for show and tell in September!
Announcements and Reminders
Don’t forget “A Finishing Odyssey,” our challenge for 2007. The goal is to show “substantial progress” by our December party meeting, which will be Thursday December 13th at 6:30 p.m. in Gulliver’s restaurant in Neenah (just off the Breezewood exit). We’ll also plan on a white elephant gift exchange. Julie will reserve a table for us—mark your calendars now to save the date and be sure to RSVP come November when the reminder comes out.
Per Theresa, The Sewing Basket in Plymouth (www.sewingbasket.biz) is hosting a fashion show in December and will be soliciting entries. Wouldn’t it be neat to enter as a club? (As of now, I was unable to find any information on their web site pertaining to the show, but perhaps it will be posted as the time draws closer.) This shop also has monthly “Creative Art” classes on Tuesday afternoons. They also host an art quilting “sit and sew.” Check the site for more info.
September Meeting (Thursday September 27, 2007) at the Menasha Public Library
Sewing studios, led by…EVERYONE! Please take photos of your sewing space, whether it be a room of your own or a corner carved out of the dining room. Be sure to include anything that’s not working you’d like advice on and especially any unique features or tips you have to offer.
You may bring your photos in any of the following ways:
- Email digital pics to Katy. (DEADLINE Tuesday September 25th! I spend Wednesday evenings with Jon and the boys and will NOT be online.)
- Bring your photos on a USB memory stick (Katy will bring her computer and Julie will obtain the library’s projector.)
- Bring your photos on a CD or DVD.
- Bring slides. (I know, no one has slides any more, but we will be viewing a slide presentation borrowed from DNQG courtesy of Theresa, so we’ll have a projector.)
- Bring hard copies and we’ll all gather around you.
- Failing that, bring a gift of gab and we’ll bring vivid imaginations!
Upcoming Events
September 27, 2007: September meeting, 6:30. Sewing room organization roundtable
October 25, 2007: October meeting, 6:30. Making stamps
November 29, 2007: November meeting, 6:30. Foiling
December, 13, 2007 (Thursday): Holiday party at Gulliver’s in Neenah.
Conversations with Cloth meets the last Thursday of each month at 6:30 at the Menasha Public Library.
August 2007 Newsletter
Recap of July Meeting (July 25, 2007)
Exciting news! Both Karen and Michele have had pieces accepted into the Wisconsin Quilt Expo (Karen’s fish and Michele’s “Oliver”). The show is September 13-15 in Madison.
As for show and tell, Gill brought a Betty Boop quilt she’d made with fabric she found at Yds. Is there anything that can’t be find hiding in some corner there?! She was working on an intriguing form of Japanese braiding called “Kumihimo.” (Go ahead, Google it!) Karen finished her postcard from the May meeting…it’s now her name tag! Michele showed us some hand dyed skin tones she’d been working on…except they came out green! Check out the directions on www.fabricdyeing101.blogspot.com and see if you have any better luck. She also had some gorgeous pieces made by spraying dye, a technique she learned through Quilt University.
The rest of the meeting was spent couching our hearts out. Katy demo’d a few machine techniques, and Karen showed how easy it is to couch by hand, even those “troublesome” yarns.
Announcements and Reminders
Don’t forget “A Finishing Odyssey,” our challenge for 2007. Gill joined the festivities, bringing her unfinished tree skirt and wool folk art barn raising to show. Remember, the plan is to show “substantial progress” on the UFO by the December party. In July we forgot to settle on a December party date, so bring your calendars to the August meeting.
August Meeting (Thursday August 30, 2007) at the Menasha Public Library
Chenille, led by Gill. Gill will supply kits for $4. All you need to bring is your sewing machine, needles, thread, a few pins and a walking foot.
Upcoming Events
August 30, 2007: August meeting, 6:30. Chenilling. Gill will lead.
September 27, 2007: September meeting, 6:30. Sewing room organization roundtable
October 25, 2007: October meeting, 6:30. Making stamps
November 29, 2007: November meeting, 6:30. Foiling
December: Date TBD. Holiday party.
Conversations with Cloth meets the last Thursday of each month at 6:30 at the Menasha Public Library.
Exciting news! Both Karen and Michele have had pieces accepted into the Wisconsin Quilt Expo (Karen’s fish and Michele’s “Oliver”). The show is September 13-15 in Madison.
As for show and tell, Gill brought a Betty Boop quilt she’d made with fabric she found at Yds. Is there anything that can’t be find hiding in some corner there?! She was working on an intriguing form of Japanese braiding called “Kumihimo.” (Go ahead, Google it!) Karen finished her postcard from the May meeting…it’s now her name tag! Michele showed us some hand dyed skin tones she’d been working on…except they came out green! Check out the directions on www.fabricdyeing101.blogspot.com and see if you have any better luck. She also had some gorgeous pieces made by spraying dye, a technique she learned through Quilt University.
The rest of the meeting was spent couching our hearts out. Katy demo’d a few machine techniques, and Karen showed how easy it is to couch by hand, even those “troublesome” yarns.
Announcements and Reminders
Don’t forget “A Finishing Odyssey,” our challenge for 2007. Gill joined the festivities, bringing her unfinished tree skirt and wool folk art barn raising to show. Remember, the plan is to show “substantial progress” on the UFO by the December party. In July we forgot to settle on a December party date, so bring your calendars to the August meeting.
August Meeting (Thursday August 30, 2007) at the Menasha Public Library
Chenille, led by Gill. Gill will supply kits for $4. All you need to bring is your sewing machine, needles, thread, a few pins and a walking foot.
Upcoming Events
August 30, 2007: August meeting, 6:30. Chenilling. Gill will lead.
September 27, 2007: September meeting, 6:30. Sewing room organization roundtable
October 25, 2007: October meeting, 6:30. Making stamps
November 29, 2007: November meeting, 6:30. Foiling
December: Date TBD. Holiday party.
Conversations with Cloth meets the last Thursday of each month at 6:30 at the Menasha Public Library.
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