Pink Chalk Studio » Blog Archive » Mother-In-Law, Check

Mother-In-Law, Check

Dec 10th, 2007 by Kathy

I smile each time I visit the Crafty Friends of Pink Chalk Studio Flickr group. You all have been very busy elves! So cool to see the same pattern executed in amazingly varied and beautiful ways. Here’s a round up of Rubblework scarves:

I decided to make one for my Mother-In-Law. I added in two extra 6 1/2″ squares (the orange guys) to lengthen the scarf and add in another color. I’m totally digging the African inspired Alexander Henry print I used for the large focus squares.

A friend in my ASG group wore her Rubblework to the brunch last week. She used stretch velvet for some of her squares which I fell in love with. A beautiful drape. I was forewarned of the difficulties sewing with it but I just couldn’t resist giving it a go!

It truly is a bear to sew with. Slipping and sliding every which way. I tried various techniques. I used a walking foot. I backed the wrong side of the velvet with a strip of freezer paper along the sewing line. I then tore off the freezer paper after I sewed the seam. This was by no means a fool proof solution but it did stabilize the fabric enough to get the fabrics joined when piecing the top. I failed at my attempts to layer tissue paper between fabrics. I couldn’t see the edge very well and the fabric just continued to slide around.

If you have any must use tips on sewing with this stuff please share!

I didn’t use any freezer paper when attaching the top to the back, I thought I’d give it a whirl before moving on to such drastic measures. I cut the backing 1/2″ wider than the pattern calls for. I laid the top down and made it work with a wider than 1/4″ seam. I didn’t bother trimming the extra off the back except on the ends (the picture is before I trimmed off that excess, don’t want to confuse anyone). I would definitely recommend this approach for difficult fabrics.

I also found that the crinkle stretch velvet (red) was easier than the traditional version (orange). I think the added texture kept it in place more. Just looking at the orange made it move around.

Posted in Sewing | 23 Comments

23 Responses to “Mother-In-Law, Check”

on 10 Dec 2007 at 8:31 pm1adrienne

It’s great seeing everyone’s work!!!!
on 10 Dec 2007 at 8:34 pm2cindy

How wonderful it must be to see so many variations of your pattern. I hear you on the difficulty of that fabric. Just when you think you’ve got everything pinned just right, you get it to the machine and it’s all wrong. I just use my walking foot and pray for the best!
on 10 Dec 2007 at 8:50 pm3Lemon Tree Tales

The orange velvet is really a knock-out with all the other fabric mixes. Velvet is such a difficult fabric to work with. When my friend and I were making new torah covers out of velvet, we found that the only way to keep everything together was to pin, then hand baste the seams prior to sewing with the machine. We also used the walking foot. Lots of steps but it seemed to be the only way to get accurate seams. It was worth it in the end, just as your scarf was.
on 10 Dec 2007 at 9:44 pm4Megan

I am sooo coveting that scarf. Remind me to make one in exactly those colours for my sister for her birthday.
on 11 Dec 2007 at 1:41 am5katrin

With my second rubblework scarf (the one I didn’t picture yet as it will be a christmas present) I had the same problems. I used an embossed velvet, silk brocade and cotton fabrics with a wool flannel backing. The velvet was slipping and sliding like hell. I pinned a LOT. Not better. I used my walking foot. Not better. I used temporary spray glue (the one you use for machine embroidery) and had to throw away two of the pieces.
The ONLY way to work with velvet is hand basting. Sometimes even two lines - one above and one beneath the actual seamline. I did that at my velvet jacket and finally decided it is also neccessary on small bits like the scarf. Though I hate basting… but it will do the magic. ^-^
on 11 Dec 2007 at 2:53 am6nicolette

Wonderful to see all the different scarfs! I like the one you made very much, I’m an orange girl!
on 11 Dec 2007 at 3:59 am7jennifer

Wow, MIL is going to LOVE that scarf! I am crazy about your color combo’s, it just looks fantastic. I like the extra length that you added as well!
jenn
on 11 Dec 2007 at 4:39 am8Kathryn

It’s so inspiring to see all the different variations. The one for your MIL is absolutely stunning!
on 11 Dec 2007 at 6:34 am9Mama Urchin

I have some stretch velveteen for a dress for my niece that I’ve been talking myself out of using for a week. I think you maybe just sealed the deal.
on 11 Dec 2007 at 8:11 am10Anina

Lovely scarves! I know what you mean about velvet - and it’s not just stretch velvet either, trust me. I’m waiting anxiously to see what suggestions you get.
on 11 Dec 2007 at 9:11 am11Lynn in Tucson

You don’t know how encouraging it is to hear about your experience with stretch velvet. I still have the pieces sitting in a bag from YEARS ago, when I thought I would make a friend a velvet log cabin xmas pillow.
Turns out, not so much!
on 11 Dec 2007 at 9:45 am12jonipossin

Oooooo… love those scarves!! My first thought is that I’ll make one today (that’s the mean ole devil sitting on my left shoulder) but the sweet angel sitting on my right shoulder is saying, “Wait until after Christmas, you sinking ship”. Good advice for me right now.

I love your blue satin pillowcase!! What a great use of the blue fabric. The red print trim is adorable. I make pillowcases too. Fat Quarter Shop just got their Valentine’s day fabric in and I got really carried away… such cute prints. I always send my daughters each a pair for every occasion.

Thanks for sharing your wonderful ideas… and your lovely curly hair.
Joni
on 11 Dec 2007 at 10:12 am13Sarah

Velvet is such a bugger to work with and I agree with everyone that hand basting is the best/only way to work with it. The softer the velvet, the more difficult it is to work with. I have a yard of beautiful olive silk velvet in my stash that I’m trying to ignore. I don’t want to ruin it!
on 11 Dec 2007 at 11:01 am14Pam

Oh love this! You make such lovely things!

My mom used to sew hard to work with fabrics with waxed paper under them. I think it kept them from slipping. I’ve fused lightweight fusible interfacing to keep them in check. Even when they’re somewhat tamed they’re still a pain!
on 11 Dec 2007 at 4:17 pm15Hanna

I think it’s soooo beautiful, love the brown/orange colours and the style of it! Great one!
on 12 Dec 2007 at 2:40 pm16Amy

So beautiful. You put us all to shame with your sewing genius. Me - I’d probably cut it big, let it slide and trim the seams after. But that’s me and why my stuff doesn’t look like your stuff…
on 12 Dec 2007 at 3:11 pm17amy

Love the colors for your mil scarf! I like orange but don’t seem to have enough of it in my wardrobe. I realized the other day when making my scarf that I used a similar pattern to the one you have even though I don’t have your pattern (if that makes sense).
on 12 Dec 2007 at 4:51 pm18Weirdbunny

The velvet makes the scarf look really elegant. About to go see what your esty shop is like ~ love Julia x
on 13 Dec 2007 at 11:50 am19Jean

Just so you know, there are also types of interfacing for knit types of material… I would think that these sorts would work best for you and you won’t have to remove them. Plus, they are light enough to still give them the shape you want. I used to work at a fabric store and I do lots of clothes sewing… i.e. wedding dresses etc… so anyway good luck.
on 14 Dec 2007 at 12:37 am20Louise

But wasn’t it worth the effort - it looks fabulous!! I’m making something similar for my Mother for Christmas - I think these are useful all year round!
on 15 Dec 2007 at 6:15 am21Administrator

Anne will adore this scarf. Mom
on 17 Dec 2007 at 7:44 pm22Miss Sassy

I love, love, love your scarf. I think it will make a lovely gift. Sorry - no tips for velvet. If I would have to hand baste, I would find a different project! I bet it is worth it, though.
on 19 Dec 2007 at 4:41 pm23Kate

Ooh, I love that scarf. I’m a huge fan of Alexander Henry fabrics anyway, so no surprise there, but the basic idea of the scarf is so simple, yet so effective…