Scissors fob with Vlieseline product - The Need a Needle Book Swap

Would you like a sneak peak at what I've made for my Need a Needle Book swap partner? It's a scissors fob! I love how it's turned out. I found out my partner likes turquoise and as I've been curious about trying out piecing small squares, I thought I'd give it a go (the squares are 1.5").

The piecing technique is by Oh! Fransson, using light weight interfacing. The first time around I made a mistake because I took the roll I use for appliquè and ironed the squares on that. Afterwards I realised my mistake and that the other side of the squares was now sticky too! So I started over again, this time taking the right roll off my shelf! I used a specific product made for this technique by Vlieseline: Quilter's Grid. I must say I'm impressed by how precise the squares match together without me having to fidget around with them. They came together like magic! Really, I'm not exaggerating. 

I hope my partner likes it! I think it would also make a handy mini pin cushion. I'm tempted to make one of these to hang from my car mirror, what do you think?

There is also a needle book coming, of course...

Laura Armiraglio's Tutorial: Sew (Knit not!) Wool Cowl Scarf

I've been waiting for it to get colder around here to write about a fantastic tutorial Laura Armiraglio gave us at Francesca's shop Tessilesa during the summer. Now that Autumn has come and you feel like wrapping a nice warm scarf around your neck, I'll write about Laura's great tutorial on making a wool cowl scarf with no knitting involved but lots of free motion quilting!

The photos were taken during the demonstration I was trying to follow at the same time, so please forgive the quality!

Laura demonstrated how you could make this beautiful wool cowl scarf using two products by Freudenberg - Vlieseline: Solufix and Soluvlies.

The first step is to cut out a rectangle of Solufix. The height and the length should correspond to the height and length (measuring the circumference of the ring) of your finished cowl scarf. If you're not sure about the size take your favourite scarf and use it as an example. Now take your wool and start forming a pattern on top of the rectangle of Solufix, after laying it out flat on a table. 

TIP: use different kinds of wool, with different textures and thicknesses. The best effect I've noticed is achieved by using spirals and tight loops.

When you've finished covering the surface with your wool pattern, then cover everything with one layer of Soluvlies. Fix the layers together with safety pins and now start free motion quilting.

To make the cowl scarf circular you must overlay the two short ends and quilt across. When you've finished quilting, dip everything under cold running water and the Solufix and Soluvlies will dissolve. Lay out your work on a flat surface to dry.

TIP: try leaving as few gaps as possible in your pattern. The more dense the pattern, the more the texture of your cowl scarf will be dense. You can make a more decorative version of the cowl scarf leaving gaps, giving a final "cobweb" effect. 

For a very cool example on how to use the same technique (created by Jeannette Knake) to make yourself a dress from an old t-shirt and some wool, look at this post by Laura Armiraglio. Pure genius! She is extremely talented and creative.
I would to thank Laura for giving me permission to write about her tutorial.