Contemporary Sewing is not your Grandma's Style

Back when I first started sewing again about nine or ten years ago, I picked up a couple of books that were deeply inspirational to the way I sew today. For the life of me…I cannot remember what those books were called. I sold one to a secondhand bookstore, and another is an ebook on my ancient nook app. But above all I want to say that contemporary sewing styles are more rough around the edges. A contemporary seamstress is not afraid to show a raw edge or wing it a bit to produce results.

In the past, everything was done a certain way. Art quilts were finished with binding and displayed with a rod pocket. And projects were done with a fussy style by hiding seams and gasp…never show a raw edge! My mom loves to say that I never finish my projects the right way. The truth is, I’m a contemporary seamstress and I’m not ashamed. My style has helped me to be super prolific in the things I have created, and I love a scrappy no rules finish!

Some ideas for the budding contemporary seamstress…

1. Realize when it is ok to do an exposed edge and finish with a zig zag stitch. Being able to see some of the raw edge of fabric is a beautiful thing! Fabric frays and unravels and does all kinds of incredible things when you allow that beauty to show through. On the edges of coasters, art quilts and more…try using a zig zag stitch with a raw edge.

2. Gone are the days where you have to be proficient at hand stitching to get the job done! If you want to embroider a design on your project, sketch it lightly with a fabric pen or pencil and stitch with your sewing machine. You can also embroider text on projects that way!

3. Embrace a scrappy approach in your projects, and try to use what you already have on hand. A lot of books say that you need a long list of items to complete the projects. The truth is you just need something comparable to get the job done. Research substitutions for various sewing notions and wing it when necessary. Yes…you have full permission!

4. Try creating your own patterns for things! I have to admit it…I’ve only sewn with two store bought patterns in the last eight or nine years; one was a hat pattern and the other was for a felt cat plushie. For every other project I’ve created my own patterns for everything from appliques to clothes. Use your old clothes to create new patterns. Pick the seams and trace the pieces onto cardstock or large watercolor paper for a pattern you can use over and over again. And practice drawing a bit to get the hang of designing things in your own style. Believe me…it feels so satisfying to DIY patterns and the things you make will have your own personal touch.

5. Aim for imperfection! This one is so much fun, and is a theme I have recently embraced wholeheartedly in my sewing. Allowing yourself to break longstanding sewing rules and do what you want with your creative process is both more creative and freeing to your creative muse. Trust your own process and just have some fun! Especially if you are sewing for personal use, or even if you are creating fabric art…embracing imperfection can open up a whole world of possibilities for self expression.

I hope these contemporary ideas light a fire in your sewing hobby and get your wheels turning. Contemporary sewing is not your Grandma’s style…it is sewing for the young at heart!

Book Review in Pictures: Generation T

Generation T

Supplies

Making some cuts

Template

More cutting

Ready…Set…Go!

Sewing…My favorite part!

Photo taken by Jason Sturges

Awake and Aware Journal Quilt

For years I have pondered how to combine my love of fabric with art making. I’m finally taking that idea seriously and giving myself time to experiment and play! Something about drawing and painting on fabric just makes me feel like a kid again. Painting on fabric feels different than canvas or paper. Fabric is thready and nubby and bumpy, the texture is a dream to make art on. Lately I feel so inspired! A big part of what brings me deep satisfaction in this life is just experimenting with the materials I have on hand. It is surprising what you can do with a few fabric scraps and paint!

This work started about five months ago by sewing scraps onto muslin, then I got out some puffy fabric paint. I think it was more designed to create dots on rocks and stuff, and when I tried to draw with it I wasn’t entirely happy with the result. So I brought in some white acrylic paint. We got a huge snowstorm yesterday and the white reminds me of the cool chill of snow. I used acrylic paint markers and a sharpie to write and draw. An old credit card came in handy to swipe paint on the surface and smudge out mistakes from the puffy paint.

I love the way this turned out so hardcore! I’m thinking I will frame it and hang it on the wall.

Awake and Aware by Kathryn Sturges

Design and Sew Felt Plushies

Things got heavy around here, and whenever that happens I love to do a light hearted project! I was accepted to sell my art at a local outlet mall, but the contract involved more than I was ready for so I had to bail on the project. I was so excited about the opportunity, and my spirit tanked when it fell through. So I decided to make some plushies anyway, just for fun!

One of the items I was going to make to sell at the mall was felt plushies. I have a big stack of felt that is constantly taunting me to use up. What is it about felt that makes my heart sing? Could it be the thick nubby texture, or the bold bright colors? Felt is so easy to work with, it is a dream to sew. The two plushies above only took a couple of sittings to make, and you could make a bunch in a weekend.

Designing a felt animal only takes your imagination. The shape of the cat above came from a vintage Seventies pattern. But you don’t need a pattern to make these little critters. Here’s a quick outline of how to design and sew the plushies! The best part is you will get to dip into your assortment of buttons, trims and whatever you have on hand.

Materials:

Felt in different colors (If you can, try to find Eco Felt. But if you already have some felt at home that is the best bet.)

Permanent marker

Scrap material or patches

Buttons, trim, etc.

Fabric scraps to turn into clothing if you want your plush to have an outfit

Fiberfill, extra batting or scraps to fill the plush

Basic sewing kit

Step One: Choose an animal to base your plush on. Or step outside the box and come up with a quirky concept. You could make a creature like an alien, sasquatch, monster, etc…or something more feminine like a doll or teddy bear.

Step Two: I promise…you do not need a pattern for this step! Trust me! Stack two pieces of felt, then draw the outline of the felt plush. For the frog above I just drew a freehand design. Make sure the head and body are all one piece. You can make separate pieces for arms and legs if you want, or do like a gingerbread style shape and draw the entire body shape as one piece.

Step Three: Cut out the two layers of felt at the same time. This will give you the front piece and back piece. If you need to make arms and legs, you probably only need one layer, unless you want to stuff them to make them puffy.

Step Five: Now comes the fun part! Design the facial features and decorate the plush. You can sew on buttons for eyes, or cut out felt shapes. I sewed a decorative iron on patch onto the frog. Don’t iron anything on though, because felt melts. Decorate with bits of yarn or fabric, trim or ribbon. Just have fun with it! I chose to only decorate the front of the plushies and left the backs plain.

Step Six: Stack the front and back with right sides out. Then sew around the edge, making sure to leave an opening so that you can fill with stuffing. Fill the plush, then finish sewing around the outside.

Make one, make a bunch…give them as gifts, donate them, sell them! Once you make one you will want to make more because they are so fun!