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Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Potholder #2

I had to try those Tsukineko Inks!
And I must say, I like them a whole lot better than the paintsticks for this application. The colors are clearer, go on like a breeze, don't gunk up the threads, and are more blendable.
Have a look and see what you think.....

This time I decided to trace Pam's image, as I didn't want all those blanket-stitch looking lines on there. They took too long to sew, and weren't necessary for the design, so I got out my trusty 25 year old lightbox.

I used an erasable quilter's pencil to mark with.

This was much faster to sew, and the line is not so heavy without the black printed ink behind the stitching. This cotton is interfaced, by the way.

I am just getting started applying the inks mixed with the aloe. What a slick trick; I give this technique four stars!!!!! The ink did not lose saturation, and did not run a bit. It was easy to get quite articulate with those fantastix coloring tools, too.

Finished, heat set, rinsed, ironed.

I went through my cotton stash to find green and black prints. Amazing that I came up with five of them!
I tried to do a better job on lining up the binding, too.

The decorative stitches on my bare-bones little Brother Pacesetter PC 2800 machine are very nice, but......

I won this new machine as my prize for being a finalist in the $100,000 Quilting Challenge, and I have yet to take it out of its box. I keep thinking I am going to sell it on Craig's List so I can buy a ton of oya from my friend Rengin in Istanbul. That way I will have a stash for life and could sell some on Etsy too.
When I brought out the manual just to see what kind of decorative stitches were on the machine, I was overwhelmed by the choices, diagrams, buttons, etc.
Does anyone else get turned off by digital choices and steep learning curves like me? Sad, isn't it?
I am still thinking about that oya.......

11 comments:

  1. I can't even manage my new HP all-in-one printer!! OR my "Web Studio" program. My friend Marilyn is in Istanbul right now - next time she goes, I'll tell her to bring me "oya" - although I'm not sure what that is. She brings back awesome stuff!! You have found your niche, for sure - highly decorative art pot holders!!!

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  2. OK... what is oya and why do I want it? ;0)

    Love this potholder... I have to find time to play with inks and dyes somehow!

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  3. In one of my IQF classes we had the new Pfaff Creative Vision machine. It took 4 years to make this machine & I thought it was a piece of crap. It was wayyyyy too computerized (in the wrong way) for anyone to enjoy, IMHO. I say, "Why ruin a good thing by adding computerized features?" So, I understand. But, that being said, I wouldn't trade my 2 computerized machines for anything now!

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  4. I hate new machinery (ugh!). I recently got a new phone and I still don't know how to do basic functions, but I feel like I have better things to do than read the manual. That said, a new SEWING machine is probably worth the learning curve. It'll give you a whole new set of artistic options and tools.

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  5. It is amazing to see you play with the inks. The effect is great.
    I've bought a new sewing machine recently and it is so easy to work with and select stitches. I just love it. I have tried other competurized machine. I hope they are just as easy.

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  6. Allie, what a gorgeous potholder! You make it look sooo easy!

    Yeah, sell the Singer on Craigslist and buy more oya, whatever it is.

    Who needs another learning curve...

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  7. Allie, this reminds me of the vintage pre-tinted linens. Tablerunners and pillows were pre-printed and colored and all that was needed was embroidery. I still love the look of crayon tinting (and I love doing it too) but the color from this technique is much more intense!

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  8. Alot more depth with your latest technique. Being able to blend the colours sure adds dimension. Coming from one who still can't work a VCR/DVD, I am with you totally. To get a new fandangled machine scares me to death,I would have to take classes as I am no good with manuals. Inquiring minds need to know... Oya???

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  9. I love new machines! The trick is to pick just one thing to learn at a time. Eat the elephant in small bites. =)

    Your potholder looks great. You may have heard the rumor that I love greens. =)

    What kind of aloe did you find? I may try this with my Oze Dyes. It would be something different. Might touch up some black and white silkies, too.

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  10. I love what computers do for us, but learning how to use each new one is such a struggle for this "old dog".
    I love your gorgeous painted crazy quilt potholders. I would definitely hang them up, but never, never actually use them and risk getting them dirty.

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  11. Oh what fun those potholders are -- and they look like they were pretty quick to make! Those oya are fabulous!

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