Here's a technique if your'e interested?

While editing and changing the website, 

I remembered that I haven’t blogged lately.

So I thought I'd teach you a technique picked up as a member of the Embroiders guild in Maidstone, Kent.  Never quite knew what the ladies at the guild called it, but I call it fabric 'mache'

I've adapted over the years - It goes something like this:



Select fabric for the ‘mache', making sure that
it compliments the top fabric.

Cut the fabric into small pieces As the fabrics will be revealed  through the organza the fabric needs to be well considered

The size depends on  the maker

and what is the desired effect

Mix the fabric pieces together

as if you are rubbing in pastry!

Ensure all the cut layers are separated

Preparing the Fabric:

Ensure the base fabric compliments the fabric pieces incase the base fabric is revealed.

Use a natural fibre that is heavy enough to stabilise the free hand stitching

A natural fibre is used if the ‘mache’ 

is to be heat manipulated. 

A synthetic fabric will melt, where as a natural fibre burns and the effect is not as aesthetically pleasing!

Spread the fabric pieces out as evenly as possible so that the finished result is not too lumpy (the machine needle is more likely to break if the ‘mache’ is too lumpy)

Tack through all the layers securing the fabric pieces between a sheer top fabric and base fabrics. Start from the middle of the fabric and sew outwards around the sides.

It is good to uses a colour thread that will stand out so that it can be un-picked once the free motion embroidery is in place

free-motion machine stitching:

Machine foot – refer to the instruction manual for the particular machine. Lower the feed-dog

Length – 3   Width  - 0

Tension: 2.5 to allow the thread to freely 

pass through without snapping

Needle: long eyed machine needle designed specially for machine embroidery cottons(METAFIL works well)

Soldering Iron

Health and safety – beware of the heat!

Use iron wool to keep the soldering iron clean.

Experiment first.

Heat Gun

Health and safety – beware of the heat!

An all over burning effect. Experiment first.

Here is an example of using the macho technique in a costume.

Try it - Have fun:)