I seem to be falling in love with the stunning effect of brocade. Although a not so easy fabric to work with, fraying ends, pulling weaves, the end result more than makes up for the arduous journey of piecing it all together!
Post my work with the churn dash cushion covers, i decided to make a table runner with brocade. The pattern i chose was the braided herringbone. A lovely pattern indeed. I first saw this pattern first hand on a quilt when Manju a fellow DQ had come to Bombay. She used this pattern as a border for her Bargello quilt. Thank you Manju! You in a way introduced me to the braided herringbone :)
So the journey began with a whole lot of excitement! I first gathered all the brocade fabrics i had, cut them into 3.5 inches strips and went sew, sew sew!! You know, unlike the other patters i've done so far, i realized that with this i could actually 'feel' that i was progressing!! Then came the ironing the top part. Was very scared if i'd burn it. Played safe, really safe. Low temperature, lot's of water in the iron, and gradually increased the temperature.............just why was i so nervous!!!
I also ironed on press canvas to the backing fabric which is plain 'kora' cloth. This has given the table runner a little stiffness. Used my regular batting.
This is a closer view
Didn't know how to quilt it without spoiling the look of the strips - you know the quilting turning out to be like a sore to the eye!! Decided to go with the safest option - along the seams!
Post my work with the churn dash cushion covers, i decided to make a table runner with brocade. The pattern i chose was the braided herringbone. A lovely pattern indeed. I first saw this pattern first hand on a quilt when Manju a fellow DQ had come to Bombay. She used this pattern as a border for her Bargello quilt. Thank you Manju! You in a way introduced me to the braided herringbone :)
So the journey began with a whole lot of excitement! I first gathered all the brocade fabrics i had, cut them into 3.5 inches strips and went sew, sew sew!! You know, unlike the other patters i've done so far, i realized that with this i could actually 'feel' that i was progressing!! Then came the ironing the top part. Was very scared if i'd burn it. Played safe, really safe. Low temperature, lot's of water in the iron, and gradually increased the temperature.............just why was i so nervous!!!
I also ironed on press canvas to the backing fabric which is plain 'kora' cloth. This has given the table runner a little stiffness. Used my regular batting.
This is a closer view
Didn't know how to quilt it without spoiling the look of the strips - you know the quilting turning out to be like a sore to the eye!! Decided to go with the safest option - along the seams!
Lovely!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Ranju :)
DeleteCaroline, these are really pretty. Using brocade is really a challenge you have taken. It has come out well. Have you used anything to reduce the fraying.
ReplyDeleteLong back , i too did one same pattern but it remains in the list of UFO :-)
Thanks Padmini! No, did not use anything for this one. Though when i first worked with it (the cushion covers) i ironed press canvas to the reverse of the fabric before cutting them. It was very easy and didn't fray. This time i decided to try without that. Guess it didn't fray much because i pieced them together right away.
DeleteBeauty Caroline. I liked your cushion covers and this matches that. ( I loved the covers more!. Looks like you stashed a lot of brocades. is it something that just caught your eye or is it a quilting safe fabric?
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I had a metre long piece of the blue brocade i used for the cushion covers. Was thrilled when i saw the way the covers turned out. So went and picked up a few more - all what you see in the runner. As regards quilting - have only tried straight lines and that wasn't a problem at all.
Deletewow..it is a gorgeous runner caroline
ReplyDeleteThank you Nima!
Delete