Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Compromising your values

Lots of fun and frustration was had at my house playing with bleach, vinegar and fabric recently.  I got some plexiglass circles and triangles to try some of the techniques from Malka Dubrawsky's Color Your Cloth.  I got the book when it first came out in 2009 and have wanted to try this since, but just got the "tools" for Christmas.  It isn't as easy as it looks, but I loved her results!  So, in an effort to get a similar effect without wasting any more fabric, I discharged some squares and sewed them into half square triangles with their original counterparts to great effect.  I LOVE this!!!
The half square triangles, which I have quite an obsession with anyway, became these pillows.  This technique naturally lent itself to a layout highlighting the values.  Simple outline quilting left these so stinking soft!  And by stinking I don't mean that they reek of bleach.  The technique of bleaching, counteracting the bleach with vinegar and rinsing, left them smelling pretty good from the get go!

Did I mention how naughty it feels to deliberately bleach Flea Market Fancy?  Good naughty.  But maybe that's just because it worked!


I'll be teaching these pillows at Mama Said Sew as a two part class on Mondays April 4th and 11th.  The class schedule should be announced soon! 

And we have a few spots left at our spring retreat with sewtakeahike!  Just so you know, I host awesome retreats--so if you're on the fence, let my culinary degree help entice you!  Good, good food.  Great workshops.  Incredible laughter(I'm pretty funny , too!).  And in short, an experience you'll want to make an annual event!  Hope to see you there!


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9 comments:

  1. MandMStudioMarch 8, 2011 at 9:46 PM

    They came out so cute :) I so need to make some new pillows soon.

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  2. SunriseMarch 9, 2011 at 10:42 AM

    Those are too cool. Tara, your talent and productivity are amazing. :)

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  3. CarmenMarch 10, 2011 at 5:37 PM

    Well now, aren't we a little high on ourself? :) (I only say this to get back at you for making fun of my vocabulary. Smarty pants.)

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  4. sewtakeahikeMarch 12, 2011 at 8:15 PM

    so funny, Tara! Deliberately bleaching fmf should be a crime, lol! I really can't wait for the retreat!

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  5. Amanda JeanMarch 16, 2011 at 2:20 PM

    i totally need to make some of these pillows. they look amazing!

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  6. Amanda JeanMarch 16, 2011 at 2:21 PM

    ok, i forgot to add the rest of my comment.

    your title for this post is just so great. best title ever!


    and you DO host an awesome retreat!!! i'm happy to know that firsthand. :)

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  7. Live a Colorful LifeMarch 16, 2011 at 4:27 PM

    I'm trying to wrap my head around bleaching FMF!! After all the $$$$ I have spent on collecting. I'll work my way through the whole concept. I have to admit that it looks pretty cool.

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  8. quirky granola girlMarch 23, 2011 at 12:00 PM

    i can't believe you bleached FMF! but your results are pretty fantastic.

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  9. Heather LouiseApril 4, 2011 at 4:10 PM

    Angela called me about the class. Looking forward to May. :)

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