Cotton Tulle and laces....

I am committed and on my way.... First I knew I had to have some type of ground fabric under the lace.  I considered nylon tulle or a sheer cotton of some type.  I didn't have a clue what would work best but I knew that tambour artist, Shirlee Fassell would be able to tell me.  Sure enough she told me what I needed was cotton tulle or better known as bobbinette.  It was what is used for lace garments in the haute couture  fashion industry.  But as I searched for cotton tulle on the internet I soon discovered that there was only ONE source (Mood Designer Fabrics) and it is $39.99 a yard plus shipping.  In fact there is only one factory in Europe that even makes it.  Dharma used to carry it but does not have a current source.

Mary Corbet on Needles 'n Thread wrote a fascinating article about it and what makes it so unique - "Cotton Tulle - there's a big difference." According to Mary with cotton tulle the interlocking cotton threads that make each hexagon create  a strong (very strong) tulle suitable for all kinds of fine needlework techniques. According to Mary the inexpensive, widely-available nylon tulle on the market today does not stand up well to embroidery and other needlework techniques.    I love Mary's site and I always go there when I want reliable information on any technique.

Luckily for me Shirlee Fassell had a piece she was never going to use and sent it to me and I am so grateful.  I have not found any information on how to construct a lace garment and so I am making it up as I go along.  Do I have a plan... well yes sorta but it is subject to change at any moment...

First I picked this pattern... Butterick 5789..  It has simple lines and I like the irregular hemline.  I used this same pattern without the sleeve for my Houston vest and it comes in  large sizes.

Then I cut the pattern full size out of freezer paper and covered it with a layer of my precious cotton tulle.

I think I will just barely have enough tulle for this project and will lay it out carefully... I may have to piece some of it together.  Shirlee had a source which told her it is usually used in two layers with the grains in opposite directions but I don't have enough for that.

Now the fun part starts and I think the most time consuming as I am feeling my way here... I can see right away the large doily at the top is too large and I'll cut it in half and use it on the front.  I was just going to lay out the back first...but now I will cut all pieces and work on them simultaneously. I'll have to set up more card tables.





Some laces still will need to be antiqued.  I want to include narrower laces as well as I have a nice collection of those  and just don't want all doilies...  Stay tuned as this is going to take a while...

Cats on Buttons and Fabulous Recipe Site......

Clear back in Sept I accepted orders from Lydia and Lonna to paint cats for them and between being gone and my eyes, it took me forever to finish....but I did finally and as soon as the sealer dries completely I will get them in the mail...  I enjoyed them and plan on doing some more cats now that winter is setting in and I will have some painting time.




It is easy to paint just a generic cat or dog but much harder to try to capture the personality of a specific pet. ...a challenge I enjoy.







Also quite by accident I discovered a recipe site for Downton Abbey.  It has a fabulous collection of recipes from that time period put together by a food historian...  As I go down the index of recipes I want to do every one. Next to a day stitching, my favorite is a day in an apron... and luckily it is much easier on my eyes.

 

 

I was searching the internet for hazelnut crusted halibut when I found the site and I started with their recipe for "Hazelnut crusted halibut with boozy blackberry sauce" and it was delicious... This is their picture.  I didn't use the green beans as I served mine with roasted sweet potatoes.  The blackberry sauce had caramelized onions in it and I had my doubts about that but it was just the savoring element needed... Yum!!!

And since they have a recipe for scones you know that I have to try them next... I have to admit I have never even seen a single episode of Downton Abbey but now that I'm doing the recipes I will have to get the series and watch them all.

Finished at last ....

Finished at last and just 10 days before our 40th anniversary.

Here is the entire piece..  many of these hankies belonged to my late mother-in-law.. The base is a vintage table linen with crocheted edge.  The entire piece is about 34" square.

 

We had our first date on Halloween and flew to Hawaii 3 weeks later on Thanksgiving and got married.  It was definitely love at first sight.  We met at a bridge game and 40 years later he tells me almost daily that I'm still his favorite partner.  Here are close ups of different sections..

Here you can see the button trail upper right.

I'm really happy with the way the border turned out.

This brooch is one I have save for years and years and this was the perfect spot for it...

 

And as a recap my inspiration for this project was this counted cross stitch sampler I did when we got married in 1976.

"French Facing" and I really do have an iron...

Slowly but surely I'm getting to the finished piece.  I did not want a traditional binding on the outside edge and opted to use a technique called a "French facing".  Allie did a tutorial about it on her blog and another for the CQMag online.  I used this technique on my suffragette quilt and loved the nice clean tailored edge it gave.  I actually thought I had blogged about it but couldn't find it...

First I cut four 4" squares and folded them diagonally, one for each corner.  Then I cut four strips (one for each side (each 2 1/2" wide)

I also trimmed some of the batting away at the corner to eliminate bulk.

 
I also cut each side strip about an inch shorter also to eliminate bulk. 

When it is all sewn, turned and  the edges if the facing strips are turned under... it looks like this.  If you are interested in trying this, use Allie's tutorial as it is much more detailed than mine.

For years I have used just a little travel steam iron for all my CQ work  etc., but it doesn't steam that well anymore so I went in search of a proper iron because I wanted to give these facings a really good pressing...

... Absolutely none to be found in the house but I found three in the barn... They probably qualify as genuine antiques.

I am treating myself to some uninterrupted painting time this week and first on the list are finishing some very special cats for a couple very special ladies.  Yesterday was eye injections and painting time is my reward making it through another session.  Except for twice when the eye was not completely numb, the injections themselves are not the problem... It is the antiseptic betadine.  I am among a small percentage of patients with an adverse reaction to it.  My eyes literally burn with pain for 12-16 hours after application and my whole face swells and itches horribly.  And it seems it is necessary to prevent infection with the shots..



 

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Just a peek ahead!!!

Just so you know that my mind is still churning I have some projects that are fermenting in my brain that are easier for me to handle and still give me the challenge of learning something new.  As you know I have had years to fill bins with wonderful lace that I am obligated to use before I leave this earth... So I am thinking a lace jacket.

 I love this jacket.  It uses old laces but still has some structure .  I am still undecided as to what pattern I'll use, but want to use many kinds of old laces and many different textures.



I know I don't want something like this... great for a street urchin but looks like a hodgepodge. I definitely don't want the "Magnolia Pearl" boho look.  So I'm off on a new adventure as soon as I finish the anniversary quilt.

Already I've learned what bobbinette is and why I need it.  Stay tuned.....