Fancy fans

Here are the last four fans.  I had problems with both paddle fans keeping their shape but I can adjust that when I attach them to the quilt.

And here are all twelve together

And here's the list of tips:
1.  Use a double thread as it attaches the beads more securely.
2. After you attach a row of seed beads  run your thread back and forth through it a couple times to aline the beads.
3. When adding a row of irregular beads such as flowers, sequins, spacers etc., start in the center and work to either side. (See example on left)  That way if it doesn't quite come out even you have the same odd space on each end to fiddle with.
4. Insert you initial knot about 1/2" toward the center and weave your thread to the edge.  It is easy to snip a knot near the edge when cutting you fan out.
5. Every few beads secure on the back side with a knot. The more often you knot, the more even and secure your bead design will be...
6. Size 15 beads are the best for filling in difficult areas.

Morris really prefers 5 pillows and one blanket.  Friday will be moving day for my mother... from the nursing facility back to assisted living.  I'm holding my breath that she can handle it... I will probably spend the nights with her  to help with the transition.  Lots of stitching time.

I'm hopeless

I promised myself resolutely, irrevocably, that I would not start another project OR even think about another project, until the suffrage quilt was done.  But alas I have failed again and am a wimp of major proportion (literally).

 Last Saturday my CQ stitchers met here and brought their collections of hankies which were amazing.  I had wanted to save mine until after the suffrage quilt and use that fabulous table cover which is good sized... But then I thought "maybe just a little piece".............. but then again how many hanky quilt will I do.  I had better do the table cover to begin with... Sooooooooooo  I got it out, pressed it, and added the fusible tricot to the back of the linen...

I placed hoop there to get a feel for the size of center motif I want to do... This is really an incredible piece of vintage linen and I love being able to get it out of the bin.

Last spring I painted some buttons for Valentine's Day which had a heart of forget-me-knots.  At the time I thought would be fun to do something similar in embroidery and ribbon work.  It would make a great focal point for the hankies and wouldn't take long... And of course I have been wanting to do bluebirds and I can do them off block and add after my suffrage quilt is really done.... Cathy K posted some ribbon bluebirds on Pinterest that made me want to do them.  In fact I may add 4-5 bluebirds

When I sorted my hankies I had a LOT of hearts and roses.  I don't really want a Valentine quilt but I do want to aim for romantic.

So since a central focal point will be on a vintage damask napkin, it will be easy to tote about and the actually attaching the hankies can wait until after the suffrage quilt.

This piece of counted cross-stitch which I stitched almost 40 years ago will definitely be my inspiration.  And I'm off and running AGAIN!!!

Most dogs would  be grateful just to be allowed on the couch... But Morris has to rearrange all the pillows and blankets on the couch every time he wants to nap there.

Here are the second batch of fans (still untrimmed)

And here are all eight together

And I have the bases attached for the final four..  Remember when I erroneously said I was going to keep the embellishment understated.... LOL these fans will put it over the top..

Today is the Audubon Society's annual Christmas bird count.  DH and countless other are wandering about the countryside siting birds for the count.  I am home counting the ones at the feeders... Here are a few this morning patiently waiting for the feckless fellow who fetches the seed!

Beaded Fans

Four are  done enough to stop until I am ready to apply them.  At that time I will again secure all the bead around the edge and cut away the felt.  Little bumps etc. can be corrected during application and I usually add some more decorative beads across the top.  I will also add dangles to the handles at that time.

These are fun because I can use odd beads and pieces.. The amber beads across lower left fan were too irregular to use on a seam but work nicely here.









Tips:

1.  Use a double thread as it attaches the beads more securely.
2. After you attach a row of seed beads  run your thread back and forth through it a couple times to aline the beads.
3. When adding a row of irregular beads such as flowers, sequins, spacers etc., start in the center and work to either side. (See example on left)  That way if it doesn't quite come out even you have the same odd space on each end to fiddle with.
4. Insert you initial knot about 1/2" toward the center and weave your thread to the edge.  It is easy to snip a knot near the edge when cutting you fan out.
5. Every few beads secure on the back side with a knot. The more often you knot, the more even and secure your bead design will be...



I have another set of bases glued and ready to go.  I will make 12 in all but probably not use them all on this project.  But I like to have enough to have a choice.

Beaded Fans and Ribbon Pansies

I love making the beaded fans.  I do them on felt off-block and the first step for me is to glue down the base or handle.  I did it last night so it would be well secured when I start to bead.  Since marking on black felt is next to impossible, I basted in a basic fan shape for each base to use as a guide.

The bases are all parts of earrings.  The nice thing about fans is that I can often use beads that are just a tad too large or the wrong shape for other bead work.









Here's an example from one years back.











Then there were the pansies and the main problem was not having the appropriate ribbon... I have lots of narrow silk ribbon to embroider with and often find good buys on the internet. But the wider wired-silk is  never a thrift store or bargain find and I didn't have any.

 
I had some finer rayon wired ribbon in the right size and weight but the wrong color (the iridescent purple) but what I could dye was a polyester which was too heavy but I used it anyway. I preferred the back side to the shiny front.  I wanted a "pressed flower look" so I steamed the sections and pounded them with a mallet.

There are several tutorials but the one I tried was at Sunshine designs and it was excellent...

I painted a dark blue around the center before I added the yellow ribbon center.. I definitely want to try pansies again but will keep an eye out for the right ribbon...