New Work at last

I know I've been slow lately, but I finally have something new to offer.  This rather shocking pink book cover just evolved.  I had this lovely fine silk, hot pink/shot soft orange, can't remember how I 'acquired' it.  One day quite some time ago, I laid it over a piece of wire grid and rubbed it with gold Shiva stick.  I think the oil from the stick bled into the silk, so I felt despondent and just put it aside.  I'd only coloured a small area, so I cut that section out, really didn't know what to do with it, so I simply gathered it into a ruched circle, and picked at the edge until it looked wispy - it seemed to resemble a flower, but looked lonely sitting on the silk, so I decided to texture the background a little with some pink and metallic gold stitching.  I know I can't leave well enough alone, and perhaps I should have stopped long before this, but it is what it is.  And, yes, the shocking pink button with the gold centre was in my button drawer...LOL.

I hope this close up will show the flower, the beading, the stitching and foiling, etc.   Again, beads, braid and threads were part of my 'collection'.  

Book cover open to see textured stitching and foiling

 As I've made more and more of these removable covers, I've strived to perfect my lining techniques.  I have put together this collage, and hope I can explain the process.  This only works well [in my opinion] if you have fabric that has a similar right and wrong side.  I've used plain polycotton.  The open cover measures 34cms wide by 23cms high.  I cut the lining lengthwise with enough allowance to make several folds, marked the centre [photo top left], measured out 17cms from either side of centre [top right], pressed the folds in - remembering that I needed a sleeve to insert the cover into.  I then measured out another 10cms [bottom left], and pressed another fold, and then finally another fold [bottom centre].  The bottom right photo shows the 'sleeve' as it appeared prior to fusing and stitching to the outer cover.  I didn't neaten that final/inside edge, as I thought a line of stitching might spoil the end product, and to be honest, was probably totally unnecessary.  When all the pressing and folding was complete, I applied a piece of Heat 'n Bond, and then fused this lining to the outer embroidered piece, neatening off all round with a row of very wide machine satin stitching.  If you click on the collage you should be able to see more detail. 

I hope by sharing some of my methods, I may be of some help to those who like to find better ways to achieve a neat finish.  I had to hold the cover up in my hand to complete the fusing, as I didn't like to scrunch the flower in the process.

Thank you again to all who have showed concern for my well being.  I am almost up to scratch again, although today it is rather cold and windy here.  I am sure it is much worse in the south!!