Linen Finishing Stitch
Overcast Variation
Continued
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4. Add the next panel.
Begin at the bottom of the next set of straight seams, beginning with
a double wrap, stitch up to where the diagonal begins and make a second
double wrap. Continue up the diagonal and leave the excess tail for later
use.
Continue with the last seam in the same manner until all three panels are connected. Leave the three tails together at the point. Depending on the use of the object, these tails can be used to create hangers, a loop for attaching ribbons, or treated as individual fibers to which charms and buttons are added. (Read on!)
Do not begin to sew the remaining diagonal seams at this time. Turn the object upside down. It should look like a tulip, with three points at the top. Next, we'll stuff the object and sew up these last three diagonals.
5. To
stuff the object, you will need:
Cotton or polyester fill. Cotton
will pack more firmly than poly-fil. Decide which to use based on the use
of the object as well as any allergies you need to keep in mind.
You will also need an orange stick, small crochet hook or a very dull pencil which you will use to get the stuffing in the corners for neat corners. While you are gathering these items, you may also want to get the trims you want to use for the finishing touches.
The secret to success at this point is patience! Stuff small bits at a time and pack it tightly but don't let it bulge. Once you are close to joining the three points into one, you will need to sew the three seams a little way, stuff a little, then sew a little more until you are at the very top of the three panels.
For this project, a quote I once read in a mechanic's shop is very fitting! "If you don't have time to do it right, what makes you think you will have time to do it over?" Stuff carefully. Believe me, you don't want to rip out side seams and re-pack.
6. Now, end off these three stitching fiber
tails.
Most of the time, you will need a loop of some sort to add finishing
touches like ribbons, a button, or to create a buttonhole. To do this,
have all three finishing fibers loose. Braid them to the length that
you need. Re-thread one fiber. Stitch down into the ornament and catch a
bit of the fabric. Unthread the needle. Tie all three fibers together.
Thread all three fibers (or do the tails one at a time) into a needle and
poke the needle right into the center of the point, exiting about an inch
away into one of the panels. Clip the ends close to the surface and they
will pop back inside the ornament. This loop
can be used to thread a hanger or to attach ribbons, etc.
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For the Holly Band Ornament, I made a loop at both the top and bottom of the ornament. At the top, I added a hanger. At the bottom, I threaded three lengths of deep red silk ribbon through the loop and tied each one in a bow, separately. |
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For the Folk Art Ornament, I used the tails to make a loop at the top only. I added a hanger thread and lengths of three colors of silk ribbon through the loop, tying each one in a bow, separately. At the bottom, I made one overhand knot with the three tails. |
| I tied regular knots for about a half inch -- very primitive. I then threaded the tails through the eyes of a star shaped button, then made another few knots, and added a second button. I added 3-5 buttons total. I made a final overhand knot then trimmed the tails about a half inch below the last button. | |
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