-->
DISCLOSURE: This blog contains Google Adsense ads and affiliate links to Creativebug via which potential commissions are earned when visitors click through.

Search This Blog > > >

Saturday 17 December 2022

A Snowflake Project [Pt 2]

Snowflake window hanging by eSheep Designs
A snowflake project almost finished...
Since first making a hanging Christmas tree to display in our front window several years ago, I've liked the idea of having something seasonal to hang there throughout the year.

My fabric kite had been in that place of honour since March. To mark our typical long winters, I decided to make a snowflake to replace the mitten that I made last year.

A couple of weeks ago, I introduced this project by cutting a large snowflake out of Decor Bond interfacing. It was then fused onto a fabric hexagon backed with fusible fleece. (For those of you not interested in a window hanging, this idea can also be used as a table topper.)

At the close of my last post, I was about to consider how to quilt the piece.




After some thought, I decided to quilt lines on the diagonal, about 1.5" apart. I didn't want to draw attention to the lines on the snowflake itself, so I went with white thread.

Snowflake window hanging by eSheep Designs
Machine and hand quilted...

I hand quilted various areas with blue thread next, before sewing around the general outline of the snowflake using dark blue thread.

[Ended up pricking my index finger at one point during the hand quilting — severely enough that I had to stop to ensure that blood wouldn't get on my snowflake! Severely enough that a couple of days later, I could still feel the spot on my finger.]

Snowflake window hanging by eSheep Designs
Further embellished...

The dark blue thread was also used to add some six-pointed stars in the centre, around a large one done with variegated embroidery floss. Leftover adhesive "jewels" add just the right bit of shine and colour to this (exterior facing) side.

If you've ever cut a snowflake shape out of a folded piece of paper, you already know that a lot of the paper — over half of it in some cases — is discarded. Since I cut this snowflake out of expensive interfacing, I had plans for as many of the remnants to be used on the reverse side of this thing.

Snowflake window hanging by eSheep Designs
A different sort of snowflake pattern composed of interfacing remnants...

The background of the other side is pieced from two selections of the same fabric in two shades of gray for a muted look.


Watch live classes for FREE at CreativeLive! Sign Up at CreativeLive
[affiliate link]


I started with the big pieces of interfacing to build a different looking snowflake and eventually added some of the smaller remnants to fill in the empty spaces.

Snowflake window hanging by eSheep Designs
Fused...

Having once again confirmed that I don't really enjoy the whole painstaking process of quilting lines on something, I decided to keep it simple for this side. I did some hand quilting with black thread and then used the sewing machine to stitch around the outline of the main pattern using gray thread.

Snowflake window hanging by eSheep Designs
Arguably simpler quilting choices on this side...

Simple yes, but going around the outline wasn't easy, given repetitive curvy, pointy sections to navigate. Going slowly and guiding the material by holding it with both hands — almost in a free motion quilting style — ended up working well for me.

Snowflake window hanging by eSheep Designs
Closer view...

No further embellishments on this side, but one idea that I considered was to use buttons to add some interest; I may still do that. (Rivets would have been another idea, before the two sides were joined together, of course.)


Check out 2 MONTHS of FREE crafty classes at Creativebug!
[affiliate link]


When I cut the fusible fleece for these two pieces of fabric, it was in a size that left a generous border of fabric around it... about 3/4". This was to facilitate finishing off the edges; I didn't want to bind them, nor did I want to do the sew together and turn right side out thing. (Decor Bond doesn't react well to being turned at the best of times and with it being the focal point of this project, I didn't want to chance it getting wrinkled beyond repair.)

Snowflake window hanging by eSheep Designs
Finishing the edges...

With a decent amount of fabric to work with, I was able to fold and press a matching hem on both sides, which were then sewn together.

I had some gimp in my collection — from the tags of a clothing brand that hubby likes — that was perfect to use for hanging this; the ends were sewn between the two layers.

Snowflake window hanging by eSheep Designs
Finished main side...

For someone who doesn't have a large fabric stash, this particular selection from Lily and Loom was the perfect choice for the project. It features what could be interpreted as little white snowflakes on a blue background, evoking the best feelings about winter: white snow, blue sky and (implied) sunshine.

Snowflake window hanging by eSheep Designs
Finished "back" side...

It's arguably cheerier than the reverse side shown above. The gray half reminds me of February, when winter usually wears out its welcome — if it's ever truly welcome — and we're all ready for it to be gone.

Maybe come February, I'll hang it this side out.

'Til next...

1 comment:

  1. Pretty!! You sure put a lot of work into this. Great use of all the snowflake parts on the reverse side too. I also like the mitten you made. I must have missed it last year.
    Kathleen - kakingsbury at verizon dot net

    ReplyDelete

You have the power to brighten my day. Leave me a comment; I'd love to hear your thoughts... you can even remain ANONYMOUS! And rest assured that I acknowledge all comments, either here or via email. (That is, if you don't see a response from me here, I would have responded privately to the person.) Spam or generic comments with unrelated links, however, are promptly removed... and I may take appropriate action or report you to Google. Thanks for reading! (✿◠‿◠)