Author Archives: brigitdermott

Josef Albers

Posted in Sewing, Stuff to make, Things to see by

Josef Albers seems to be having a moment. I am seeing his lovely squares all over the place, and I think they would make a great quilt pattern. So easy! So colorful! Before I left New York, I stocked up on some Kona cotton in primary hues with this quilt in mind. A quilt like this would be perfect for snuggling up in a hammock in the late fall when it gets chilly (it really does get chilly in north Florida!). I still need to get the hammock, but we do have the trees, so that’s a start. Or for picnics on the beach? Or a quilt for our guest room? And which colors? They are all so appealing, but I really like the orange and gray. What about you?

Freezer paper stencils, part III

Posted in Fabric printing, Kids, Stuff to make by

Finally (!) a birthday party that was an unqualified success. First, half an hour of trying to float Polly Pockets with balloons, which is apparently hilarious if you are eight. Yes, they will sail up to the ceiling! Then, a busy hour of making freezer paper stencil t-shirts, topped off with chocolate cake.

The stenciling was the perfect level of difficulty for four crafty eight-year-old girls. We used stencils from some of those little Dover books to make patterns, except for my daughter who wanted to stencil a Union Jack, figures. The girls traced their patterns on the paper, and I cut them out–OK that was a little frantic–and ironed the paper to the shirts. Then, the girls painted using sponge brushes. It took a little convincing for some that it wasn’t necessary to paint inside the lines, but once they got going they were great.

A few hints in case you want to try this activity. Put a layer of paper, wax or freezer, between the layers of fabric. Some paint soaked through to the back of my daughter’s t-shirt. (She was more than happy to apply paint liberally…) Get started early, because the paint takes some time to dry. Iron on the reverse side of the fabric for 30 seconds. I’m not sure why the reverse side, but the Union Jack has stayed bright and cheerful through several washes.

All the girls were so pleased with their shirts, and it was really nice to send them home with something useful and substantial. A reprieve from goody bags!

Yay!

Posted in Stuff to make by

I solved my camera issues–sadly, with help from my mother! So, very quickly here are some things I’ve made since we got our beautiful new mac. Which now works beautifully.

Easter dress, using Oliver and S ice-cream dress pattern… And the finished play mat, front and back.

Auction quilt

Posted in Kids, Sewing, Stuff to make by

Because I have passed on attending my daughter’s school auction four years in a row, I donated a handmade baby quilt made-to-order, to assuage my guilt. It has been really interesting making something to another person’s taste. Teal, gray, and black? Really? I tried for some red, some orange, some yellow, but the quilt recipient knows what she wants. So, here is a bad picture of the quilt top, before sewing it up. It’s much more traditional than something I would usually make, but have to say I’m pretty pleased. It looks so quilty!

The pattern is adapted from Quilting for Peace. I love this book, and the principle behind it. This is as close as I’ve come to a charity quilt, but I’m inspired!