Fall Applique Owl

November 2019
Sheree McKee
SewFabSew.blogspot.com


A lot of folks are Owl lovers.  I admit, I'm fond of them when I spot one high in a tree!  These afficiondos might even collect Owl themed bric-brac or accessories around their home. If you know an Owl lover - Here's a free Owl appliqué pattern I found on a quilting blog, and it's not complicated at all. 

(do not use this image, not proper size)

It is called the Ruffled Feathers Owl located at SewCanShe.com, designed by Caroline Critchfield. The pattern can be downloaded for free at the new Bluprint.com site (formerly Craftsy.com).  Find instructions and pattern in this link: 

https://shop.mybluprint.com/sewing/patterns/ruffled-feathers-owl-free-applique-/217549

A nice thing about stitching appliqué fabric postcards, is that you are not required to stitch down every raw edge of an appliqué pattern.  Because a postcard doesn't get wear-and-tear like a pillow or quilt would, just make sure you have a durable fusible web to adhere each pattern piece down.

1. Read ahead and study Carolines construction methods.  She wrote a very thorough and helpful tutorial.

My changes:

2. Reduce pattern size:  I printed out the small Owl, then reduced page by 20% in my scanner/printer to better fit onto a 6" tall fabric postcard.  

3. The small pattern pieces were perfect for using up my scraps of fabrics which already had fusible webbing on their reverse side. I always keep a big stash of fused scraps from past postcard projects. Wing feathers can be made in one color, or use a random mix.

4. While Caroline used 5-6 feathers to create her wings.  I was satisfied with using four feathers per wing.  Be creative!

5. A small button was machine stitched over center of each eye.

6. I was happy to find a stabilized and fused piece of gold lame in my stash, and used it for the beaks and talons.

7. The only pieces I appliquéd around, were three wing feathers and the head/ears.

8. Lastly, I think a small feather glued onto the head, is a nice touch!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

You might like this previous blog of mine:

Confetti Turkey

My previously mentioned PostCardMailArt Swap Group has moved away from Yahoo Groups.  I've been a member for nearly 10 years.  It is moderated by Sue Balchak of California.  Below is information on the newly reformed group:  Join us if you are interested in being active in swapping!

 PostCardMailArt@groups.io group at Groups.io 

a free, easy-to-use email group service.

List at https://groups.io/g/PostCardMailArt

Sew Fabric Postcards for St. Patricks Day 2019

St. Pats Fabric Postcard Swap

March 2019
Sheree McKee
sewfabsew.blogspot.com

Just sharing some of this years swap postcards:

Sheree to Lorna:
Although background is a hand-dyed mottled fabric, I think
it ended up pretty lackluster.  Therefore, each PC made after
this one, uses a different variation of backgrounds. I used a
scarf to make the dimensional shamrock flower to keep it airy.

Sheree to Meloney:
I found a green upholstery fabric that I really liked, but
only had a scrap big enough for one postcard. A metal
holiday pin-on button is pinned over center of shamrock.

Sheree to Gaby:
I like this brighter background.  The decorative scallop
stitching shows up really good along the edges.  Due to the thickness,
these postcards were mailed in envelopes with extra postage.

To make the dimensional shamrock, cut a 6" circle from a
light weight scarf or fabric.  Baste outer edge with medium
length stitches, and draw together at center and secure.
But not too tight, leave a small opening. Your 6" circle is now reduced in half.
Just like a giant fabric Yo-Yo.
Visually divide your yo-yo into thirds, and use a running stitch
toward outer edge and back again to center.
Draw up slightly to form three petals.
Because you have a raw center, cover it with a pin-on holiday
button or sew a large sized button over the raw center.

Lorna in North Carolina- to Sheree:
Lorna created a shaker card.  A thin layer of netting holds four sparkly
shamrocks beneath the surface.  Such a cute fabric motif... with these
little leprechauns!

Nancie in Texas - to Sheree:
This tiny pieced "quilt block" is so neat and precise.  Nancie is
an experienced quilter.  She sprinkled and stitched an overlay of five
tiny fabric shamrocks which look like a little Leprechaun walked
over top of the quilt.

Meloney in Texas - to Sheree
Crazy quilt style with a variety of fabrics.  Meloney was
practicing the decorative stitches that came on her new
sewing machine.  Below is the address side, where
Meloney has machine embroidered Postcard and a faux stamp!

Sheree to Nancie:
Pieced fabrics with an appliqué felt shamrock, and
three metal brads for some shine!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  ~ ~ ~

You might also like this past post:

2015 Irish Postcards

Winter Theme Postcard Swap

January 2019
Sheree McKee

SewFabSew.blogspot.com

This swap with three other gals, was for an "Anything Winter" theme.  

I like landscapes, so here's some quick and basic instructions.

It's also easy to create two fabric postcards at a time.  

Begin with a 5" x 13" strip of SKY FABRIC and FUSIBLE STABILIZER - fuse together

Overlay a SNOW FABRIC with some hills and valleys - then fuse to SKY

This is a close up of the 5"x13' panel.

Machine stitch both the sky and the snow.  I used metallic thread on the snow.

If you use a white bobbin, the stitching is less likely to show through the final backing.

Layer some motifs like felt snowbanks, and some tree shapes or even animals (with fusible web on the backs ahead of time)

Outline stitch the snowbanks then decorative stitch the trees

It's time to trim with a rotary cutter, and create two 6" x 4 1/8" (regulation size) postcard shapes.

These metal stars are paper brads.  

Poke a large needle hole then push the brad prongs through and spread the prongs.  

But keep them away from postcard edge so your sewing machine foot will clear the metal stars when overcasting or binding your perimeter edges.

Finally, you will fuse a backing fabric on reverse side. 

This layer covers over your motif outline stitching and brads.

Keep it light in color, because you will address and write on this backing.

Complete outer edges as desired.

I had some felt Bucks and Bears in my stash of embellishments.  
They were glued on with Aleene's Tacky Glue as a final step.