Use It Up

 

 I have assembled photos here for a presentation to the Pomegranate Guild of Judaic Textiles, Toronto.

This is a bin with cut off batting which I have cut off during my approximately twenty years of quilting.  I had planned to make even sized strips and reuse as batting for other quilts.  Unfortunately, I did not mark the batting to show its type or make (e.g. Warm and Natural 20/80).  As different batts shrink at different rates, it is not a good idea to join different batts in one quilt.  So I kept them for "eventual" art quilts which shouldn't be washed so the problem of shrinkage is moot.

When I started quilting with neckties, I was gifted a large quantity of neckties which had already been taken apart and they were sitting in this bin.

 

In honour of my 75th birthday, I decided to embark on year-long project turning the batting and necktie remains into these 9" inch ish (closer to 8 3/4") squares.  The center is white ish and will later be embellished, collaged, etc.

 

I started by taking the batting strips and cutting them into 11"ish strips, then straigtening the edges so the widths were even.  So were 6" wide, some were 1 1/2" wide.  I zigzagged them together and ended up with close to 75 11" ish squares.  I did not have enough batting but I had white felt from Faigie's z"l detritus and cut up some squares from that.

The pile ready to start quilting.

I had purchased a few years back a roll of fusible lighweight interfacing specifically for use with lightweight fabrics such as the silk neckties.  The neckties are cut on the bias and tend to stretch.  The interfacing prevents the fabric from stretching but does not particularly change the hand of the fabric.

I cut the fabric into 2 1/2" strips the width of the interfacing.  I needed two strips for each necktie but found it easier to cut four strips at a time.

I then chose the necktie and ironed the interfacing onto the back of the necktie.  In some ties, the back and front are the same so it doesn't matter which side you iron onto.  In some, however, there is a difference in the pattern and colours so check carefully before ironing. (I some,  preferred the back rather than the front side).

Also - very important.  The interfacing has one side with glue on it.  It is barely discernable in this photo but it has a little sparkle.  Make sure the glue side is down on the fabric when you iron.  Otherwise the glue will stick to your iron and make a mess!  BTW, if your iron gets glue on it, iron over a dryer sheet a few times and the glue will come off.

Here are strips ironed onto the fabric.

 

I cut off the excess necktie and threw it back in the bin.  And below are two samples of the difference between the front and back of the

 

Now to assembel the block.  Trim off the fabric not covered by the interfacing and set aside.  I can be used to die silk to make silk scarves or challah covers.

 

You now have 2 15" strips.  Cut each strip so that you have one 5" and one 10" strip.

Take a 5" square of white-ish fabric and place it in the middle of the batting square.  I chose white because I wanted to use up some of white wedding fabrics and fabric samples I was gifted by the neighour (upholstery and drapes).  

Take the two 5" lengths of the necktie cutting and place on the left and right of the white fabric.  Sew a 1/4" seam.  Then do a 45 degree turn of the batting piece and sew the 10" lengths on the opposite side of the white square.

 

When you iron it open you should have something like this which can then be trimmed down. 

And this is the block ready for embroidery, embellishment, collage, etc.  Once the block is finished, a backing can be attached, envelope style so you don't have to worry about binding.  And you can incorporate triangle hanging corners when you sew the envelope.  If you need clarification or help, ask me.

 

BTW, it took me less than 15 minutes to trim the centre square (because it is transparent, I put interfacing on it), trim the necktie strips, cut them to length, assemble and sew the tie sides, and trim the piece to 8 3/4".  

 

And I have enough ties and Faigie's felt and white fabric but if anyone wants to join me on this journey, please let me know.