2019-09-01 Do It Yourself

46 DO IT YOURSELF Winter 2020

MATERIALS

• Driftwood (or tree branch)


• Garden snips or handsaw


• Chipboard


• Stretch velvet


• Hot-glue gun and glue sticks


• Batting


• Needle and matching thread

Step 1 For a stem, cut a 2–3-inch length

from driftwood. From chipboard, cut

a circle to a size proportionate to the

stem. From velvet, cut a circle about

twice as large in diameter than the

chipboard circle.

Step 2 Using hot glue, adhere the stem

to the center of the chipboard circle (A).

On the opposite side of the chipboard,

glue a ball of batting at the center (B).

Step 3 Stitch a continuous running stitch

around the perimeter of the velvet circle

about ¼ inch from the edge (C). Lay

the velvet circle over the batting and

chipboard and draw the thread tight on

the underside. Pull taut around the stem

and tie a knot to secure (D).

DECORATIVE MUSHROOMS

MAKE IT

A B C D

WORKING WITH VELVET

To make velvet projects fuss-free, follow these tried-and-true tips.

PILE 101 Because velvet

pile shifts, mark and

cut from the back of

the fabric to ensure

accuracy. Notice the

direction of the pile

before you cut. The

fabric will appear darker

if it is cut with pile

running up than if cut

running down (which

makes it smooth and

shiny). Be consistent with

the direction of the pile

unless changing it is part

of your desired design.

If the pile gets crushed,

hang the fabric and

steam a few inches from

the back of the velvet

while using a soft, clean

toothbrush to brush the

pile softly back in place.

SNIP, SNIP Use sharp

scissors and cut pieces

in a single layer. For

increased accuracy, use

a sharp rotary cutter and

a straightedge.

PIN IT Select fi ne straight

pins to hold pieces

together, testing pins

fi rst to make sure holes

aren’t visible when

removed. Hand-basting

instead of pinning may

be worth the extra time.

Consider using a walking

foot on your sewing

machine to help feed the

fabric through smoothly

when sewing thick layers

or stretch fabric.

GET STEAMY Do not

iron velvet or you will

crush the pile, unless

it’s intentional as with

the stamped design on

page 48. If you need

to remove wrinkles,

place velvet facedown

on a terry cloth towel

or needle board and

carefully steam a few

inches above the back of

the fabric, moving in the

direction of the pile.

VE

LV

ET

IM

AG

E^

SO

Z

O

N

/

S

H

U

T

TE

R

ST

O

C

K^