Australian Homespun — February 2018

and used a wide variety of decorative

machine stitches such as beads,

feather stitch, leafy patterns, cross

stitch and stars for the large leaves.

Pin tear-away stabiliser behind the

background fabric to help prevent

puckering. Start stitching the leaves

that are covered by others first and

sew the ones on top last.

13

Once all the large leaves and

stems are appliquéd, position

the multi-part leaves on the design

again and fuse them in place. Put

stabiliser behind the shapes on the

wrong side of the background fabric.

For these, Mandy used free-motion

stitching to attach them in various

ways: some are stitched around the

edges with sketchy zigzags to

suggest serrations, others have a vein

pattern, while others are outlined

with just a centre vein. The stems

are blanket stitched as before.

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Gently tear the stabiliser

away from behind the

background fabric.

CHAMELEON

15

Join the (22) 2 x 21in assorted

bright strips side by side with

(^11) ⁄ 4 in seams to make a large rectangular
strip set. Press the seams in one
direction gently.
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To form the diamond pattern,
crosscut the strip set into 2in
strips at a 45-degree angle, as shown
in Diagram 1.
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Put the fusible-web chameleon
shape glue side up on the
table. Arrange the diamond strips
over the shape at an angle, right side
facing up and turning them so the
seams are lying in opposite
directions. Mix the colours nicely
and align the seams, keeping in mind
that the patchwork will be quite a
bit smaller once the strips are joined
because of the fabric used in the
seams. You’re aiming to make an
irregular shaped piece of patchwork
the chameleon shape can be fused
to. Refer to Diagram 2.
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Beginning in the middle of
the shape, start joining the
diamond strips together as you had
them laid out – the ends will be
higgledy piggledy, but the seams
should match at the intersections.
Sew three or four strips together in
Small leaf appliqué detail the positions you had them.
Diagram 1
Diagram 2
MANDY’S
DECORATIVE
STITCH TIPS

• Use the right embroidery presser foot
  to ensure the fabric feeds correctly and
  sew at a slow-to-medium speed, not
  fast, so the stitches form properly. You
  might need to slightly loosen the top
  tension to prevent the bobbin thread
  from showing on the front. Sew with
  tear-away stabiliser behind the work
  to prevent the fabric from puckering.


• Because decorative stitches sew left,
  right, backwards and forwards, you
  need to look at the foot to see where
  they are going, not the needle. Keep
  the centre of the foot aligned along
  the edge of the appliqué shape.


• Watch how the stitches are formed,
  and you will notice that each stitch has
  a pivot point. This is a good time to
  stop with the needle down and realign
  the foot with the appliqué shape as
  needed, while still keeping the stitch
  design continuous.


• Even if your machine has a limited
  selection of stitches, they can be varied
  in size, combined to create diff erent
  looks or worked twice in mirror image
  (or by sewing clockwise and anticlockwise
  around the shape). Try satin stitch with
  a triple stitch outlining the edges or two
  rows of staggered serpentine stitch to
  form a rope eff ect for example.


• Make a sampler of your decorative
  stitches, adjusting the lengths and
  widths to your taste, before working
  on the actual wallhanging. Experiment
  with diff erent settings, and have fun.

82 Homespun

HSP1902_p076-084_Colour, Colour Chameleon PROJECT.indd 82 12/11/2017 12:17:22 PM