Thursday, April 9, 2015

Wild Orange Keeper

I have to keep some info with me at all times and it has been cluttering up my little purse.  I don't need it that close, just within access if needed on the spot.  I decided it was time to make a "Keeper" for this info.
I have been looking at my scrap boxes and wondering why I don't throw them out.  To me scraps are small pieces and strips of fabric.  I've been wanting to make new yardage with them, but then think, what then?  So they sit.  Now I've thought of a "what then" project.

My Wild Orange Keeper

From Instagram I've already had a request to share my process in its making, so here is how it came about...
I got out my orange scrap box and also my box of previously fused graphic bits that have been rejected for use for one reason or another.  At this point I am totally excited to be using some of both!
Some of the graphic pieces are from Lisa'a Altered Art and many are printed on Magic Fabic
I got out my scraps of batting.  Decided on a finished size for my keeper.  I wanted to be able to tuck in a quarter folded sheet of paper plus a bit more.  Then I cut off the flap corners.
I decided on a lining fabric and cut it to size.

Next I pulled scraps of orange then went looking for a couple of pieces of black for pop and layed them on top of the batting.  And then chose a few previously fused graphic pieces to add interest.  At this point you have to be mindful that the graphic pieces will all be right side up when the Keeper is sewn together.  So you'll notice that my flower and group of girls photo in the center section are upside down.


I removed my "shaped" graphic pieces to add on "after" my wild orange base is quilted.  Everything got quilted as raw edge applique...so-to-speak.

I mostly just pressed the whole thing with my iron before sewing the pieces down.  I did however, glue stick lightly a few key pieces that would hold the surrounding pieces in place. 




After the base quilting, I fused on the shaped graphics and appliqued them in place.


**What do you know, I actually fused the pieces going in the right direction.** 

Next I got my binding ready and stitched it across the bottom that gets folded up.


Looky there.  When I stitched the quilting, I should have used a yellow bobbin thread.  Ah well, it adds some interest...I suppose.

Next I stitched the binding to the sides and top. 


I was being hap-hazard and it looks horrid.  But I still shrugged my shoulders.  

I intended to sew on velcro.  But I forgot to do that before stitching the binding to the sides.  So I added a large snap instead.

The backside.

Look at this mess.  It's so crooked (but I managed to take a photo where you couldn't really tell how crooked it looks) and the binding just looks horrid!

I LOVE how the fabric scraps and graphics all turned out.  But I couldn't live with the mess I made.  I had to fix it.  I took the binding off, straightened the base piece, then used a narrower binding AND now I can live with it.  :-)

I liked the way my binding dots landed the first time around better.  But at least now I have a Keeper that I love looking at and it doesn't send my mind reeling about bad binding and crooked-ness.


I'm a happy camper with a right side up flower on the backside.  This was quick and fun to make.  Just the right distraction I needed from my current project.
Wishing you a wild orange kind of happy day!
xxx
Annie

26 comments:

Turid said...

I love it! This I have to try, the sooner the better. I've made fabric like that myself, but that's long ago. I used it for postcards. I love the way you tell this story too.

Daryl @ Patchouli Moon Studio said...

I love your orange keeper Annie! Just my kind of project too. But you are too hard on yourself about the binding. I wouldn't have seen it at all, but if it bothered you then you are the one that needed to make it right. It's so bright and cheery in the orange and whatever you keep inside will be easy to find now in the orange keeper. I love that little bunting you added too.
Great project for scraps.

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

Wow,this is such a stunner Annie....wish I lived near you so I could steal it off you ha ha
You do make such lovely things with your sewing machine,oh and thanks for the sewing tips too....I have now appointed you my sewing guru ;)
Extra big hugs
Donna xxx

Karen said...

Are you really going to put an orange in this envelope?
It is so colorful, that perhaps the stains won't show.
Thanks for being inspiring!

carol said...

I think it's awesome and I bet we'll be seeing more of them from you now. Personally, I'm looking forward to it!

Marei said...

I do a lot of 'made fabric' but I've never thought to do it QAYG so this was an Ah-Ha moment for me. So now I'm stealing your idea because you know how I am. :) I think your curved flap worked out very nicely.

sheila 77 said...

Oh, your scraps of orange fabric, love them. I now know where I've been going wrong with my small scraps, I don't sort the box by colour, so it always looks like a muddled mess.
Love the pink flower and the tiny bunting in the fifth photo, look at the teensie weensie petals! and I also love the small picture squares in the second photo - are these printed on magic fabric? I have to get some of that. I like the strips of lime green too.
Great result, a very happy pouch to keep your wild oranges in, what a superb idea.

Anonymous said...

Love it!! I might even give that a try. I'm not good at random scrappy!!

Createology said...

I love your Wild Orange Keeper the instant I saw the photo. How fun to just randomly place bits and pieces and then form them into such a wonderful practical project. What other color boxes do you have??? You are looking aren't you?!! Creative Wild Orange Bliss...

West Michigan Quilter said...

I love it. Orange is my favorite color. Thanks for the tute. I'm going to try it, but i know it won't be nearly as stunning as yours with your artist's eye. It is perfect,

Sheila said...

I love it , very colourful and fun !

Ruth said...

Oh my goodness! I love it, you certainly have a way of combining elements to make something wonderful.

Aliceart said...

I love, love this wonderful little piece of art! That it's practical is that much more fun, but it is entirely successful as a visual piece. I actually like the way the dots landed the second time better: I see the wavy lines, and thought at first it was rick rack. Great piece!

Snoodles said...

Wow! Your wild orange is inspiring...and all from scraps and stuff. Awesome!

Tera Callihan said...

This is so awesome! So much amazing detail in this keeper!

Tera Callihan said...

This is so awesome! So much amazing detail in this keeper!

johanna said...

this is adorable! and thanks so much for showing the steps!

Ann said...

Delightful! Thanks for showing all your steps.

Ann said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
https://linsartyblobs.blogspot.com said...

This is a great use for your lovely scraps.

tink's mom said...

WOW, wonderful use of scraps. The flower and spiral are perfect accents. I like the stitching showing on the interior, character.

Carol Swift said...

That orange little keeper is adorable, beautiful, and cute, cute, cute! Thanks for showing how you do it (you wow'd me.)

Carla said...

Love it. It's sew bright and cheery.
Sew creative

Evergreen Mo said...

This is so colourful and very inventive. thank you for showing the steps taken The tiny bunting was a great touch,

Renee said...

I am so NOT a perfectionist! I could not see what was bothering your eye. This project turned out so cute and practical. I like that little swirl you have going on in the deep red tone. Such an amazing small project!

Sandy said...

You are truly clever Annie - this looks fantastic and so much fun even though I know I could never make one in a million years!!!
Sandy xx