Goodness Me......It's Wednesday already? How can that be?I just finished the curtains for the bedroom.
....YIPPPEEE...
I'm so happy to be making some progress in the prep department.
I don't know if I made this system up, or if it's another of those things that I have actually seen and forgotten, but since scallops can be tricky, I'm passing these tips along to you.
It will make scallops sooooo simple........and the best part?
PERFECT!
We like that.
Determine how wide you want your curtain (or whatever) to be....and how long.I cut my patterns from freezer paper. (You'll find it under the zip lock bags in the grocery store).
Easily accessible and easy to use too.
I know I've mentioned MANY times before.... I HATE math. I can spend hours trying to figure out how large the scallops need to be and still not end up with something that I like.
I simply fold that darn 'ol freezer paper into halves....halves again....and again....until I get to a size that I like. Now, how simple was that? One minute vs: hours. I like that!
Draw a line across the bottom area of the paper to use as your guide.
Find something around your house that will fit perfectly between those folded lines. Ahhhh....come on........you'd need to do this EVEN if you spent hours doing the math. (It took me a LONG time to find something that would work). Maybe you could use a compass...I don't even have one. :-)
Put a piece of tape on each side of your plate or pot so that each scallop will end up in the exact same place.....it's a guide for you. You'll love that part. :-)
Don't forget to add a little seam allowance on the side.....if you don't the last scallop on each side will be funky. YIKES!
You can use a marker that erases with water, but frankly, I'm not too hot on those, so I use a good old fashioned pencil. It will wash out and doesn't show anyway.Draw around each scallop.
Ok....here it comes!The best part!
You're not going to cut on that little line.....you're going to SEW on that line. Isn't that fabulous?
Ok....go stitch. I set my machine so the needle will always stop in the down position. It makes it so much easier to pivot when you get to that inner corner.
Perfectly perfect...
The pencil line is easy to see and you know you're right on target.
Right about now, you're going to be smackin' yourself in the head and saying, why didn't I think of that?
***Once again.....Tightwad Tillie whipped out the all cotton, thrifted sheets for the lining.....love that fabric.......and it's nice and wide so.....NO SEAMS! We like that***
Now, you'll clip around the scallops about 1/4" from the sewn/pencil line for your seam allowance.Clever shot, don'tcha think.....those little scissors are an arrow.. :-)
Put a tiny little dot of Fray Check in each and every little inner point.
You MUST use a fray stop product.....PROMISE....you'll be sorry if you don't.
Wait for it to dry....no worries....it will dry totally clear.
And, this is why! You'll be clipping that little inner curve right up to the stitching....And, I do mean right up to it... That's what's going to make a really PURDY scallop.
Turn your fabric right side out.I used this little gizmo....you can use whatever you might have around that is flat.....You will sort of "press" it from the inside.....just run your little tool around the seam to "pre-press" it and so it will be perfectly smooth........
And, then, my best sewing tip....PRESS, PRESS, PRESS.........Sometimes it's really cute to have a Shabby Chic look that's sort of wrinkly and crinkly, but you MUST press it first....then throw in the wash for that crunchy look if you like. Otherwise your scallops will just look sloppy.
Not good. :-(
There you go!A lovely little scallop.
Easy Peasy.
I attached these to the tops of my curtains.....but wouldn't it make a reallllly cute little bedskirt?
Hmmmm......wish I'd have thought of that sooner. My bedskirt is little ruffles.
Ok, my dear and wonderful girlie friends.
I'm off to do some sewing and spray painting today...
And, go with the Hubbs to get some new glasses. He stepped on his yesterday.
Nuts.
Huggies to you!
Love you all soooooooooo much.
xoxoxoxox
Spencer
