Project of the Day :: OK, ok?

Despite the fact it’s called Build A Bloom, I’ve yet to do anything of the sort with one of my favourite Banana Frog stamp sets. There is, however, a very good reason, and she’s called Orla Keily. Every time I clap eyes on the beautiful petal-shaped stamps, all my brain can do is think WWOD (What Would Orla Do?). And Orla, I am certain, would do stems. So, in the spirit of scratching a very persistent itch, here you go with a Banana Frog version of an all-time OK classic.

To recreate something similar, you’ll need a couple of ink pads, fabric, thread and the Build A Bloom stamp set.

:: Decide on where you want to position your stem, and draw a faint, vertical line in pencil.

:: Ink up one of the petal stamps (I went with the plain version, but the patterned ones would work, too) and press down firmly on to your fabric, lining up the point of the petal with the pencil line.

:: Re-ink the stamp and repeat, this time on the opposite side of the line so you have two petals facing each other.

:: Keep going, stamping from the top of the fabric down to avoid smudging as you work.

:: When you’re happy with the number of petals you’ve stamped, thread your needle – you can either stitch by hand or machine – and begin sewing around the outline of each pair.

:: Finish off by sewing an extra line (or two) of stitches down the centre to form the main part of your stem.

 

To make sure the idea worked in principal, I made a test piece on a scrap of linen fabric. Rather than throwing the sample away when it was finished, I mounted it onto a card blank and added a rub-on sentiment. If you’re a strictly paper kind of gal, you could easily adapt this idea to work directly on to card, outlining the stamped petals with either stitching or a fine marker pen.

 For me, though, the test piece was really just that – a precursor to the main event, a very Orla retro-style apron. 

I stamped and stitched around the petals, as described above, but rather than cutting and hemming a piece of material, used a plain fabric tablemat. I’ve had a set of these hanging around for ages, and this seemed like the perfect project to put them to use, adding just a strip of coordinating fabric to make the ties. They would, I think, work just as nicely stamped and used as tablemats, but I’m taking things one step at a time. Having a super-cool apron might tempt me into using the kitchen more often. Using the kitchen more often might mean my cooking skills improve. Improved cooking skills might mean my friends don’t balk at dinner invitations. And having friends over for dinner? Well, then I might dig out the stamps and make a truly fabulous set of table mats. It sounds to me just the sort of thing Orla might do.

Until next month, lovely Froglets.

Kirsty

 

Comments

[Natty]

Oooh the OK technique is one of my faves with Build a Bloom, but it looks amazing on fabric and especially on buff/kraft shades. I will have to crack out the VersaMagic and try some new colour combos. :o)

[Bev]

Love it! It reminds me of the card Nat made ages ago -but looks fantastic on fabric.

[Julie K]

Wonderfully wonderful! Just love the idea of stitching around a stamped design. Great project :)

[SarahLP]

Gorgeous ideas! Must try it out SOON!!

[Rachel Emilie Jackson]

This is SO gorgeous, well done!