Hotpads:
1. use only things from my scrap bag - the stuff in my scrap bag is small pieces left from other projects
2. trim off as little as possible - very little waste
3. use upcycled things for filler - not going out to purchase special heat resistant batting
And I feel like a sculptor who says that she just chips out the figure that was already in the block of marble, that she didn't impose her will on the raw block. I like that new angle to my game: just releasing the patchwork pattern that was already there!
10 comments:
My admiration knows no bounds.
Hey! That pink and white stripe was a truly fabulous jumpsuit with a matching sash, circa 2nd grade.
Gorgeous!! You are an artist with those fabric scraps. I love it.
And a very sweet jumpsuit it was! My favorite pot holder filling is the edges of towels that are worn in the center. Too worn to keep, too good to throw away.
Sylvia, precisely. I get my towels from the thrift store. Or sometimes they are stained and no one wants them.
You're a real artist, Margo - they look nice.
It's funny - I was just looking at an oven mitt pattern yesterday - it mentioned heat resistant batting, and said it was important to use it with the regular cotton batting.
So, maybe it's not necessary?
Lisa, I have always used a few layers of towels and fabric. I use my hotpads for all my kitchen jobs (including hot cast iron) and have not had a problem unless they get wet and then they conduct heat! So no, in my experience, heat-resistant batting is not necessary. It's also not usually biodegradable or cheap :)
Your hotpads always remind me of Gee's Bend quilts, which I love! Your guidelines are inspiring. Do you make your own bias tape or simply bind them with strips of fabric? That's the part that confounds me.
Christian, I make the bias tape, but it's not technically bias tape because I don't cut it on the bias. I just cut strips. After a lot of trial and error and trying to use commercial bias tape, I make mine 2" wide. My little bias tape maker helps to put the creases in the right place when I iron - I posted on it here: http://thriftathome.blogspot.com/2010/12/stripey-bias-tape.html
You inspire me. I had a bunch of scraps I was contemplating throwing away. But I'm going to hold on to them now.
Oh - I just remembered that you had a question about my oranges. My friend scooped out some of the orange flesh --- just enough to make room to hold the greenery and berries.
I know this is an odd place to answer your question, but it just came to my mind.
Post a Comment