Using up scraps, making more scraps and doing it improvisational, totally. No plan, no pattern, just pick a fabric and sew, find another, sew, keep going. Complex cloth is made by cutting up large pieces of fabric, cutting smaller pieces and then randomly sewing them back together into an unique assemblage of color and pattern. The reason for this controlled chaos?
Earlier this month the family increased by one with the arrival of Shani Ruby on March 7(grand-niece/nephew #5). While grandmothers get to make baby blankets, the grand-aunts can get away with baby bibs, or in my case Really Grand Bibs made of patchwork, piping, monograms and elaborate details that I would never get to put on my own garments.
These are one-of-a-kind creations you will not find in overpriced baby boutiques, nor are they imported from Asia.
The number of bibs varies because I usually decide to make two bibs, meaning four sides. But somehow the results are never complete until six or more sides have been created and I end up with more than two bibs. The intricate pieced sides are paired with either plain cloth, printed or embellished cloth for the second side. Do not ask which side is the front - both are equally usable, the user can choose.
Photo 1: Showing the Crazy Patch bib resulting from ‘go-for-it’ piecing.
The inspiration this week came from Bonnie K. Hunter, who spoke at Monday’s DOQ meeting.
Looking at her blog in quilt-land is pure joy. A recent resident to NC, Hunter will be back to the Triangle in July to teach three, fun workshops. I can’t wait.
Photo 2: For each child I do one bib with a monogram, here the S R are being transferred with fusible backing, traced in reverse and cut to fuse onto a plain cloth ground. Think her play dates will notice?
Photo 3: The yellow bib showing the SR fused in place and the print fabrics being auditioned for the second side.
Pink or Yellow rick-rack will edge the bib and a white, folded bias will bind the neck and extend into ties.
Cutting out the neck hole of each bib-side results in a bonus: a circle than can be made into a Yo-Yo for adorning one of the other bibs. This switch-about often works to extend the coloring across the set (if you can call this a set).
Photo 4: I’m still working on the next side. Stay tuned.
FAQ: How do I size the bibs you ask? Nothing terribly technical. Fold a piece of craft paper in half and measure about 9-11" marking the top and bottom. For the neck I use a tea cup and draw the half-circle just below the top. Proportion or curve to suit the eye and you have a pattern. Working on the fold assures that once open the pattern will be symmetrical. Depending on the gender of the user make it bold and masculine or bright and sassy for a girl. My express hope is every delicious bite will be more so Shani Ruby.
Some of you may be feasting on ham and chasing colored Easter eggs today. What do dear hubby and I do for Easter?
Dim Sum at the Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant in Durham (3003 Guess Rd, Durham, NC 27705, (919) 479-8339) with dear friends R+P. For the holiday weekend, the restaurant opened an hour early and by the usual opening time a long line of dim-sum-eaters were waiting for tables.
We prefer the Durham restaurant although there is a second Triangle dim sum eatery near the RTP but we have found it too hectic and erratic. Our custom of dim sum for Easter began when we lived in New York city and found the holiday restaurants impossible, except Chinatown where crowds are an every day occurrence. Having indulged in pork shu mi and bbq bao this morning, it’s fruit and yogurt for dinner tonight.
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