Thursday 22 January 2009

Heavy metal Giveaway!

There were a couple of questions after my last post, about stitching on metal, which I thought I would answer here (probably about as close to a tutorial as I'm ever likely to come!) Stitching on metal is pretty much the same as stitching on fabric, as long it is soft and pliable enough for a needle to pass through. You can buy special packs of metal shim which come in in different types such as copper, brass and pewter but to start with you can just as easily use an empty tomato puree tube - preferably washed! Although the tubes are coated aluminium the inside is brass coloured.


I use a no. 90/14 universal needle and although you can use a smaller needle it is more likely to break. You can use any thread - for the cuff I used a metallic thread but here I am using rayon. The most important thing is to use a fairly thick backing fabric - such as pelmet vilene or felt. This is important because as the needle pierces the metal it leaves sharp edges which would shred the thread and possibly scratch your machine, but by backing it with a thick fabric the sharp edges become embedded in the fabric.

The machine is then set up for free machining - feed dogs lowered, embroidery foot on and top tension slightly reduced.. and away you go and start stitching your design.

Finish off with some beads, satin stitch it onto a firm backing, add a brooch back... and there it is... tomato puree jewellery!


In class on Tuesday, the ladies started some samples of stitching on metal but will be finishing them next week so you'll have to wait to see the results but I can show you what they finished from the week before which was stitching with foils with excellent results.


I will be demonstrating these techniques among many others this Saturday at a special open day at "Art and Stitch" which is Angela's needlework and craft shop in Peterborough. If you are in the area please come and say hello. And talking of Angela, look at the lovely things I won in her giveaway... this fabulous Oliver Twist inspiration pack...

And chocolate!
Thank you Angela.


On the subject of giveaways... I totally missed my 250th blog post so instead I'll have a 253rd blog post giveaway. If you would like to win the little turquoise tomato puree brooch... leave me a comment by Sunday evening and I'll pick out a name.

34 comments:

  1. Love the turquoise! I do similar stitching but I use alluminium drinks cans rather than puree tubes as I like the different colours annealing causes. Please add me to the draw as I would love this piece of work and congrats on so many wonderful blogs!!

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  2. Hi Gina the work with the foils is amazing, you must be proud of them. So wish I could pop in on Saturday ~ bit too far! Ive not sewn with metal for ages and your little tomato puree brooch is lovely ~ I might have a go next week when I get my humongus piece Im working on painted!!! Would love to be included for the draw ~ please, bye for now ~ Judy xx

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  3. Wow!! So impressive. I love the fact that no-one would ever guess the puree tube secret (it's too beautiful), and it's good for the environment too!
    Oh, to still be in Hitchin or Kimbolton...then we could catch up again!
    Perhaps I could still be added to the draw? I'm going back for another read now. xx

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  4. That is one beautiful brooch (and tutorial). Congratulations on your 253rd post Gina. Please don't enter my name in the giveaway - I won your last one, and have ongoing giveaway guilt at having won 3 in one week in December! x

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  5. Great tutorial. Never have sewn on metal. Would love to win brooch so I could see it in person.

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  6. The creativity of crafters never ceases to amaze me, the brooch is lovely but so much more so because of its origins. I just go out and buy wool and knit, I need to try harder.

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  7. Thanks for the tutorial Gina - this just has to go onto my 'Need to try that' list!!

    I love the brooch and, unlike Kitty, I'm totally shameless and would love a chance to win it!

    Good luck for the weekend and congratulations on so many wonderful posts. Here's to the next 253 and to more lovely bloggy meet-ups :-)

    xxx

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  8. Hmm I think that I have a tomato puree tube in the fridge, pasta for tea everyone? Please enter mefor the draw as I would love to come to Peterborough but it is a bit far. Wish I knew of you when I lived in Burwell. Never mind.
    xx

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  9. Thanks so much Gina.
    I must have ago too.
    I do wish I was closer as I would be at your demonstration like a shot!
    Please include me in your draw.x

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  10. Turquoise is my favourite colour, and I try to recycle as much as I can, so I would be so happy and proud to have this brooch to wear.

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  11. You've made the stitching on metal look easy so I must have a go, even got some tomato puree tube ready and washed somewhere! The brooch looks lovely!

    The foiling looks excellent. Your ladies are very talented. And what a wonderful giveaway that you won yourself.

    Congratulations on your 253rd post. I'd definitely love to go in your draw :o) Hope to see you Saturday.

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  12. Congratulations
    please include me in your lovely giveaway, Thanks for the tuturial

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  13. wow! that's amazing... i must try that with my next empty tube.. x

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  14. I would love a tomato puree tin brooch. The foils class work is wonderful - you must be pleased with your students and they must be pleased with their tutor. Those gorgeous colours in the Oliver Twist pack - oooh! Looking forward to your future posts. I should be getting on with my own work, not looking at other people's all the time, but it is so addictive.

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  15. Oh, yes please count me in! I need some old kitchen stuff jewellery!! It's so lovely and people won't believe it used to house tomato loveliness!!

    Thanks for the pointers too, may be trying that out myself (after making pizza and tomato soup and stuff.....

    xxx

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  16. OOHH yes please!
    Pretty brooch.

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  17. Lovely brooch and a nicely written tutorial. I think I will have to have a go at that. Do I have to do my homework?
    Your Tuesday ladies are very talented, I'm looking forward to your next post about their craftiness.
    Please enter me into your giveaway.

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  18. OOh, great tutorial, I might be brave enough to try that for myself. (I spent this evening at a textiles class where I used an embellisher for the first time ever). Am I right in thinking that you could heat the tomato puree tube to get the metal to change colour a bit?

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  19. ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


    Pretty please ME!!!!!!

    That brooch is gorgeous and I'm very excited at the thought of being able to try stitching on metal myself although I have to admit to being rather scared too!

    Thanks for telling us how to do it! Lucy xxx

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  20. Wow. That is so effective and looks great. Thank you for explaining it.

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  21. That is truly beautiful. How very clever of you.

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  22. congratulations on your 253 post, I'd never thought of stitching with metal before. Your flower is beautiful - so clever too. i'd love to be in the draw for your tomato puree pouch. jane x

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  23. Many thanks for the tutorial,I'm off to squeeze some tubes.
    I do wish I lived nearer to all the places you tell us about,so I could get to a workshop or exhibition.

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  24. The brooch is lovely. Thanks for sharing your process and congrats on the postings. Please include me in the draw.

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  25. Oh, you naughty person - as if I need another obsession!!!

    Wonder if the kids will mind have tomato puree sandwiches for lunch ...

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  26. That is amazing - I never even knew you could stitch on metal that way - how beautiful! I don't think I'm brave enough to try it - I've rarely used a sewing machine - but one day maybe, you've inspired me!

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  27. Many congrats on your 253rd (and 254th) post!

    Your metal pieces look stunning Gina, please add me to the growing list of people who would love to own one!

    :)

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  28. I love the broach and would be so happy to win it. I have recently started to some stitching with metal and love the look on peoples faces when you say it WAS a tomato purree tube! Congratulations on your 253rd blog.
    p.s I love the NZ panels, I had a wonderful holiday there 10 years ago and would love to go there again.

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  29. tteOoooh... all I can say is, Gina - I love your work, wish I could get to one of your courses but I'm too far away, so I real your blog instead - and I looooove shells and turquoise is my favourite colour!

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  30. Hi Gina - thanks for sharing this technique - what a fab idea!

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  31. That is a stunning piece of work. I had no idea that one could work with metal in that way. You have such inspired ideas, well done.

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  32. i almost missed your tutorial post! i wish you lived nearer so i could come to your classes -you make it all sound so straightforward and easy which i know its not - well not for me anyway!
    congrats on your blogoversary, long may you continue!!!

    xx

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  33. OK, it's 9.15pm, does that still count as Sunday evening? I hope so! And I had no idea tomato puree tubes were that lovely colour inside - I guess I know what I'm doing with this one when it's empty. Too bad I opened a fresh one tonight - hmm, how many tomato puree based meals can I cook in the next few weeks, lol...

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