sew daily ghanaian batik 2009€¦ · ghanaian batik tablescape runner itself. as an alternative,...

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ghanaian batik tablescapeby lisa shepard stewart

Dress your table in true African flair with textured batik cot-tons from Ghana. Colorfast for easy care, these exotic prints are both beautiful and practi-cal. The table runner features simple strip piecing, and the coiled fabric bowl was inspired by Zimbabwean baskets.

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Fabric — Assortment of complementary batik strips,

each at least 18" (45.5 cm) long (enough strips to create a finished runner length of 40" [101.5 cm])

— 5⁄8 yd (55 cm) backing/binding fabric, 45" (114.5 cm) wide

Other SupplieS— Matching sewing thread— ½ yd (46 cm) low-loft quilt batting, 45"

(114.5 cm) wide (choose a needlepunched batting or one that is stable enough to sup-port the piecing without stretching).

— Bent-arm (quilting) safety pins— Fabric pencil

FiniShed Size18" (45.5 cm) wide x 40" (101.5 cm) long.

nOteS— Cut strips in uneven and varying widths to

add visual interest.— All seam allowances are ¼" (6 mm) unless

otherwise noted. — For explanations of terms and techniques,

see Sewing Basics at interweavestitch.com /sewingbasics

— The backing fabric also serves as the visible binding around all edges.

Strip-Pieced Table RunnerFabric laYOut1 Arrange the batik strips on a tabletop or flat surface to create a pleasing layout, over-lapping the edges slightly to simulate seam allowances and varying the widths, colors, and patterns as desired. Try a random grouping, as shown, or arrange a dark to light layout, or darker ends with lighter fabrics in the center. Be creative!

figure 1

batting

strip piecing

binding

figure 2

tuck this point (A) under the binding, reversing the folds as in origami

point A is now here (under the binding)

visible fold (miter)

2Cut an 18 x 40" (45.5 x 101.5 cm) rectangle of batting.

Strip piecinG3 Place the first batik strip, right side up, along the short edge of the batting, with the strip raw edges at or beyond the batting edges (figure 1).4Place the second strip right side down over the first (right sides together), aligning the right-hand edges of the strips. Stitch a ¼" (6 mm) seam through all layers. 5 Flip the second strip so its right side is face up, smoothing the strip onto the batting. Posi-tion the third strip on the second, right sides together and with right-hand edges aligned,

and stitch as before. Continue adding strips (figure 1) until you have covered the entire piece of batting with fabric strips. For easier handling, press the piece lightly after every four or five strips are added.

add bacKinG tO runner6 Lay the pieced table runner wrong side up, so the batting is visible, and trim the strips even with the batting edges, using a rotary cutter or scissors. Press the entire piece.7 Place the backing/binding fabric wrong side up on the work surface. Position the pieced runner, right side up, in the center of the backing. Trim the backing fabric so that it extends 1½" (3.8 cm) beyond the pieced top on all sides of the runner. Baste the layers together with the bent-arm safety pins to pre-vent shifting (baste in rows, with at least one safety pin every 6" [15 cm]). Quilt the piece as desired, with a simple stitch-in-the-ditch technique (sewing in the seam line creases between strips). You can also quilt by following designs in the fabric, adding simple geometric shapes or using your choice of quilt motif.8 Press ¾" (2 cm) to the wrong side on all the backing edges, bringing the backing raw edge to meet the piecing (table runner top) raw edge. Press another ¾" (2 cm) to the wrong side, encasing the raw edges of the runner, and pin. Where two sides intersect at the corners, smooth the fold-over binding into a triangle that stands up diagonally from the corner, between the two sides. Reverse the folds of the triangle, tucking the excess fabric behind one side of the binding, to create a mitered corner (figure 2).

FiniShinG9 Set the machine for a zigzag stitch, 3.0 to 3.5 mm wide and 2.0 to 2.5 mm long. Sew the backing’s pressed edge to the runner through all thicknesses, with the right swing of the needle falling on the pressed edge of the backing and the left swing falling on the

FoR exPlanaTionS oF TeRmS + TechniqueS uSed

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ghanaian batik tablescape

runner itself. As an alternative, slip-stitch the binding to the table runner by hand for an invisible finish.

coiled BasketFabric — Batik fabric, 27" (68.6 cm) square

Other SupplieS— Thread to match fabric— 12 yd (10.9 m) of 3⁄8" (1 cm) wide cording— Fasturn tool with 3⁄8" (1 cm) tube (see Notes)— Hot glue gun and glue sticks or fabric glue

FiniShed Size11" (28 cm) wide x 4½" high (11.5 cm).

nOteS— A Fasturn tool is a hollow tube that comes

with a long wire hook (available in several sizes) that not only allows you to quickly turn tubes, but also allows you the option of easily inserting cording or stuffing into the tube at the same time!

— Regular cotton cording (used to make pip-ing) will result in a softer finish; for a firmer, more substantial feel, look for cording or rope available in hardware stores.

— Before you begin the project, check to see whether the rise of your sewing machine’s presser foot and needle movement can accommodate the 3⁄8" (1 cm) thickness of the cording. If not, the basket can be assembled with a glue gun and optional reinforcement handstitching.

prepare Fabric tube 1 The 3⁄8" (1 cm) size Fasturn tool requires 1¾" (4.5 cm) wide bias fabric strips. To make the bias strips, begin by cutting the fabric in half diagonally, forming two triangles. With right sides together and edges even, stitch a 3⁄8" (1 cm) seam across the top, as shown in figure 3. Press the seam open. 2 Mark cutting lines parallel to the long sides, starting 1¾" (4.5 cm) from one corner

A

C

B

D

D

C

A

B

figure 3

fabric wrong side

A

C

B

D

D

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A

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figure 4

A

B

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figure 5

A

C

B

D

D

C

A

B

(Point A), and spacing the lines 1¾" (4.5 cm) apart (figure 4). 3Refer to figure 5 for assistance with this step. With right sides together, bring the rectangle’s short ends together so that Point A meets C and Point B meets D. The resulting seam line is offset 1¾" (4.5 cm) at each end. Stitch a 3⁄8" (1 cm) seam, forming a wide fabric tube, and press the seam open. Beginning at the cut line nearest to Point A, cut along the lines, working around the tube as you cut, until the fabric is cut into a single continuous strip measuring 1¾" (4.5 cm) wide. Trim the ends to square them.4The Fasturn will accommodate only 3 yd (2.7 m) of fabric at once, so cut the bias strip into four or five lengths. Fold each section in half, lengthwise, with right sides together, and stitch a ¼" (6 mm) seam along the long edge. Insert the Fasturn into one of the fabric tubes, pushing the fabric down to gather along the Fasturn’s length. Insert the pigtail wire through the tube and twist it into the fabric at the end of the tube. Following the manufacturer’s instructions, place one end of the cording at the fabric tube’s end and twist the pigtail wire into the cording end. Pull the

pigtail wire back through the Fasturn tube, drawing the fabric and cording into the center of the tube, turning the fabric right side out and inserting the cording into the fabric at the same time.5When the cording sections are complete, rejoin them into one continuous length; trim ½" (1.3 cm) of cording only from one end of a fabric tube. Put a small amount of fabric glue or hot glue inside the fabric tube and insert the next tube into it. Smooth the glue and let the join dry completely.

baSKet aSSeMblY6Set the sewing machine for a zigzag stitch 3.0 to 3.5 mm wide and 2.0 to 2.5 mm long. Use thread to match the fabric colors in both the needle and the bobbin. 7Make a stitching sample by cutting a 12" (30 cm) length of fabric-covered cord to experiment with the stitch width and length. Fold 1½" (3.8 cm) to one side at one end of the cord (so that the covered cording lays side by side). Place this under the sewing machine, aligning the space between the folded cords with the center of the presser foot as shown in

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figure 2

figure 6

figure 2

ghanaian batik tablescape

figure 6. Begin stitching at the fold, wrapping the fabric-covered cord around continuously as you stitch (figure 6). The left swing of the zigzag should enter the cord on the left and the right needle swing should enter the cord on the right. Be sure to maintain this equal spacing while stitching. Once the sample is satisfactory, make a note of the sewing machine settings for future reference. While stitching the cords, shape into bowl form as you go. 8Sew the basket in the same manner as the sample. The larger the piece becomes, the easier it is to control the stitching.9 (Alternate assembly): If the rise of your sewing machine’s presser foot and needle movement cannot accommodate the 3⁄8" (1 cm) thickness of cording for stitching, you can make the basket using a glue gun, then rein-force with handstitching if desired. Use a large mixing bowl turned upside down as a mold to form the basket, using touches of glue around the piece. Be careful to apply the glue lightly, only where the surfaces of the fabric-covered cords meet, to avoid unsightly show-through of the glue.

FiniShinG0As you near the end of the cording, create the first handle by ending the stitching (or gluing). Backtack for 1" (2.5 cm) to rein-force and secure the stitches, then push the fabric-covered cord outward, away from the stitched coil. Bring the cord back to meet the edge of the basket 3½" to 4" (9 to 10 cm) from the end of stitching and begin stitching again. Backtack at the beginning of the new stitches to secure the seam. Begin making the second handle at the opposite side of the basket, but do not resume stitching at the handle’s other end. Instead, remove the basket from the sewing machine and cut the

fabric-covered cord 1" (2.5 cm) longer than the handle length. Push the fabric back from the cut end and trim away 1" (2.5 cm) of the cording only (do not cut the fabric). Fold ½" (1.3 cm) of the empty fabric tube back on itself. Match the fold to the coiled basket, ½" (1.3 cm) beyond the end point of the second handle, and sew the empty tube to the coiled basket with small but sturdy handstitches, or neatly glue in place.

liSa ShePaRd STewaRT is an author, designer, and instructor specializing in African textiles for decorating, quilting, sewing, and crafts. To learn more about her how-to books and patterns, African fabrics and embellish-ments, free projects, workshops, and special events, visit CulturedExpressions.com.

Find STITCH magazine, and sewing epatterns and books in our online store www.interweavestore.com

Find STITCH magazine, and sewing epatterns and books in our online store www.interweavestore.com

Find STITCH & sewing epatterns visit us online

Find STITCH magazine, and sewing epatterns and books in our online store

www.interweavestore.com

Find STITCH magazine, and sewing epatterns and books in our online store


Contemporary sewing that celebrates the

handmade lifestyle!


handmade lifestyle!


handmade lifestyle!


handmade lifestyle!


handmade lifestyle!


Find STITCH & sewing epatterns visit us online


handmade lifestyle!


sew daily ghanaian batik 2009€¦ · ghanaian batik tablescape runner itself. as an alternative,...

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