Tuesday 26 January 2016

Embroidery Grime Guard

Hello dear readers! Yes you are reading the right blog, yes I am writing my 4th post in as many days, what's going on?!! I have no idea!!!

Anyway, in between crochet stuff I like to cross-stitch, and I'm working on several cross-stitch projects at once (no surprises there eh ?!), but my largest one is a year long calendar stitch-a-long. I'm on a Facebook page of other people doing the same one and noticed loads of them have these cool covers to cover the edges of their work, where you hold it, to stop it getting all grubby - they are called grime guards. So of course I had no choice but to make one for myself.

I had this fabric in my stash which seemed perfect for the task ....


To hold my cross-stitch when it's a large piece of material, I use q-snaps instead of a hoop. Makes your hand cramp up less than a large hoop, although slightly more fiddly to move around your work. But I do like it for the larger pieces.


I measured around my frame : it was 32", so my grime guard would need to be that long, and I wanted it to come about 2" over the front and another 2" over the back. So without seam allowances I needed a long strip of fabric 32"x4".
My fabric piece wasn't long enough so I needed to make it out of two strips each about 16" long. Each strip had a 0.5" seam allowance on either short end, and a 1" seam allowance along either long edge, meaning my strips were 17" x 6".


I placed the strips wrong sides together and sewed along each short end with a 0.5" seam allowance, then pressed the seams open.


So now I had a continuous loop of material, which I tried over the circumference of my frame for size.


It needs to be a bit loose, if it's too neat a fit it's too hard to get on and off.

I then turned one long edge in by 0.5", and in again by another 0.5", pinned it in place, and sewed all the way round, leaving a gap of around an inch - this will be used to get the elastic in.


I repeated the hemming in the same way along the other long edge. Now I had a nice neatly hemmed loop ready to thread in the elastic. Ok maybe not the neatest hem ever but it's all going to be scrunched in with elastic anyway so it's not a problem.


I used a little safety pin to feed the elastic through, pulled it in quite a way, then secured the end with a knot. I did this on both sides. I checked it for fit and adjusted it a bit to make it tighter, and then sewed the hems closed where the elastic had gone in.


Hurray, my cross-stitch will be grimy no more :)


Jillxxxx

22 comments:

  1. Such a clever idea. I love your fabric choice.

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  2. That is just brilliant! I have the same Q frame thingy and that would be just perfect. I have a large piece on a wooden frame and it is such a pain.

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  3. Great idea. I used to cross stitch all the time but over the last few years have drifted more towards crochet. However, I am beginning to long to pick up my stitching again, I have so many projects on the go and so much in my stash pile that I really shouldn't have abandoned it for so long. I used to use q-snaps for some of my work so think this cover is brilliant. Make sure you keep us updated on your progress, Xx

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  4. Very clever guard. I have done cross-stitch.. but not lately. I did a sampler that I need to frame. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  5. Brilliant!! Just love it Lady. I like those grips too instead of a hoop. I'll need to keep an eye out for those. ;) xoxo

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  6. What a good idea - I've never seen one of these before. Happy cross-stitching!
    Cathy x

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  7. That is a wonderful idea. I really like the material you chose too.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  8. Thanks for showing us how to make the guard, Jill! Not only does it protect your piece from grime, but it is a cute frame you might make for a project. Thanks for posting :) xx

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  9. Great idea Jill! Enjoy your embroidery! xx

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  10. Such beautiful work! I would love for you to teach me more about cross stitching as I have had no formal training. And so awesome to connect with you here! I look forward to following along with you! Nicole

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  11. Very impressive! I love the fabric.

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  12. What a great idea, I've seen those frames before are they any good? I'm still using hoops but I think a frame would be far better x

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  13. That is darling! I just love the sewing-themed fabric.

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  14. Oooh what a brilliant idea I enjoy cross stitch too in among my knitting and crochet plus my card making. I think I will have to have a go at making one of these once we are moved and settled and I have my craft room all set up.
    Jackie x

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  15. Four posts in four days! Unbelievable! You are brilliant by the way, I love this idea.
    Meredith

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  16. This is such a great idea!
    Thank you so much for your kind comment recently x
    Happy weekend.
    Helen xox

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  17. Clever idea! I like your choice of fabric too X

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  18. Oh so neat! I do cross stitch to; I received a lovely kit from a friend abroad and now think I may start it .. Inspired by you xx

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  19. Excellent site I have bookmarked your site..

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Thankyou so much for visiting, and for taking the time to leave me a comment :) I really really love getting little messages, I read and value every single one, so thankyou again, and have a great day :)
Jillxxxxx