Sheridan has started a Flickr group for posting pics of the Sew It Together name tags, head on over here to have a look at what some very crafty girls have come up with, and post your own pics as well!
(Warning, names have been obscured to protect identities!)
Showing posts with label name tag swap. Show all posts
Showing posts with label name tag swap. Show all posts
Friday, March 26, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Attention swappers, the bar has been set!
I received an email yesterday from Andi to say that her name tag has finished and posted! Less than 20 hours after she received her swap email! I think Andi has set a new world record for completing a swap in the shortest time ever, and the name tag is gorgeous, click here to have a peek.
Super impressive I say, I haven't even planned my name tag yet!
Super impressive I say, I haven't even planned my name tag yet!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Name Tag Swap update
Hello Swappers!
This swap is a bit different in that you are not being 'paired up' with a swap partner and actually swapping name tags with that person. You will make a name tag for one person, and another person will make your name tag. So you won't know who is making your name tag until your parcel arrives in the mail, how exciting!
Don't forget the RED & AQUA colour theme for the name tags, and remember all finished name tags must be posted by 9th April 2010.
Any questions? Don't hesitate to ask, I'm here to help.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Name Tag Swap Progress Report
Thank you to everyone who has signed up for the Sew It Together Name Tag Swap! There has been a fabulous response, I'm really thrilled that so many of you want to join in and I am so looking forward to arriving at Sew It Together and seeing all the fabulous handmade name tags, I really am.
I must apologise that I am running a little behind my initial schedule - I have extended the sign up period until tomorrow and I plan to finalise swap partners on Sunday night so you should receive an email by Monday to let you know who you are making a name tag for.
Happy Long Weekend everyone! (if you live in Melbourne that is...sorry interstaters!)
I must apologise that I am running a little behind my initial schedule - I have extended the sign up period until tomorrow and I plan to finalise swap partners on Sunday night so you should receive an email by Monday to let you know who you are making a name tag for.
Happy Long Weekend everyone! (if you live in Melbourne that is...sorry interstaters!)
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
How to make things Stiff with Curlypops
The great Sew It Together name tag swap is underway, and one of the challenges with making a name tag out of fabric is how to keep it Stiff...so to speak. Nobody wants their name tag flopping about limply on a lapel! So the very talented and lovely Curlypops set about investigating 'all things stiffening' and was gracious enough to write the following 'guest post' here for all our 'swappers' about the benefits of using fabric stiffeners. Thanks so much Cam, we are very grateful to you for sharing your, er, 'stiffy' expertise!
So to begin with, lets all chuckle that I'm going to give you some tips on 'How to make things Stiff'... and leave poor Gypsy to receive lots of weird and wonderful blog visitors from random google searches about all things stiff!
The great thing about the name tag swap, is that we can all think outside the square and do a bit of experimentation (if we choose to). The piece only needs to function as a name tag. It's not an item that is designed to be washed, and doesn't have to serve a particular function (apart from pinning or clipping on, and displaying a name).... which means that there's lots more options for running amok and not playing by the normal rules.
I tried and tested lots of different things, so I thought I'd share what I've learned.
I like to make mess and get covered in paint and glue, so if this sounds like you, then the following options might be fun.
There are lots of liquid type items that can be used to stiffen things (fabric, paper etc). Most of my experimentation has used fabric, as that is currently my favourite medium to work with. I started out with things that I already had around the house:
Please note:
If you choose to use liquid stiffeners, they take a really loooooong time to dry. This might be quite frustrating for a small project.
I've tried dipping fabric pieces in a bowl full of these liquids but they end up quite gluggy. I've had the best result by just brushing them on with a paint brush and then waiting for them to dry. If the finished item is not stiff enough when dry, you can add another layer with the brush.
Water Based Varnish
Watered down PVA glue also works quite well. About two thirds PVA glue to one third water makes a nice mix.
Fabric Stabiliser
I've tried Sew Stable Fabric Stabiliser which is designed for applique and machine embroidery.
It worked quite well but this is actually supposed to wash out, so don't use it for something that you would like to permanently stiffen.
Fabric Stiffener
I actually found out about this product just simply by googling fabric stiiffener. It suspiciously smells exactly the same as pva glue..... a rose by another name perhaps?
It's designed to stiffen permanently - my advice is to wear old clothes in case of spillage.
The brand that I've tested is Craft Smart Fabric Stiffener, but I've had a tip that there's another one named Stiffy which is really good (I just have to track it down).
Varnishes can be purchased from hardware shops - Stabiliser and Stiffener can be purchased at Spotlight (look in the craft section amongst the various glues and paints).
Fusible Interfacings
Now of course if you'd prefer not to make a huge mess and end up covered in glue and varnish, but still want to get the stiff look, then maybe iron-on fusible interfacings might be a better option.
I don't have much experience with using these but I have have seen the results of lovely things that have been made with them - Vilene S320 - http://nicolemdesign.blogspot.com/2009/12/slightly-besotted-and-gushy.html
Laminating
Last but not least, I thought I'd test out my laminator, to see what would happen if I tried to laminate fabric. I have a home laminator which is not designed for heavy card, only plain paper.
I tested it out with an offcut from a crocheted tablecloth, a stripey piece of light cotton fabric, a piece of black felt, and a piece of heavy brown fabric.
The light cotton fabric and the felt laminated quite nicely, but it didn't work so well for my other two samples.
I hope this have given you some new ideas to try out, and remember to have some fun with it!
So to begin with, lets all chuckle that I'm going to give you some tips on 'How to make things Stiff'... and leave poor Gypsy to receive lots of weird and wonderful blog visitors from random google searches about all things stiff!
The great thing about the name tag swap, is that we can all think outside the square and do a bit of experimentation (if we choose to). The piece only needs to function as a name tag. It's not an item that is designed to be washed, and doesn't have to serve a particular function (apart from pinning or clipping on, and displaying a name).... which means that there's lots more options for running amok and not playing by the normal rules.
I tried and tested lots of different things, so I thought I'd share what I've learned.
I like to make mess and get covered in paint and glue, so if this sounds like you, then the following options might be fun.
There are lots of liquid type items that can be used to stiffen things (fabric, paper etc). Most of my experimentation has used fabric, as that is currently my favourite medium to work with. I started out with things that I already had around the house:
Please note:
If you choose to use liquid stiffeners, they take a really loooooong time to dry. This might be quite frustrating for a small project.
I've tried dipping fabric pieces in a bowl full of these liquids but they end up quite gluggy. I've had the best result by just brushing them on with a paint brush and then waiting for them to dry. If the finished item is not stiff enough when dry, you can add another layer with the brush.
Water Based Varnish
I've used the Jo Sonja's craft varnishes and also Cabots Crystal Clear from the hardware shop. Both do the same job - Cabots is more economical if you're using litres at a time (which is probably not going to happen), but it's also likely that you might find some in your garage or garden shed.
PVA Glue
Fabric Stabiliser
I've tried Sew Stable Fabric Stabiliser which is designed for applique and machine embroidery.
It worked quite well but this is actually supposed to wash out, so don't use it for something that you would like to permanently stiffen.
Fabric Stiffener
I actually found out about this product just simply by googling fabric stiiffener. It suspiciously smells exactly the same as pva glue..... a rose by another name perhaps?
It's designed to stiffen permanently - my advice is to wear old clothes in case of spillage.
The brand that I've tested is Craft Smart Fabric Stiffener, but I've had a tip that there's another one named Stiffy which is really good (I just have to track it down).
Varnishes can be purchased from hardware shops - Stabiliser and Stiffener can be purchased at Spotlight (look in the craft section amongst the various glues and paints).
Now of course if you'd prefer not to make a huge mess and end up covered in glue and varnish, but still want to get the stiff look, then maybe iron-on fusible interfacings might be a better option.
I don't have much experience with using these but I have have seen the results of lovely things that have been made with them - Vilene S320 - http://nicolemdesign.blogspot.com/2009/12/slightly-besotted-and-gushy.html
Last but not least, I thought I'd test out my laminator, to see what would happen if I tried to laminate fabric. I have a home laminator which is not designed for heavy card, only plain paper.
I tested it out with an offcut from a crocheted tablecloth, a stripey piece of light cotton fabric, a piece of black felt, and a piece of heavy brown fabric.
The light cotton fabric and the felt laminated quite nicely, but it didn't work so well for my other two samples.
I hope this have given you some new ideas to try out, and remember to have some fun with it!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Name Tag Swap - housekeeping
Thank you to everyone who has signed up for the Sew It Together Name Tag Swap, I'm thrilled that so many people will be taking part in this fun swap!
Just a little housekeeping - if you signed up for the swap, can you please now send me an email and tell me:
*Your first name as you would like it to appear on your name tag, eg, Jennifer/Jen/Jenny/Jennie
*Your postal address which I will pass on to your swap partner so she can send you your completed name tag
*The name of your blog (just so I know who you are!)
My email address is thecraftgypsy [at] iprimus [dot] com [dot] au
Also if you know anyone who is going to Sew It Together who hasn't signed up, please mention the swap to them so they don't miss out!
Sign ups close on 28th February.
Just a little housekeeping - if you signed up for the swap, can you please now send me an email and tell me:
*Your first name as you would like it to appear on your name tag, eg, Jennifer/Jen/Jenny/Jennie
*Your postal address which I will pass on to your swap partner so she can send you your completed name tag
*The name of your blog (just so I know who you are!)
My email address is thecraftgypsy [at] iprimus [dot] com [dot] au
Also if you know anyone who is going to Sew It Together who hasn't signed up, please mention the swap to them so they don't miss out!
Sign ups close on 28th February.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Sew It Together Name Tag Swap
Are you going to Sew It Together? Would you like to arrive at this exciting event wearing a very special, lovingly handmade NAME TAG of your very own? You would? Sign up for the swap here! Yes, that's right, I am hosting a Name Tag Swap for anyone who is going to Sew It Together in May.
Guidelines for the swap are as follows:
Name tags are to be no larger than 9cm in any direction (shape is up to you)
Name tags will include first name only. Make sure you email me and let me know how your name should appear on your name tag, we don't want any spelling errors!!! (Blog names will be included on the access pass you will be issued with at the event so will not be part of the name tag swap, name tags will be first name only).
Name tags should be in the colours Red and Aqua to tie into the colour theme of Sew It Together.
Name tags must have a safety pin or brooch finding on the back. They will most likely be attached to a 15mm wide lanyard which will be issued to participants at the event. Preferably the pin should be vertical for ease of attaching to the lanyard, however if the dimensions of your name tag require it then the pin can be fixed horizontally
You can make your name tag using any medium you like, however, as this event is SEW It Together the only thing we ask is that your name tag be sewn/stitched in some way :) Get creative! Think fabric, yarn, embroidery, applique, transfers, stitch sketching, squares, circles, flowers, quilting, stencilling, crochet, ribbons, buttons, paint...use anything you like as long as it is sewn in some way!
You will be given the name of the person you are making a tag for, but sshhh, don't tell them! It's a secret until it arrives in the post! And of course, you won't know who is making YOUR name tag until it arrives! What fun!
Completed name tags are to be posted directly to your recipient no later than FRIDAY 9TH APRIL to allow time for postal delivery before people begin packing up to make the trek to Melbourne! If for some reason you cannot post your completed name tag by this date, please let me know immediately, I'm happy to help in any way that I can to make sure everyone gets their name tag in time for the event!
This swap is only for bloggers who are attending at least one event at Sew It Together in May 2010.
If you want to join the swap, leave a comment on this post. Don't forget to also drop me an email with all your details which I will pass on to the person who will make your name tag.
Please read the guidelines of the swap carefully and only participate if you are happy to abide by them, and PLEASE make sure I can contact you via email! Any questions? Ask away, I'm here to help!
Sign ups start now and will close on Sunday 28th February. I will contact each of you via email by Tuesday 2nd March and tell you who you will be making a name tag for. Get creative and have fun!!!
Guidelines for the swap are as follows:
Name tags are to be no larger than 9cm in any direction (shape is up to you)
Name tags will include first name only. Make sure you email me and let me know how your name should appear on your name tag, we don't want any spelling errors!!! (Blog names will be included on the access pass you will be issued with at the event so will not be part of the name tag swap, name tags will be first name only).
Name tags should be in the colours Red and Aqua to tie into the colour theme of Sew It Together.
Name tags must have a safety pin or brooch finding on the back. They will most likely be attached to a 15mm wide lanyard which will be issued to participants at the event. Preferably the pin should be vertical for ease of attaching to the lanyard, however if the dimensions of your name tag require it then the pin can be fixed horizontally
You can make your name tag using any medium you like, however, as this event is SEW It Together the only thing we ask is that your name tag be sewn/stitched in some way :) Get creative! Think fabric, yarn, embroidery, applique, transfers, stitch sketching, squares, circles, flowers, quilting, stencilling, crochet, ribbons, buttons, paint...use anything you like as long as it is sewn in some way!
You will be given the name of the person you are making a tag for, but sshhh, don't tell them! It's a secret until it arrives in the post! And of course, you won't know who is making YOUR name tag until it arrives! What fun!
Completed name tags are to be posted directly to your recipient no later than FRIDAY 9TH APRIL to allow time for postal delivery before people begin packing up to make the trek to Melbourne! If for some reason you cannot post your completed name tag by this date, please let me know immediately, I'm happy to help in any way that I can to make sure everyone gets their name tag in time for the event!
This swap is only for bloggers who are attending at least one event at Sew It Together in May 2010.
If you want to join the swap, leave a comment on this post. Don't forget to also drop me an email with all your details which I will pass on to the person who will make your name tag.
Please read the guidelines of the swap carefully and only participate if you are happy to abide by them, and PLEASE make sure I can contact you via email! Any questions? Ask away, I'm here to help!
Sign ups start now and will close on Sunday 28th February. I will contact each of you via email by Tuesday 2nd March and tell you who you will be making a name tag for. Get creative and have fun!!!
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