I re-read the pages on the creative borders, and gave that a shot, and it turned out okay. I didn't get the spacing exactly right and the curve at the bottom of the "sheath" blank wasn't perfect, but it was a practice piece. I wasn't actually going to make a real sheath, right?
(My usual rule is to ALWAYS work as if the piece will be fully finished, but it was raining and arthur was working on me.)
Okay, I had the border done and had the blank center... Basketweave practice. THAT went well.
I thought the completed piece looked a bit too "busy" and was going to toss it, but Miss T loved it.
I went back in and cut the back and did the rest of the steps. Beveled the edges... and set it up to sew. Then I remembered, I don't have a clue.
Miss T came in and stood behind me, and gave me a running coach's commentary over my shoulder.
"Slower, watch your line on the right side."
"Good, WATCH that LINE.'
"Good, good, line.... line."
"Now backstitch to lock."
"Perfect."
Anal that I am, in the future, I'll have a mark where the stitching starts and stops so that I am not ONE stitch off between one side and the other. It stands out to me.
So, went back out and applied the various finishes. I dyed the back and edges black, then burnished the edges. The front panel was dyed golden, then antiqued. The entire sheath was treated with Mink Oil to keep it supple. Dye will make the sheath stiffen up.
It was all practice, and if I redo the project again, I'll apply all the lessons learned. The important thing here is that Miss T Loves it.
What?
