You may remember a few posts back that I was talking about the LBD collection from Portsmouth College. I was so impressed with what Sarah Patterson and her students had achieved using amongst other things, black bin liners, bubble pack and polyester organza that I asked ICHF if we could display them at the Design & Technology Show. The organisers said Yes! and we had a display at the front of the hall. It looked fantastic.   Not only were the dresses at the D & T Show but Sarah and her clever students, along with their work will be exhibiting at the Fashion, Embroidery & Stitch Show at the NEC Birmingham in March next year. I am hoping that some of the garments will be featured in the daily fashion shows. Dedicated teachers like Sarah deserve a round of applause now and then. Well Done Sarah!!!! I had a lovely big stand to play on. I am very lucky to be a part of this show. It is only for educational professionals and it is my job to inspire teachers to

 Transfer printed Evolon with Bondaweb on the back. Run through a laser cutter to cut the design. The backing paper was then peeled off the Bondaweb and the Evolon was ironed onto black cotton. I am off to the Design and Technology show at the NEC now - The show is open to educational professionals only - 17th - 19th November. The D & T show   If you are a teacher and wish to come and pick my brains - (you are most welcome to what is left) my Hot Textiles Surgery is on Stand E09. I have a big stand to play on and am taking my Big Shot Pro die cutting machine and my heat press. I also hope to get my hands on a laser cutter . . . . . . I always have great fun at this show - THREE whole days to play! As you can imagine my stand gets into a terrible mess - I can't imagine why!!!! I will report back with what I got up to next week - AARRGGHH!!! The Open Houses start the following weekend - am I ready??? Ha Ha Ha!!!! x

 Layers of newspaper and polyester organza stitched together and slashed and distressed to create faux chenille. One of the things we did on the first day of this course was to paint newspaper with procion dye. Normally I would use the newspaper that I have used over and over again when protecting my work surface. If you can build up the colour over time you get a wonderfully random effect of splodges of paint and dye. We didn't have that luxury of time so just had to make do with one coat of dye. Several layers of newspaper and polyester organza machine (we used 8 of each) stitched together in 'tram lines' the width of your machine foot or slightly wider. You then cut through the top layers but NOT the bottom layer. I add a piece of dyed craft/pelmet Vilene as the bottom layer before I stitch all the layers together. This reinforces your work as newspaper is very fragile. The craft/pelmet Vilene also make your work firm enough for book covers or vessels.