How to Free Form Sew
Free-form sewing is any sewing project that does not use a pattern. The free-form subject can be of any design, in any shape, color or size. Imagination is the process of the piece. There are no set rules when creating a free-form project. Fabric painting, toy creation and embroidery are all an art form created on or with fabric.
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Things You'll Need
- Fabric
- Pencil
- Embroidery hoop
- Thread
- Sewing machine or needle and thread
- Paper
- Scissors
- Pins
- Fiber fill
- Embroidery floss
- Embellishments
Instructions
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Free Form Fabric Painting
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1
Place the embroidery hoop on the fabric. Use a hoop large enough to fit your design. Turn the hoop so that the fabric is at the bottom of the ring. This will enable the sewing machine to sew on a flat surface. If you are sewing by hand, either side is acceptable.
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2
Sketch a design on the fabric inside the hoop. Freehand lines can be used, or an image can be traced from a picture placed under the fabric. Using a freehand design makes the project unique.
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3
Thread the needle with the color of thread desired; stitch along the outline and randomly stitch inside the design using circular, straight or diagonal stitches. There are no rules as to what stitch pattern is used. Change colors as desired, until the desired image is created.
Free Form Creation of Plush Toys and Animals
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4
Sketch out an idea of what the free form object should look like. This can be done on paper or directly on the fabric. Paper works well for a pattern, because it is easier to erase paper than fabric.
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5
Cut the pieces out, whether they are paper patterns or cut directly from the fabric. If a pattern was used, trace around the pattern onto the fabric, or pin it in place; then cut the fabric out.
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6
Sew the pieces together. Remember it is free form, there are no rules. The seams can be inside or out, whatever look is preferred. Stuff the creation with fiber fill and sew the hole shut. Add buttons, embroidery, clothing or even a tail using any craft item desired.
Free Form Embroidery
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7
Place the fabric in an embroidery hoop. This is the only rule there is to embroider in free form. For those who are more structured, an image can be sketched on the fabric; for the adventurous others, just decide as you go.
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8
Thread the embroidery needle with embroidery floss. Begin sewing any type of stitch or design that looks interesting, with or without following a sketch.
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9
Add beads, trinkets, charms, buttons or anything else that looks fun.
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