Below are some more recent ones I've created from my valuable 'stash'!  As of 11-16-05, they are available for sale on my wearables site:  http://www.alondaoriginal.com

After the pictures, you'll find my directions to create one for yourself - or as a great gift!

You can find more items like this at my artistic wearables website:  www.alondaoriginal.com 

Londa’s Memory Stole Directions 

     This stole can serve many functions:  use as a wrap, a table runner, on a mantel….

My daughter, Carmen, and I envision it made of memory scraps of fabric from your sewing.  Her memory stole is scraps of her wedding gown, her grandmother’s gown, and my gown.  Others I have made have been in color families.  A black velvet backing and border is most elegant.

Finished Size:  13” wide (or any width you desire) x 69” approximately long (at least 60”)

Materials to Cut:

Base piece (which will not be seen) on which to piece the fabrics.  I cut it larger than needed:  14-15” wide and plenty long.  Make sure it is ‘on grain’.   Muslin is a good choice.

Border & Backing:  cut it according to this calculation: 

         4 times the width of the desired border (my border as seen from the front is 2 ¼” wide, so 2.25 x 4 = 9”.

          To that measurement add:

           Two ½” seam allowances = 1”   plus

           Finished width of the center pieces (my center is 9” wide)

             So – for my black stole, I cut the velvet 19” wide. 

Piecing Pieces:  I’m not a very ‘quilty’ type of person – so my strips are of all different widths – anywhere from cut 1” wide, to as wide as 3” wide.  I cut them all a healthy 11-12” wide.  Occasionally, I want a certain fabric in a spot, and it isn’t long enough, so I will piece horizontally to get it long enough. 

Just get out your stash of fabrics – all different types – and start cutting strips willy-nilly.  Then, once they are cut – you can lay them out in a pleasing color progression.

Stitching Directions:  

Piecing: I use the ‘stitch n’ flip’ technique to piece my stole ‘center’.

To do this, simply stitch one piece across the end of your base fabric.  Take the next fabric and place it on top – right sides together and take a ¼” seam allowance.  Now flip that piece right side up and press.  Repeat this process until you have filled up your Base Piece.

Optional: 

It is fun to work a ‘pocket’ into one of the strips part way – say 10” or so up from one end.  To do this, just seam an additional piece to the right side of a section.  This is the ‘front’ of the pocket inside and underneath the outermost  piece.

Then, also add an additional back section and stitch the front pocket part to the back underneath the outermost layer – then you don’t see the ‘pocket’ stitching. 

As you stitch on the next pieced piece – just be careful not to catch the finished top edge of the pocket. 

Finishing:

Trim up your pieced section along both long edges with a rotary cutter, making it all even along the edges.  The exact measurement doesn’t matter – just be sure it is the same the entire length. 

Lay the backing piece on top of it (it will be wider) and take ½” seams.  If you are using velvet for this backing, I highly recommend getting a box top and 505 Spray to carefully lay a piece of paper ½’ from the edge and spray.  Do one long edge at a time! This gives you a ‘gooey’ edge to which to stick the pieced edge.  It works like a charm!!!  Stitch, using a taut stitching technique.  Then, do the remaining long edge in the same manner.

Turn it all right side out.  The seam allowances will naturally go out towards the long edges.  Gently steam (if velvet) these seam allowances.   The short ends will be like an open tube.  I leave them that way – it hangs better.

Turn under and top stitch the short ends.   

The final step is to ‘stitch in the ditch’ of each long edge where the center is joined to the band through all the layers.  I like to use a monofilament thread so it is not seen.  Be sure to pin well, or baste before stitching to prevent ‘crawl’. 

A soft fringe is nice along the edge – actually a circle around the entire tube edge.  Beware of using a stiff edging – you want to keep the ends soft.

I welcome your comments and questions.  Londasews@insightbb.com   217-398-5166 or 217-398-9853.

Copyright 2004   Londa J. Rohlfing   Londa’s Creative Threads