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Tuesday 7 July 2009

Why I shan't be sewing oilcloth again anytime soon...

I decided that I really must have outdoors bunting. Not just put up/take down for a special occasion bunting...I wanted keep it there til the end of summer bunting.
I had some blue polka dot oilcloth from LA - leftover from a tablecloth from way back, and some CK cowboys print oilcloth I bought off ebay - just because I could!!
I cut out triangles with pinking shears...
I thought - lets make things simple - single sided sewn onto white tape........
And that is when I realised sewing oilcloth is.really.really.hard!!!
So nobody is allowed to look at it too closely and I try and ignore the seriously wonky stitching. (this is one of the better ones!!!)
To add insult to injury when it rains this happens.....
the pointy ends curl up, they do uncurl after a while but I wasn't impressed after all my hard work!!!And I am shelving my plans to buy some CK boat print oilcloth to make the boys lovely washbags.

13 comments:

Kirsty said...

aww - such a shame it was so hard work. It does look fab though!

Mary Poppins said...

Well I think it looks loverly, what is that is actually hard, do you need a special needle or machine, I would love to have a go at oilcloth, but should I be thinking twice what with my dinky machine ;~)

Hugs

X

Anonymous said...

Try a teflon foot hun, or sprinkle talc onit as you sew.
I think they look yummy xx

Hen said...

I have a special Teflon coated foot. It is better with that but sewing oilcloth is testing! It's also better if you can sew on the reverse side but of course, it depends on what you are stitching as to whether that is possible.
Hen x

Elaine said...

It looks prettier than you think, don't worry about a bit of curl, it's supposed to be shabby after all;)
I read a tip somewhere about putting masking tape on the underside of the chine foot for oilcloth, not tried it yet, but I would think it could work but would need changing often to stop it going gooey.

Love and blessings
xxxxxxxxxxxx

Shsjndkdns said...

It doesn't look that bad! I think it works! My sewing machine would probably die on me before I got the first flag sewn! xx

Mrs. Cozy Home said...

I am so impressed, it looks fantastic!! I can tell that was hard work!

Raspberry Grace said...

Dolly, I have some Globaltex oilcloth on my dining table, and I often paint stuff on it..I've noticed that when I scrub it afterwards it does curl up like you say..so I just iron over it with a tea towel which seems to work! (don't forget the tea towel though!)

Your bunting is still fab!

Love, Rasp xx

charl said...

you've done a lovely job..but im so thinking the same as you.. ive just made some oilcloth bunting for outside aswell..and it was really hard to sew ( i ended up doing it by hand so looks awful !!) and its all curled up in the rain.. maybe we should just have it for show on sunny days!

jo said...

I know what you mean about sewing oil cloth, there is a half finished bag lying in the cupboard. Looks like we have to try one of those teflon feet!!

angel said...

Not minging at all, i love it. So what if it aint perfect thats what its all about, shabby but still very chic, love it Dollop, i was gunna ask you to make me some.....lol ...... :-)

Love hugs and Mwahs..X x X x X x X x X x X x X x X x X x X x X x X x X x X x X x X x X x X x X x X x X

LissyLou said...

I've just recieved your lovely parcel. Thank you, Thank you. I was so excited just to have won the teacup pic let alone the other bits!! You are so kind.

LissyLou xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Saz said...

I was considering some oilcloth bunting until I read this - I was wondering if it would be possible to cut out triangles with pinking shears and attach them to string with a glue gun?
I am a bit put off by the curly ends - how does it look from the other side? I had planned to cut out diamond shapes and fold them over the string so it is double sided.
I'm having internal conflict now! Maybe I should go for the recycled carrier bag bunting instead??!
http://originalstitch.blogspot.com/2010/06/eco-tip-1-party-bunting-and-wood.html