7 Ways to Reinforce Fabric for Slow Stitching

[@bettiej5762]

I’ve used dryer sheets after they’ve gone through the dryer. They feel like a light-weight stabilizer. I do really like using felt especially for soft books. It can be sandwiched between two cotton pages for nice stability. The second cotton page can hide stitches from back of the first page.

[@DanielaMellen]

Clever idea to use (used) dryer sheets! Thanks for sharing that tip! ❤️

[@swoods7043]

LOL, got a chuckle out of the spray starch. I am an old lady now, but I sure remember dipping collars and cuffs into starch water and ironing them. My father had white shirts with cuffs that used cuff links! We did our laundry with a wringer washer and the rinse tubs with blueing in them to keep the whites white. I am very happy with the modern way of doing laundry. No more starch for me.

[@DanielaMellen]

That is certainly a far more arduous process than I have ever done! I don't blame you for drawing the line with starch. The washing with a wringer washer, rinse tubs, blueing, starching collars and cuffs! What a enormous amount of time spent on laundry. I prefer to spend the time sewing. :)

[@stephanieviolette593]

Excellent video! I use 3 layers of fabric. Top and bottom are cotton with a middle layer of muslin. I use a Kawandi stitch over the entire piece securing the fabric scraps then embroider around the edges of the scraps. I love the texture! I have even begun using kawandi stitching on yo-yo’s (circular stitching) and then attach one to my slow stitch 10x10 squares. I think the finished pieces would look great attached to canvas totes. I am a newbie to slow stitching and fair warning to everyone that it is addicting! It’s like doodling with fabric.

[@DanielaMellen]

Love your process! And love how you make them into pieces that can then be added to a tote.

[@MsOhsusanna]

I love the little kids felt squares to cut up for stiff projects or thin fleece for soft flexible projects.

[@DanielaMellen]

Good idea!

[@RebeccaStokes-g6t]

Thank you!

[@DanielaMellen]

You're welcome!

[@nancykalinowski7354]

Mary Ellen’s Best Press is my life changing alternative to spray starch. It does NOT GUM UP YOUR IRON or your ironing surface.

[@DanielaMellen]

Thank you, Nancy! That's a great tip about the Mary Ellen's Best Press. I am going to have to give it a try.

[@laurenbush9741]

Yes I also know a lot of quilt shops also recommend it and I've seen it at a sewing and quilting expo.

[@elizabethsawyer5906]

Thank you for a very helpful video💕

[@DanielaMellen]

You are so welcome!

[@linaleblanc8288]

Thank you Daniela. You're awesome🥰

[@DanielaMellen]

You’re welcome 😊 ❤️😊

[@rosaelinav8036]

Thank you so much. Very helpful 💖💖💖

[@DanielaMellen]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ArleneAdkinsZell]

Thank you for the great info

[@pamgrover9910]

Good information ❤

[@DanielaMellen]

Thanks!

[@majellamaas3996]

I started with the used dryer sheets behind my fabrics. I really liked the feel of the piece both as I worked and then as the finished project. More recently, I've layered batting and plain flannel under the project pieces and like that even more. Thank you for another informative video. You always have great ideas.😇😇😇

[@DanielaMellen]

Great tip on reusing the dryer sheets! Thanks for the kind words.

[@majellamaas9457]

@@DanielaMellen you are so very welcome!

[@atwoodwoman]

Wicked good video!! Thanks so much for the tips.

[@DanielaMellen]

Thanks!

[@juanitaespinoza6619]

Thank you for some alternative options.

[@DanielaMellen]

I'm glad you found it helpful!

[@maryjokruer6127]

Valuable info. Thanks!

[@DanielaMellen]

Glad it was helpful!

[@joannepeyton1654]

Hi Daniela: Thank you for your helpful tips. I’ve collected my necessary components to start stitching. Just going to be practicing for a while. I’ll probably go back to some of your earlier videos and watch them again. 💜😎🇺🇸

[@DanielaMellen]

Thank you, Joanne!

[@mariaruiz3848]

Excellent presentation. Very helpful. Thank you for sharing.💐

[@DanielaMellen]

So nice of you

[@Calicokate348]

Very helpful, had not thought of quilted fabric, I had plenty given to me. Tyfs😊

[@DanielaMellen]

Thanks, I find it very helpful and enjoyable.

[@CarolKnoles-c5m]

I would love to see your finished pieces❤

[@DanielaMellen]

Thank you. I have a number of videos on this channel that show them.

[@MissDaisyParsley]

Great ideas! Thanks for sharing!

[@DanielaMellen]

Thanks for watching!

[@lorettavalmorbida7793]

Thank you for the video, some very good tips.

[@DanielaMellen]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sis9622]

Awesome thank you for sharing

[@DanielaMellen]

Thanks for watching!

[@charlottehetherington8720]

Very very helpful

[@DanielaMellen]

Thanks!

[@colleenuribe4560]

❤love this great information

[@DanielaMellen]

Glad it was helpful!

[@itsbodrulbd]

Awesome 👏

[@DanielaMellen]

Thanks!

[@phylliscullen5295]

I think all your suggestions are great. I am always on the lookout at thrift stores or yard sales for quilted pillow shams. I cut THEM

[@phylliscullen5295]

Sorry, I cut them up and use them for backgrounds. The older softer ones are the best.!

[@DanielaMellen]

Great idea!!

[@queenslanddiva]

While I watched this I thought - I have some quilted pillow shams that I was going to throw out. Not now!

[@Karelife]

I like all your ideas. Slow stitching on a small piece bc of flimsy fabric is hard. What would you use if you were going to make a scroll? I don’t want it to stuff. I’m having a Goldilocks moment.

[@DanielaMellen]

I like using stablizer for this purpose. That way, it adds some stability to the fabric, without added bulk You can iron it onto the back of the fabric and it melds together.

[@GlendaMixer-jz7vc]

I plan on doing a simple slow stitch to put on my Christmas cards with a blanket stitch. Something light would be the best. Do you think I should use two pieces of light fabric or one of your 7 types of backing? I will be using card stock.

[@DanielaMellen]

That's a good question! I think it comes down to preference - what feels best when you are stitching. Personally, I would use lightweight interfacing.

[@vanessamendez6800]

I wanted to get into slow sewing but I'm afraid of not knowing what to do with it after I'm done.. Is there any suggestions?

[@DanielaMellen]

I have a video on 3 Ways to Use Projects kzbin.info/www/bejne/oorNn36KadJsnqc . If you're looking for something "functional" to create , there are methods such as mending clothing, hand quilting, applique work. For me, slow stitching is about the process, being calming, almost meditative. The result of a beautiful piece, is a bonus.

[@kerryclark7170]

What do you use the project for after you have finished?

[@DanielaMellen]

I use them for the pages of fabric books, table runners, and journal inserts. Most of all, I use my slow stitching pieces as a medative activity, to just enjoy stitching, with no purpose.

[@Chapman203]

So helpful Video. Thank You D):

[@DanielaMellen]

Glad it was helpful!

[@TheTruckingScribe]

Thank you for sharing! There were so many choices, and you helped me decide what to use. 💜⛟💜⛟💜

[@DanielaMellen]

You are so welcome!

[@michellewohlgemuth8847]

Thank you for the information 👏🏻😻

[@DanielaMellen]

Thanks for watching!