#Needleworkmonday... Fourth of July Edition!

I have survived my patch project! Happy 4th of July to my American followers.

This project is to fund our wedding celebration this fall. I will be peddling these Grateful Missouri patches at a Bluegrass Festival this weekend.

As a homesteader I focus on using my skills and resources to create goods to sell or barter for what I need. This weekend is a wonderful opportunity to do just that!

Here's the sewing story of their creation!

I begin with making the main patch pieces... Red and Blue flannel with some blue jean legs are the ingredients today.

I measure and sew the red and blue pieces together. They are then baste stitched by machine onto the denim.

The next step is to trace the outline of Missouri, or any state, country, Provence or shape onto the fabric. Lining up the seam in the piece with the pre-marked lines on the pattern.

I take a minute to set up my zigzag stitch on my machine for outlining the patch shape. I sew through the edges of my strip so I know exactly how it will look once finished.

Next I zigzag around the shape, and repeat, today 22 times!

It's time to make the lightning bolts. I use a white cotton fabric with a heat fuse fabric that has two sticky sides, one covered with paper. Paper facing u, I use a warm iron to set the heat bonding onto the fabric.

Trace, repeat... 22 times. I then hand these pieces off to my hubby to cut out. He made it through 18 before he paused for a break, and then quickly finished them up.

With the bolts cut and ready, the next step is to iron onto each patch piece. Some trimming is needed to get them to fit just right.

I now peel off the paper backing, placing the new sticky side down and iron each one into place to prevent shifting while sewing.

I adjust the zig zag stitch again, making it narrower. Each bolt is completely edge stitched around.

I repeat this until all 22 patches are finished.

The final step is to carefully cut each new patch out. I leave a small amount of material around the edge and stitching. To keep the outer stitching from coming undone.

Press with the iron again and.... WhaaLaaa!
Grateful Missouri patches for selling.

I do take custom orders... Any Grateful Dead fans wanting one please reach out... I can create new designs for those of you with a wish for something else as well!