Today's work is sewing covers for the screens in the local nursery's groups. The covers should have pockets, with a puppet theatre window in the middle.
There were no specific wishes about the size and number of the pockets. Since every group uses its own particular striped fabric as a symbol, I should use those in the design.
I drew this and tried that and decided to use a thinner white canvas as the main fabric. First, it is strong; second, it is quite reasonably priced; and third, a patterned fabric simply does not suit as a background for the striped fabric. Linen fabric would of course be very exclusive, but its price for such a large quantity (25 m) is impractical.
There was not very much striped fabric. Some groups had more, others less, one had a last small piece and one had run out entirely. So I thought I would use the striped fabric only as decoration at the edges of the pockets. That is more work, but this way everyone gets a similar amount of the fabric used.
There will be 16 pockets on each screen (for each group), and the pockets go on the back of the screen. By the front I mean the side where the theatre opening faces the audience.
In addition I would make the binding of the theatre opening from the striped fabric.
The next picture shows 96 pockets cut out, binding of striped fabric for every pocket and striped fabric edges for the theatre openings.
The next picture shows the back of the screen.
On the left I made 6 pockets of the same size in a regular arrangement, where the teacher can put letter cards or other learning games, for instance. On the other side, though, pockets of all kinds and sizes. The children themselves will know what can be hidden or stuffed or placed in there. Model cars, elves or cuddly toys. In the middle, under the theatre opening, I sewed 2 very large pockets with elasticated edges for hand puppets.
Behind every pocket a double reinforcing tape is sewn, so that the corners of the pocket last a long time even with keen play and use. It would be sad to do such a big piece of work and then have the corners of the pockets hanging loose after a few months or weeks. Everything has to be strong and properly made.
And now the front of the screen.
In the middle the group's name and something to decorate it. I asked for a quotation for fabric printing as well, to print the group logos there. Sadly that idea was not carried out, as there were no large format files of the group logos.
Drawing the logos by hand or cutting them out of fabric did not seem sensible. So I am applying my imagination with artistic decorations instead.
On either side of the theatre window the group can use the space as a display board. To hold an exhibition of drawings, or decorate it with autumn leaves, or make something on the theme of a theatre performance.
I have now worked hard for a week and a half and the side panels of the screens are finished. Twelve covers with 96 pockets. Of the middle parts I have just finished the first, the one for the Lainekratid group. That was a trial piece, as it were, to check that all the measurements fit. Small corrections had to be made here and there, and now I have cut out the pieces for the rest as well.
The letters of the groups' names are waiting to be cut out and sewn on one by one with a hemming stitch. Some decorations to go with the names. And all the remaining middle panels to be sewn.
And it is as always: in my head I finish the work in a few days, but when I start I fiddle and fiddle and there is no end in sight. At least I know it is properly made, which matters most to me.
The trouble is that a whole row of instrument bag orders is already scratching at my heels. 🙂
Right then. Many days have passed and let me show what and how it went on.
I have been sewing pieces together and fiddling with the letters of the groups' names: cutting the letters one by one out of squares of woollen felt, laying them on the fabric, fixing them and sewing them down with an applique stitch.
The screens are finished.
I thought I could put the covers on all 6 screens at the nursery and take a picture. But it turned out that the other screen frames are not ready yet. I hung the middle covers with the windows up as they were and took a few pictures.
The windows now have curtains too; they can be seen on the Lainekratid screen.
