DIY Network

Frankenbodice Fuse a kaleidoscope of colors into wearable art. From "Uncommon Threads" episode DUCT-146

Laura Wasilowski's Frankenbodice is made of fused silk fabric scraps assembled onto a fusible interfacing that has been cut into the pattern parts of a bodice. The pattern parts are lined with silk fabric; fused scraps are assembled at random on the right side of the pattern parts and stitched with decorative threads. The pattern parts are then joined to form a stiff bodice.

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Frankenbodice

Materials:

bodice pattern (see note, below)
1 yd. hand-dyed silk fabric for bodice lining
1 yd. fast2fuse® double-sided fusible stiff interfacing
fused hand-dyed silk scraps in a variety of colors
hand-dyed size-12 pearl cotton thread for decorative stitching
metallic thread for decorative stitching
12 brass eyelets (1/8") for lacing
eyelet pliers
3/8" woven ribbon for lacing
Teflon ironing sheet (or release paper from fusible web)

Note: When purchasing a bodice pattern, select one that does not contain darts but instead uses curved seams to create the bodice shape.

1. Pin the center bodice pattern piece onto the fast2fuse interfacing and cut out (figure A). Do not retain the notches. Mark the fast2fuse with the pattern piece name.

2. Using the fast2fuse pattern piece as a template, place the pattern piece on the wrong side of the silk lining fabric and roughly cut out the fabric around the template. Retain about 1" of fabric around the template shape.

3. Place the fast2fuse template on a Teflon sheet. Center the silk lining fabric on top and fuse into place by following the manufacturer's directions (figure B).

Figure A

Figure B

4. Remove the lined template from the Teflon sheet and trim the lining fabric to within 5/8" of the template.

5. Roll the lining fabric onto the white side of the fast2fuse to cover the template edges. Miter the template corners. Iron the silk fabric into place.

6. Repeat Steps 1 – 5 for the remaining bodice pattern pieces.

7. Randomly cover the white side of the bodice pattern pieces by overlapping the fused silk fabric scraps on top (figure C). Iron into place. Roll and iron some of the scraps around the edge of the piece to the lining fabric.

8. Steam set the bodice pieces by following the manufacturer's directions.

9. Stitch each bodice piece with thread to decorate the surface of each panel.

10. Assemble the bodice by attaching each panel to its neighboring panel. Attach panels together with a zigzag or other decorative machine stitch (figure D).

11. Insert grommets to the back of the bodice.

12. Lace the bodice together with a ribbon (figure E).

Figure C

Figure D

Figure E

RESOURCES :

Hand-dyed silk fabric
Website: www.artfabrik.com

fast2fuse fusible interfacing
Website: www.ctpub.com

GUESTS :

Emily Parson
Website: www.emilyquilts.com
Blog: www.whatsthatgonnabe.blogspot.com