Ruffled Americana Home Decor

We love this patriotic home decor by artist, Niki  Meiners. She used a combination of machine dyeing and microwave dyeing to create a marbled effect in the fabric she dyed for these colorful Americana projects -- a Ruffled Front Door Wreath, Rosette Napkins Rings and Ruffled Topiary Tree. What a colorful way to welcome family and friends to your home!

 

Niki is a freelance artist and writer who is known for her high quality creations that feature a diverse mix of styles and a highly creative approach to even the smallest detail. These same projects can be seen in Crafts ‘n Things June 23rd Newsletter. 

And be sure to stop by Niki's  blog, 365 Dayss Of Craft, for even more DIY inspirations! 

  

On to the tutorials...

TOOLS & MATERIALS:

 

• Rit Liquid Dye: Scarlet, Wine, Navy Blue, Dark Brown

• 6 yds. White Cotton Fabric

• 3 yds. Cream Cotton Fabric

• ½ yd. Burlap

• Styrofoam™ Brand Cone (9“x 4”), Wreath (12” x 1”), Block (8” x 4” x 2”)

• Walnut Hollow Creative Woodburner, 24414 

• 6 Natural Leather Bracelets, four 1.5” wide (napkin rings) & two 2” wide (topiary tree) 

• Straight Pins

• Scissors

• Sewing Thread in coordinating colors

• Serrated knife

• Jute Cording by Toner

• Natural Wood Buttons (HAB106) by Buttons Galore and More

• Foam-Tac & Fabri-Tac by Beacon Adhesives

• Wood Dowel Rod, 12” length for stem of tree

• Sewing machine

• Microwave

• Dyeing Supplies: Plastic table cover, rubber gloves, measuring cup, bucket or tub

for each color, long-handle stainless steel spoon or tongs, paper towels

• Large empty can or paint bucket to hold tree

 

INSTRUCTIONS:

 

Dyeing Fabric

 

Note: This is a combination of machine dyeing and microwave dyeing. If you prefer to do all your dyeing in the microwave, up to one yard of fabric can be dyed in the microwave. Dyed fabric will appear marbled with light and dark areas.

 

1. Dye 3 yards of white cotton fabric in the washing machine using 6 ounces (3/4 bottle) Royal Blue dye. Follow instructions on the bottle for machine dyeing. Run the fabric through the rinse cycle.

 

2. To create a marbled effect, sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup Royal Blue dye on fabric. Then scrunch up fabric, place in plastic container, cover with plastic wrap. Cover bottom of microwave with paper towels to protect against spills. Place container in microwave and set on high for 2 minutes.

 

3. Dye 3 yards of white cotton fabric in the washing machine using 6 ounces (3/4 bottle) Scarlet dye. Follow instructions on the bottle for machine dyeing. Run the fabric through the rinse cycle. To create a marbled effect, sprinkle ¼ cup Wine dye on fabric. Then microwave fabric following directions in Step 2.

 

 

 

1. Cut 1 ½” snips in the Cream, Scarlet and Royal Blue fabrics along one long edge. Tear the fabric into strips. This will create a rough edge.

 

2. To begin, lengthen your machine stitch to its longest setting and slightly loosen your tension on the top thread. Sew parallel two lines along one edge, leaving long threads on the end of the fabric. Tie the threads in a knot at one end.

 

3. To create a ruffle, gently pull the bottom threads toward your knot at one end. This will create folds in the fabric. Knot the other end when you have achieved the look you want.

 

 

4. To avoid the frustration of breaking your thread, work in 20 – 24” sections. After you have the ruffled look you like, sew another line in the fabric to secure the ruffle in place. along the edge.

 

 

 

Finished size: 14” across

 

 

1. Wrap the wreath with strips of the red, cream and blue unruffled strips of fabric in the in the color pattern you want to follow for the ruffles. Secure the ends of the fabric with Foam-Tac. Insert a straight pin until dry.

 

3. Wrap the ruffles around the wreath as indicated by the colored fabric.

 

To Make the Frayed Fabric Rosettes ( for Napkin Rings & Pot)

 

 

1. Using a strip of red or blue fabric cut previously, fold over one end and secure with a stitch. Flip over and start a hand running stitch along the bottom of the

fabric strip. When you've reached the end of your strip, pull the thread so the fabric bunches up. Secure all the layers by stitching through each and securing on the back. Layer the colors as desired. Attach a wood button to the center with a stitch or with Fabri-Tac. Make as many needed for napkin rings and front of pot.

 

 

Finished size: 14” tall

 

 

1. Use the same technique as above to make the ruffles for the cone. Use straight pins to secure the ruffles while the Fabri-Tac is drying. Add jute cording around top of cone to secure ruffles and adhere with Fabri-Tac.

 

2. Rub Dark Brown Rit Dye on dowel using a paper towel and let dry. Insert dowel rod into base of tree and secure with Foam-Tac. Allow it to dry.

 

3. Use a serrated knife to cut Styrofoam block, 8" x 4" x 2" to fit inside can. Adhere both with Foam-Tac. Wrap burlap around container and secure flaps with Fabri-Tac. Wrap leather bracelets around container and snap together to secure. Adhere frayed fabric rosette to front.

 

 

Use wood burning tool to create a pattern of your choice onto leather bracelets. Rub Dark Brown dye into leather when finished. Let dry and buff to create shine. To form napkin rings, glue fabric rosettes to leather bracelet with Fabri-Tac.