It’s been pretty quiet around these parts now that lad is back at school. As predicted, I got much more done yesterday than has been the norm over the past six weeks or so.
This despite the fact that the weather has been gloriously hot and sunny and was almost in danger of tempting me outdoors and away from the sewing machine.
But I have commissions to fulfil.
And I’ve also been making cushions for an exciting new development… about which I’ll tell you more later.
This is one of my new makes, a lovely scorching hot pink and orange number, guaranteed to brighten up any grey sofa.
It started life as a rather groovy tablecloth, with a number of small flaws and marks, luckily in places easily avoided when cutting a rectangular cushion.
But it wasn’t just the weather and the colours that were scorchio yesterday. (The Fast Show, from which the term “scorchio” comes, is one of mine and lad’s favourites, by the way :)).
Unfortunately, there was also a less pleasant example of something being scorchio.
One of my up-til-now friendly appliances took against me. Yes folks, my iron turned EVIL.
I was making another rectangular cushion, got half way through it and pressed it as usual. Only to see the lovely white vintage sheet cotton on the reverse turn instantly brown before my very eyes.
Disaster!
All I can say is, thank heavens for washing soda! I managed to bleach out the mark, turned the iron down and carried on.
And can you believe it… it happened again!
Again I remedied the scorch, washed and dried the fabric. Good job it was a sunny day!
I then ironed it – on a much cooler setting than normal. And the same thing happened AGAIN.
Not once, but TWICE. I couldn’t quite believe it.
I could almost hear that evil iron chuckling to itself, the horror.
It was all I could do not to chuck it in the bin (the iron, that is, not the cushion cover) there and then. But I controlled myself (after a few tears of frustration, I’ll admit) and contented myself with cursing it under my breath as I wiped down the soleplate.
I’m not looking forward to ironing that cushion cover again, I can tell you.
To be honest, I’m not even sure I dare. ♥
I’d recommend using a pressing cloth on fabrics like this (any fabrics, actually). Just a large square piece of cotton will do. 🙂
Poor you – why does it always happen on the white fabric? Maybe a new iron is in order?
I think it might be. It just tripped out our fuse box!
Sorted the fuse box, tried again – and marked the fabric yet again. This time whilst using a cloth. I think the iron and the bin will be getting acquainted very shortly.
Are you sure it’s the iron? It almost sounds like there’s something on or in the fabric that is causing the problem! What a mystery!
That’s what I thought at first – and then my partner scorched his work shirt this morning, so I had to sort that out as well!
I think the thermostat has gone. And it’s been making funny clicking noises as well this evening. Typically, it has given up the ghost just when I really need to do lots of ironing!
Still, it could have been worse. I could have ruined one of my commissions!
Oh my goodness – I admire your patience and perseverance – I would have thrown it in the bin immediately – grrrr!
Definitely time for a new iron – well worth it to save you time, frustration and most importantly fabric! x
So sad, and frustrating. Now you’re going to have an entirely new arsenal of sewing implements. Though it’s not as nice when you’re forced to get them, is it… Love, love, love the cushions, by the way. That one looks so good on your couch, how can you part with it!
Easy Erica – the rest of the room is turquoise, blue and purple, so it doesn’t go with anything!
Ah yes, that puts a damper on that idea, doesn’t it.
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