Royal School of Needlework-- 2015 Courses

Friday, November 26, 2010

Snowflakes With a Message, Part 3

This is a continuation of Snowflakes With a Message, Part 2.

Using a pencil, draw the middle letter of the name you have chosen for the snowflake, beginning in the center of one folded side and extend the letter to the other fold.

IMPORTANT: Each letter must be connected to the adjoining letter, and at least one of the letters must extend from fold to fold -- or you will lose some of your design.


Draw the remaining letters of the name, carefully connecting them. Some, or all of these letters can stretch from fold to fold. You can lean the letters to the right or left, as desired.

If desired, draw the first letters of your chosen name, but don't connect them fold to fold; however, be careful to connect them to each other. If you want to connect all the letters fold to fold, your design will appear more like a crocheted doily, rather than a snowflake. Don't forget to connect all letters to each other, and be very careful when cutting out the snowflake at small, vulnerable connections. A small (mini) hole punch will help when cutting out the middles of the letters A, B, D, Q, R, P, and O. You could even use a heart or star punch or the like when cutting out the insides of these letters.

Staple the snowflake to stabilize for cutting. Staple one end of a staple into the small spaces where a full staple won't fit.


Take your time! Cut out your snowflake carefully and slowly, paying close attention to unstable connections that might need a generous allowance for a larger and better connection.


Open your snowflake, and fold back the folded parts to flatten as best as your can. This is a slow procedure, to avoid tearing the paper.

Using a dry iron on a cotton setting, iron your snowflake onto cotton fabric with the paper shiny side down. The iron only needs to be briefly set down (less than one second) to allow it to stick to the fabric. You can then trace around the snowflake pattern, tracing each opening with a marking pencil. After your have completed the tracing process, remove the paper and applique as desired.

The name "Maritza" can be defined by reading the snowflake from the outside to the inside. (Thank you, Maritza, for suggesting this tutorial.)

I will provide additional photos with descriptions of how Mary Moss has applied her patterns to background fabric.

I would love to post photos of completed snowflakes on this blog. As you complete your pattern, please email the attachment to me, and I will show off your creation. My email is available under "My Profile".

Have fun!

6 comments:

jayne said...

I remember doing this with Mary, but have to say I didn't remember the process. Thanks to Martiza for suggesting this and to you Margaret and Mary for posting it. I must admit even after I knew the name I had trouble seeing it. Jayne

Maritza said...

Margaret, estoy feliz porque has utilizado mi nombre para hacer este tutorial. Gracias por pensar en mí. Es precioso!!!! Un beso grande

Margaret said...

Jayne, Thanks for leaving your comment. I remember that Mary had a class in snowflake design at one of our first applique retreats.
Margaret

Margaret said...

Maritza, it was because you showed interest in the snowflake in your comment that Mary and I decided to do the tutorial. We think you are a very special person.
Margaret

Lilian Pilar said...

Margaret!!! el tutorial es genial...una idea estupenda FELICITACIONES!!!!! y aprovecho de desearte una Feliz Navidad!!!!...y un año 2011 repleo de Amor para ti y familia son los sinceros deseos de Lilian Pilar y familia....besitos..

Anonymous said...

I have never seen snow, but with this tutorial, I'll know how to make a snowflake! :)
Thank you, it is lovely!