Make a cheap throw (or anything else)
This is a cheap and easy way to add some soft furnishings to your scenes. I saw this technique the first time, when my friend Elke in Illinois sent me a light pink throw. I had it on a bed at first, but then it ended up on the back on the sofa in my Christmas roombox. Since then I have made a draped towel hanging on the wall, and various other drapes and throws.
More ideas to use this technique, are for table mats, table runners, a square tablecloth over a draped round table, and a little knee blanket for an old (mini) lady.
First of all, go buy the cheapest towelling washcloth that you can find. It should be loosely woven. The very thick, more expensive ones don't work, trust me. (Pep Stores have a good variety, also Ackermans, but pick the cheap ones).
Cut off all the seams. Catch a loop near one of the ends, and start pulling. Keep a bin nearby. You will be amazed to find how much you'll have to pull out, to get to the mesh background that you're going to use. Do the one side first. Then turn it over, and unravel the other side. (Yes, the loops are on both sides, and has to be done seperately).
Now you should have your basic mesh background, which is very soft and drapeable. Decide how big you want it to be. Take sharp scissors, and cut on the grain. Be careful, it will unravel very quickly if you're not careful. If you want a pattern in the throw, you can draw a few threads to add interest. If you are happy with the inside bit, start drawing threads round the edges, to form a fringe. If you are not going to handle the throw again, drape it and leave it.
If however, you are going to handle it a lot, it would be wise to paint a little Fray Check around the edges, to prevent it from unraveling further.
Enjoy!
More ideas to use this technique, are for table mats, table runners, a square tablecloth over a draped round table, and a little knee blanket for an old (mini) lady.
First of all, go buy the cheapest towelling washcloth that you can find. It should be loosely woven. The very thick, more expensive ones don't work, trust me. (Pep Stores have a good variety, also Ackermans, but pick the cheap ones).
Cut off all the seams. Catch a loop near one of the ends, and start pulling. Keep a bin nearby. You will be amazed to find how much you'll have to pull out, to get to the mesh background that you're going to use. Do the one side first. Then turn it over, and unravel the other side. (Yes, the loops are on both sides, and has to be done seperately).
Now you should have your basic mesh background, which is very soft and drapeable. Decide how big you want it to be. Take sharp scissors, and cut on the grain. Be careful, it will unravel very quickly if you're not careful. If you want a pattern in the throw, you can draw a few threads to add interest. If you are happy with the inside bit, start drawing threads round the edges, to form a fringe. If you are not going to handle the throw again, drape it and leave it.
If however, you are going to handle it a lot, it would be wise to paint a little Fray Check around the edges, to prevent it from unraveling further.
Enjoy!