Using Other Fabrics with TerryGami

Dear Reader,

     A lot has happened since 2016.  I was working on the third book, and then lost my mother and moved across the country to be near my remaining family. My interest quickly changed to lavender, which grows in the surrounding area. I have come up with ideas to use TerryGami with lavender sachets in mind. 

     So, I have decided to take another turn to make TerryGami more adult friendly, too, by trying other varieties of fabric. I am now hooked on making TerryGami burlap kitchen witches and sachet ladies and stuffing them with lavender and other herbs for luck. 

     The doll pattern is in the next book. While I am experimenting, I will begin again to finish the third book. It appears that these patterns can be used with other fabrics, but they may require very thin cotton batting to give the material that little extra bulk that terrycloth has. Just cut the 12" x 12" or 11" x 11" batting to back the fabric, match it up, and roll. Burlap doesn't require any batting.  

     Another tip, use heat sealed tea bags, if making sachets or potpourri to put in the critters, especially if you are using burlap. Add essential oils to over power the scent of the burlap. It is a problem, but I do like the way the critters look in burlap. Like any lavender sachet, they require squeezing to refresh the scent.

     I will post pictures of the dolls soon.

     Now, back to work!

Happy Crafting!

Terry

     

Time to get back into the swing of it!

October 29, 2018

Dear Reader,

I have been out of commission for quite a while settling in to my new home and life.  Circumstances have led me to move across the continent to the beautiful Pacific Northwest where I have fallen in love with lavender! 

The rainy season has already started. This fall and winter I hope to have time to finish the third TerryGami book, which has the  one-cloth items I announced eons ago. 

I have been experimenting with other fabrics besides terrycloth washcloths, like burlap and cotton material.  The burlap works great for some of the new items in the third book, like the angels, bears and dolls.  Cotton fabrics work with the designs, too, but it is necessary to pair up a thin layer of cotton batting with the material in order to achieve enough bulk to form the critters. 

I have been stuffing the burlap and cloth critters with lavender sachets in stead of ice cubes.  I will include pictures in the book for bazaar crafters so they can see the results and choose what materials they may want to try. The  critters are made the same way using 12" x 12" (or 11" x 11") pieces of cloth. 

TerryGami takes on a whole new look when done in burlap. I like it!! However, it is pretty messy to work with because it sheds and leaves tiny fibers everywhere. Plus, it is not like using washcloths because the material has to bet cut first. This is off-putting to me, but I do it because I like the results.

It is time to get cracking on the third book.  Hopefully, life won't throw me any more surprises, unless it is a jackpot win!

That's all for now. 
Happy crafting!

~Terry

Black and Christmas red washcloths are now available in the 18 packs!!

 

 

 

 

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

TerryGami Website

Facebook

Twitter

Flickr

Welcome to Washcloth Crafts! 

TerryGami is the softer side of origami!


Black and Christmas red washcloths are now available at WalMart, three washcloths each in the packages of 18 Mainstay washcloth packs. Black has never, ever been available, so grab them while you can!  The red cloths can be used for hearts and Santas for Christmas and Valentine's Day and the black for Halloween bats and cats. The packages contain green, but a disappointing green.  I would have preferred a Kelly green, which can be used for shamrocks and Christmas, but the white can be used for angels and snowmen. I am celebrating over black and red washcloths! Whoo hoo!


Happy Crafting!
~Terry

Washcloth Crafts, TerryGami Scout Bear Instructions are Now on Etsy!

      The Scout Bear can be any color!

Instructions are free to Scout Troop Leaders for a limited time.
E-mail me at terry@terrygami.com

For all others, the instructions are on sale for $1 for a limited time. 
See the Etsy link below.
    
Boo Boo Angels, Tooth Fairies, Heart Box,

Firecracker Favors, Gathering Basket, Graduation Owl, and Bat

New! Scout Bear Instructions are now on Etsy, too! 

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

TerryGami Website

Facebook

Twitter

Flickr

Etsy

Welcome to Washcloth Crafts! 

TerryGami is the softer side of origami!

 The Girl Scout organization in the United States is officially 100 years old! Congratulations! 

In honor of their centennial, I have created a little green, one cloth bear I call the Scout Bear. I made this particular bear in green because green is the Girl Scouts’ color, but also because the Girl Scouts promote going green.  

Scout Bear Instructions are free to any scout troop leader until the end of December. They will be sent via PDF file. Just send your request to me at terry@terrygami.com.  For anyone else who may be interested, the instructions are on sale at the TerryGami Etsy shop for a $1 for a limited time.

This bear can be used as a troop activity because it is easy to make and has many uses. It can be a tree ornament, a sachet, a toy, and it can function as a boo boo bear to soothe a child’s boo boo. It can be used as a party favor on its own and it can hold a few extra treats like wrapped candy, small trinkets, or cash in its' tummy.

Thin, borderless washcloths or utility cloths sold in packages of 9 or 18 can be found at Walmart.  Walmart sells all green, all blue, and all tan packages of 9 cloths for about $3, which can be found in the dishcloth and washcloth section. Other colors in packages of 18 are usually sold along with seasonal items. New this year in the 18 packs are Christmas colors! A wonderful kelly green cloth is available. Perfect for the Girl Scouts!

Instead of ribbon, yarn, twine and a felt strip can be used if you want a scarf or bow around the neck, but need to save on cost. Now yarn with a little glitz is available, if you still want to jazz the bear up a bit.  \

Tapestry needles sold in bulk (packages of 6) can be purchased online at Anita’s Little Stitches for a reasonable price.  

See the TerryGami website for more tips and ideas and for free instructions on how to make a washcloth sewing kit.

Again, congratulations to the Girl Scouts for 100 years of service!

Happy Crafting!

~Terry

Books are sold on Amazon and Barnes and Noble!

See the links above.

Wascloth Crafts, Bat Instructions are now available on Etsy!

TerryGami Bat Instructions now on Etsy!

TerryGami, 15 Cloth Toy and Ornament Projects for Crafters, Teachers, and Children

A TerryGami bat with raised wings made with a thicker cloth.

Boo Boo Angels, Tooth Fairies, Heart Box,

Firecracker Favors, Gathering Basket, Graduation Owl

New!  Bat Instructions are now on Etsy, too! 

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

TerryGami Website

Facebook

Twitter

Flickr

Etsy

Welcome to Washcloth Crafts! 

TerryGami is the softer side of origami!

The TerryGami Bat Instructions are now available on Etsy! 

Bats can be any color. What if you can’t find that perfect color washcloth for your critter or holiday icon?  Companies can and have made these beautiful colors in the past; they just are not available all of the time.  However, black washcloths sold in bulk are another story. I have never found them, so dye them! Remember, kids love color, so don't be surprised if they are happy with orange, pink, yellow, or blue bats.

What dye to use when dyeing terrycloth? The Internet tells me that Procion MX, the dye used in tie-dyeing, is best to use on natural fibers and terrycloth, which is made of cotton.  You can find it online and in art supply stores, and it is reasonably priced.  It is also suggested to wash the terrycloth first without using fabric softener and with a little vinegar to strip the starch or any coating from the fabric, so it will absorb the dye better.  This Procion dye is said to be “safe, brilliant, mouth-watering and permanent.”  What more can we ask for?!

My only concern is, can a white washcloth be dyed black without it looking gray, or a red cloth, pink? When I used Rit dye, I had some success dyeing olive green cloths black, but I needed to dye them twice.  Of course, regular black washcloths can be found, but for the bats, you will need the thin cloths, and you will want to buy them in the bulk packages found in discount department stores like WallMart, especially if you are planning to use them as party favors.

Washcloths can be expensive, unless you buy them in bulk.  Many cloths may be too thick for the bats.  Sometimes the thicker cloths work better, for example, when making the TerryGami Turkey, but, for the most part, the thinner cloths are a bit better.  If the critters turn out too thin, you can always stuff the them with quilt batting. Always buy border-less washcloths.

I hope the washcloth companies start to supply us with every color (and black and red especially) on a regular basis.  Dyeing the cloths can be a bit of a chore, but I have to admit, I was thrilled when the black cloths finally turned out perfectly.  Oh, the possibilities for crows, black cats, and witches’ hats!

Happy Crafting!

~Terry

Washcloth Crafts, Wreath Instructions Now on Etsy!

Washcloth Wreath Instructions now on Etsy!

  Nine TerryGami Instructions are available on Etsy! 

Boo Boo Angels, Tooth Fairies, Heart Box & Firecracker Favors, Gathering Basket, and Graduation Owl

New!  Graduation Owl Instructions are now on Etsy, too!

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

TerryGami Website

Facebook

Twitter

Flickr

Etsy

Welcome to Washcloth Crafts! 

TerryGami is the softer side of origami!

 When my children were young, I was always on the lookout
for neat crafts for kids, especially in the fall when holiday time
was about to gear up.  My sons loved to decorate the house for
almost every holiday, until they reached a certain age. Holiday
decorating then became a chore, so be sure to appreciate their
enthusiasm for it while they are young. It won't be long before
dragging out the decorations will be met with groans and protests.

Wreaths and trees can be used for every holiday, so I decided to
release the TerryGami wreath instructions on Etsy, in case some
one happens to have a holiday tree for every holiday.  I know of
at least one person who has a tree in her living room all year long.
She decorates it primarily for her grandchildren and they get a big
kick out of it.  When the artificial Christmas tree is too much to drag
out every year, it may be time to have a Valentine's Day tree and an
Easter tree and a Halloween tree; think orange wreath with black
bats. Form board Halloween cut outs are available. Check out the
TerryGami Halloween Firecracker for ideas for the wreath. (See the
blog below.)

The TerryGami wreath requires only one cloth and can be decorated
with gems, foam board, sequins, tiny wood cutouts and any number
of items, including beads and buttons.Instructions for a TerryGami
Christmas tree are nearly completed, too, and I will post them
on Etsy this fall.

The washcloth wreaths take a few attempts to get the tension right.
If you make tension too tight when you roll it, it will look like a donut,
which isn't bad if you want to use it for a ring toss game!

Happy Crafting!
Terry

TerryGami Washcloth Crafts, Dracula Instructions Available on Etsy Now!

Washcloth Dracula Instructions available on Etsy now!

Eight TerryGami Instructions are available on Etsy! 
Boo Boo Angels, Tooth Fairies, Heart Box & Firecracker Favors, Gathering Basket, and Graduation Owl

New!  Graduation Owl Instructions are now on Etsy, too!

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

TerryGami Website

Facebook

Twitter

Flickr

Etsy

Welcome to Washcloth Crafts! 

TerryGami is the softer side of origami!

Now Dracula will take on another art form in the medium of terrycloth! We have a fascination with vampires these days because of the "Twilight" book series and movies, but we need to give credit where credit is due for this ghoulish genre.Count Dracula books and movies have had their fair share in the cultural lexicon for centuries, predating "Twilight" and other new movies and  television series.

Dracula can be a Halloween decoration and hang on a Halloween tree, if you have one. He can also be a prize at a Halloween party or the party activity.  

 If Dracula isn't your cup of tea, stay tuned for the witch and scarecrow instructions, which will be to add to the TerryGami Etsy lineup soon.

Halloween is coming!  Get ready!

Happy Crafting!

~Terry