www.creativeladiesministry.com

[Allena]

Hi there,
I'm looking for some crafty wisdom regarding a project I am planning to undertake with our Girls' Brigade. I'm hoping to do a study on Hospitality with them and thought it would be a nice follow-up to make pin-craft fabric "pineapples" (pineapples being a symbol of hospitality) during the craft session. I've succeeded in making the body of the pineapple but am getting stuck with the crown. I've tried using ribbon but it seems to be too floppy. I need something more ... spikey. Has anyone any suggestions? The pineapples will need to be hung up eventually - rather like Christmas tree ornaments, so that has to be considered too. Thanks for your ideas.
_________________
Allena
Proverbs 3:5-6
http://www.crilly40.freeserve.co.uk

[Prov31wannabe]

Wired ribbon??
That should provide the lift you need.

I am intrigued by this project. Any chance at you posting or sending me instructions? And a photo??

_________________
Colossians 1:27 ...."Christ in you, the hope of glory."

[BarbaraJean]

How about pipe cleaners, although I think the wired ribbon would be prettier.
_________________
God Is Good All The Time. . .
Barb

[Oma]

I'm sorry my mind has gone blank (as far as what this stuff is called) but it is used when doing machine applique. It is sold in sheets. Go to your fabric store (I shop at Jo Ann's a lot) and ask for the "Heat sensitive" applique sheets used for machine applique. Draw a pattern for your Pineapple crown. Iron the pattern to some fabric. Peel the sheet off and repeat the process using more fabric for the back. It isn't REAL stiff, but I think it might work for you. If I remember the name of the "stuff" I will pop back in and let you know.

Also a good application of starch should help as well.
_________________
ysiHn&l;
Deb

[Bethany]

[dcmillman]

I like the idea of heat & bond, or using liquid fabric stiffener, although I thought if you cut out 2 layers of fabric for the crown pattern and place thin gauge wire inbetween the fabric and the heat & bond or fabric stiffner then you would be able to shape the leaves for a better final effect.

[Allena]

Wow! What a lot of truly creative ladies you are!! You've certainly given me plenty to think about. Many thanks indeed. I had totally forgotten about wired ribbon and that might just be the answer. I probably should have explained that these "pineapples" are made by folding small squares of fabric into triangles and pinning them on to polystyrene (sp??!) egg shape in a uniform pattern. My GB class, aged 11-15, do not sew too well (or at all, in some cases) so pin-craft is right up their street. (Apparently in today's school curriculum, they don't do needlework anymore. A very sad state of affairs I think). Anyhow, to return to the subject ... the "crown" of the pineapple needs to be pinned to the top of the finished covered shape, so to get it stick up like the top of a pineapple is the challenge. Prov31wannabe (just love that name!!) I'll try and see what I can do about a picture/instructions for you - once I've got the thing sussed myself. It's really just my variation on a Christmas tree ornament and I have yet to get it to a place where I'm satisfied with it! Thanks again ladies for all your generous advice. Blessings.
_________________
Allena
Proverbs 3:5-6
http://www.crilly40.freeserve.co.uk

[Prov31wannabe]

Thanks Allena!
If a picture isn't possible, instructions would be awesome.
I love the pineapple because of it's association with hospitality and I've wanted to try a pin-craft with fabric (like you describe).
I've made ornaments with the styrofoam balls/eggs and beads/sequins/tassles and pins that turn out very elegant but I've not tried anything with fabric.
_________________
Colossians 1:27 ...."Christ in you, the hope of glory."