The StencilGirl Marrakech Express

Hi. My name is Janet Joehlin

and I am so excited to be a member of the StencilGirl Team!

From my first introduction to StencilGirl Products,

I have been enamored with the Marrakech Mix Stencil L177

designed by Michelle Ward.

The shape is so classic and this stencil offers several sizes. 

I have been wanting to jump into a beading project

and this shape was perfect!

First I traced the shape with a permanent pen onto a base fabric.

In this case, a Pigma Micron pen onto plain muslin.

I dug out my beads, some heavy duty thread

and a fine needle and got busy. 

I found it easiest to outline first and fill in second.

Only take one or two beads at most on your thread

and make the stitches secure.

Once in awhile I would backstitch through a bead for extra security.

It was fun picking out color combinations.

I used a vintage button on one...

and a metal hand stamped BELIEVE on another. 

Different sized seed beads and bugle beads

give the design texture and depth.

When I was satisfied with my beaded design

I trimmed the fabric to about 3/8's of an inch

(enough to handle it and fold it over).

If it is too short it gets frustrating to work with,

and no one will see the back anyways.

Any sewer knows you need to clip the inside corners and curves.

Get in tight to the corners without snipping your bead thread.

Then pull out your tacky glue.

Yes. Tacky Glue!

I found the best sequence was to glue the pointy point first

and work your way in. 

Small inside curves next to that point.....

Then the little squared off corner.....

That was the hardest part to glue..... 

Then the biggest and easiest curve.....

But you are not done yet.... 

Spreading glue over the whole back of your piece is extra security.

And then.... 

This is a pretty important finishing step.

As you are sewing this little gem,

it wants to curl up into a shape of its own. 

Gluing the back and pressing it on your teflon craft sheet to dry

will make it lay flat and straight.

Be patient. It takes several hours to dry.

Now you are ready

to use your beautiful creation wherever you want.

My daughter picked her favorite

and hot glued an alligator clip onto the back.

She clipped it to a headband last weekend 

and wore it to her town's Jazz RibFest.

So Beautiful!

Here is an idea my talented friend Lisa and I collaborated on.....

I did the beadwork...

Lisa made the leather cuff...

She loves doing that kind of thing.... 

 

She attached velcro to both pieces and....

I camouflaged the white velcro edge with a brown copic marker...

We then have a versatile bracelet! 

I can't wait to add more artwork to this fabulous cuff!

 

Need more ideas of what to do with these? 

I glued one onto a purse pocket....

I may attach one to a Journal cover....

Or hot glue a pin back onto it and give it as a gift....

Or make it into a necklace pendant....

Or alligator clip it onto the strap of your dress....
Or sew one into a dramatic neckline on a one-of-a-kind dress!

WoW!

The possibilities are endless

when you have a classic stencil shape like Marrakech to work with!

Thanks for letting me share my project with you.

I am in love with using these stencils.

Come visit me over on my Blog

and see what else I do.

xo

Janet