Basic Grey Canvas Sampler

A couple of months ago, Basic Grey asked me if I would like to try out one of their new canvas display board samplers. Ummm, yes! That wasn't a hard decision! The sampler looked like a lot of fun to me. I was so excited when this package arrived in the mail recently.

I received the "Rook" sampler that measures 11" x 14" and an assortment of beautiful buttons and felt flowers. I couldn't wait to dig in but I had to come up with a plan first. I knew that I wanted my sampler to be three dimensional and have lots of texture. My inspiration came when my friend Kristie posted her Cheater Cathedral Windows tutorial. I took her basic idea, to convert a circle into a single Cathedral Windows block, and adapted it to my purpose.

I decided to use my aqua scraps for one side of all the circles. For the other side, I chose fabrics that were black and white, spring green, yellow/mustard, aqua and red. I fused together one scrap of aqua with one scrap of a print using Steam a Seam fusible web. Then I cut each fused sandwich into a circle with a 2" diameter.

With the print side up, I centered a 1 1/4" square of cardboard on the circle and folded in the four sides, pressing them with a hot iron. Then I flipped the unit over and sprayed a little starch onto it and pressed it again. I did this because I opted not to glue the edges down (which was my initial thought). I tried that but I lost the 3D look I was going for. The starch helps add a bit more body to the "Cathedral Window" and keeps the edges creased and folded inward.

I attached the windows with embroidery floss ties in the center. I secured a couple of them with a small button stitched through the center. In the bottom right hand corner, I had fussy cut a bird and I didn't want to put a tie through it so I stitched with thread within the folds of the window.

A few blocks were left open and coordinating buttons sewn in place. I didn't end up using the notions sent by Basic Grey because they didn't work with the color scheme that I chose. However, I can't wait to use some on small bags and pouches. How much fun will that be?

I really enjoyed this project. It was so much fun to create a miniature little textile and button composition. Would you like to try one too? I thought so! The generous folks at Basic Grey are allowing me to host a giveaway so that a lucky During Quiet Time reader can give one a try as well. I will be back with the giveaway soon.