SNAIL TRAILS

Okay... so I live in the Pacific Northwest, slugs and snails are a fact of life. Even though they may seem disgusting they do make an art all their own. In viewing their paths across my patio (deck, lawn furniture, up the dog's water bucket, etc., etc.) I was inspired to create yet again!

To make a vest, you will need:

1 yard sheer fabric - if it has a bit of sheen to it even better. Color of your choice.
1 yard base fabric - this can be either another sheer (try a 2-color combo like red over blue, for a "purple" vest) or use a cotton fabric under the sheer (maybe a leaf print?)
Assorted yarns and trims - Bright colors and sparkly stuff work best. Try and keep these soft and flexible, you don't want to end up with a suit of armor (or do you?)
Blunt tip yarn needle - to feed the trims through.
Fabric Marking Pen or Pencil - make sure it's removable with water or a soft brush.
Optional: Double Needle - for your sewing machine. Makes it go twice as fast. Older models get a 4.0 width, newer model machines can go up to 8.0 (lucky you!)

Snail Stamp - For that finishing touch!

STEP 1
Trace out your pattern on the base fabric. Cut it out leaving about a 1-2" margin all around.

STEP 2
With your fabric marker, draw curvy lines vertically over your base fabric (fronts and back). Don't let the lines intersect. They can come next to but not through another line. Keep the lines softly curved, too tight a curve makes it difficult to feed the trim through later. HINT: Sometimes it is very difficult to mark on some sheers (and be able to see it). If you used a sheer for the base you will have to work a bit harder to see it, or mark the lines on the top fabric sheer.

STEP 3
Lay sheer over base fabric. With a double needle stitch all the lines. Use a rayon thread for added glisten!

STEP 4
Thread yarn or trim through your blunt needle. Feed it through the stitched lines. Depending on how wide your double needle is, will determine how thick a "trail" you will make. I've found a 4.0 needle can handle a worsted weight yarn and/or slubby stuff without getting too stiff.

STEP 5
Lightly press your vest. Use a press cloth over the sheer to protect it from any damage from the iron. Sew along the drawn pattern outline with a machine basting stitch to hold the layers together. Cut out vest.

STEP 6
Sew vest as per your pattern's instructions, or bind all raw edges (in the case of a double sheer so you don't lose the effect).

Optional: STEP 7
Before finishing vest. Make random straight stitching at the bottom of your vest with a grass-green rayon thread. Use the snail stamp and stamp him along the "trails".