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Sunday, February 9, 2014

Small boutis (petasson) Finishing

Finally I have finished stuffing this small petasson, and decided to finish it in the traditional way with a taped edge, a "tresse" in French.  All of my old small pieces are finished in this way.  I have made some  pieces myself which I finished with an embroidered edge, or a fancy hem, and large pieces with a straight border have been finished with a small hem, as is tradition.  The tape utilized is a kind of lingerie tape with a knitted effect, not a tight weave twill tape.

I have been taking a few pictures as I went along, to show you how I do this.  I am sure there are many other ways, but this works for me and as far as I can tell, is the traditional method.
Here is the completed stitching, with the excess fabric still attached.

I will be working from the right side initially.

Pattern from Boutis Traditionnel by Christiane Vignal.

Materials used here are my stitching thread (for this small piece I used Gutermann hand quilting thread, 100% cotton.  It is quite strong and fine.  I usually use  Dual Duty handquilting thread with a polyester core, which is very strong).  You can see the white tape I am using for finishing.

I am pinning the edge of the tape to the last line of stitching, working from the front.  You can see that the tape is facing downwards, so I can flip it up and over to the back when the first line of stitching is complete.

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This is the back, you can just see my pin mark on the outer edge through the last line of stitching

 And here it is stitched all the way around.  I use a small back stitch on the edge of the tape (no, I did not whip or use an applique stitch for this part).
The tape will stand up a bit from the work.  Be sure to follow the original stitching line (I stitch exactly on top of it)
Here is the"dangerous" part !!  You have to trim the excess fabric away.  I do this from the front so that I do not accidentally cut into the tape, and I keep the work on a flat surface.  I trim to about 1/4", and I clip the inner curve 3 times - once in the middle, and then one clip either side of that, about 1/8" apart.  Do not clip too close to the stitching.



 All that remains now is to fold the tape to the reverse, and pin.  You will stitch in the "ditch" of the last line of stitching.  I use the applique stitch for this and my same quilting thread.  If some of my seam allowance is peeking underneath the tape I just sweep it in with my needle as I go along.  Alternatively you might trim a little closer (I do not do this).
Just for comparison:  this is an old petasson, reverse side.  You can see how this one is finished with the tape.

I will post a final picture later when I have stitched down the final seam.  The next part will be to wash:   start with a soak in cold water for several hours to remove any remaining marks and help close any needle holes from stuffing, then wash in hot water with a mild detergent or Marseille soap.  Then lay out flat to dry on an absorbent towel.  I turn mine over once the top feels dryer, so that it dries evenly.  Sometimes I will pin to ensure the piece dries straight. 
I use a frixion marker to trace the design, which I remove by running a hairdryer over the piece before washing.  Better than ironing - remember a boutis must never be ironed.  I use this method for my applique too, it avoids the annoying white mark that these markers can leave.
Any questions ?
Here it is pinned, ready to finish

Finshed !

Wrong side view of edge

Complete piece against the light - the true boutis, relief and transparency.  It is now soaking in cold water.

12 comments:

Donna in SW PA said...

looks wonderful. Where do you get your tape?

Marie du Gard said...

coucou Heather, ton pétassoun est drôlement bien réussi. Bravo !
On va pouvoir le voir en vrai au 2ème salon du boutis....
J'utilise aussi le fil Gutterman.
Gros bisous.

Lou said...

Superbes photos, ton pétasson est magnifique et le tuto pour la pose de la tresse parfait !

Karen said...

Beautiful! Thank you so much for showing the finishing instructions. I'm working on a petassoun right now and will try your method. And I too, would like to know where you get the tape. Thank you!!

hiromi said...

Perfect! It is wonderful finishing for boutis. I am looking forward to seeing it in May!

Heather said...

Hi ladies,
Thanks for the kind comments !
Re the tape: I am using one that I purchased in France some time ago. I will look to see if I can find something similar locally, and will let you know if I do.

Karen said...

I'd like to know what kind of tape from France. I know you can buy all kinds of things online these days and if it's the right thing to buy then I will. Thanks Heather!

Roni Hunt said...

OH Heather! This is breathtaking!!!! Congratulations

Nini Petits Boutis said...

Magnifique boutis.
J'aime beaucoup cette finission que tu as montée de main de maître
Bisous

Karen said...

Hi Heather, I found a lacette braid cotton on www.boutiquenanou.fr under their boutis supplies. Is this what you use?

Seams French said...

That is a beautiful petasson. I am unfamiliar with that finishing tape and have never seen anyone use it, but I think that it makes for a very clean, neat finished edge and will look for the tape and give it a try. Great directions as well. Thanks.

Unknown said...

I am needing some advice on washing and, especially, drying a,large Boutis (bed quilt size).
There is no way I can spread it on the floor, because we do not have an area large enough to spread it out..
When I started the Boutis, I was aware of the problem, so there is a fairly wide extra border of batiste beyond the piece.
My husband has suggested waiting for a day which looks as if it will be dry for a long time (not easy in the UK) and fold it in two with two of the extended edges at the top to put the washing pegs in.
I can see no other way, really.
Have you any ideas?
Marie Lewis, in the North of England.