I had just enough of my flannelette left to back the top 27″ of the monster (48″ wide), so its guts will be a bit more pieced than i thought (it’s near 80″ long) …ah well, ya gotta start somewhere, and at least it’s pinned ready for basting and the first stitches.
not set on orientation either yet–the backed section so far is what i’m thinking of as the top–but i could be wrong
You’ll note i didn’t press any of the fold creases out. I’m leaving them as a grid for each “month”–i figure it’ll take that much time at least for each area, and it gives me a guide and a manageable space to work in. If i get more done, fine, if not, so be it. If i jumped in anywhere, i know i’d get lost! Doesn’t mean that it will be done in an orderly fashion–i can do a less visually interesting area, then skip over to one more dense with imagery. Originally i was going to divide it into 12 sections, but quite frankly the thought of deliberately ironing it all out flat, and then re-adding that many folds is less than appealing, so 8 it is…. i’d rather start than be farfling around with that expanse dragging around through dog hair, grass clippings, catnip and dirty socks! (Hmmm, must be time for the monthly tidy up 
) At the end it will either be steamed lightly (learned my lesson when i flattened the face embroidery on “Not the Hive MInd”–NO pressing!) or dampened and hung somewhere cool so it takes a smidge more time to dry and stretch out a bit.
Sheesh, i have more ideas about finishing than starting! I’m not even sure where this one will go or what to do on it. Small steps tonight with the first loaded needle!
I also hate the idea of having to buy more flannelette since cotton prices have gone up so much. When i started using this fabric as batting/wadding, it was 20 bucks for 10 metres, and that was for almost 3 years that the price stayed consistent–the last time i bought it, it had jumped to 45! Necessary evils suck.
Meg Fowler
August 16, 2012 at 6:33 am
When I took the Frankenstitch class and first used flannel to stitch on, I found a place that sells what I guess are bolt ends. I don’t remember what they cost, but it wasn’t very much ’cause I bought a good bit. I’ll be happy to check the next time I go up to Asheville and let you know. I can mail you a care package!
arlee
August 16, 2012 at 6:46 am
Meg, that’s very kind of you! I’ll contact you privately.
MA
August 21, 2012 at 4:45 pm
Wow, the price more than doubled for flannelette in less than three years? That’s just plain WRONG, but oh so common for everything these days. This new piece of art is big, fer sure – I guess patience will be necessary for us to see it, but not nearly the patience that will be needed to actually DO it!