Category: Home Projects

Sewing Kit

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My sister asked me quite a while ago whether I would make her a sewing kit similar to the one I had made Rebecca. The biggest change she wanted was a space for a crochet hook or two. Well, I changed quite a few things because Rebecca’s sewing kit was made specifically for a student who needs to be able to fix hems, sew on buttons etc. My sister’s was made with a crocheter in mind. I’m not sure if I got it right but at least it looks cute!

Kristine's Sewing KitI added a handle because I thought it would be easier to move from place to place, especially while holding a project. Furthermore, I turned the pockets around so that I didn’t need to put a flap over the crochet hooks to keep them from falling out.

Kristine's Sewing KitThere’s a big pocket for a tape measure and some thread (or a chocolate bar?), a linen square for needles and a small detachable pincushion on one side. On the other side there’s room for some scissors and four crochet hooks.

Detachable PincushionThe little pincushion is my favourite part, I think.

Crochet Hooks and ScissorsBecause the scissors kept sliding out I added a little tab that closes with a popper. There’s nothing worse than losing your scissors.

The sewing kit is on its way to Switzerland right now. I really hope my sister likes it and that it comes in handy whenever she’s working on a project.

I’m linking up to Crazy Mom Quilts’ Finish it up Friday and ticking another item of my FAL list.

 

 

 

 

Categories: Finish-A-Long, Home Projects13 Comments

A Little Bit of Sewing

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Last week my parents-in-law arrived to celebrate my father-in-law’s 70th birthday. It meant that not much sewing was done at the end of the week.

I did manage to sew the February Bee blocks for Pippa, which were really quick to make. The pattern is “Great Big Kiss” by Sew Me.

Great Big Kiss

 

I’m sure Pippa’s quilt will look great once all the blocks are put together.

I also managed to make a birthday present for our lovely neighbour Rebecca, who was celebrating her 21st birthday. I pulled out some of my Liberty Tana lawns and decided on a HST (half square triangle) heart cushion. I combined the Tana lawns with some Essex linen in linen for the front and a sage green and white polka dot print for the back.

Liberty HeartThis rather dodgy Instagram photo is the only picture I have of it as I forgot to take pictures before gifting it. Doh! I might see if I can get it back for five minutes and take some nicer pictures.

As I only used one HST of most print (I had to use two prints twice as I didn’t have enough different pieces that were big enough) I can make another one. I think I might have an idea how I can mix it up a bit. I’ll keep you posted.

Categories: Home Projects, Sew Euro-Bee-An1 Comment

A Skein of Geese

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Did you know a large group of flying geese is called a skein? Well, I didn’t I but now I can say I’ve learned something new today. The information, by the way, came from here.

Anyway, my double circle of geese cushion has been on my to-do list since last June and I’m so happy to finally be able to put a tick next to it.

Double Circle of Flying Geese

After I stopped worrying and got on with sewing the cushion came together really quickly. The fabric I used for the geese is “Good Fortune” by Kate Spain, the green solid is one I got from a friend.

I wasn’t sure how to quilt it but decided to simply follow the geese, which meant 24 stops and starts where I had to break thread. I think it took longer to knot the threads and bury the ends than to piece the whole block.

This cushion was made with someone in mind. However, I now don’t think it is right for this person so it looks like this one is up for grabs. Or it might just stay there on the sofa if I can’t find a good home for it; it goes really well with our sage green feature wall.

I didn’t have a pillow form big enough for the cover (it finishes at 20″) so I pinched the insert of Charlie’s bed so I could take pictures. He wasn’t very happy and decided to check out my photo shoot.

Charlie overseeing the photo shoot

The look on his face says it all…

Charlie photo bombing

Another finish for my FAL list. Not quite on a roll but getting there.

she can quilt

 

Categories: Finish-A-Long, Home Projects, Quilting6 Comments

Teacher Gifts

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I admit it, I struggle with teacher gifts. I never know what to give them, after all how many pencils, fridge magnets or bits and bobs with “Best Teacher” on them do those poor teachers need? This year I decided on chocolates as I’m fairly sure that you can never have too many chocolates. However, I’ve decided to put them in some lovely fabric baskets.

Fabric baskets

I cut four charms into 2,5″ squares and used one for each basket. The charms are all from the Japanese Charm Swap and I picked out the ones which had a food theme: strawberries, cakes and baking implements. The main fabric is Essex linen and the lining is some Kona in Robin Egg.

I can see lots of these fabric baskets in my future as I’m just totally in love with them and I can see so many different uses for them. First I’m going to make one for my sister-in-law for Christmas which I will fill with some candles and nice-smelling body lotion. Then I’m going to make one as a thread catcher for when I’m hand sewing. At the moment I’m using a yogurt pot….

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Noel

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This year I decided not to have a stall at the two Christmas Fairs in our village and I love the fact that I don’t have to sew under pressure. Instead I took out the Blitzen by Basic Grey for Moda mini charms I got at the Fat Quarterly Retreat and started playing. I love simple patchwork cushions and that was what I wanted to make from it. For a while I tried different combinations but it was only when I took out all the red charms and substituted them for a green shot cotton that it started to sing to me.

The quilting is very wonky.

Now, I could say it was done on purpose but I would be lying. I need more practice to pull off FMQ (free motion quilting) but decided to go for it anyway. All in all I’m happy with the result despite the wonkiness. Please excuse the cat’s hairs, Charlie rather likes to lie right next to the sewing machine.

You may have noticed that I take most of my cushion pictures in the same corner. Have you ever wondered why you never really see what the cushions are placed on?

That’s why. Charlie uses the pouf as a scratching post. He also sleeps on it, hence the sheepskin and cushions. I have thought about re-covering it but how am I going to deter him from scratching it again? I think I might try making a lose cover and see how he copes with that. Anything’s better than this tattered disaster.

 

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Mirror, Mirror

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Today was a brilliant mail day: three packages were delivered. However, I’m only going to show you one today. I ordered some little bits from Ali at Very Berry Fabrics again.

This time I ordered a little pack of scraps and some 5″ charms. I have no plans for them yet but I’m sure I’ll find a use for them.

Remember the Liberty cushion I made for my aunt? Well, you might remember that I loved it so much I was going to make another one for myself. I did. Although it’s not exactly the same:

You might wonder why I called it the Mirror, Mirror cushion. The HST (half square triangles) are arranged in the same order mirroring each other diagonally. It gives a more ordered look, I think. This one is staying with me although I have to go and buy an insert as I have none that fit it. I don’t understand why I keep making cushion covers that don’t fit on my cushions. Maybe it’s my way of giving myself reason to sew another one?

 

Categories: Home Projects1 Comment

Hello!

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I missed another day of Blogtoberfest. I was so proud that I had made it so far without missing any posts and am a bit gutted that I’ve now missed two.

Anyway, today I’ve had three very happy emails:

1. I won a freebie over at the Green bag Lady. If you don’t know her yet hop over and read all about her fabulous crusade to get rid of plastic bags. I have one of her shopping bags which is always in my handbag and it has saved many a plastic bag from coming home with me.

2. Christina sent me the details of my two swap partners for the Christmas ornament swap. I haven’t started stalking yet as it’s Master’s birthday today and I’ve been baking biscuits and a cake. Tomorrow, however, is a different story and I will get out my sunglasses and trench coat.

3. I won the giveaway over at Lily’s Quilts. Chantal from Hyggeligt Fabrics of London, Ontario offered to give away the kit for Lynne’s Modern Blocks Oakshott Ruby shot cottons table runner and I won! I’m beyond excited about this one as I have one fat quarter of Oakshott that I’ve been hoarding/fondling, while waiting for the perfect project to use it in and now I get lots of lovely fat eights to play with.

I’m going to leave you with the present I made for Master, a tray for keys, cuff links and coins. It’s completely hand sewn and not perfect but I love it so much I think I might have to make another one for myself.

 

Categories: Blogtoberfest, Home Projects1 Comment

A bit more Liberty

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I didn’t have time to do any sewing today but I’ve started pulling fabric for a book bag for one of Little Miss Bossy-Boots’ friends. I’ll show it to you tomorrow.

Mostly, however, I’ve been fondling the remaining Liberty 4″ squares, chomping at the bit to start sewing another cushion. Here are the squares I’ve chosen to use:

Lovely, aren’t they? Yes, I did make a start on those yesterday but didn’t get very far before having to pick up Missy from school.

Categories: Blogtoberfest, Home Projects, Quilting1 Comment

Liberty Done

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After my little melt down yesterday I felt a bit silly this morning. Some of my lovely readers suggested I put a cream border on to make it bigger and so I did.

In hindsight I think it’s probably a good thing because it means the corners, which I always find are the first to go, are now in the Klona quilting cotton rather than the wonderfully soft but maybe more fragile Tana Lawn. I kept the quilting to an absolute minimum, I didn’t feel it needed any more.

I like to put zips in my cushion covers but I didn’t have one in the correct colour so instead of waiting for an opportunity to go into town I made a simple envelope closure. With the 1″ cream border it finished at the required 36 x 36cm (14″ x 14″) and is now all wrapped up and ready to wing its way to Switzerland.

I fell in love with it so badly that I’ve started another one for myself with the rest of the 4″ Liberty squares. I might change up the layout a little but then again I might not.

Categories: Home Projects, Quilting3 Comments