Nearly a year has passed!

I cannot believe its nearly a year ago since my last post! I have been busy sewing too but working full time and decorating and refurbishing the kitchen has pushed my sewing to the side. But with the Angus Show entries to complete I picked up the pace with my pals at sewing club and we got all our entries done and dusted ready for 8th June.

 

First up, my patchwork article. I wanted to combine applique with hand patched pieces to show off my hand stitching too.

My mum had a flower cushion panel which I cut up and used for the banner across the bottom and the flower heads. I used chain and blanket stitching for the flowers and pot as well as buttons. I even sewed in a zip! the back is a basic log cabin variation.

 Needless to say I did not win anything for my patchwork article. I was quite annoyed for my mum and pal Val, who had worked so hard on their items and didn't win either. The winning article was worthy but not second and third. :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next up - knee blanket. I used pink patches I had lying around and made up a basic patch front with a border, and a plain pink back.  It has no binding and I double hemmed it instead and tied it together with buttons. I wasn't actually impressed with my result but I submitted it and low and behold I got second place! Third item as a placemat in any craft so I used the reverse applique method which is new to me too. It was a total faff and I won't be trying it again, also the first attempt was ruined as I washed it once it was complete and the dark blue colours ran. So Friday evening before the show I was up til midnight finishing my second attempt with the grateful help of my mum who sewed the writing on. I never got an award for it after all that! 

 

last up, my favourite item, I made a gardening apron using some fabulous appropriate fabric with wellies and watering cans on. The category was the best use of 1 m of fabric. Now I had some heated discussions regarding this category because some people used the full width of a fabric and 1 metre in length when in fact the full width of a fabric is 147cm which is too much. Hence I stuck accurately to the brief and only managed to get this one item when I got to the show, the other entries had a plethora of items from the same supposed 1 metre. I was not impressed by the judges results as the winner had about 6 items from the same 1 metre.  

Mine was true to the rules. I got a third for it which I was happy with I suppose!  

 

Smallholder's Show

 Well I had a successful time at the show today. I submitted my shirt bag, photos, shortbread and cushions. My cushions were not the best on display as I didn't spend much time on them. So nothing for those. However I was pleased to get some prizes for everything else. Mum got first prize for her strawberry jam. Judged by Baxters jam too!

Shirt Tote Bag

I have the competition bug again! There is a smallholder's show in Forfar, at the end of September, amongst other exhibition tents there is the craft tent. I am submitting cushion covers, photos, shortbread (yes I am attempting to bake again!) and a recycled shopping bag. I cut up two - unwanted - shirts to make this lined tote bag, one side is a thick linen cotton whilst the stripe is 100% cotton. It is fully lined and I used the shirt fronts for the outside of the bag, thus you can still use the pockets. Fingers crossed it gets me third at least!

Baby Girl Quilt

I used spare fabrics I had left over from previous projects to make a girly quilt. I like using the star for the centre, however I still haven't figured out how to ensure my triangles keep their corners! I backed the Broderie Anglaise with pink cotton and also used that for the binding. It is filled with my usual bamboo/cotton wadding.

Baby Florence Quilt

I watched a tutorial video on how to sew a disappearing nine patch. Now I'd never heard of this method before and I wish I had! It is so easy, I've even taught this method to my newly established sewing club. My mum has made a table cloth, I have made plenty of cushions and this quilt, Val made a cushion too, and Patricia made a quilted nine patch cushion, with fantastic results. One method created so many variations in the finished products.

This jungle quilt started with a jolly jungle panel (no longer available to buy!) and jolly jungle orange coordinating fabric. Hey presto the quilt. I used yellow spot fabric to border and back it, though its polycotton and not as nice as 100% cotton. I also used bamboo wadding as its really soft.

Instead of binding it instead I used a tab method on the border, then stitched a double hem around the border.

Baby Autumn Quilt

This is the earliest project I have made. With lots of support from my sewing mentor - Elaine - we created this gorgeous quilt for baby Autumn's (my niece) cot. I found this lovely rubber duck pattern fabric which sprung from the baby's sister and brother's love for ducks!

It was a bit tricky as it had 45 degree angles and trying to figure out the fabric cuts was time consuming but I eventually finished it. Using the same fabric for the binding as the backing is a technique I rather like. We didn't know Autumn was going to be a girl or boy, therefore the colours are gender neutral. It was tied together using embroidery thread.

Sewing Club

My mum and a couple of friends wanted to learn some of the tricks to patchwork and sewing crafts. So we made arrangements for an evening and we began by learning the basics of our machines, and ironing fabric and seams.

First project - pot stand. Using a basic four square, and using contrasting stitching. All appeared to enjoy it!

Baby Items

After hearing of a friend making her own bibs for her baby, I thought I would give it a go. Friends are expecting a baby girl shortly so I whizzed up some bibs of various sizes - simply because I have no idea how big or small bibs are! - using bamboo terry towelling for the backs and using pink snaps. This required a special tool, which wasn't the cheapest. Overall I'm pleased with the results and they are very cute!

I also made a baby comforter blanket, using the same material as the bibs, as well as adding ribbons of varying textures.

Angus show Results

Well, it's over a month since the Angus Show and my submissions for the Ladies tent. I was disappointed at not getting awards for my foodstuff so it clearly means cooking isn't for me :) However I won 3rd prize for my patchwork quilt (see April post), also a 3rd for my handbag! So I was really pleased with that and the winners were worthy of awards as their work was incredible. Definitely a standard to aim for. Programme for next year's show is out in October, plenty of time to hone my skills at quilting.

Aonghas Iain Quilt

This is my patchwork item submission for the Angus Show
(taking place 7/8th June 2012).
Its patchwork, it includes kitties, trains, sheep and birdies. I tried creating a more boyish quilt with yellows, blacks and blues rather than pinks. I like the quirky outcome of it being a rather wonky log cabin design. I also improved my stitch in the ditch technique!

Baby Cot Quilt

I tried my hand at applique for this design. It is a great way to use up scraps of fabric and I had a few blues and pinks left over from other quilts. The Broderie Anglaise is quite thin so its backed it with pink sheeting fabric. In hindsight, blue would have been more appropriate to recreate a sky scene. But I do like the finished quilt and the addition of yellow is a new colour for me! Again it came from the odd bits of yellow ribbon I had lying around. I used cheats binding tape from the shop, but to be honest its pretty rubbish and not as thick as binding I would have made myself. Its a quilt of experiments and You always learn from experience! I really loved the applique part of the project and I found out how to satin stitch on my machine too! I will definitely use that skill again. It creates a professional finish for sure.

The Handbag

Every girl needs a good handbag, sometimes we even need a new one just because we get bored of the bag we have already! So I tried to make my own. I found an easy PATTERN  to design and sew a handbag. I gave it a go and hey presto here is the outcome! Rather pleased with myself. I have been watching Kirstie's Homemade Home on channel 4. I've got the urge to enter something for the next Angus Show, "a handbag" is one of the catergories. I'll practise with a few more bags I think and decide which one to enter. The show is in June. Plenty of time to perfect the bag.

Laptop Sleeve

My laptop cover. I made this one first with some rather bright colours! i loved the chocolates on the fabric and i've tied it in with colours on other fabrics. It's padded and lined inside with another chocolate fabric.

The SofaBed

 The sofa is finally complete! Oh this was a total nightmare project from start to finish. I kept running out of thread, material and patience! We got the sofabed free, its a Marks and Spencer metal action sofabed but the design on the fabric cover was typical Marks - floral! So I made new cushion covers and a removeable sofa cover, complete with box pleat skirt! I'm proud of the finished result, I don't think its too bad for a first attempt. Plus it matches my cushions perfectly!