Eadie Quilt

My niece who has recently turned 7, told me she wanted a quilt as I had made one for each of her younger siblings and she hasn't had one. We went to the craft shop together and she chose all her own fabric. It had to be flannelette didn't it? She likes this fabric as its cosy and soft. I don't really like sewing with it as it frays very easily.
After some discussion with my 7 year old niece we settled on a pattern and here it is. I do like it and she loves it! It keeps the heat it she says!

Baby Ruairidh pram quilt

This was a quick turn around project. I've recently moved house and not had any time to set up my sewing machine, then when I did the needles kept breaking oh what a palava! I only had a few pieces of fabric left over to make the quilt. I also learned a new technique to use up left over pieces of bamboo wadding. I don't like throwing pieces away as it's rather expensive. Now I've found a way to use them all up!
I also made a comforter blankee as all littlens love those! I used bamboo terry towelling for the back of the blankee, as its soft and comfy.

Baby Jude Quilt

I decided to use the same design as Baby Autumn's quilt, with the L shapes around a picture square. I thankfully found enough of the jungle animals fabric to complete the project as it is no longer made. It's a shame as it is fabulous and I'd make plenty more quilts if I could get my hands on the fabric.

I also chose stripy fabric for the back - just like Autumn's. I think though I'll have a fight with her over who actually gets this quilt as I know Autumn will love it.

Bro and Sis in Law - Anniversary Quilt

My brother and his wife celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary this month so I had the idea to make a quilt for them. It was hard choosing colours as even though I've known my sister in law for 10 years I couldn't tell you what her favourite colour is! Plus my brother is colour blind so there is no point asking him.

So I found a pattern I liked and decided to choose red, duck egg blue and neutrals as colours. I know she likes those. I got  Moda Winter's Lane jelly roll and charm pack. It has an awesome patterning with birds and snow and leaves.

It is roughly King size now its finished, I used a ready bought sheet to back it with and used a Moda red solid to bind it together. Finishing touches include buttons to tie it together and love hearts with embroidered writing to show key events in my brother and his wife's last 10 years together. It also has an empty square waiting for one more love heart event - baby number 4, due in December. so my work isn't over yet. Speaking of which I've made a baby quilt too. See next post.

I love it. I'm so proud of it, here's hoping they like it!

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.