Patchwork and Quilting

Did you all remember to move your clocks on an hour this morning?  It was a bit of a shock when we woke up at 10am!! but at least it was a Sunday!

Thank you for all your comments last week I have replied to each of them and found them all hugely interesting to read.

As usual a busy week again but this week saw the last of my patchwork and quilting workshops so I thought I would share my creations with you.

I didn't really want to make a quilt but fancied doing something a little smaller.  I started off with the idea of making 6 placemats in 10 weeks - one a week and 4 weeks to tie up loose ends, or so I thought.  Well 10 weeks later I have made 3 and even those aren't completely finished!! Never mind you win some you loose some!

This is my first mat and is the only one I finished completely.  I used Japanese Folded patchwork for this one and joined each square with hand stitching.  Not as easy as it first appeared, because of the bias on the circles of fabric, they seem to develop a mind of their own when you are stitching them and I didn't have a walking foot at this stage either!

Is there a foot on your machine you wouldn't be without and why do you find it so useful?

My second project is Somerset Patchwork.  As you can see I only completed 3 squares and need another 3 to complete the placemat in the same 3 x 2 configuration as the first mat.  These are all hand sewn using small rectangles folded into triangles.  I really enjoyed making these although they are quite time consuming and use a lot of material.  I haven't really fathomed out how to join them together yet and have even thought I may make them into individual coasters instead!!

As you can see, on my third project, I still have the border to turn to the back and stitch in place.  This was one of those times when the project evolved as I went along.  I planned to do a tumbling blocks design and had seen a 'quick' way of doing it on line, but this didn't work out and I was left with lots of strips of fabric sewn together.  I cut them into diamonds and this was the result, which I am rather pleased with as it turned out completely different to what I had in mind.

Once again, my final mat is still unfinished. I knew once the course ended I would struggle to complete it if I was part way through a design.  I was using a Seminole patchwork design and originally I had planned to make a different strip for the centre but I ran out of time.  Don't look too closely you can see a few mistakes in this one as I rushed to finish it!!

I have enjoyed this course but I'm not sure patchwork and quilting is for me!  I like the patchwork bit best but get very irritated if I can't get the design accurate.  The quilting bit doesn't float my boat either.  I need to master my free machine embroidery but find it very difficult to slow my 38 yr old Frister Rossman machine down - it's all in the foot control you see!!!

Just a quick update on the Wedding Dress progress.  For one reason or another it's been on and off over the last few weeks but we have now decided we are definitely making.  I am making a mock up in calico first, the pictures above being of the bodice and now I am working on the skirt.  Can't tell you too much just in case the groom to be is reading!!!

Off over to Handmade Monday now hosted by Lucy Blossom Crafts.  I always look forward to this link party as it is such a friendly community.  

Hope to see you there x

Patchwork Placemat on Happy Friday

I have been following Planet Penny now for quite a while and just love the wonderful colours she uses in her patterns, so much so, that I had to buy a pack of Planet Penny Cotton.  I'll show you a few of the items I used it for a bit later.

So when I realised she was setting up Happy Friday, I was delighted to take part.  I couldn't think of what I would include to start with but reading a few of the other bloggers posts I soon realised I was looking for something far too complicated and hadn't noticed the simple things around me.

I noticed from our lounge window this morning how beautiful the sky was.

This made me feel happy!

I have recently joined a patchwork and quilting group and have set myself the task of completing 6 placemats, each one a different design but using the same colours.  We meet on a Friday so this week's is (thankfully!) completed ready to start another.

I did not enjoy making this one, it was so difficult to keep everything lined up and wrinkle free so it made me extremely happy 

when I finally finished it and it didn't look quite as bad as I thought it would!!

I'll leave you now with pictures of a few of the items I made with Planet Penny Cotton.

My Yarndale inspired Mandala

Camera Case

A Giraffe for my daughter (who's 24 I might add!!)

Happy Friday Everyone

x

Quilted Jewellery Roll "How To" Part 2

I'm so glad you all liked the jewellery rolls.  They are one of those items you wouldn't think you need but once you've had one, taking jewellery with you when travelling becomes so much easier and I am definitely tempted to take more than I need now. Just in case you understand!!

I very much enjoyed reading all your comments on Quilted Jewellery Roll "How To" Part 1 and if any of you do have a go I would love to see your pictures.  If you find anything doesn't make sense please feel free to contact me and I'll see if I can help - but I'm no expert by any means!

Ok lets continue now with

Jewellery Roll "How To" 

Part 2

You have completed your 'fabric' for the front of your jewellery roll and now you will need to quilt it. Place the fabric on a piece of wadding just a little larger than the fabric.  The definition of quilting is: the sewing of two or more layers of fabric together to make a thicker padded material and that's exactly what you will do next.  I chose to 'stitch in the ditch' - sew in the seams really - along the edges of the larger squares.  I used a pale grey thread so it didn't show up too much.  You could sew around the little squares if you feel so inclined depending on the look you prefer.

Now we are ready to construct the inside.  I chose two zipped pockets, loops for necklaces or bracelets and a small pocket for bits and pieces in the centre.

To make the pockets I measured the jewellery roll and decided exactly where I wanted the zips to go.  I then cut 3 pieces of material, one large for the centre and two smaller ones for the outside allowing 1/2" for my seams. I placed the zips in the seams and pinned a small pocket in the centre.  I then hand stitched the pocket in place, just to make it look a little more decorative (see yellow arrow on picture below).  When this is completed cut another piece of fabric to the same size and place it right side up below the piece with the zips in.  Stitch from edge to edge, parallel to the zips,

in the correct place to create the size of pockets you require (see the black arrows below - you can just pick out the stitching).



Nearly there! Place the pockets you have just made and the 'fabric' with the hearts on, wrong sides together.  I found this next bit rather tricky!  Square everything up and trim to the correct size.  As the old saying goes measure twice, cut once!  If adding loops, pin these in place now.  Picture below shows them with the binding in place but you get the idea.  At this stage don't forget to add ribbons for tying roll together.

Finally, cut a strip of fabric 2" wide, long enough to go around all 4 edges of your jewellery roll. You can join this if you need to.  Fold in half and place raw edges together on the right side, stitch 1/4" from the raw edge. Turn smooth edge over to the inside and hand sew in place.  You can see both front and back of the binding in the picture below.

Now sit back and admire your work :)

Please forgive me, I haven't gone into great detail explaining how to 'Stitch in the Ditch' and binding your work as there are numerous videos on Youtube showing you how.

I hope this may have given you the inspiration to have a go.  This was only my third patchwork project so you can see you don't need a lot of knowledge to achieve.

I'll leave you now with a couple of pictures of my first two projects.

First project - Tulip cushion

Blocks from my second project which I made into a bag


Happy sewing!

See you all over on Handmade Monday

Quilted Jewellery Roll "How To" Part 1

Well "Hello" everyone.  It is lovely to have Handmade Monday back and I do hope you all enjoyed and have recovered from the Christmas festivities.

Here as promised is my "How To" for the quilted jewellery rolls I made my daughters for Christmas. If you haven't read my previous post it may help to give it a quick view so you know what all this is about.  You'll be glad to know my cold has cleared up and 2015 is back on schedule!

Jewellery Roll "How To"

Part 1

Below is what your finished 'fabric' will look like.  

You will have

2 full 9 square patches in the centre 

6 triangles made of 6 squares around the edges

4 corner triangles made of 4 squares in each corner.  

In total you will need about 74 of the tiny squares (perhaps a few extra in case you make a mistake!). You will also need 6 plain pale squares for the hearts.  

The finished size is about 11" or 12" x 7" or 8" depending on how accurate you are!  

When working with tiny squares like these there is plenty of opportunity for error, believe me!

Cut into 1.5" strips and then cut those strips into 1.5" squares.  I can't remember how many I cut but if you aim on about 9 x 1.5" squares of each colour you can use any left over to chop up for the hearts.

Now to start sewing!  Use 1/4" seams throughout.  Begin with the 9 square, squares and stitch 3 squares together to make 1 strip. Make the other two 3 square strips.  Then stitch the 3, 3 square strips together, side by side, matching up the seams carefully!  Press, then you have completed your first patchwork square!  Only another XX to go!  Complete the others in the same way and then you will be ready for the next stage.

At this point you will need to cut 6 plain pale 3.5" squares.  Lay all your squares and triangles out like this.

Now join into strips like you did before (see the arrows) the squares will just be slightly larger this time. Then join the strips together, side by side, being particularly careful to match up all the seams. Don't forget to add the last 2 corner triangles!  Press neatly, admire your work .... and breathe :)

You should have something which resembles this.  Each tiny square will measure 1" or just under (told you it was difficult to be accurate!) and each plain square will be 3" or under.

Ok - you still with me?

Good, let's make the hearts :)

I'm afraid I lack a few pictures of this bit!  But it should be a doddle for you clever crafters out there. First you will need to draw a heart to fit the blank squares.  When you are happy with the shape draw this onto bondaweb (other gluey stuff does exist!).  Cut out and place in the centre of the blank square, ironing into place (don't forget to protect your iron from the sticky stuff).

At this stage it may help to stitch around the outline of the heart as it can be a bit difficult to see.  I also backed it with a little stitch and tear to give it a bit of strength.  Next you will need a selection of teeny weeny chopped up bits from all 9 choices of fabric.  Sprinkle these so they completely cover the heart and over the edges (now you can see why it's difficult to see). Protecting your iron again, iron over the itty bitty bits until they are stuck in place.  Now stitch around the outline of the heart and free machine all over until they are well and truly fixed in place.  You can do this as much or as little as you wish. Finally trim off any excess little pieces. Give yourself a pat on the back and ..... complete the other 5!!

I
Phew!  I think that is enough to take in for one session, it will take quite a while to get this far so next week I will post Part 2 which will explain the quilting bit and how to make the pockets for the inside.

Happy sewing!

Hello 2015! Hello Jewellery Rolls!

Well I personally have decided to postpone the start of 2015 for a week or two!!!!  Why?

Well on New Year's Day I came down with a pretty rotten cold!!! First one for at least a year and a half, so not bad really but not how I would have planned the start of 2015 if I had had a choice! But to those of you who are off to a roaring start may I just wish you a very Happy and Healthy New Year!

Having said that whilst I'm snuggled up on the settee with my box of tissues, watching day time TV, I am thinking of using my time wisely. Those of you who have kept up with my blog may remember many moons ago I mentioned joining a Quilting Group.  You may also have noticed I haven't mentioned it since!! I had a very legitimate reason though.  I decided to make a couple of Christmas presents for my daughters and as Clare who writes her own blog reads mine and with the remote possibility of Kerry popping in to see what I've been up to, of course, I had to keep schtum!

But now it's time for the great reveal!!

I didn't want to make a full size quilt or a lap quilt but was interested to learn the art of quilting so I made two jewellery rolls with very tiny squares.  Each of the little coloured squares are less than an inch.  I did Kerry's first (the top one with hearts) and then challenged myself a little further with Clare's using fabric manipulation (the bottom one). There are two zipped pockets, a small pocket and loops for necklaces on the inside.

If anyone is interested, I am going to start on a 'How To' in the next few days, so please pop back and I will explain how it all came together.

Blogland Tour

I have been nominated by my daughter Clare to take part in the Blogland Tour.  A tour of some of the fun and creative blogs across the internet and what a wonderful way to start back after my break. She rather put me on the spot actually and gave me a kick up the proverbial backside!!!

If you haven't been over to Clare's blog yet you are definitely in for a treat.  Her work is stunning. Drawing, painting, doodles, crochet, stitching and most recently very intricate paper cuts like the one below.

She can turn her hand to anything and always produces an amazing result.  Of course I may be just a tinsy winsy bit biased!! So why not take a look for yourself and make up your own mind, you wont be disappointed.  I'll leave you with a coloured pencil drawing Clare did recently of Molly our cat, who is sadly no longer with us.

Ok! To take part in the Blogland Tour I have to answer four questions and then nominate a blog to take part, in order for the tour to continue,  So here goes with the questions first.

What am I working on?

At this moment in time I am creating Dorset Buttons.  From time to time I teach crochet and craft workshops and during October I have two coming up, one at a really gorgeous wool shop called Spin A Yarn in a nearby village.  Usually Dorset Buttons are created using fairly thin thread but this time I am using dk cotton on a larger ring to enable them to be used as brooches or shawl clips.  This is proving far trickier than I first thought!  Here are a few of the smaller ones I have created in the past. They measure about 1.5" diameter but the one I'm working on at the moment is nearer 2.5" and the ring is fatter.  Which I think is the cause of my problems!

Later this year I will post a tutorial on how to make Dorset Buttons and you should then be able to see the outcome of the larger ones.

I am also returning to my patchwork and quilting workshop this week (not teaching this one, just learning!) but here are a few of the blocks I worked on last time.

How does my work differ from others of my genre?

Hmmm? this is a difficult one!  I'm not very good at 'playing' with creations.  I like to learn a new skill and achieve a finished article all in one, so I produce something useful.  I think I'm more of a practical crafter than a creative crafter!

Why do I write/create what I do?

I love the challenge and how each piece presents its own dilema!

How does my writing/creative process work?

I think we are back to the challenge again here!  I see something I like and think "I could make that". Then I start working out how to achieve it. If I need to learn something new in the process, even better!  For instance, I used to make jewellery and fancied crocheting with wire.  I couldn't crochet so I learnt how to do it, now I'm hooked on crochet!

You can find out more about the little elephant in the picture by visiting a previous post Maisy the Elephant.

Moving on now to the blog I would like to nominate to take part in The Blogland Tour.

I have recently come across Itsamistry Design Studio.  I was browsing through the blogs on Handmade Monday when this cheerful picture of an elephant caught my eye.

I was instantly drawn to Itsamistry's use of colour and after having a wonderful nose around her blog realised this was a major part of her work.  Why don't you pop over and pay her a visit too - go on, you know you want to!

Well thank you all for reading my first post in a while! I hope you enjoy the blogs I have introduced you to.  It's lovely to be back and I'm really looking forward to taking part in Handmade Monday and catching up with what everyone has been up to.