finish it up Friday
Showing posts with label finish it up Friday. Show all posts
🦋 Liberty butterfly quilt
It's been gloriously sunny in Manchester and spring is in the air. The blue skies were a nice backdrop for this dancing Liberty butterflies quilt, even though it was a little bright to perfectly show off the pretty prints. Classic floral prints are quite delicate but look bold and modern framing the butterfly blocks.
I mixed the two print fabrics, swapping the borders in the four outer blocks and changing the butterfly wings. It's nice to play about with the wings, as they look different depending on the fabric combinations. You can also create another version of the block by swapping the larger wing pieces, which changes the top angle of the wing so they are pointing straight out from the body (see one I made here).
For the butterfly antennae I used a decorative stitch on my machine - mode 2, #07 note to future self. I used the memory function to stitch four star chains and I think they add a nice detail. In the past I have also used a zig zag stitch and hand sewn the antennae but I think it would be fun to play about with other stitches and make them all different!
I kept up with the decorative stitches for the quilting too, with a stitch I've used before - for waves on the Sailing Sailing quilt and a little on the Butterfly mini quilt - mode 2, #19, stitch width 9.
I love the pattern it creates, like fluffy clouds. The only problem is because the stitch is directional you can't turn the quilt around during quilting without making clouds into waves! After quilting through the centre diagonally I stitched the next lines to the left so the bulk of the quilt was going in to the throat of the machine - toughest part first! And then went back to the centre and quilted lines to the right. Technically I should have worked the other way, so the quilted section would be going in the throat (just to keep the quilt nice and flat and well basted) but I wanted to make sure I remembered not to turn it round. The quilt is 36" x 48" so it wasn't really a struggle to quilt.
You can see the demonstration in the video below and then 2 hours in to the show John and I have a 'sew off' making wonky star blocks, which is quite hilarious if you want a laugh!
Wishing you all a joyful weekend and to friends in the UK a lovely bank holiday too!
linking up to finish it up friday at crazy mom quilts
hanging basket tote bag
One of the joys of appliqué is creating anything you want from fabric shapes. I drew some simple flowers, petals and leave templates to make up this hanging basket design. The initial idea was a bowl of flowers, a modern take on the traditional basket quilt block design. It evolved into two pattern shapes, the bowl and the basket. The Kaffe Fassett prints were also perfect for some fussy cutting - in the same style as Bari J's beautiful fabric collage style - so it became a mix of appliqué shapes and collage. I like the organic look that creates.
I used Bondweb to position the flowers - as I was making up the design I attached the handles first to give me an idea of placement but would recommend sewing them on later as it was a faff to keep them out of the way!
I did sketch style stitching with black thread, using the free motion foot and just echoing inside the shapes. Black isn't often my colour of choice as it's so harsh but that's what makes it work so well here. I think of it as doodling and the thread is my pen.
If you haven't tried this technique it really is a lot of fun and it's a great way to get used to using your free motion foot. Also it is really easy to cover any mistakes by going over the stitches, I usually go round the shapes at least twice. You can watch the video below to see my Sewing Quarter demo and get more tips as I create a bowl of flowers.
The straps on the tote are a little different because they aren't completely sewn down. The ends are attached with a square of stitching and a large zig zag, then I tucked the straps in while sewing the lining to the bag and turning the bag through. I them pinned them in place and did three lines of top stitching around the top of the bag for decoration and to hold the straps in place.
This means on a warm summer's day I could tuck a cardigan or shawl in through those straps ready for evening (dreaming of those warm days already!). Or extra space for all the kids jackets I end up carrying.
I have to say I'm quite fond of the minimal back side too! I'm planning more totes with straps like this because I really like the look.
Click play to watch the demo and let me know if you have a go at this technique!
linking up to finish it up friday at crazy mom quilts
come sew with me
I am super excited to be teaching 'Sew a Stitchy Pie Needle Case' at Simply Solids in Huddersfield on Saturday 11th March. You will learn some embroidery stitches and create a cute needle case for organising all your sewing needles. It is perfect for hand or machine needles, allows them to be neatly labelled and stored securely.
I finished the class sample using Aurifil floss in a limited colour palette and a touch of metallic Aurifil Brillo thread. I am loving grey and yellow together at the moment but wanted to lift it slightly so added in the turquoise for another pop of colour.
I also discovered I could use my cute banner stamp as a frame for writing in the types of needles. I would like to get an alphabet stamp set so I can do the lettering too, these were written on with a permanent pen.
Simply Solids will provide all the materials for the class, as well as a copy of the Stitchy Pie pattern. I will give you tuition, all my tips for easy embroidery and how to achieve a neat finish on the case. They are a lot of fun to make and a really helpful part of your sewing kit! To book your place, click here!
linking up to finish it up friday at crazy mom quilts
Peek A Pouch 🎊
This week I finished a fun make, perfect for a quick gift or to hold small treasures! It would be handy for keeping a few make up bits in too because it's made of laminated fabric and vinyl.
The free pattern is Peek A Pouch by Laura Zuckerkuss, which she let me pattern test for her. Laura provides excellent step by step instructions and tips for working with these fabrics. The tutorial really makes it so easy!
I happened to have scraps of this gorgeous Loulouthi laminated fabric by Anna Maria Horner, that someone (so sorry I have forgotten who?!) sent me - possibly in a swap or giveaway. I literally had the perfect amount for this project, I had to be careful when cutting! I also didn't want to lose the lovely pink and yellow flowers completely because they are my favourite part of the print, so I put them on the back.
I also the found I had the perfect zip, which matches beautifully! I like these pull ring zips, I got mine from Simply Because Crafts on eBay in the UK or I know Sunny Day Supply stock them in the US.
The neon kraft confetti also makes me so happy!
You can see more of Laura's clever patterns on Craftsy! Thanks for letting me test Laura :)
I am full of cold at the moment and feeling a bit sorry for myself. Hopefully I can have a quiet weekend of hibernation and get some sewing done! Tonight I am finishing the quilting on my rose star quilt - I feel a little sad that it's nearly done because it's been such a long work in progress, at the same time I can't wait to take those basting stitches out and get it bound. I will be posting pics on instagram over the weekend, as well as hosting the Saturday Night Craft Along from 6pm, so make sure you come and follow me over there!
What are your weekend plans? Does anyone else feel like hibernating?!
linking up:
useful and pretty
More See It All Pouches, pattern by Laura Zuckerkuss. I enjoyed making various sizes and using different zips and fabrics. I also used interfacing and different weights of thread.
These bags are so handy with so many possible uses, I use mine for holding blocks and hand sewing projects.
I really love this one with the lace zip and the adorable animal print - Menagerie, Indian Summer by Sarah Watson.
For some of them I used the gold sparkle vinyl again, it's so pretty!
This pencil case was the result of me not concentrating and trimming the zip off a pouch - rendering it rather useless - instead of binning the zip I made a different size pouch. A happy accident!
These will be used as class samples for my autumn teaching schedule.
☑ Along with the teacher's gifts I made, I can check the See It All Pouches off my FAL list!
linking up:
there are no words cushion
This is a very special make for me. One that represents loss, love, remembrance, friendship, community and compassion.
Last year when my friend Nat tragically lost her youngest son, I put a call out on social media asking for low volume nine patch blocks to make into a quilt. Quilters generously made and sent beautiful blocks from around the world and I was able to make three quilts for Nat and her family. You can read about the 'there are no words' quilts here.
The lovely Sharon Holland contributed a block to the quilt and also sent an extra one, which she said I could use in the quilt if needed or save it to create my own make. I'm actually crying as I remember how it felt to read all the thoughtful cards and notes that were sent, not only to Nat but also to me. The sadness is a fraction of what Nat experienced and continues to experience and that was what compelled me to do the work of providing tangible quilts, to show her and her family the love, comfort and sympathy we all wanted to give.
I decided to keep the block and, although it has taken me some time to come to use it, I will treasure this cushion and all it represents. The life of a precious little boy.
I had some vintage sheet fat quarters that I have had stashed for a long time, after a swap organised by Mary Emmens. I wanted to add something to represent joy, as a celebration of little baby MiH's short life. Also Nat is a big advocate of upcycling and caring for the planet so I thought she would like me using vintage.
I decided to add more texture by creating half circle scallops to trim the edges of the block, for my easy tutorial on how to make them click here.
They feel lovely, the soft vintage fabric was perfect and the florals mix really well with the modern prints.
The border and binding fabrics are from Gossamer by Sharon Holland - the same range she originally used to make the nine patch. I had been saving these prints and using some here felt perfect.
The back is a pretty Yuwa print and I made a covered zip back using this clever and simple tutorial by Adrianne at On The Windy Side.
I am keeping this cushion away from the kids and visitors and the cat. It's mine and will live in our bedroom.
I made my own cushion inner using some stuffing and an old pillowcase. Very simple and easy to do. It has made the cushion very plump and some use will help get it into a better shape!
I used a pale blue perle thread to quilt the nine patch block. I quilted 1/4" away from the seams to make a hashtag pattern, a reminder of #therearenowordsquilt.
I think about little baby MiH and his mum often. I hold them both in my thoughts.
Thank you again to everyone that contributed to making the quilts, to all of you for the kind notes you sent. Thank you Sharon for making it possible for me to create my own cushion, as a remembrance and celebration.
And to my friend Nat, through the grief and pain you have such strength. I see you and the amazing job you do as a mother. I am always here for you and look forward to our always random chats through the crazy and fun times ahead.
The cushion was on my FAL list and is my last finish before quarter 3 starts. There's still a lot of quilts on that list left for me to finish, there will have to be roll overs!
linking up to TGIFF at Celtic Thistle Stitches this week and finish it up friday at crazy mom quilts
think on lovely things ~ Lady
It has been a busy week and I've been doing lots of teaching. Really nice groups of women that all produced lovely work and have given me so much inspiration for new projects and classes. So a small finish for today...
I finished another Farmer's Wife 1930's Sew-along block, a simple one compared to my last challenging block!
#50 Lady
We all have those times like the author of this letter, "My thoughts were dragging me down; in my mind huge storms were brewing". I chose the dark navy as a symbol of feeling "blue". Sometimes the solution isn't as simple as thinking nice thoughts but it can help and I completely agree that "our thoughts are far-reaching in their effort on our inner selves, on our response to life". The floral Liberty print reminds me to think about "sweet things".
Have a sweet weekend!
linking up to finish it up friday at crazy mom quilts
fine ~ le challenge ~ bee basket
The pattern is from the project booklet designed by Fiona Calvert that came with issue 29 of Love Patchwork & Quilting, you can download the 2.5" and 3.5" clamshell templates here!
The bees are fussy cut from a 'Flying High' panel by Skinny Malinky Quilts, it's printed on Kona Highlight - which is hard to photograph and much brighter than it appears here! I'm looking forward to more of her collections, the panel is fabulous quality.
I like that it looks like the bees are trying to fly out of the basket!
I like that it looks like the bees are trying to fly out of the basket!
I added some hand quilting to echo the clamshells and picked colours that worked with the Japanese denim.
For the top stitching on the basket and the handles I went with a soft buttery yellow, 50 wt. Aurifil #2130 and it stands out without fighting the brighter Highlight yellow.
The basket fits a fair bit of fabric and is a lovely size to sit on my desk and hold charm packs, scraps or fabrics for my next project! This is the first finish off my Q2 FAL list ✓
I just wanted to make it, it doesn't really fit the Le Challenge theme of 'fine' specifically but I'm going to go with the fact it's a fine way to store fabric!
If you have any 'fine' projects made in the last month, head over and link up - there is a giveaway :)
I'm also linking up with:
Mrs and project cases ~ Mrs Morgan and Mrs Brown
Two more Farmer's Wife 1930's Sew-along blocks and two Work In Progress Bags are my finishes this week...
#71 Mrs Morgan As soon as I read the letter I immediately thought of this Penny Arcade print, perfect to represent the drama guild the community created to battle the "restlessness" of the "young folks who were...pulling out for the city". The brown print for the country and grey for the city. This block was hand pieced.
#67 Mrs Brown I like the message of this letter, "the best light is the one that emphasizes virtues rather than faults". I decided to play with light and dark and used this beautiful Matt Maddison D Liberty print as a 'picture'. This block was English Paper Pieced.
I was itching to make these Work In Progress Bags, pattern by Amanda Jean. There's another cut out and ready to sew once I've made a bit more binding. They come together quickly, the binding was the trickiest part for me and wonder clips proved invaluable! I had to use tissue paper under the vinyl because there was no way it was going through my machine without it. I can think of lots of uses for these bags and definitely recommend the pattern!
One was immediately stolen by my son for a pencil case, saves him digging around to find the colour he wants!
linking up:
fun fables ~ Priscilla
Along with Dolly I finished one more block for my Farmer's Wife 1930's Sew-along quilt this week and because it had bigger pieces I decided to do English Paper Piecing.
#86 Priscilla Fabric was an easy pick for this block and I enjoyed the letter! The way she stopped her younger brothers protesting about helping do dishes by telling stories "so exciting that dishwashing became a pleasure". I chose the dotty grey for the boring task of washing dishes and the Fibs and Fables print because it so beautifully represents a fairytale theme.
I taught a beginner's patchwork class today and had such a wonderful time. The ladies were all so creative and enthusiastic. They made some beautiful blocks and really inspired me! As much as I am enjoying all the hand sewing I have been doing recently I am now itching to get back to my sewing machine. Hopefully I will find some time this weekend!
Linking up to finish it up friday at crazy mom quilts.
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