quick WIP
I'm in the flow right now, sewing and quilting whenever I get the chance... so a quick update today.
Bee blocks:
These scrumptious ones, complete with my embroidered siggy block for Nicky
Next up another cool paper pieced block for Janine... good summer holiday task for the kidlet, ripping the paper off the back!
Finally a fun log cabin block for Lisa with some of my favourite scraps.
Bee blocks:
These scrumptious ones, complete with my embroidered siggy block for Nicky
This eye catching block for Ange - I have to apologise though, she wanted a couple of white 'beams' and I accidently hurriedly sewed them together and made one big white bit!! I'm hoping she's ok with it?!
Next up another cool paper pieced block for Janine... good summer holiday task for the kidlet, ripping the paper off the back!
 |
| colours didn't show up well - that is blue and pink!! |
I've been busy making my improv log cabins too. I think I could do these forever but these will make a nice baby quilt so I'm going to piece them together and have fun looking for backing and binding fabrics!
**The Simplicity pattern giveaway is open until tomorrow**
*** A reminder that You've Lost That Loving Feeling starts this Saturday - so get gathering your fugly fabric and unwanted WIPS!***
learn to sew a necklace and you could win a sewing machine
The Amazings are having a fabulous competition, open worldwide. The new class, featuring Gilda (an Amazing) and Lara (editor for Mollie Makes), is Machine Embroider a Textile Necklace and if you take the class you can enter to win a sewing machine worth up to £300/$450!
I was given access to the class so that I could do a review for you and share the competition.
I was given access to the class so that I could do a review for you and share the competition.
The techniques used in the class were totally new to me so I was excited to see how the necklace was created. Gilda really explains each step thoroughly and Lara asks questions that beginners might have so they cover all the ground. The conversations make it feel even more like being part of a class and are peppered with great tips and Gilda's wisdom.
Of course there are supplies that you need to make it but, other than the soluble cloth, most of the things you need you probably already have (if you sew) or can buy cheaply and they offer alternatives so it can be done without purchasing a lot of expensive items.
It is such a playful technique, just like colouring in. You can easily correct mistakes and I like the fast and furious pace you can use once you've got the hang of it, my kind of sewing! I love how all those zigs and zags and whimsical stitches make such pretty and delicate looking embroidery.
Despite knowing the soluble fabric would dissolve it was still exciting to watch the finished elements emerge, putting it together was simple and the final result is a really unique and beautiful necklace. I don't usually wear necklaces but I really want to try this out and it could easily turn into a headband instead. I genuinely felt inspired watching the class and enjoyed seeing more of Gilda's detailed work and how she uses machine embroidery. There are lots of other possibilities and uses for this technique so it is well worth watching and the sewing machine competition is an amazing added bonus!
Competition Details:
1. Purchase the Machine Embroider a Textile Necklace class.
2. After purchasing, crafters will receive email with a link to the competition entry. Simply submit your details and you're in with the chance to win.
3. Competition closes 11:59 on Sunday 15th September
4. Winner will be notified by email and invited to choose a sewing machine of up to £300/$450
5. Entry is available to crafters worldwide.
6. Full rules available on the competition webpage.
1. Purchase the Machine Embroider a Textile Necklace class.
2. After purchasing, crafters will receive email with a link to the competition entry. Simply submit your details and you're in with the chance to win.
3. Competition closes 11:59 on Sunday 15th September
4. Winner will be notified by email and invited to choose a sewing machine of up to £300/$450
5. Entry is available to crafters worldwide.
6. Full rules available on the competition webpage.
upcycled summer top success
So that curtain (?) fabric I wasn't sure about did me proud and I made myself a cute top using Portia's pattern on The Daily Stitch.
I was lacking any grown ups to take pictures so you'll have to make do with selfies and photos taken by little minions, it's the best we could do (and excuse the wet hair)!
I love that the top can be worn with either neckline at the front or back.
Though I do like how the slit shows off my tattoo!
I added some lace trim, which I think works nicely with the pale blue for a pretty vintage vibe (also makes me look a lot less pale!).
I love that the top is super comfy, slightly roomy (great for nursing!) and best of all when my husband got home he looked at me and said 'that's a pretty top!'. Success.
I spent the rest of the day humming 'the hills are alive...'
**If you're interested in sewing your own clothes check out my Simplicity pattern giveaway open until 22/08
(UK, Europe, Australasia only)**
Linking up:
Simplicity Giveaway!
**GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED**
Simplicity are completely synonymous with sewing and easy to follow patterns, so I was delighted when I was contacted recently to chose my favourite patterns to share with you.
The Simplicity website is really easy to use, packed with great patterns and provides all the information you need to chose your pattern, it clearly shows you the guide to what type and how much fabric you need.
I chose this easy-to-sew pattern of trousers, short and skirt options (love those pockets). These would be great if we have any more summer sun and the skirts would be cute with tights if we don't:
Then there's this pretty top with great variations and I'm sure there are so many fabulous fabric combinations you could use to make them. Again this would suit all seasons and be a wardrobe staple:
Finally my very favourite is this beautiful dress. A Simplicity archives vintage pattern, circa 1943. I love that it could be a day dress or an evening dress and I adore the vintage look. I think it would be incredibly flattering too:
**The giveaway is only open to people in the UK, Europe and Australasia**
I am giving away one pattern to each winner so there will be three winners!
**GIVEAWAY CLOSED**
PLEASE leave your email in the comment, no reply bloggers will not win.
The giveaway is open until 22nd August, the winners will be chosen by random.org and announced here on the blog.
Good luck!
eyes are smiling
I'm working on some improv log cabins
LOVE making these
I took pictures of my children's eyes. To me they are magical and speak volumes about who they are.
'Windows to the soul' is true.
In case you missed it Laura and I are teaming up for two great link parties on 24th AUGUST
- a perfect opportunity to destash or pass on those WIPS or blocks you'll never finish.
Read all about 'You've Lost That Loving Feeling' and mark the date if you want to score some fabric!
Now to get on with finishing some bee blocks...
oopps!
**Just a quick correction, You've Lost That Loving Feeling linkies will open on 24th AUGUST not September - I'm finding it hard to know what day it is at the moment, apologies!**
Fugly just got Fuglier!
Announcing
You've Lost That Loving Feeling
a duo of link parties for your sad, unloved fabric and projects.
It doesn't have to be really ugly - it could be any bits that you don't want anymore, you know you won't use it, you're sick of looking at it or you think it is actually ugly. Maybe you have a piece of fabric leftover from a quilt that you don't really need and can do without. Write a blog post and give it away!!
So starting on 24th August Laura and I will open our link parties. They will be open for a week so those of you that want to swap have time to do that and you can encourage people to enter your giveaway if you chose to do one.
Posts about Fugly fabric can be linked at Charm About You and posts about blocks and WIPS at Quokka Quilts.
This is double the opportunity to clear some room, unburden yourself and share some fabric love. Have a dig around, clear out those bottom drawers, find that FQ you'll never use or block stuffed under a pile of other stuff!
Get grabbing these buttons, please put them on your blog and spread the word.
We want to bring back that loving feeling.
You've Lost That Loving Feeling
a duo of link parties for your sad, unloved fabric and projects.
Those of you who've been round these parts for a while will be familiar with my fugly fabric party. For those who aren't here's the general idea...
People in blog land are often organising their fabric, making room for the new and picking fabrics for all the lovely projects and QALs that are about. There's always so many beautiful new lines and so much fabric temptation to buy and stash.
There's also that other fabric. The fabric that you might never use, the ones you used to love, the ones that you don't know why you bought, the fabric sitting there taunting you, or hiding away at the back of a drawer somewhere! We all have it, it's the fugly fabric.
What if you could give it to someone else, someone that might actually like it and use it?!
It doesn't have to be really ugly - it could be any bits that you don't want anymore, you know you won't use it, you're sick of looking at it or you think it is actually ugly. Maybe you have a piece of fabric leftover from a quilt that you don't really need and can do without. Write a blog post and give it away!!
You can have a giveaway, a competition, a swap, offer to send it to anyone that will pay the postage - whatever you choose. I'll have a linky party and you can all have a look around other people's blogs seeing what fabric they have to offer and maybe find some gems! One person's trash is another's treasure.
Now Laura of Quokka Quilts has had the brilliant idea of extending this to WIPs and unfinished projects that you've lost the love for.
You might have some blocks you don't care for, random things you've started and given up on maybe. Something someone else could put to good use, finish or incorporate in another project?
So starting on 24th August Laura and I will open our link parties. They will be open for a week so those of you that want to swap have time to do that and you can encourage people to enter your giveaway if you chose to do one.
Posts about Fugly fabric can be linked at Charm About You and posts about blocks and WIPS at Quokka Quilts.
This is double the opportunity to clear some room, unburden yourself and share some fabric love. Have a dig around, clear out those bottom drawers, find that FQ you'll never use or block stuffed under a pile of other stuff!
Get grabbing these buttons, please put them on your blog and spread the word.
We want to bring back that loving feeling.
<div class="FuglyCharm-button" style="width: 150px;
margin: 0 auto;"> <a href="http://charmaboutyou.com " rel="nofollow"> <img src="http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z475/Lucy_Brennan/fugly30_zps9bacd3e8.jpg" alt="FuglyCharm" width="150" height="150" /> </a> </div>
margin: 0 auto;"> <a href="http://charmaboutyou.com " rel="nofollow"> <img src="http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z475/Lucy_Brennan/fugly30_zps9bacd3e8.jpg" alt="FuglyCharm" width="150" height="150" /> </a> </div>
<div class="Quokkaquilts-button" style="width: 150px; margin: 0 auto;">
<a href="http://quokkaquilts.com/youve-lost-that-lovin-feeling
" rel="nofollow">
<img src="http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z475/Lucy_Brennan/lostthelove_zps374280ae.jpg" alt="quokkaquilts" width="150" height="150" />
</a>
</div>
help a girl out
I have no finishes and haven't been up to much, except a little bit of stitching on this lovely:
It keeps getting folded up and moved around but, for those of you that wanted to know, the hera marker has done me proud and the creases are still there. I'll let you know if they remain when I'm finished too.
Also just wanted to share that Fluffy Sheep Quilting has Simple Style, Technicolor and Nordika in stock now
You might want to stock up on Aurifil thread at great prices! (I have succumbed to some myself).
So now the bit where I'm hoping one of you smarty pants helps me out...
I have some fabric that I know nothing about, I have failed to take any pictures of it today so I'm going to try my best to describe it. It feels like brushed cotton on one side and more of a light canvas on the other. I'm pretty certain it is meant for curtains or sofas or something but I want to make a top out of it - a very simple top. Is this possible? Am I mad? Will I end up looking like this...?
It is a pretty pale blue solid though and so, so, so soft to stroke! Should you only use lightweight fabrics for clothes? Is there a reason for that (as in it looks better, hangs better, is created for clothes making and no you should not use curtain fabric to make yourself a top silly Lucy?!)?
*oh and check out Le Challenge tomorrow for an announcement*
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