So my new books have arrived …

I haven’t had a chance to look at them properly, but they’re beautiful productions. I had a quick flick through both books and I wanted to make pretty much everything. I particularly liked the scallop edge quilt in Amy’s book - I thought it would be very quick (perfect for a new baby present).

I will post a detailed review later…

I’ve been trying to buy my girls summer tops. I want them to be cool and to keep them covered (to avoid sunburn). I couldn’t find any in the shops, so I decided to make my own. I selected the Newlook pattern (6526). Although I’m going to make version A with the sleeves from B (but no ruffle on the end).

I haven’t sewn clothes for a long time and it took me forever to lay the pattern on the fabric and get the grain right. So far it is going OK.

I bought lilac bias binding for the neck edge and bow. I thought that I would have a matching cotton thread in my stash, but no. So I’ve had to stop - I hope my motivation doesn’t disappear before I get lilac thread!

I’ve been having a few dramas - comments have gone missing (so if you have left a comment and I haven’t replied, I’m terribly sorry), I’ve had surgery (so felt too dreadful to do anything but read trashy novels) and I’ve been working on items that I don’t want to publish on the web - they have my children’s name on them.

Another birthday card - sorry about the image my camera is out of action so I used the scanner.

The instructions and design (in pes, jef and hus) are now available here or check out my sidebar (Machine Embroidery Designs).

I’ve been working on my Snail’s Trail block.

It is working better now that I stitch the entire foundation first and then the seams (before I was doing a bit of the foundation and then the seam and it took much longer).  As the final block is 13cm by 13cm, you can see the ‘trail’ is quite detailed.

Once the instructions are finished, I’ll upload it.