My copy of Weekend Sewing (by Heather Ross) arrived. I bought it from here.
I have plans to make the summer blouse (here’s a picture of someone else’s) and the ‘Go Everywhere Shirt Dress’ – I can’t seem to find an image of that one.
The instructions look good and the design and style of this book are beautiful. Now I just need to make something.
Filed under Inspiration, Sewing
I’ve continued working on this quilt. I’ve sewn the squares into strips and now I’m sewing the strips into blocks.
To get the effect I want, accuracy is vital. So when I sew the strips together, I ensure the seams for each square are lined up and I press the seam allowance from one strip one way and on the second strip the opposite way.
It’s probably clearer in the second image.
The buttons are on. Now I’ve just got to finish the ornaments…
Filed under Christmas Decorations, Machine Embroidery, Quilting, Sewing
A pile of pockets ready to be sewn on and ornaments in a production line …
The ornaments are a machine embroidery design from here. They’ve used velvet as the base whereas I have used felt, so I’m not sure how to cut the edges away (they used a candle and melted the edges, but I’m not sure if that would work with felt). I’ve made 8 so only 16 to go … (I am feeling positive that I will get it done in time).
Filed under Christmas Decorations, Machine Embroidery, Quilting, Sewing
I’ve decided to make an Advent Calendar – just to put myself under a bit more pressure. I got the idea from here, but it’s developed a mind of it’s own.
Each pocket will have a number embroidered on it. I haven’t quite decided on the position of the pockets yet – the one above is just placed on the quilt.
I’m going to sew buttons onto the tree from which we can hang ornaments (they’ll be stored in the pockets).
The ornaments are going to like this …
The number is on the back of the ornament. There will also be a star, tree and stocking (so six of each type).
I still have all of the pockets and the ornaments to sew as well as quilting the base. So lots to do and not much time.
Filed under Christmas Decorations, Fabric Stash, Machine Embroidery, Quilting, Sewing
I’ve made another Notebook-Pencil-Holder.. I’ve altered the pattern a bit – I wanted to fit 12 pencils (rather than 10) and I wanted it to be a bit shorter. Instead of making the main pieces 40 by 28cm, I made them 46 by 25cm.
I used a medium weight interfacing this time and it worked much better. I think I will alter this pattern again to just make a simple pencil roll holder.
I found a tutorial and pattern for a Notebook-Pencil-Holder at One Red Robin and thought I would attempt one to see if it would work as a christmas present for my girls.
The tutorial is excellent – heaps of photos and easy to follow instructions.
I used an ‘iron on’ batting instead of interfacing because that is what I had on hand. It does make it a bit puffy and a bit tricky to sew around the edges. I will use interfacing next time. The fabric is from Amy Butler’s Charm range (I’m not sure if this fabric is available anymore).
The edges look very wobbly in the photo – it doesn’t look as bad in real life.
I found using a walking foot when sewing the pockets made things work a bit better – eliminated all of the puckers. I also used a top stitch needle.
I could only fit nine pencils in mine rather than ten, so I shall alter the measurements to make it wider. Plus I think it’s a bit tall for my book/pencils, so I shall make it a bit smaller and I shall place the ribbon ties in the middle.
So here are my measurements for next time:
Cover and Lining: 42cm by 25cm
Pocket: 42cm by 18cm.
I was surprised at how easy it was to make one of these. Definitely worth a go if you’re considering it.
Filed under Notebook Pencil Holder, Sewing
As P is very keen on dinosaurs and A on princesses, I decided to make them applique T-Shirts. I found the designs at Designs by Juju (I did briefly consider digitising my own designs, but as hers werre exactly what I wanted it seemed more efficient to just buy them – plus she had a buy two sets get two sets free offer!)
 I bought these ones …
The applique is quite time consuming, but easy to do. I’ve used calico as a base and then sewn them onto the T-Shirts afterwards (that way there isn’t a lot of thread on the inside of the T-Shirt and I don’t have to try to hoop a T-Shirt).
Filed under Machine Embroidery, Sewing
On the weekend I realised that I hadn’t thought of presents for my girls’ teachers. As school finishes on friday, I don’t have much time. I decided to make the bird christmas tree ornament from this book.
Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t get the belly section to join the body section without puckers.
The timing was pretty much spot-on – it took about four hours to make five of them. I think several in the tree would look fabulous, but I’m not sure if I have the motivation to make any more.
Filed under Christmas Decorations, Sewing
I’ve been working on more T-Shirts…
One of these is an order for my shop and the other are christmas presents – I hope to get some into my shop soon …
Filed under Machine Embroidery, Sewing
