a gift of embroidery transfers
"Take your needle, my child, and work at your pattern; it will come out a rose by and by. Life is like that - one stitch at a time taken patiently and the pattern will come out all right like the embroidery."
Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.
I was delighted and so touched to receive this amazing collection of embroidery transfers, kindly given to me by Lindsey. They had belonged to her mother and Lindsey wanted them to find a good home since she doesn't embroider (though she does quilt and knit!).
Embroidery is one of the first crafts I remember doing and in many ways it's the one that I most enjoy. My Nan created the most beautiful embroidered cloths and she loves seeing me stitching too.
The file of patterns is a treasure trove of designs with plenty of florals, borders and pretty motifs. They aren't all pictured here, this is just a few I quickly took snaps of. As I looked through them I was imagined all the projects I could add some stitching to - quilt labels, clothing, pouches etc. All the while with a longing that we still used handkerchiefs. Maybe if I start embroidering them? Because look at these gorgeous fonts:
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
why should you sew quickly?
My sewing has slowed WAY down, practically to a stand still. It wasn't really intentional, it sort of just happened and I've been wondering why. Of course hand sewing is slow, perhaps it requires a certain frame of mind or mood, but how do you keep up the momentum?
I started off making quilts quickly with my machine, then once I started doing English Paper Piecing I realised how nice the change of pace was. All types of hand sewing became my passion and the fact that projects are portable, easily picked up and put away, made them even more appealing. There are a couple of hand sewn quilts that are ongoing and obviously they are my longer term projects but that block above, for example, was started last October! And for someone that has been hand sewing every day, three months feels too long to not have even finished one block.
So why did I stop? Work is busy, a lot of sewing gets done and if I've been sewing all day I often don't want to do any hand sewing in the evening. Sometimes I am simply too tired, I would rather read a book or watch YouTube.
But it really started when I decided to listen to podcasts on my commute. I realised I was enjoying listening and wanted to concentrate. It felt nice to not sew at the same time. A nice break.
And here's the thing, I don't want to do more than one thing at a time. Life is hectic, three kids and work keeps me busy. So when I'm relaxing that is what I want to do. Shut off, zone out, take my mind of things.
I did (nearly) #100daysofsilentsewing and that was wonderful. In fact I might try to do that again, even just for a few minutes. Every stitch counts! It's not that I want to hurry up, in fact a couple of the projects I probably haven't finished because I want to drag them out a bit longer (I'm especially thinking of you Green Tea and Sweet Beans ♡). It's not a race and I know that, but I really am missing hand sewing and all the benefits it brought me.
There was definitely an element of overwhelm too, seeing so many beautiful hand sewn projects on social media, and how quickly people seem to finish them! I needed to take my own advice to restore my creativity, step back just a little and do some replenishing. Maybe it was just a break that was necessary.
Last weekend I did manage to prep some epp pieces during the #saturdaynightcraftalong and choosing the fabric combinations got me really excited. So the plan is to try and pick up some momentum and get back to some 'me time' hand sewing.
Having remembered the vision for my ice cream soda blocks I am motivated to finish that block above too!
It would be nice to get to a place where I have one project to work on and not move on to something else until I've finished it but I don't know that it will ever happen. I'm not sure that's my way. A mix of projects suits me but it has become a bit overwhelming. It might be nearing time to face my works in progress/unfinished objects list and gain some control (I know it needs doing!). Or just keep sewing what I fancy and taking it all slowly. Or maybe I should try to quickly finish one off my slow sewing projects.
Can you tell this post is a stream of consciousness?! There is no conclusion, I am going to go and sew now...
I will just post the picture of my Year in Colour - a fun tool created by Makelight to show the colours that you used on your Instagram in 2017. It's interesting to play about with and I intend on referring to mine for inspiration.
🌅 sunrise sunset dresden quilt
Some designs are organic and simple. I had drawn a quick sketch of this quilt and, as I was creating it, the dimensions and overall layout changed slightly from my original vision. It just worked, allowing myself to adapt the pieces and play with the blocks.
The half dresdens work perfectly to create rising and setting suns, the bold mix of colours and solids/prints adds interest and I used both curved and pointed segments to suggest beams of light. The colours bring to mind the artist Clarice Cliff, her designs and use of colour are hugely inspirational.
I used the Creative Grids
18° Dresden Plate Ruler and cut segments from 8" strips. After making one of the pointed segments, I measured the length (where it would be pieced to the next segment) and used that measurement to trim the curved segments. You can watch the demo below if that's more helpful!
four projects: it's all in the details
It's my birthday today! I have lovely plans, lunch with my mum and step-dad, a relaxed afternoon, a film with the kids and then a meal with my husband. Chilled out and spending time with people I love, a perfect day.
This is a little catch up on makes for Sewing Quarter from last weeks shows. Cute cushions perfect for a nursery or just for fun and a mini quilt with Liberty rose appliqué.
First is this adorable bear cushion, pattern from Sweetly Stitched Handmades by Amy Sinibaldi. The book is full of such sweet makes!
This was simple to make and I really like the way the ears are pieced into the half square triangles. Clever and cute detail.
I embellished the cushion with ric rac and used felt for the eyes and nose. The padded face gives the bear personality and someone suggested adding a squeaker in there which I think would be brilliant! There are lot of ways you could add details to the bear and make really unique cushions.
I made a sailboat cushion, pattern from the book Lovely Little Patchwork by Kerri Horsley. The cute fish prints worked so well in this project and the red, white and blue combination is classic. Pom poms are a great way to finish off a cushion, they just add a special something!
I enjoyed stitching the bunting detail. I used a dab of glue on the fabric scraps to hold them in place and then stitched straight lines to create a drawn effect.
Using these pastel Kaffe Fassett fabrics was a lovely way to recreate my Four Patch of Charm cushion design.
And now I realise I never blogged my original finished cushion. I do remember hand quilting this one on a trip to visit my sister.
I love how the choice of fabric can make a patchwork pattern look so different!
Finally this is the Liberty Rose mini quilt, pattern from Quilt Petite by Sedef Imer.
I rather wish I hadn't used the darker thread to outline the rose. At the time it seemed like it needed more definition but I would unpick that. Anyway it's a sweet design and I enjoyed this method of reverse appliqué, cutting the shapes out of the top fabric before stitching. It was like a maze outlining each of the shapes! The Liberty print of a rose looks so subtle and pretty peeking out.
Have a fabulous weekend everyone!
linking up to finish it up friday at crazy mom quilts
Signs of the Sewdiac
I am incredibly fortunate to have worked with and met some wonderful creatives, many of whom have become true friends. One such talent is Samantha Claridge, owner of Sew Crafty. Sammy has incredible taste, her designs are always so beautiful and she inspires me with every make and photo - her new instagram feed showcases this perfectly!
When Sammy told me she was releasing a new line of products with a subscription box club I got very excited. And then when she kindly sent me January's box I squealed, gasped and left her a rambling voicemail through tears of joy.
It wasn't overly dramatic. You see I LOVE sewing and I LOVE stationery; I value great quality and unique, well thought out design (especially when it's within my budget!). Signs of the Sewdiac has all that, it is a box of perfection covered in stars.
📖 monogrammed book cover
I made something just for me! And I love it. A few years ago I made an embroidered patchwork notebook cover and now I'm wondering why it took me so long to make another version. They really are fun to make and a fabric cover feels so lovely, it's also a good way to protect your book. After browsing the internet I decided to use this tutorial by Charlotte Scott, I was inspired by her embellishments and the measurements she gives worked perfectly! It's also an interesting construction. I didn't use any interfacing though because my main fabrics were Essex Yarn Dyed Linen and this cool Taupe Punched Faux Leather. I did think about keeping it really simple with just those two fabrics but it felt a bit boring. I have a stash of selvedges that I've collected over the years and it's nice to rummage through them and find text or graphics that work with the project. Can you guess what the book is?
L-I-V-I-N
I have started 2018 with a kick ass mentality. Each year I chose a word, one that will guide me, give me focus and inspire the way I live.
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