first patchwork

baby bunting 2

this time i have free motioned the zigzag pattern




The first version that i have copied again is here

its bright and i think practical ... i never get why we use white for baby items... except of course that they do look lovely!

new idea for small squares

So I tried a new technique ...




...using interfacing to glue the inch squares together



Sewing the seams in one long seam once the small squares are fused...

... it's suggested that it's easier .. but I'm not so sure - I like the give in fabric to match the points of corners



i made a coaster ... but I don't think I'll try it again, I found it too bulky and not so easy to match..; :-(

back to business

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The plan is to have a blue quilt ....with dark blue sashing .... and even quilt in blue thread. I am feeling my way with colour and texture ( the anniversary quilt gave me some confidence!)

The back will be navy panels with splashes of colour. this is the first strip/coin quilt I have tried - so wish me luck...

Bagging again

Been busy making bags again - There is a satisfaction about turning out a useful item in an afternoon. This is for grocery shopping

 

I really like the detail - it's a technique that I haven't tried before - and I think i will definitely do it again; with a few tweaks - a fastener and a longer strap - I think it will make a nice over the shoulder bag

 

I got the inspiration from this picture - the white tote - which is the starting point as clearly mine has evolved due to the type of fabric I had - it's sort of hessian.

 

in this book

 

What I did with the rest of the jeans ...

 

... I made a whole load of embroidered bags - using the tops of the jeans , recycling the zips to use on the tops - and plaiting the seams to make straps and belts for the bags - not a scrap wasted - everything upcyled!!

Denim Rag Quilt

 

This quilt is made from several pairs of jeans and is a new technique to me - the edges are raw and then frayed. they did fray really well in the washing machine - the only down side being it broke my machine by clogging the filter and flooding my kitchen! my husband had to take it apart and clean out the pump...so i don't think i'll be making another in a hurry - although i do like the effect and it makes an excellent throw.

Fabric

Another welcome distraction - I just happened to be out and about in the sunshine and popped into a shop in a nearby town - which happened to have just put out for sale the fabric swatches for their upholstery and curtains. A lovely selection of scrappy pieces. So I bagged a few to add to my stash. The colour combinations are a real bonus as it will hopefully help me appreciate similar and contrasts - I'm not sure I have the best taste when it comes to colour combinations - If I like the matches I'm happy - but often I don't like my own choices!! There are some lovely linens, satins and cottons. It was a happy case of - Right place at the right time - now the problem is what to make? at least that's a good problem to have.

 

 

 

Suit Bag

Okay- so I became pre occupied over the weekend and didn't start on the colour wheel- instead I was combining my 3 new loves - of bags, quilting and recycling. I made this bag from an old wool suit jacket. I washed it (who cares that it was dry clean only!) and it's a lovely texture (very soft, not scratchy). Surprisingly it's really good to sew with too.

This is the first bag I have quilted and it gives it structure - a sort of soft sturdiness. There are pockets on the outside - 2 from the jacket (the pocket at the back and breast pocket on the front to the right of the button) and a bigger one at the side ( you can't really see that - it's made from the sleeve edge up to the black - it's at the back right on the bottom picture and will be perfect for an umbrella). There are also 2 pockets on the inside. I really like the curvy quilting against the check pattern. The black is the lining from the jacket.


 

.... All I need to now is learn how to take good photos as these don't seem to show off the good points of the bag. The photos don't really capture the texture which is what I like about this bag. I think I will get lots of use out of it as it is quite smart. All in all I think I am pleased with this and really enjoyed making it - it was fun to make it up as I went along.

Good day for drying

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