Spring Blossom

 


 

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How lovely is Spring....

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.

The benefits of prevarication

I've just had a brainwave! I'm glad I've put off attempting the quiliting of the colourwheel - I was going to have to join my batting and was going to join 2 pieces in the middle - but the size and bulk had been putting me off -(I keep thinking why did i think a double quilt was a good idea?)anyway - here's the brainwave - i am going to put 3 pieces in - 1 central covering the colourwheel itself and then 2 side pieces for the extra size for the bed. that way it won't matter if the join can be seen in any way as it will be part of the seam at the edge.... so simple and yet it will make it easier to quilit too. with less bulk under the machine - so i feel better about attempting it already. i'll keep you posted...

Colourwheel

on the bed - pre quilting - let's see how far i get this weekend

 

Recycled dress

My daughter sent me this picture - i don't know where she found it on the net - but its pretty impressive - oh it puts my crisp wrapper purses in the shade!


 

finally finished

At last I felt inspired to finish the binding on my attic windows quilt. I tried machine attaching both edges and not using my usual double fold technique with hand sewing. It's OK... but I still need more practice on those mitred corners. 2 out of the 4 are OK, so that's a starting point for improvement. Anyhow I think this will be a wall hanging at the top of my stairs.

Here's the front ...

 

...and the back - which is another patchwork in similar colours but a random pattern - although I remember how hard it was to be random!

 

Colourwheel - Update

I have sewn the segments together and added white sheeting so its large enough for a double bed - I don't know if that was a good idea now - as it looks pretty big and I have to think about how to lay it out and attach the wadding and backing - ah well, I will wait till I am inspired to do that, and I confess I don't particularly like that part of quilting - but I am still enjoying making this quilt and am pleased with how the colours flow.

 

I know it looks a bit wonky - but it is a pretty good circle when it's flat - honest!

Coasters

idea from this book. The same as the colourwheel quilt idea.

Last minute patchwork and quilted gifts

They are really quick to whip up and give quite a bit of satisfaction as they are cute and useful – and I use recycled materials, including the wadding which I got from an old cushion (it doesn’t matter if it’s not smooth as the quilting is close together so it all evens out..

 

Facebook

I have finally joined Facebook-

 Anyway - here's the worldly goods of the son leaving home ...I think I need a good clear out now Spring has arrived!  

Necessity is the mother of inspiration

My latest creation is for my glasses case. I have had to start with reading glasses – I even had to wear them for sewing. 

 Anyway at least I enjoyed the free motion sewing on the machine – I think it’s a matter of confidence but I quite liked the way the leaves looked. My idea is that I can free motion some motifs for quilt pieces ….at least that’s the idea.  

 

Blog Break

So what have I been doing in my blog break? Well I have made a few silver wrapper purses and given them away, they have been much appreciated which is always a satisfying feeling especially since they are recycled so I feel good on 2 levels – I am in the middle of making a bigger bag – rainbow coloured I thought - but I have had to wait till my colleagues have eaten the right sorts of crisps – I’ve been promoting the consumption of Quavers – I’ve been very encouraging “ they’re lower in fat you know” – and also I’m short of yellow wrappers and I can only cut 1 or 2 from each packet ….

Been on holiday : an activity break ..but I worked up an appetite and may have had to have this…

colourwheel - New Year, New Project

Well after a hectic and somewhat stressy and downbeat end of year I'm feeling more like being back to my old self. Sadly my dog used up all her lucky lives and is no longer with us. Friend's undergoing Chemo. 

 I've also been busy sewing with my new project/s .. how can anyone have so many Unfinished Projects , here is the latest quilt top - the picture doesn't show the colours too well, i will take some more when its pieced.  

silver disco - candy wrapper purse

update - click on the candy wrapper link below or in the sidebar to see other photos of candy wrapper craft

I have finally collected enough recycled wrappers to finish the purse!!



Update: i have more photos of other projects - click on the candy wrapper purse tag below

and then...

As light relief I have started on the next candy wrapper item - or crisp packets actually - as they seem to work best - and I like the silver better than the multi coloured for this one.
update: i have more photos - click on the candy wrapper tag below

and so it continues...

update - click on the candy wrapper link below or in the sidebar to see other photos of candy wrapper craft
 a candy wrapper purse - the prototype worked out pretty well - it's very tactile and surprisingly soft and squashy

baggy favourite

What a week!!

The main thing tonight is that I'm tired so I've put on these socks


and put my feet up.. how can't I feel better wearing these?

Attic windows

I started a new project after the big clean. My inspiration was Attic windows from this book




I think the orange border really sets it off nicely –

eeek !

Good day for drying

..