Thursday 21 July 2016

A very warm welcome.

Here we go, better late than never. Well, what sort of
weather do any of us call perfect? I love summer with
all of the changes in temperature. Too warm to sew....
relaxing in the shade. Rain...sewing like a dervish,
 awaiting a chance to hand sew  and finish ufo's.
A little bit of every thing, also it makes me do house
 work so very  quick, just to do the bits I love. The 
village hall is really becoming a hub for socializing.
We enjoy and welcome visitors just to say hello

and enjoy a coffee.


Kate is working on a quilt of windmills, to be gifted  very soon.
A few minutes to arrange in sequence and all pinned together
ready to assemble asap.

Another bag to be finished by Linda this fabric is so popular
at the moment, its design  contains postcard prints and stamps,
neutral and very classy just like Linda.

As I was saying a very classy bag, this one has designer
buttons to complement the handles. A for Armani?


These tiny pieces are an ongoing project of paper piecing.
Annette is using a glue to hold fabric in place before
joining . I tried this a while ago, not with much success,
now we are using a glue stick from one of the bargain shops
costing about £1.00 for three. I tried this way this weekend
SURPRISE I didn't end up covered in glue like the last time.
A method to be continued to quicken up the production line.

This is the stunning quilt by Annette, it has been quilted
by The Trading Post. They say that quilting should enhance
the design, this has been stitched in a gold thread  it really
does work. Margaret working on the same panel is planning
to have hers quilted at the same shop.

Jenny has  made some blocks in a split 9 patch thi.s will be
a table runner in lovely grey tones

Jenny made this last week , now to be gifted she made a beautiful
gift box, she makes stunning cards boxes, so cleaver.


This is Chris's baby quilt, for the imminent baby  it is
made of really soft seersucker fabrics. It is her first
 "own design" such an achievement.
                         

This is Marissabelle's place setting, all 6 appliqued and
being quilted, the fabric was bought in USA earlier this
year , a lovely gift for a family member.

Marrilla has been quietly stitching Pentagons, these are being
formed into little balls, this one has been filled with
French Lavender.

Cathie has been knitting X mas decorations in sparkly reds,
next will be the snow men. 


Saturday 9 July 2016

Rain stops play in the garden, so must do the blog!

The recent television program THE SEWING BEE has 
revived an interest for sew many of us.(pardon the  pun)
In the 50's and 60's when you needed a new set of 
clothes ,the only way for my family was to get mum
 to make them. When I look at old photos I always
am reminded that we kids were miniature adults.
The boys short trousers were cut from their dads, and 
even the sports jackets were remodeled. Girls dresses
were on the same lines as their mums. Probably as 
money was short ,when I went to 'high school' we
had to make our own summer dresses and skirts.
Then we had more affordable clothes shops and 
the trend of dress making died.Now it has revived
and many people are sewing for pleasure not necessity.
A really welcome hobby, time to dust off those skills and 
have fun!!!!
Marion brought 2 quilts to sew, this is one of them,
it's for W.I.They are having a craft table at an event.
the bears and the dishes on the shelves along with
the apples have all been quilted. 


The black top was made by Val the other week. when I didn't get
many pics. The tops  are modeled by Cathy who wants to
use the pattern to make one her self.

This is another of the Charlie bags, made by Jenny. We get
quite a production line going for the lovely bags. Filled
with goodies, a really welcome gift.

Annie pie's quilt is almost finished just a few stitches on
the binding. It may have taken a while but just by wanting
to complete this quilt means that she pops in to see us.
Not always a full day, but she is so welcome.

Margaret has layered her quilt, this fabric is so  striking,
all she has to do is quilt it now, looking forward to
seeing it finished, Annette also made the same one
a few weeks ago.

Another one of Beryl's scrap quilts, it always amazes me
how many scraps we create when sewing. Gone are the days
 when we would finish an item and throw the scraps away.
When I first started it took so long for me to finish a quilt
I would be fed up with the fabric and bin the remainder,
until I was told that "you pay the same for the scraps as the
rest of the fabric"

This is my latest effort,(along with another baby quilt in
progress and 2 crochet bolero's for baby's holiday) I wanted
this top for over a silky dress without sleeves.


Sunday 3 July 2016

More new toys.

When we sew at home , we sew in isolation, joining
 a group of like minded sewers (sewists) whichever
collective noun you choose, Brings together a wealth
of information , knowledge , and possible new skills.
How many times do we say "I never thought of that"?
This is what this weeks sewing day brought.
WE DISCUSSED A SUMMER MEAL. 
I HAVE BOOKED  THE PAN ASIAN IN 
HANLEY FOR JULY 28TH. 12-30PM.
 THIS A FREEBIE FROM THE KITTY. 
WE HAVE ALSO PROVIDED THE HALL
 WITH THE WEBSITE.
 caverswallcookshill-v-hall.org
 MANY THANKS.
Marion has made this baby  blanket a request from
her daughter, She appliqued Baa Baa the Elephant
then backed the top with a fine fleece. this is not a quilt
by request. 

This quilt again by Marion was a fabric panel from
the lady at SPQ. A really soft and delicate quilt.

Kate has finished her sewing machine bag, a gift any little girl
would love to receive.

Jenny brought in another Charlie bag, to be gifted with
cosmetics to a friend. Then she drafted a pattern for a
blouse from the Lutterloh system, perhaps to be made at home.

Irene's cushion is looking very swish, she has Trapuntoed
the center star. This was another of the  panels from the lady
from SPQ.

Val cut out a blouse pattern in Broidery Anglais (sorry no pics)
then she started to make a dolls dress, This little doll will have quite
 an extensive wardrobe by the time the holiday season is over.

This is another beautiful bag by Linda. I think that this was
 going to be a gift ,but invariably we fall in love with
these beautiful and unique  creations and want to own
 them ourselves.

This is a charity quilt made by Linda. It will be donated to
Donna Louise Trust later in the year. This is the right size
for the  car seats that babies use.

This is a quilt kit that I brought a few weeks ago
from a Debbie Shore program on The store channel.
One of two, just as a standby in case I was stuck for
project. Having finished  a few things I  needed
a quick  fix. The kit was ideal I cut out the
preprinted  applique, ironed it on and would sew
 it at home.

So sorry it is side ways on, but I quilted it Thursday morning
(7-30 start)  and as I love Wimbledon hand stitched the
binding watching tennis, Heaven!

These are my new die cut houses, the start of my property
empire. They would have been sewn on Wednesday, but I
forgot the invisible thread. Ah well the quilt got priority.