Catching up, 'Made fabric', and house and tree

 

Ok, so Leila asked us to 'make fabric'. We were given a link to a particular website and we made a scrappy pair of patches, out of which we constructed our beacon star block. I was excited to try, and I hated it! Yes, some folk have produced exciting and effective results, but I feel mine is sad and disappointing. 

So this week we have been given another improvisation to tackle. I had a little heart sink moment, 'am I going to hate this too'.But I am doing it! And with lots of doubts and a few false starts, I love this one!

improvised house and tree   

It seems to fit with the cow blocks I have been working on, so it is going in! I may have to do another house and tree, to go into the skill builder, just to make up the numbers.

red riding hood

ok. so it is the weekend of my elder daughter's birthday, and what does she want for her birthday? A visit from a parent. Papa is busy with another project, so I guess that leaves me free, clear to go spend girly time with my big girl. And take her her pressies of course- well, a pressie anyway.
So, I arrived in time for tea, it is always time for tea with my girls,and often with my boy,but that is another matter,and we had a lovely evening, and went shopping for a bit more pressie on the Saturday. And while we were exploring a certain well known department store,we spotted a coat. well, not a coat. Almost a coat, and nearly a cape, with a fur collar- but we don't do fur.But the collar is detachable, and we like the look of said almost  coat, but we do not like the price of this not really a coat, because poverty stricken students have to watch their pennies.
Anyway have a little look at the construction and, why don't we make it ourselves? at home?
Off to the little fabric store nearby, and there is a bright red suedette just begging to turn into something fun and pretty, and how about a polka dot lining to go with it?

So Sunday morning's project came home.

The DD has taken some construction pictures, and I hope to add these on in due course. A bit of invention was required at times,as there are NO patterns up here to cannibalise for collar, but my spur of the moment collar worked brilliantly (lets be modest about it) and hemming the lining with a pattern in red adds a little something to the whole.

I forgot to put a hanging loop in so a bit of unpicking to insert that later had to happen, remembered to make it, but insert?? and it still needs buttons, and loops, or buttonholes. Buttons to be bought first

Mega tip to self- A walking foot topstitches suedette and poly lining without dragging.
Mini tip to self- DD has very little in the way of cotton for her machine. Buy red thread when buying red fabric!

All in all, a very satisfying Sunday. Cost of fabric-£26. Cost of similar in store £110. I think we got a bargain!

do the lining first, as accidents are less likely to show!

the back, cut on the fold

judging theneckline

lining complete, needs an iron!

ornamental hem, takes forever, but looks good

outer, put together

the outer layer, back

outer, put together

finished,but for buttons, or fasteners

from the back

the loop had to go in later.....

and finish- for now

PIF and Cows play with a churn dash.

I have just lifted the following from piecestolove. She has a very pretty blog with some nice bits and pieces on it, including some blocks to donate to a good cause, and I have signed up to this, and will see if anyone wants to join me... 
As my blog is so new, it is entirely possible no-one will even see it, but I am willing to give it a go!

Here's the idea:

1. I will make something for the first 3 people to comment on this post. What I make will be a surprise, and could arrive anytime in the next year.  It will be a random surprise in your mail box.

 

2. To sign up, you need to play along as well. ( pay it forward) - post this, or something similar on your blog.

3. You must have a blog (or else where are you going to post this, silly?)

 

When you comment, I will email you to get your mailing address and you will receive something from me.  Let's spread the bloggy love, guys!

Just in case you are wondering, yes I will do international shipping.  

This may be fun, or it may fall flat, 

 
here is the last of my cow blocks, I shall make some plainer blocks, and assemble the lot into a quilt top.. 

Eight blocks to go!

I think the block looks better in the picture than in reality, maybe because I am further away?


Ok I have changed my mind!- so what is new?

I am going to make a 9th cow block, and just use sashing to tie it all together. Why? Because I have two blocks with a 6" square in the middle, and all the rest have 4" squares. So it will balance better if I have another 6" square.
Yes I am stupid not to plan ahead. But that is what comes of flying by the seat of my pants. Again.


So frustrated today, I do an online test for work, and I have come across an anomaly. I seem to be the only person in my group suffering from this. Or the only one who has noticed. Grrrr! Hmph ! etc

Ok rant over. For now.

Ohio Star again

The Ohio Star, crisp and simple, very elegant

Ohio Star in Cow, and polka dots- a very different feel!

Corners- not too bad?  

Ohio Star

Leila has given instruction for the so simple, and so beautiful Ohio Star. I think I love it because it is so uncluttered.
And because it went together like a dream.

I can't take photos yet, because my doughter is off with the camera- for a necessary project of her own- I may touch on that in a few weeks time, because I am so excited by it, but it is a secret special thing so cannot be published at present!
Leila gave directions for two systems for constructing the Quarter triangle squares, the first by quartering the contrast squares, and the second, which I prefer, taking the squares  and placing them together, having drawn a line corner to corner, and sewing either side of that, and then quartering. I felt this worked well for me. I managed reasonably good points on all the QTSs, and also not too bad a job on the assembly.
With a bit of luck, I will get the pictures tomorrow.
Really impressed with the block. Love it!

embroidery reels

An amazing gift came my way today. An elderly lady who has had to stop sewing because she cannot see enough to do it, has passed loads of embroidery threads to me, in colours that sing! They really do. How kind and generous. Some of the spools are of variegated thread, others of plain. About 45 lots! How about that.So kind.