Bank holiday sewing...

Yes, I have been sewing... but as so often happens, just too busy, and some secret bits, so it does not get itself up here!

 The last of my Lazy Bums Flying geese has got itself started... This is for Laurie, and will need a few more to go with it.  She asked for a grey, low volume background and bright colours against it.  So, here is the first of four 6" blocks.

Then, we have the fat Stash Brit Bee. It is DD1's month this time, and she has kept it simple. Log cabins, with a good red centre, and low volume on two sides, and cheery brights on the other two sides. Some low volume strips were sent, and one bright, and the centre square, the rest to come from stash.

 A second block whizzed up in next to no time..











 It will be a bright and cheery quilt when she gets it all together.





















And the big event happened yesterday. We had a tutu bodice sew-in.
Our lovely teacher had some tutu bases to use, but wanted pretty bodices to make the girls feel special and different. There were three of us, but four tutus, so, as it was a learning day as much as anything we played with fabric and selected what seemed suitable for three of them, and we each made one. Some fabric was brought, some came from my stash. And the effect of some fabrics is very different depending what lies below...

so this red organza looks delicate and pretty over white, but quite different over a red backing. Quite solid, really.

and is a pig to sew... but enough of that! we did not use that one this time.

 This delicate printed sheer fabric was mounted over a pink, and again, is a bit of a trial to sew, as it stretches in it's own fashion, and slips, but can be tamed with a wee bit of patience and an overlocker!
 
 My poor old overlocker is seeing plenty of use, and I trust it will go on providing its great, if temperamental, service...

 Elaine was an overlocker newbie, but within seconds she was confident, and got all her pieces neat and ready to go in short order.


between the three of us we used four machines... including my elderly Singer, which came out of retirement to fill that gap...

And she sewed the gold ribbon at the bottom of the net...

She has made a beautiful job there... Just hope these actually come near fitting- Having no child to fit on is a problem, as I do not finish edges before fitting usually. but hey, It was as much an exercise in how as anything else...

'I really made it!'

Yes, it will need trimming yet, but, the basic is there!


and both new to boning as well!

And, yes, I made this one. But then, I have done a few before...

In the middle of all this we had lunch- just quiche and salad, and then stopped for tea and cream cakes in the afternoon.... I had fun, and I hope the other two did as well, .... and, just perhaps, next time, I may have someone else doing tutus with me....

Lucky me!

I have had some unexpected gifts just at the end of the month here...








First, I went out with the Dance teacher, to see a show by a different dance school. And lovely Karen presented me with this beautiful print from the photoshoot day with two of the girls in those pretty tutus. What a lovely and thoughtful person Karen is! I adore this picture, and it now has a temporary home in my living room, but will probable end up in the sewing room. Yes, you can see some of the Alice costumes on the wall there too.




























 Then on Friday I was presented with these gorgeous flowers, and a thank you card from one of my clients!

I was just gobsmacked! They are really beautiful!

So, I am very lucky!





And spring is busy trying to spring in the garden too... today I found these little offerings...






































We are definitely getting there!

Hanging on the wall....

I think I have finished! I have 32 tutus hanging up in my hall!

A tiny picture- do not want to give too much away at this stage... more when I can get a picture of one on it's body!  I hope...

but I reckon I can give you progress shots of armbands without it being too drastic!

 Each length of organza is hand pleated and pinned onto satin, then overlocked in place.... taking out pins as one sews, the overlocker objects to trying to cut them.... Cannot imagine why....

 and then the opposite side of the satin is overlocked- frays like crazy, if you don't!






This is then folded over and pinned, and stitched down.




and chopped into lengths and piled high on the ironing board- for lack of any other sane place to put them....

                               
                                    or, over the back of a chair....

















and a piece like this gets chopped in two, and elastic threaded through, and then checked on an arm, before being stitched to make the band..


Am I allowed to add this to the link for le Challenge? It is a mix of fabrics... satin, organza and elastic..making something beautiful... I hope so! we shall see if Lucy and co permit!

Progress

My camera now works intermittently, and as and when it feels like it.. so I have a few pictures to share again!

 Yes, there is a person buried up to the neck in net! scramble gathering it ready for application to tutu bodices.. Beware! When you come to visit me you may well be pressed into service!

 Armband kindly modelled by my son... It requires some modification..





















And while I was awaiting verdicts on armband styles, I was able to get on with a much delayed Bee block.
I had already done this one- not photographed, due to temperamental camera action, but I had been able to make it. And then I got stuck.

I wanted to make at least one other block, but ideas were not announcing themselves with traditional gusto!


But today! I was filled with the desire- most unnatural, as I hate FPP- to FPP a tiny Christmas tree!

The block will end up 3" finished.
I planned it, I modified it, I glared and stared at it, and then.......






I decided I better just get on and do the thing!

 Of course, it refused to pose for a picture on its own!. Too bright and glary- cannot see a thing...












Too shaky, still not seeing a lot!




Strange that it was later quite content to be in a group photo! Camera shy blocks- what would you believe!



So after that, I did an applique star to complete a set!


Hope she likes them!

Sugar Plum Fairy

 I have been working on this cutie. She should be on stage in about a week!

 This delicate coloured rose is one of those nameless ones you are given for an occasion. Looks like porcelain to me, but she is real- even to the greenfly she supports..

 Lily Marlene pretends she is not a rose at all..

 And, in a few short weeks we go from this...

to this!