help

What can I do. I have attached a magnetic fastener in the wrong place. To move it properly I have to take the whole thing apart, cut a new front, and put it all back together. Is there an alternative/ Has anyone managed to get it so very wrong and salvage the situation, without the complete remake?

If so, I would be very grateful for advice on sorting it out. My own fault, third time I have made this bag and I didn't read the instructions this time- I assumed I knew what I was doing!

Finished One

It is surprisingly difficult, when you are trying to make a Christmas present for someone, when you share the sewing machine with them. As it is, it will not be a surprise for them, but, there are two daughters and therefore two presents, so daughter at home will not know which one is for her, (especially as I have yet to decide...) although she does know they are to get one each! so the smallest sneak preview of one,
I amy show more later on, if I remember.

I am also planning to make a brooch for a sister-in law, but yet to decide just what. Christmas cards are getting urgent, so, am I busy this weekend? I guess I am. Very. And I would like to make more folded decorations, to make additions to presents for Christmas generally. And cucumber pickle, because so many of them love it. I guess I better go and get busy.

Block 19

The first applique block is done. This went so easily, and so smoothly that I almost feel I cheated. I have been using Bondaweb for so many years, that I would be surprised if it did cause a problem though. Ready to look?
Now tell me that doesn't look effective?
I am really coming round to applique blocks. Why do I not mind the waste of backing paper from the bondaweb? I don't know. Logic tells me it is no better than paper piecing, but I really do not mind when it is bondawebbed. Anyway, I am pleased with my result.

Someone asked for a little look at some of the fabric I brought back from holiday, so here are the batiks. I was intrigued, as they are panels, with a variation across the panels. And about two metres of cotton cost about £2.40. or thereabouts. So really I couldn't have not brought some home, at that price, and look

They start in these neat little packets, and you take them out and open them up, I have left it folded in half, so snapped the front and then the back of each,
so you get a contrast panel, and a coordinating section

 The red one is strongly red on the one panel, but richly green on the other end. I can't wait to get a project going with this one.

 And the last one is this,

A wonderful green, going into grey on the other end.

All three are quite different from one another, but I love them.

I also brought home a piece of cotton in emerald green, which has already been passed along, which had elephants worked along one border, in gold. Sadly I cannot take a picture, as it has a new home already. And some other bits which will be presents- so no sneak previews I am afraid.

You like?

Catching up

The trouble with going away, no matter how good for you it is, or how enjoyable, or miserable for that matter, is you get behind on things. And have to catch up.
And it seems to take longer to catch up than if you had just kept up. Especially as the other things do not conveniently go away to let you catch up in peace. Housework- do yourself for a day or two, till I have done the sewing I want to. Not that I am any sort of housewife. Other stuff is so much more interesting. But the dust bunnies do not stop breeding just cos I think they are a bore.


So Leila gave us this next block to do, and we are halfway through the skill builder!

Cicle of geese

Another paper pieced block, beautifully explained, so this time I only got it a little bit wrong and only had to rip out one seam. I do not like paper piecing, but I love the result. I will not make a regular practice of it but I can see I may well use it for a quilt in the near future. The separate quarters are constructed, and then put together to create the block. Very effective, and wouldn't a whole quilt in these look amazing?

So halfway- I have used my house block- these are what I am storing

This weeks block, which I am starting to plan, at a few minutes before 8 in the morning, is the first applique block. This uses good old bondaweb- or whatever equivalent, and I am an old hand at the bondaweb, so I hope this one will just work.. famous last words and over-confidence coming to the fore. It is a simple but effective design, so if I get myself going, there may be a post on that later today.

I am missing the FMQ by Fluffy sheep, I sort of missed the last two, with being away and not too well, so they are waiting to catch up. I must then try to join another group, as the group stuff does make me practice, which can only be good. I am liking the look of the feathers Pat is doing and must have a go. But I have lots of other stuff very high on priorities before this. Attic- I need your christmas decorations Disgorge immediately! Living room You need bottoming for Christmas- the first cards have come in- Kitchen Baking is getting urgent, mince pies will not make themselves.

Back later, I hope.

been away

I have been away. Not all from choice!
First let me moan (mini-moan). I caught a nasty lurgy from my daughter, and after 4 days had to give up and come home from work, and retire to bed. We were off on holiday the next day, so my husband packed for me! and about 4 days later I started to take notice! We were in Thailand, for a special occasion, and it was amazing, and an experience.
We went for 10 days, and got back on Saturday, to find Blogger not behaving. It is still doing strange things- seems to think I want to play tank warfare, when I want to check my settings... Google tells me my account is not recognised- the settings have been reset while I was away and not touching it. Back at work from Monday and my remnant of lurgy is slowly clearing up, but I have a pulled muscle in my ribs and just breahing hurts.

On the plus side I have picked up some lovely bright batiks whilst there, and we saw silk brocade being made, one lovely lady throwing the shuttle,

two ladies either side manipulating the warp threads, and another lady, down below

 
also manipulating the warp. It takes all four of them to do the job, and produce
this pattern with gold threads. No wonder it is so expensive!

I enjoyed this little side trip!And although I brought a little silk home with me, I didn't bring much, as I wasn't sure what I wanted to make with it.
On the plus side, the Dance school which I was making Alice costumes for have presented me with a picture frame, containing photos of the children wearing the costumes I made, and with lovely messages on the back, from each child. I was so touched, and so pleased to get it. i will now have to find a good place to hang it. They look fabulous. Such a kind thought, by the teachers.

And now, I must get back to some sewing. I am suffering withdrawal from it, and my machine feels positively unloved.

Now, Karen at Lisnaweary Quilts is doing a giveaway, of a go!baby.  so kindly do not go there to put your vote in as there are already far too many of us wanting one!
Oh alright then, you better get across and try to cut me out again! I think it could be a very useful gizmo.

Starry Night finish!

need I say more?

Well, yes actually, the four quarters were lightly starched before I removed the paper, and then went together just the way they ought. Matched effortlessly, and sewed a dream!

Now if I could work out how to do it without paper piecing, I may have another project....

Starry night block

This is the next block for the skill builder. Or perhaps it is the patience builder. I am just ripping out my third seam. Because, with great care being taken, my pieces are still not quite covering the way they ought. HUMPH.
Looks fine right upuntil it gets ironed. Then it reveals that it just will not do. Contrary. so I am ripping out again.

But, Tip of the week, I think ripping out on paper piecing is easier if you cut between the paper and the fabric, rather than between the two layers of fabric. Not sure why, but it is working for me! First Quarter of this block,
  Looks really crisp and smart. You really cannot see the frustration levels here.
So despite the frustration of the first three quarters all requiring multiple rippings out, I now have four quarters of the block. The final one made up perfectly. Perhaps because it happened after a good night's sleep, and I have been fighting off a lurgy, which my DD2 donated to the cause, but feel a bit brighter today.

I will makethe block up according to instructions. BUT, playing with them, there are loads of possibilities. Now I want a non paper piecing method of putting these together, so I can make loads, I really see a whole quilt with this block, and it is exciting!

this is the suggested layout, for this block, a whole load of these would give this second pattern  which looks great, and also this one,

but this modern twist also looks good   and this isn't bad either  or

 this one
or this    I love the modern feel to these. As a traditional lass, this is a strange thing to say. What do you think?