And Breathe

Ok, the bulk of the tutus are with the dance school, and then I got a call... one more please! So, that is prepared, ready for fitting, and should get finished this week, and then I can relax properly.
Meanwhile, I have also done a bee block,
The Fat Stash Brit Bee last month was Square in a square blocks, with pretty geometric blue fabrics, to which we could add, any of our own blues, and one square of RED! Four small blocks, which we could assemble into a strip, or a square, or just leave so. We were sent a paper pieced pattern link, and could just get on with it.

So, that one out of the way, at the last gasp of October, I could turn the brain in other directions...  Ok, I admit it, I fell.... The other odd group I have joined, in good company, I hasten to add, is the Lazy Bums. And an idea was conceived, that we could, as many as wanted to join in, do a relaxed bee. Each of us decide what we wanted to appear, and post notes about it, colour, design, niggles and so on, and make for each other from our own stash, all at the same time. So, no turn taking, but over about a year make for everyone, and receive a block from everyone else. Make sense so far?
Not I must do for Mrs A this month, but rather, some time in the next year I shall do a block for each person, and send.
So, then you must decide what you want. It is a right mixture, some FPP blocks, some 'in house' designed blocks, and some fairly standard. And the group criterion? There MUST be flying geese somewhere in the block!

A list has been made, with everyone's details and what is required... and I made a block, and even- shock horror, did instructions! Weyhey!

I originally designed this for JoJo, about a year or so ago, It looked very different in her colours, 

but it is the same block. So, I thought, why not use it, and see what comes back. 

This time though, all in yellow and grey... 

So, you may see a few more of these popping up over the next few months!

The instructions?  for a 12" block-

Rachels Geese!

No waste method-

use a Goose square ( yellow)     5 1/4

Grey squares       2 7/8

Normal method

Yellow  4 ½” x 2 ½”

Grey 2 ½” squares

Make 12 goose units by whichever method you choose.

Also cut 4 strips 6 ½” x 2 ½” for the edges.

Please make geese in your favourite way!

You will need 12 geese in total. I do not mind if all geese are different, or all geese are the same, or you have a mixture, but, geese should be yellow, with grey skies.

I was playing, and expect to use other geese elsewhere...

So, play with your pieces!

yes, I made 16... I was not sure how I wanted to set them out, so I made spares! ok? 

  and choose your layout...

after checking out the options...

   then sew your centre geese into blocks of two  geese, and

  then sew your centre geese onto blocks of two  geese, and then sew two blocks together,

then sew two blocks together, and sew the central block of 8 geese into a square block. Press carefully!

then sew one geese unit onto each of the 4 strips. make sure it is at the correct end...

The next bit requires a partial seam.

Align the end of your strip with the top right hand edge of the centre block, and sew down to about an inch from the bottom edge of the  central geese block. Press the top half of this strip open,  (sorry for glary picture!).

Rotate the block 90◦ clockwise and the next strip should neatly fit onto the side, and you can sew the whole length. 

Press open, and rotate again. 

 Once strip 4 is attached, go back and finish the seam from the first side. 

Press and Voila! Block done!

Foundation Paper pieces..

Did you ever draw your own Foundation Paper Pattern?
Well, I did, for a bee last month. And I was very happy with the result. But. Yes, Big BUT.. I used paper and pencil- you know, that old fashioned stuff. Which, with all its merits, you cannot happily print a half dozen off, all identical. Or, you can, using a photocopier..but not long distance, or immediately, and not when you already used it!

So, if someone asks you for the pattern, but you already sewed the thing and sent it off, you really do not have a copy to send...


Ok, so that is not an impossible ask, you can, after all, draw one out on a computer package... such as 'Paint'  and do it that way.

I am sure there is a better thing to try this on- it is just, I have 'Paint' on my computer, so it felt feasible to use it for the purpose.

Again, there is a but. When I did this with paper and pencil, I drew my finished square first, and then put in my tree and worked out what the sequence was from there. With 'Paint' I have no idea how big my starter square is. Yes, there is a rule you can put round it, but what do the measurements on the rule apply to? It surely is not inches.. and does not appear to be centimetres either..

So, you do the whole thing, and print it off and then measure it.

And then, because it has come out 2 1/2" rather than 3", you do it again. You do some pretty basic maths, and try once more. And it comes out 4 1/8 ".
There must be a way to do this, you think. So you take their scale measurements and try once more...

A bit nearer, at 3 1/8 "  and after messing about and printing off yet more versions, you find that applying a 'resize' factor only seems to apply to the image on the screen, and not at all to the printed version, you decide to settle for what you have!

So, I have emailed all three different size versions of it, to the requester, and shall hope she can make head or tail of them!

That little tree over there, on the right...



Anyone else want to have a go at one?

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!

Around the world blog hop

Lovely Jan has tagged me for this little exercise... and it is probably just as well she has, or I might not post anything at all for a week or two...

I do enjoy my sewing, but as I work full time and also love my garden and would prefer a cleaner house than I possess...I do less of it than I would like.

She has posed me a few questions, I will do my best to answer them.

1. What am I working on? 

Those who know me well, know the answer to this one! Tutus.

I have thirty two tutus to produce by mid October. I have a friend who has a dance school, and when needed I help out with costumes. And this time it is tutus. They will be super pretty.
I have not one finished yet, but I have made a solid start.

 Cutting all the pieces out in all three layers is hard work... I have a callous on my knuckle...













 And the bin is overflowing with the offcuts....

But the first six bodices are ready to have shoulder straps and skirts attached.. I have 8 yet to even be started.

I cannot show more just yet... you will have to return in November to see more!

and yes, I have several other projects lurking in one state or another... but these are top priority.

2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?

I am not quite sure what my genre is! I seldom stick to a pattern, I always have to do something different, and take shortcuts... though not always shorter, if you follow that... and I always think I know a better way to achieve a result...

I am not always right about that though...

3. Why do I create/write what I do?

I started this more as a record for me, than for anything else.. and so, I just do it!
And I create for a need, or a wish to experiment, but I do like the end result to be useful.

 Something that just ends up as godwottery,  I am not that keen on... You know the word, godwottery?? Those items you see where your instant gut response is.... '  .....what is that about?' That is it! 

4. How does my writing/creative process work?

That depends. Usually there is a request, or an inspiration, but sometimes it is a slow working out of a niggle. I tend to say, I do 90% of the task in my head in the week or two before I start, and then it all happens in a rush when the brain part has happened.  I am a great believer in sleeping on a problem, and also in a sense of 'the time is right' . When the time is right, the thing will happen!

I also like to put stuff down on paper. Just roughly perhaps, but it gives me something to look back at, when I lose track of where I am! and then, I play. With the most fun play stuff in the world...

And I am happy to look at a thing and say, I can probably do that! Or, no, I could not do that!














And now, I pass the baton on!

So many folk have already been involved in this, that I think you need someone special at this point!

Please go and visit my lovely friend Janine, who does all sorts of wonderful things, not just sewing but woolly stuff as well,  Go on, have a look see!

back...

I have been away, with DD2, for a week.. It was lovely, but my camera has now died... so there may be radio silence from here after this for a bit... sorry- Enjoy these last pics... and guess where we were!

There may be something in it for a correct guess... or not,

 if too many folk get it right! And if you have privileged info- Sorry- you are NOT included... I did tell someone- Sorry! that feels so unfair- but then as they know....

I shall give you a week to guess!

Edited to say, We were on the lovely island of Rhodes. I shall plan to make a minute something for three of you, and send... but do not hold your breath, I am knee deep in tutus at the moment!

Beeing good

It is the final month for our Hipbees. This is rather sad, as I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of this little group. We have had a lovely Bee mamma, in Di, and the other ladies I have been playing along with are so friendly and a super bunch to work with. As they say though, all good things come to an end, and it is time to say a sad goodbye. As an introduction to really fun bees, this was fabulous. 

So, thank you, Di,  and all the lovely ladies, I am sure we shall continue to be online friends, and meet in other bees and swaps. 

Our final block has been the Plus block, Amy did all the hard work for us, and created thes blocks, all we had to do, was the sewing of them! Thank you Amy!

The other bee I am taking part in is the Fat Stash Brit bee. This month is Ashleigh's month. She had a panel of 'Cardigan Ladies' This was chopped up and distributed, with some additional fabrics, and we were told to get on and create!

I rather took her at her word and had great fun with this one..... I really hope she likes it... we shall see. Anyway, it is done now, and ready to be sent back to her. I wonder how she will put all her ladies together?