Sew Mama Sew Giveaway away winner

Thanks to all of you who visited my blog and took the time to answer the questions. I enjoyed reading all of your comments and was sad to think that there could only be one winner. However, I think I've learned a few things common to all quilters:

We all want more fabric - even when we cannot have the time to possibly use it all!
We'd much prefer to visit a shop in person to touch and feel said fabric - only price and location prohibit us.
And most of us have long suffering partners who adorably not only put up with our crafting exploits but encourage and motivate us too. I know I am truly blessed in that sense.

So enough of these ponderings - on to the winner. As I said the number was going to be picked by my beloved who chose at random: # 7!!!

Congratulations Mimi Love, who said:

I rarely ever buy for a specific project, I buy what catches my eye and worry later whether or not I have anything to coordinate with it :)

Thanks again to all who entered - I hope you won somewhere. I never do!!!

Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day

If you've arrived here from Sew Mama Sew's blog - hello, welcome, please take a look around. But straight on to the giveaway, which you are definitely here for!

Regular readers (are there any??) will know that I was trying to organise a local (UK) scrap swap. I got some lovely scraps from some very nice people :-) In fact they were so nice they did not take anything in return.

As you can see each pack contains mostly small scraps. Some as big as 10" by 15" but none as large as a FQ.  It weighs roughly 200g (that's 7oz for our American cousins)

So I still have some of my bundles left over from then and now I am giving you a chance of winning them by just answering one simple question of your choice:

1. Where is your favourite place to buy fabric? (It can be a bricks and mortar shop near you or an online shop, or even the proverbial man in a pub!)

2. Do you buy for a specific project or are you a hoarder like me?

3. How often does your spouse/partner help you with your crafty endeavours? (Guess who suggested this question?!) Like a human quilt hanger for photos, going to the store, impartial advisor or is he just the money?!!

Answer whichever question you like in a comment below and I will get the subject of no. 3 to pick a random number to choose the winner on 10 May.

For more information on the scrap packs see my previous post here.



Comments are now closed.

Today on my work table...

... modern drunkard's path pinwheels!

I haven't had much inspiration lately and so have been doing all those jobs that you put off because sewing takes over. Of course they are all related to sewing activity so it still counts, right? I tidied my sewing room and have been trying to transform this:

into something useful and manageable:

I have made a bit more progress into larger squares. Does anyone else think that their batting is this precious. Sometimes I feel like giving up halfway through and think - just throw it out and buy a few metres but it is expensive and feels like such a waste. It feels more in the spirit of original quilters to use up bits and pieces rather than always going brand new. I reckon I have salvaged over 2 metres square of the stuff. But do wonder if all thread, sewing machine wear and tear, and electricity is actually making it cost effective!!

Anyway these are going to be the basis of my fabric laundry bins so won't be washed regularly like a quilt. I wouldn't use this patched stuff for a quilt.

Other updates: I have made a quilt back which I may get round to photographing before quilting (which I am still too afraid to start, I finished a bag for a friend's birthday which I will blog about soon. I am stitching 2 scarves for friends involving mainly handsewing. The drunkard's path is for a doorstop for the guest bedroom and was just to get me sewing creatively again. I think it is pretty.

I bet you feel spoiled getting two posts in the space of a week! Don't worry I will be back to my mediocre standard soon. 

Something from the snow

At last my sampler quilt is done!

I thought we had better take some shots while I had the perfect white background - snow! At Easter.

I love the way this shot actually makes the dark grey translucent. 

This quilt is for my living - dining area which is all done in these colours. It kind of grew from a small throw to become this huge 54" x 70" monster. I just couldn't stop trying out all the different blocks.

I have tried to inlcude a range of different techniques, paper piecing which I blogged about a few posts back,  hand sewing hexagons, applique for the bunting, improv and curves.

I think the end result is stunning. Now I just hope I won't ruin it at the quilting stage. Any ideas for particular blocks?

I have made the back which is a mod podge of big chunks of fabric. I had so little of the grey left that it kind of dictated the style of the back. This is the first quilt I have made to keep myself so I'm glad I like it so much. 

Splurge Part 2

I can't believe I haven't blogged about this dress yet because I think it is the most professionally finished item I have ever made!

It was for my niece who was 1 year old in November. 

Look at that buttonhole - professional or what?!

The adorable fabric was bought in Sweden which adds to the quirkiness of it all.

The dress closes at each side with a button and elastic to get it over the child's head.

Now on to something my own size! This is the Hot Patterns 1070 Weekender Monaco Top & Dress pattern (why always such a mouthful?). I made it in a brown marl wool mix and lined with a stretchy satin.

I made the belt with the ends done in the lining fabric just to lift it a bit. I think it turned out ok for a first go. Although the sizing was good (unusual for me!) the look wasn't really what I was expecting. I think the knit was a bit heavy for that. But it is perfectly wearable and got a compliment on one of its first outings! yea!

And finally something for my sister's birthday.

This is the tote from the Sew Mama Sew! website.

This bit wasn't as hard as it looked!

It didn't turn out as big as I had thought it would but it is still a handy bag to have around.

She also got the infinity scarf that I have featured on facebook.

Interruption to normal service

Just a quick post to show you my amazing haul. All £17 meters worth!


The last local linen factory is closing down and the guy is offering brilliant prices on offcuts.

This came to the grand total of £23. Yes that works out at £1.35 per meter! Normally I never get bargains like this and was always jealous of the garage sale finds in the USA. But this makes up for that. Belfast was the home of linen production and I'm glad to get a slice of history. And now I have my full quota of linen for probably ever!

Splurge Part 1

I have been very bad at updating my blog and I realised there were loads of projects that I have completed that I haven't blogged about. So the next few posts will be a splurge of all of them. Lots of pictures you'll be glad to know! Also I need to get that awful picture of a failed block from the last post off the top of the blog!

This Kobo case was a request from a friend and I just got some shots in before I gave it to her.

Isn't the button absolutely adorable?

Sorry this picture is a bit blurred. I was able to get some coloured elastic from this website. I think it really makes it - black or white would have looked horrible!

 I appliqued the patches on and hand sewed the message - Never judge a book by its movie.

Finally I quilted this squarish crossover stipple in turquoise thread.

This cover turned out so well I could not believe - my next attempt (which you think would be better and easier right?) for my Mum's was more awkward and did not come together as easily.

It took a few attempts to get right. I think I cut it too small - and then there is no going back. I don't even have a photo of it. You will have to make do with WBP (Work Before Progress!)

More to follow soon.