Scrappy goodness

Here are my scrap packs that I am hoping to do a swap with another modern quilter in the UK. My fabrics are from all over the place, some bought here and others from the Continent. Here's a chance to pick up some unusual fabrics (and get rid of some fabrics you are fed up looking at - isn't it funny how some fabric no matter how much you use it seems to never end and with others there is never enough!)






Scraps really do pile up but it can be boring having lots the same. There are loads of projects that use up all those scraps. The latest one is scrappy trip around the world on quiltville.

As you can see each pack contains mostly small scraps. Some as big as 10" by 15" but none as large as a FQ. This is all I am looking for too. I will take a mix of anything down to about 5" square or 2.5" strips. Happy to take any colours but really looking for colour on colour for my Oh Fransson Toyko Subway map quilt as opposed to busy prints (as you can see I have enough of those already!). 

These piles weigh about 200 grams and can be posted for just £1.10 (incl p&p 2nd class) so it really is a good way to extend your fabric range for the smallest amount of outlay.

I also have these bags of really small scraps that could be used for card making, covering buttons or ticker taping, that I would be willing to swap for say 1 FQ or a couple of smaller scraps.

Hope to hear from some of you soon. Just comment on this post or email me.

The big reveal

Now that all the wrapping has ripped open, I can reveal everything I have been working on over the past few weeks in time for Christmas presents.

First up is the much talked about, the one you have all been waiting for: Mr Humpty Dumpty!

Thanks to ikatbag for providing the pattern. He is so cute.

His legs and arms are on poppers so he comes apart just like in the story. Unfortunately I think I traumatised my nephew the first time I showed him this. However within minutes he was being thrown about the room to inflict more damage! I love his big smile and his sticking plaster.

For my sister-in-law, I made up another Buttercup bag and added a matching purse which would just fit an iphone to stop scratches against keys.

I used a thick black material for the exterior of the bag with a pink pin stripe thread running right through it. I think the results are really good. It is perfect for an evening bag and the weight worked well.

The last present is more of a traditional style of patchwork but it suited the receiver of the gift and that is the important thing. It is placemats for a kitchen table with a little runner for the middle.

I finished them by doing a meander all over with a gold thread.

They turned out pretty nice.

So that was my handmade Christmas. Hope you enjoyed yours.

I have a few other finishes to show but have not got a pic yet. And although you wouldn't know it by the quality of the pictures, I got a new camera which I am grappling with understanding. Hopefully more posts soon.

Winter woolies

What is cheekily known as "Goods out" in our house has been fairly busy of late.

Firstly another commissioned scarf which I decided to do infinity style. It looks better than the pictures. It is really hard to photograph a scarf well. 

I have just checked -  I haven't even shown the first one - ok here it is. 

I'm not sure what this fabric is. More like sweatshirt weight but softer. It has come out really weird in these photos but it is a gorgeous unusual colour. So much so that I bought myself more of it to make a Hot Patterns dress - more on that later. Anyway it was half price so a bargain!

The first was for a friend who asked me to do one as a birthday present. The grey one she wants to keep herself! I used really soft jersey material for the actual scarf rather than cottons. It is always really challenging when making for someone else - they usually think of something different that you have never actually made before but because you can sew, well anything should be possible.

Some nice labels to finish.

Tick tick tick...

...Ticker taping. Love it!

I love the way you don't have to think too hard straight lines only.

I love the way the needle wobbles before your eyes. (especially the faster you go!)

I love the fact that you are quilting as you go.

I love the fact you can use up every bit of precious fabric.

I love the way you can make something pretty out of seemingly very little.

I love the result.

Did I tell you already that my husband once scooped up a bunch if these scraps and said "do you want me to throw these out for you?" Aaah no - they're the best part!

Result: 2 quilts for doll bunk beds

The week that was

A few weeks ago I had a full week off with no plans but that of my own devising. Bliss! The weather was beautiful all week but one day. So how much sewing do you think I got done?

Yep never enough. Although a sewing related project took over so I was happy enough.

Since getting another room decorated in our house I was able to move some furniture around to leave more space in my sewing room. So I treated myself in IKEA to a new cutting table. So first I had to paint it and build it. That took up most of Monday!

All tidy with scraps sorted my size and colour in these little drawers and bigger pieces in the cupboard in shoeboxes.

This is now what my husband refers to as "Goods In".

The room all completed and tidy for about the next 5 minutes! I should be much more productive now.

Obviously no week off is complete without a trip to the fabric shop. This is my stash that I got from the local sewing shop to make myself some clothes. More to follow on that soon. It makes a pretty stack I think.

I just can't wait to get started on that lot, but have a few gifts and orders to finish first. Why does the project list never go down no matter how much you tick off?!

Feast your eyes

No trip is complete without a jaunt to a local fabric shop.

I was in Sligo for the weekend and dragged my family to the Crafter's Basket. As always I broke my self imposed fabric buying ban (out of the country - doesn't count) and treated myself to these lovelies.

One is a Stof fabric which I have used before and liked. The yellow and greys are for a project that I hopefully will be blogging about soon and the purple is a start on gathering supplies for a quilt for my new bedroom. The others are just because!

Satisfaction

Isn't it lovely when this:

becomes this:

And this:

turns into this:

A stack:

becomes a WIP:

from the the windswept

to the final get the artsy shot:

And this boring pile:

changes to this (which everybody hates too 70s):

with a little inspiration becomes:

All in all not a bad few weeks at (or out of) the office.

Last two quilts for sale in my Etsy shop now.