Friday 8 November 2013

Autumn Stitch Along




In September I joined an Autumn Stitch along, which has been organised by Wild Olive.
 
Through out September, October and November we are being sent tiny new patterns to embroider on to hexagons. The finish project will be a cushion cover.
 
For this project we are all using English paper piecing for our hexagons. They are so cute that I thought I would show you where I am up too, But I am a lot behind......... never mind Rome was not built in a day.


These are my scarecrows and they are stitched on larger hexagons. And we are adding plain smaller hexagons as well.

As you can see there are lots for a cushion cover.......... This is because I have decided to make something else but I am not saying what yet !!!!!!!!! Its a surprise.... All my smaller hexagons are made from Autumn shade fabric as well.


These are my baskets of leaves, I have decided to do 7 to 8 hexagons of the same design. So this is why its taking longer. But I don't mind.


A closer look of my basket of leaves.

I still need to do flowers, pumpkins, bread, wheat, donuts, cake and lots more......

As I sew them I shall show you my progress.......

Check out Wild Olive's site it is full of fabulous things to make and see.
www.wildolive.blogspot.co

Thank you for stopping by and  see you soon.

Oh I have slightly changes the colour on the blog as I fancied a bit of a change.




 

Wednesday 6 November 2013

Diary Cover

 

 
 
 
I decided I wanted to make a cover for my diary this year. I always get an academic diary???? I'm not really sure why any more?? I think it is out of habit!!
 
 
It all started many moons ago when I used to work in schools. Our year always began in September and ended in July, with August being a free month. A month were you woke up when you wanted, eat when you were hungry and slept when you were tired. And you never worn your watch.
 
A total free month to do as you pleased!!!!!! Before the new year started in September.
So when I left working in schools, I still brought academic diaries and August is still my free month to do as I please.

 But New Years does not make me feel like one year is ending and other is beginning as this happens in September for me. Which is pretty cool, no New Years resolutions to make..... and break within a month.
 
 Now back to the diary cover.
 
I have wanted a covered diary since the year dot but never found one that I liked or could be used for what I wanted. I want to be able to put my sewing needle in the inside if needed, a bit like a pin cushion.
 
So I started my choosing my fabric..... Owls I just love it.....
 
I measured my diary, front, spine and back and height, then I  added 2 inches to the overall length on either size. This was for turning the ends over.
 
Then I added a 1inch seam allowance, it is so I could stitch just outside the line (Seam allowance side) So that when I turned it out it would fit the height of the book correctly.
 
Once I had all my measurements I cut out the fabric. I used the owl fabric for the front then I had a plain fabric for lining  and I cut piece of batting for the middle. This way I have a soft book cover that can double as a pin cushion for my sewing. A little needle case, come diary two things in one!!!!
 
 
Then I sandwiched them all up, right sides facing each other with the batting on the bottom then I stitched just outside the line so when it is turned right side it would fit correctly.
 
 
I left one side open for turning out the right way  and poking the corners out.
 
 
I then measured the diary against the rectangle of fabric just to make sure it all fitted and slip stitched the open end shut.
 
Then with the diary laying on the fabric (as above) I measured the sides to make sure the over flap ends were correct size. And folded them into the book.
 
 
Once they were pinned into place I slip stitched them together. 
 
 Back view.
 
Inside edge
 
I will add a button so I could slip a ribbon loop over to keep it shut.

Finished diary cover.


These are so easy to make that you can cover any book with this method. Great for Christmas presents you can find fabric just for that special person and cover them a diary or notebook.

One idea for Christmas.......


Thanks for stopping by ............. See you soon

Keep sewing
 

Sunday 3 November 2013

October's block for quilts around the world

 
 
 
 
 
 
October's block is called "Scrappy Granny Square Quilt Block" and this was made for the Queen Bee that live in Tucson Arizona .
 
The criteria was bright colours with a white background and boarded in a solid colour. We could choose any 2 main colours and then have shades of those colour to make up the block. Again the block finished as to be 12.5 inches square.
 
The reason mine is doubled sashed (boarded) is I did not have enough blue fabric to make a wide boarder so I added the red. Which the Queen Bee loves and the block is very different from the others I have seen.
 
but this is the fun of doing a quilt from around the world each block will be so different.
 
I have never made a block like this and it was fun. So far all but one block is new to me and I have learn so much while taking part in quilts fro around the world.
 
 
 
Thank you for stopping by ...... see you soon.....
 
Keep sewing .........
 

Friday 1 November 2013

September's block for quilts around the world.

 
Septembers block was made for Queen Bee who lives in Oregon USA.
She asked for a block which is referred to as a "Slab Block". its a bit like log cabin with its solid colour in the centre but you don't stick with the same size of strips to make this block.
 
The criteria was bright colours with a white block somewhere in the middle. The size and lay out of the block was up to us, as long as the overall size measures 12.5 inches square.
 
So off I went designing the lay out and strip sizes, then I looked for fabric, loved the owl fabric so I just had to add some. As it turns out the Queen Bee loves Owls too... win win...
 
I have never made this block before. It was fun and I can't wait to see the finished quilt.
 
Thanks for stopping by  and I shall see you sooon
keep sewing