*There is a great video tutorial on Lynette's blog demonstrating how to use the apliquick tools.
Sewing Friends is a pattern designed by Lynette Anderson, and combines her usual mix of applique and stitchery. I bought this kit from Coast and Country Crafts and Quilts, here in the UK and the kit contains the pattern, all the fabrics for piecing and applique (also designed by Lynette and are from her "Quilters Garden" collection), the beautiful painted buttons to embellish it with AND the embroidery threads too. I used a Micron Pigma pen to trace the pattern onto the stitchery background, fused a small piece of weaveline on the back, and I was ready to start stitching... ...I used a small wooden embroidery hoop to keep the background fabric taught. These hand painted buttons are the perfect embellishments... ...two of these mini-blocks also have applique, and my friend Teresa very kindly loaned me her apliquick rods to have a play with. I really haven't got to grips with needle-turn applique, and recently discovered the applique apaper and glue stick method with I found much easier. So I had a go with these rods, and quickly became addicted - so much so that I ordered my set from The Fat Quarters... ...once these mini-blocks were completed, I was able to get the main block pieced together. This kit uses this beautiful fabric range "Quilters garden" (also designed by Lynette Anderson). I used a fine embroidery thread in pale grey by Mettler for the piecing, along with a Schmetz Microtex size 60 needle for the piecing... ...then changed to a Schmetz Topstitch size 70 needle and an Aurifil thread 40/2 weight for the quilting. I changed the pattern slightly and made the back with an enclosed zipper, I used some extra "Quilters Garden" fabric for the cushion back and the binding... ...here it is finally completed with a nice plump feather cushion pad inside. This really is so pretty. I'm getting quite a collection of Lynette's cushions for my sewing corner - poor Mr F is worried that I may soon need a special sewing room all for myself! And my daughters are worried that the next time they come home from uni I might have taken over one of their bedrooms!!!
*There is a great video tutorial on Lynette's blog demonstrating how to use the apliquick tools.
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Before I packed away the applique paper that I'd recently ordered from Patchwork Chicks, I thought I'd do some more applique before I got out my sewing machine for a bigger project! This is another kit designed by Lynette Anderson - "Christmas Night" - and again, the kit contained everything I needed - background fabric, ribbon, embroidery thread, scraps of fabric for the applique, and even the hand painted buttons that are used to embellish this picture once the stitchery and applique are completed. Once the design had been traced onto the background fabric I was ready to start. The frame was also bought from Lynette... ...once again, some wadding is added between the stitchery and the backing board, which ensures a snug fit and pads it out a little bit too. Buying the frame at the same time as the kit was a brilliant idea, as it meant I could get the whole project completed without it going in my "to-finish-later" box. This one will be used to decorate my lounge at a more seasonal time. It did seem a bit strange sewing Christmas project in the summer!
This kit was one of my many purchases from the Festival Of Quilts this year. I like smaller stitchery projects, as they are portable and easy to stitch in the evenings when I'm watching TV with Mr F. "Beehive" was designed by Lynette Anderson, and this kit contained everything I needed - the stitchery design, background fabric, fusible stabiliizer and a selection of embroidery threads. I traced the design using a brown Pigma Micron pen, fused the stabilizer on the back of the fabric, and was ready to start stitching. This design was stitched with 2 strands of embroidery thread, and I used a size 9 John James embroidery needle... ...I'd also bought a round wooden frame for this kit - so as soon as the stitchery was finished, I was able to frame it straight away. Once the stitchery was completed, I added a layer of wadding between the stitchery and the backing board, to give it a "3-D" effect. I'd trimmed the background fabric, and used a running stitch to gather up the the fabric, so it fitted around the back of the frame without any puckers. And now it's finished and ready to hang on the wall. This seemed to be a good place to take a picture as there were lots of bees busily buzzing around the sweet peas, but none of them stayed put when I got my camera out! Lynette has these kits and other designs too from her shop, the Little Quilt Store, and you can order them online.
Well here is the blog post you've all been waiting for - the shopping! There were so many goodies to tempt me, and I'm sure I could've bought far more than I did, but I was very busy helping Lynette on her stall, so didn't get a chance to buy too much else! As you can see, Lynette had some scrumptious things on her stall, and I just couldn't resist this cute toadstool charm to adorn my scissors with. I've recently been using Cottage Garden Threads, and as they are usually only available from Australia, I thought I'd make the most of getting a few skeins while I had the chance. Lynette had some beautiful stitchery kits, and I thought some smaller projects would be ideal for me as Mr F keeps complaining about the growing mound of quilts that are taking over Foreman Towers... ...this stitchery kits contained all the fabrics AND threads that were needed, and Lynette had a selection of wooden frames to but them in too - well it would've been silly not to get them, as once they're stitched, these can bee instantly framed and ready to hang up on display! I bought some more of these super zippers (one with a key is for a particularly special project, but more about that in a few weeks!) and lastly this gorgeous bundle of fabrics complete with a wooden embroidery thread holder - it's a kit for a quilt designed by Lynette that is featured in "Simply Vintage" magazine, and I was lucky enough to bet this edition from Lynette - and as soon as I arrived home I contacted The Fat Quarters as they stock this, and I've now got a subscription set up with them so I don't miss out on this fantastic magazine... ...I visited The Fat Quarters for some weaveline (a thin cotton interfacing to fuse on the back of stitchery) and managed to also get some glue-pen refills, and couldn't resist these gorgeous red bag handles. I'd already got bag handles on my list, and as usual paid a visit to The Eternal Maker stand to get some more. These lime green ones are to go with some batiks that I'd bought a few weeks ago, and I adored these red/white spotty ones! Another favourite stall for shopping was Cross Patch, and they had some stunning stitchery kits, and this one "Circle of Love" by Rosalie Quinlan came home with me too... ...I always make a visit to Kaleidoscope Books and this year was no exception - the 2 most recent books by Nancy Halvorsen, Table Please Part 1 and Part 2 were quickly purchased, followed by a quick trip to Kaleidoscope Fabrics, and I bought a bundle of 10 fat quarters of gorgeous turquoise batiks and added a few half metres to co-ordinate with them ready to make a quilt for a very special person (shhh it's a secret!! so can't reveal too much about that project just yet!) and finally a trip to the FOQ wouldn't be complete without a bag kit - and this one was from the Monkey Buttons stand. The sample on display was made up in Lynette Anderson's beautiful fabrics, and this kit had just been put together while I was waiting to be served. It contains some beautiful blue fabrics, and a grey textured woven fabric that really is lovely. Now I just need a few days of sewing time so I can make a start on some of these lovely projects!
My daughter Alice is working for Lynette Anderson at the Festival Of Quilts again this year. The show is held at the NEC in Birmingham, and is on from Thursday 7th Aug through to Sunday 10th Aug. We're travelling to Birmingham on Wednesday, and I needed to prepare some hand sewing to take with me. Last year at the show I'd bought a lovely kit from Lynette Anderson Designs, called The Orange Tree, and as it was still waiting to be opened, it seemed like the perfect project to take with me this year! The kit contained the pattern and all the beautiful fabrics ( "Secret Garden" which was also designed by Lynette, for Lecien) to make the cushion, and a hand painted button too. Firstly the fabrics were cut and pieced together, then using my new light-box I traced the design using a fine Micron Pigma pen, then ironed a piece of fusible interfacing onto the back of the fabric. I just needed to add a few more sewing supplies to my sewing kit, some embroidery threads from my thread box, and it was ready to pack in my travelling bag. It's always useful to have some hand sewing to take on long journeys, and maybe when I'm having a rest from ohhhing and ahhhing at all the quilts, and shopping, and stopping off for tea and cakes with friends at the show, I'll sit and do a bit more stitching. If you see me you must stop and say hello ;
OK so here is what you've REALLY been waiting for... the pictures of the shopping that I did at FoQ!! Well of course the first stop was the lovely Lynette Anderson Designs stall, where my daughter was working. There were so many wonderful things on display it was hard to decide what to choose!! There were books and patterns and bag making accessories (this leather bag flap and strap are just wonderful!) and fabric bundles and buttons..... .....here you can see a better picture of these gorgeous zippers - the end tags were so beautiful - these will be the perfect flourish on a cosmetic pouch or on a sewing bag. Oh and yes, some wooden bobbins for winding embroidery thread onto, and yes, there's a kit lurking under there too, the "Orange Tree" pillow, complete with fabrics and a hand painted wooden button to embellish it with. Lynette very kindly gave me a copy of her latest book (thank you SO much for your generosity Lynette!!) and I couldn't resist getting one of these beautiful handmade scissor fobs - yes that really is made with Lynette's fabric, all foundation pieced - I'll have the poshest scissors in Suffolk!!..... .....would you believe the only fabric (apart from a cute little bundle of "Wildflower Flower Wood" designed by Lynette for Lecien, that's a gift for a friend - so it doesn't REALLY count!) was a couple of Layer cakes "Aspen Frost" - this is the new Christmas collection by Basic Grey. A couple of books were also on my shopping list - the newest book by Nancy Halvorsen, "Ho Ho Ho Let it Snow" (my poor bookshelf is groaning at the thought of MORE books!) and a book "Cushions and Quilts" by the very talented Jo Colwill from Cowslip Workshops - I'd seen this book on her blog, and was so pleased as her stall was opposite Lynette's at the show so got see Jo lots during the show. Oh and yes, some rather strange looking bag clasps that I just NEEDED to get..... .....and finally it just wouldn't be the same without a bit of shopping on The Fat Quarters stall. It's always great to catch up with Kim, and this year Kim and Debbie were staying at the same hotel as us, so we often saw each other at breakfast time as well as at the show! This beautiful BOM had been on my wish list for AGES and is called "Scandinavian Rose", and is by the Australian designer Rosalie Quinlan, and her latest BOM "Best Friends Forever" - these are both pre-printed handkerchief linen, which means I don't have to spend hours tracing stitchery patterns! Oh and I also bought a real show-bargain of large cans of 505 spray glue, but they look a bit boring so didn't think you'd need to see a picture of them!
I know, I don't normally blog TWICE in one day, but here is the completed "Friends Needle Case" - pattern designed by Rosalie Quinlan. I'd bought this as a kit from The Fat Quarters back in 2008, made a start on it (well - I'd completed the stitchery) and put it one side - and as I'm still taking part in the FB group "Tour de Fibre" I decided to tackle this as my next project. Hanne who organises the group challenged herself to complete 5 unfinished projects before starting a new one, and I also took up the challenge! This is my fourth project that I've completed so I'm doing quite well! And here it is - it really is very pretty - and just like shoes and handbags, a girl can never have too many needle cases..... .....first of all I traced and cut out some hexagon templates, using some template plastic. I've stored these away in my sewing box incase I ever need these again! Then it was time to cut out the main fabric, the lining, the pocket, the wadding and the woollen felt for the needles - all hexagon shaped of course!..... .....I constructed this a bit different to Rosalie's instructions. Firstly I decided to machine applique the stitchery onto the front of the needle case, and used a pale pink King Kut thread for this, stitching quite close to the edge of the applique, and stitching it into postion before attaching the lining. I used the same colour thread when I made the handles, and to top stitch around both pieces of the needle case too..... .....I love the vintage style buttons that decorate the inside of this needle case. They are SO pretty! Oh and another slight change in the construction - I used a button magnet to keep the case closed (really this was because I forgot to attach the tab to loop over the button, but don't tell anyone!! and also I sewed through the pocket making 2 smaller ones as I thought it would be easier for storing a couple of packets of hand sewing needles, reels of thread, etc. This was a super kit, as it had EVERYTHING I needed to complete the project without having to search for other supplies. Now - where's my next unfinished project?!
Well I've found yet ANOTHER unfinished stitchery project! This one is called "Friends Needle Case" and is by the Australian designer Rosalie Quinlan. I bought this kit absolutely YEARS ago (?2008!!) from The Fat Quarters, and they still have this pattern in stock if you're interested in making one too!! The kit had just about everything I needed to complete it - the fabrics (Lecien - my favourites!! - part of the Dunham Quilt collection), the pellon, the stitchery stabilizer, the embroidery thread, even the cute buttons for embellishment. AND it is a hexagon shape - too cute! I had initially completed the stitchery and then packed it away - and goodness only knows why as it's SO pretty - or should that be SEW pretty?!! I had traced the pattern with a fine Pigma pen, and stitched the design using 2 strands of DMC embroidery thread. As everything was included in this kit, I was ready to go - however, life got in the way - and it didn't get finished, like so many of my other projects! So today I am having a super sewing Sunday and hoping to get this one finished! What are you busy doing today?
OK so here is the project that I decided to start last night as part of FNSI. I've got lots of things started and had made a challenge to finish at one project before |i start another - but then I couldn't decide which one to pick and I WAS going to collect a quilt from the longarm quilter so technically that WAS a completed project (I know I need to get the binding on, but I have a cunning plan to spend Saturday afternoon binding it while Mr F and the hairy hound are out on a shoot!!) so anyway I had a rummage in my stitchery project-box and this Leanne Beasley pattern was calling out to me. I bought this "Sew Laugh Love" kit back in November 2011 from Quilt Fabric Delights, and it came with the pre-printed handkerchief linen and several skeins of Cosmo thread that are just wonderful to sew with! I can't believe I had put it away with lots of other kits and never got around to actually stitching it!! So I quickly set to and wound the threads on those little cardboard bobbins, and I was ready to get my needle threaded..... .....well as you can see I dithered about for so long binding those Cosmo threads onto those blasted little cardboard bobbins that I didn't actually get around to doing very much sewing at all!! Well at least I've got everything prepped and ready - hopefully by next month's FNSI I'll be a bit more organised!! Ohhhh look what arrived in the post just before Christmas - a fabulous kit from Oakshott Fabrics!! (This arrived just a couple of days after ordering - I was VERY impressed with their service!). I have been on several quilting courses with Helen Howes and she highly recommends these fabrics, and one of my friends recently made a FABULOUS runner with the Lipari range. Anyway, I had a little peek on their website and couldn't resist this kit. It contains the most gorgeous fabrics - Ruby Reds - a collection of 12 shot fabrics that all share a Ruby Red warp. Oh yummy!!.... .....the pattern is called "Modern Blocks Table Runner", and is designed by Lynne Goldsworthy, and I follow her blog Lily's Quilts regularly. This really was the perfect project to pick me up after all the hullabaloo of the Christmas and New Year festivities. I'd missed not having my machine out over the holidays, and was desperate to start sewing again..... .....I'd never used Oakshott fabrics before, but all that's going to change! These fabrics were really lovely to sew with, although they did start to fray..... .....this runner looked fabulous, and I love the way the fabrics change colour in the light..... .....this was quilted very simply, with straight rows 0.5" apart. I used a burgundy coloured Mettler quilting thread, and used the same thread in the bobbin, and added one of my new labels to the corner. I used a plain black fabric for the single fold binding..... .....and here is the finished runner, looking very splendid on my dining table. I love this modern pattern, and might try to make something similar with my collection of batiks! |
About me...Hi - welcome to my quilting blog! My passions are my family, my dog, my friends and sewing, not necessarily in that order! Archives
July 2023
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