Tag: Socks the cat

Stars in Your Eyes

by Kay, posted in Quilting from Little things

I am trying to finish off all the UFOs that are languishing in bags or boxes and this little dolly is one of them. Instead of making the dolly quilt ‘Peaks and Troughs’ I decided to make a section of the larger quilt that is paired with it – ‘Stars in Your Eyes’

The purpose of both quilts is to teach you how to do ‘L’ and ‘Y’ seams and I should have read the beginning of the chapter where it says ‘L’s are easier then ‘Y’s but I was entranced by the lovely stars on the full size quilt so bypassed the dolly to make a star – intending that it could become a cushion cover. The first lot of photos are over two years old which tells you something.

The first part was easy enough – strip piece five fabrics, fold in half and cut out triangles with the widest part of the triangle ruler on the fold line. When opened out you have diamond shapes to play around with, which I did

The next part involved making a diamond-shaped template for the inset piecing, cutting the fabric and then attaching using Y seams and that is where it started going wrong. I found it in a bag with only one piece set in, rather badly, and a second piece attached by one seam and the inner corner slightly chewed…..It was obvious why I had set it to one side for so long.

Still I had to finish it and it wasn’t so bad this time round. It definitely helped having a better machine and after one false start it was done. No great dramas; the key was ignoring the dots that marked a quarter inch seam and feeling where it was and then marking it. Also I left the needle down the whole time when repositioning the fabric contrary to Sarah’s instructions

Stars in Your Eyes

On reflection it was on the large side for a cushion cover once squared off so I bound it as it is. A certain furry someone certainly appreciates it!

Now, where are those little fans for ‘Fanfare’ hiding…..

 

One In, One Out

by Kay, posted in Uncategorized

Books, that is, except it isn’t working out that way. The lure of the bootsale proved too strong last Wednesday and the lure of books even stronger. I wasn’t going to buy any but I saw an interesting looking cover (I know, don’t judge a book etc., etc.) that had no writing on it but looked very old. The minute I opened it I had to have it. Beautiful engravings of birds and animals, foxed in places, but mostly in good condition leapt out at me. I love engraving and one day I want learn it myself.

It is a strangely bound copy of Cassel’s Natural History and there are pages missing and it seems to be various volumes bound together, not always in the right order, but I bought it for the illustrations so none of that matters – and it was only £1.00!

This was followed by three more books; two volumes on Wayside and Woodland Blossoms with lovely colour plates and the British Girls Annual; also only £1.00 each.

The British Girl’s Annual is dated 1918 and is full of stories and poems, plays ‘that can be entirely acted by girls’ and hobbies. It is not all girlish; Doron might be ‘frightfully queeny’, but there are dogfights in the air and cowboys too. The chapter called ‘The Girl’s Own Bookshelf’ has suggestions for the books about cookery, and nursing at home but also art, literature, poetry, science – even a primer of evolution.

I thought as I haven’t even unpacked all the books from storage I better get rid of some via EBay as I have bought more – four books bought and four listed. Now let’s hope they sell

I also bought a little sewing box destined to be painted and then to hold my EPP projects as I sit downstairs to do those when I am Slow Sunday Stitching

IMGP5156 IMGP5154 Socks the cat

I’m sure that cat is sticking her tongue out at me!

 

 

Rebel With A Rotary; Quilting From Little Things

by Kay, posted in Quilt-a-Longs, Quilting from Little things

I have neglected my ‘Little things’ challenge as I have been concentrating on the RSC15 rainbow quilt. I started late and have a lot of catching up to do but thought late last night that I would try to get back to my original challenge.

Basting rebel with a rotary

Sarah Fielke’s little dolly is in red, white and blue and is reminiscent of a rebel flag, hence the name. I didn’t really want one that looked like a flag but the diamond shaped blocks made me think of a trellis so I decided to do a flowery theme. I used some fabrics that have been languishing in my stash forever – which is usually a sign that you don’t like them that much! Two of them originally formed a border for the Botanical Gardens quilt but I removed it as it looked better without them.

A few people have observed that there is no ugly fabric if you cut it small enough. Tonya Riccuci has written an amusing post about the quilt she is making from donated ‘ugly’ fabrics here After making this mini quilt I am inclined to agree as I love them all together. I liked them so much I made a scrappy little border to finish it off which is not on the original quilt – a border goes with a trellis don’t you think?

To carry on with the  scrappy mood, encouraged by Angela’s quilt-a-long, I rooted out a little bag of left-over binding and found a yellow stripy one that was perfect to complete this little project

Binding

I must say that I didn’t take enough care with my piecing as it was late and it was intended for the cat! She has a habit of visiting me when I am sewing and sitting on the fabrics I am sorting through so I thought a little quilt for her to put on the desk (so that I will have something nice to look at too) might keep her out of the way. It is on the desk now and she has decided to sit on my knee!

A little label on the back to finish off. I never used to label quilts but I think I  will go back and label the others too as it is easy to forget the details

Boot Sale Bargains

by Kay, posted in WIPs

I love boot sales, charity shops, EBay and auctions but lately more has been coming in  the house than has been leaving it; time for a purge. However, I couldn’t resist this little tatty fold-up stool, It has clearly seen better days probably long ago.

DSCF4489 DSCF4491 DSCF4493

The paint is peeling, the top is warped and even Socks was unimpressed. I think a new coat of paint and a crocheted seat cover will make it into a lovely little seat for any small visitors we have as currently there are no tiny chairs for them and all children love furniture that is scaled down just for them

The best thing about the stool at the moment is the new bundle of fabric on top. I couldn’t go to the Festival of Quilts so I went to Franklins of Colchester instead and they just  happen to have a sale on with craft cottons at £3.50 m, it would be rude not to buy any!

I choose some fabric outside of my comfort zone as I am joining the Quilting Board QAL of the Farmer’s Wife 1930s quilt (not to be confused with the 1920s version)

http://www.quiltingboard.com/blocks-month-week-f9/farmers-wife-week-4-blocks-7-8-photos-t61215-2.html

There is no need to use 1930s style fabric but I like the look of them and wanted to try something different. I didn’t have much in the way of suitable fabric so I am already a bit behind, but there is no pressure. I ordered the book from Abe books where it was much cheaper than Amazon and came in two days! I think Dear Jane will have to be put on the back burner for now, as I am doing that on my own so the QAL will take priority

Not sure how soon the stool (or quilt) will be done as I still have a sideboard to finish. The main body of it has been sanded and re-stained – doors and drawers tomorrow if it is sunny. three coats are needed and they take 24 hours to dry, so it will be a long drawn out process but worth it in the end