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I'm back with a bit more sewing. Over the Christmas break I hunted out some small projects that I could sew using my new quilting attachments for a bit of practice. It's been addictive fun.
I made the fabric book bag from the latest edition of Mollie Makes and knitted up a bookmark to go with it from a free pattern by Tricksy Knitter. Great for holidays don't you think?
Looking at my fabric I decided I had lots of scraps and after I made the cathedral window pincushion wondered what else I could make from them. After a bit of searching I came across ticker tape quilting. What a great idea, being able to use up all those little bits that I thought might just come in handy and tiny bits of my favourite fabrics that I couldn't bear to throw away.
Of course it also gave me an opportunity to use my new walking foot.....
....... and brought out the scrapbooker in me it was just like creating a new layout. Add a photo and some journalling and it could be. These scraps are sewn onto a background fabric and batting sandwich. The unfinished edges of the scraps give it quite a rustic look but all that sewing was quite relaxing and I tried not to worry if one ended up in not quite the right place or a little wonky. I also found another fantastic technique for using scraps but more on that another day.
This new enthusiasm for quilting has also seen me agreeing to make a baby quilt. So far so good. Deciding on fabric was hard, so many choices.
These are my rows all pieced together awaiting pressing. Again I was able to use fabric that I'd kept just waiting for that right project. See the fabric with the washing line? I made a teddy out of that for a friend who was having a baby. That baby is now 14! Me a hoarder?
Anyway, I've now got my quilt top finished and ready to move onto the next step, tricky quilting and binding but things I've learnt so far:
- Piecing together with a 1/4" seam foot saves so much time and frustration
- Always press the seams
- Careful planning and calculation help in the long run
- It looks like using white as a background or sashing could be my style
- Using a rotary cutter is essential
I'll keep you updated on my quilting progress
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10 comments:
Looks like you've completed some great projects. Lovely ways to use up oddments of fabric.
Love your scrapbook cushion! And it clearly pays never the throw out anything - the washing line fabric looks wonderful in here. I've never managed to use a rotary cutter successfully, so I admire your ability to not let things go wonky!
Love it all. The cushion is my favourite. Makes me want to get my sewing stuff out lol.
"Careful planning" - that's always my downfall! I'm too keen to get started. I love your cushion and the way the trend for using strips in scrapbooking can be carried over into sewing too
Great start! Come and join our A make A Month 2012 for a kick!
I love your cushion Amanda..such lovely fabrics and the book bag is a great idea too. I've just brought a quilting magazine, and after a quick look I haven't a clue where to start...x
All your projects look wonderfully. ESP like the cushion:) so jealous of your sewing skills. Btw wallpaper for the living room, red flowers on a beige background to match the curtains. Not in stock though:(
You are inspiring me to hit my sewing machine in the very near future! Love the projects you have going!!!
You are so inspiring, you make me want to create
I need to take classes from you!!!!! You are totally rocking your new machine!
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