dinsdag 30 januari 2018

Valentine sewing

I've been inspired to do a bit of Valentine sewing over the last week. I had a lot of fun, and I'm proud of the results, too!

I made this tea cosy first. It's a pattern from "Happy Flower Quilts" by Atsuko Matsuyama

Here it sits on the windowsill, next to a pineapple sage, that strangely started flowering in my conservatory.

It has hearts in six different fabrics ...

... attached to six quilted panels, ...

... and a fun double loopy handle.

I think this Valentine decor is a nice transition from Christmas to Lent.

I initially started making this tea cosy for the #sendalittleloveswap2018 on instagram, but my partner had a preference for a brighter pallet, so I sewed something different for her (well, two somethings, actually). More on those in the next post. This beauty will go to my mother, it fits very well in her decor, and she actually has a teapot to go under it.

vrijdag 12 januari 2018

Valentine Swap - colour options

I'm participating in my first Instagram swap, #sendalittleloveswap2018. It's by #madaboutbags and it requires me to send my partner a heart-themed craft of some kind, and some heart sweets or trim, accompanied by a card. I started sewing something before partners were assigned. Something about having a "commission" gives me a lot of creative energy. But after seeing my swap partner's Instagram feed, I feel she might prefer a more bold colour pallet. So, I pulled another fabric selection from my small but wonderful stash and am offering her the choice of these two options:

Option 1: "HAPPY" Bright and cheerful rainbow colours!

Option 2: "ROMANTIC" Dusky pink with pops of red and purple.
I like both, so I think I'll make the same pattern in both colourways, and keep one for me. What exactly I'm making will remain a secret until my partner received her package. We don't want any spoilers.

zondag 7 januari 2018

Quilting is my therapy!

I've been home for almost a month now, and am starting to feel stronger again. And quilting has been (part of) my therapy. Being creative is always healing to me, whether it's quilting or gardening, baking or playing the clarinet. But when I'm stressed or tired I sometimes forget to devote time to these things. In the past few months that wasn't the case. I kept playing clarinet, jogging, and doing those things that usually recharge my batteries, but it didn't seem to work. In the weeks before my colleagues and my family doctor made me see that I desperately needed a rest, these things, which usually give me joy had become just another thing on my to do list. I just kept going, even trying to fit in more clarinet practice, more yoga, more sewing, in a desperate  attempt to recover, to feel better, to find peace. It didn't work. Turns out what I needed what just rest, a break. It's a lesson learned (the hard way). So, after a good rest (in the sofa, no sports, no sewing, no clarinet), I've started sewing again, with the same pleasure it used to give me, to my great relief. After some really simple things (potholders, anyone?), I'm now designing and making a sampler for Easter. I'm having fun picking colours, creating designs and sewing of course: cutting, piecing, doing some appliqué, and starching and ironing! I love the smell of spray starch!

This is what I've done so far:


I designed the 12 inch flower block myself, using the templates from "Happy Flower Quilts" for the central dresden. The three 6 inch pieced blocks are also from "Happy Flower Quilts", although, apart from the "spring sun" they are very traditional blocks. I'll  be getting on with a pieced tulip block I and an appliqué block with bunnies, both designed by me. I'm having so much fun!

woensdag 3 januari 2018

Lone Star Quilt Top

I made this quilt top out of six of my husband's old shirts and a worn duvet cover. The shirts had worn collars and cuffs, so I took off the buttons and cut them up to re-use. And decided to try a lone star. It went quite well. The top is not 100% flat, but I'm sure a bit of starch and a hot iron will set that right. I intend to add some borders using the same fabric and there will be enough of the duvet left for the backing. I intend to try free motion quilting it. It's very freeing to make something out of something that would otherwise be destined for the bin! I will buy the batting, of course, but all the fabric will be free. I do wish I'd mixed up the reds and blues/whites more, instead of grouping them like I did, but it's too late now!

Trying this pattern with free fabrics gave me the courage to go for it!