Expressions of Interest-Heirloom Christening Gown Class

I plan to offer an heirloom christening gown in my next free online class. This will start in a couple of weeks. If you are not already a part of my heirloom class contact list and wish to be a participant you can email meHERE to be added to the list.

Children's Name Pillowcases

Children's Pillowcases 1

Children's Pillowcase 2

I have spent the weekend making some name pillowcases for the children of colleagues at school. I fear that I may have unleashed a monster as others see them and request them for their family members both young and old! I have made one from a purchased pillowcase and then the other from some sheeting by the metre. By the time you have to unpick the purchased pillowcase I think you are better off to make one from scratch. I have made them using the little envelope insertion end as I like to see the pillow nicely tucked out of the way.
I have used designs from Bunnycup Embroidery. For both pillowcases I used the  Pattycake Alpha which has both upper and lower case letters. I also used some of the dinosaurs from the Dinomite set to trim Harrison's pillowcase. Holly's pillowcase was trimmed with appliques from the Feels Like Spring  and Lots of Dots applique sets.

Rainbow Bright Cot Quilt-tutorial uploaded

Rainbow Bright Cot Quilt

I have completed this eye catching little cot /lap quilt and uploaded a tutorial. This quilt measures approximately 37 1/2 inches in width x 45 inches in length. I embroidered the quilt using RAG design sets from Hatched in Africa over at Oregon Patchworks. They are on special for $5 a set at the moment. For this quilt top I have used the Rag Trains,Boats and Planes set. This was a quick to construct quilt top with all the pieces apart from the embroidered blocks being 2 1/2 inch strips with no strip wider than the width of the fabric.
I think that the colour combinations for this little quilt are endless. I hope to do one using the rag doll set . I like to have a couple of baby quilts on hand to give away as gifts to friends and colleagues who are having a baby.

You can find the tutorial HERE

New Quilt top

HIA Rag Trains, Boats and Planes quilt top

I have finished embroidering the designs and stitching together my latest quilt top.This is a is a cot sized quilt measuring approximately 37 1/2 inches in width x 45 inches in length. I have purchased some  RAG design sets from Hatched in Africa over at Oregon Patchworks. They are on special for $5 a set. For this quilt top I have used the Rag Trains,Boats and Planes set. This is a quick to construct quilt top with all the pieces apart from the embroidered blocks being 2 1/2 inch strips. No strip is cut wider than the width of the fabric. I hope to have the tutorial and finished quilt up on the blog in a few days time.

A Lovely Visit and Idea for a New Quilt Project

I had a lovely visit form one of my blog readers Robyn and her husband John yesterday evening. We shared a meal and had a great time talking about sewing and life in general. It was a great thrill to meet someone who had found my blog and enjoyed my lessons.

I am just trying to get some enthusiasm for  a new project and I am going to do a quick quilt that you can make and have on hand for when you need a baby present or similar. I have purchased some  RAG design sets from Hatched in Africa over at Oregon Patchworks. They are on special for $5 a set. I am going to use the Rag Trains,Boats and Planes set to make a quilt using 2 1/2 inch strips to start with.

The Quiltery Free BOM

If you have not registered for the Quiltery free BOM do so. This year they have started off Zoo friends. Children's themed quilts are also good to do as we all seem to have children we can give them to.There are 10 blocks in the quilt series and each block is designed to be finished using fusible web appliqué. The download includes; master pattern, pattern pieces, instructions for machine or hand appliqué, piecing techniques and a colouring sheet .

I am also back at school and in full swing with my classes so I may not have time to do any new projects for a week or so until I get my classes set up.

Free Pattern Source-Hot Pattern Vest

It is always good to get something free and Hot Patterns have added a new free pattern at Fabric.com. It is a vest with a short sleeve ,just perfect for days that might be starting to get chilly or between season days. Follow the links to download the pattern. While you are on the site browse their other free patterns.

Quillow Tutorial Uploaded

Jazzi Jewels Quillow

I have had a few requests for a tutorial on a machine embroidered quillow so have uploaded a tutorial for this one I did a couple of years ago. The quilt/quillow is embroidered using the Jazzi Jewels set from Kenny Kreations however, it is suited to any embroidery design.

This quillow is a little different from many instructions that are available in that it is a bound quilt and heavily quilted. Most quillows are not bound, being constructed like a pillow with lightweight  batting in them  and then lightly quilted.

The tutorial can be found HERE

Toddler Overalls Tutorial and Pattern Uploaded

Toddler Overalls

Overalls Front bib

Overalls Side

Overalls Back

I have just uploaded a pattern and tutorial for some toddler overalls. These overalls were adapted from a pattern that my mother used for me 55 years ago. They have a covered in back which makes them ideal for when baby is crawling. I have not put snaps down the leg seams for easy nappy changing but that can easily be done. I have made these overalls in a corduroy but used a fat quarter to line the bib front and back.However, I then decided that the lining looked better on the front so switched it around with the corduroy now the lining. The pattern will fit babies ranging in age from around 6 to 18 months. I have made the leg length quite generous.

You can find the PATTERN HERE and the TUTORIAL HERE

What is the Saying - Dogs Have Masters and Cats Have Slaves

We have two black and white cats that are the children of two sister cats and they were born within one week of each other so chances are they have the same father. The big male cat loves to eat  and if we do not jump to attention straight away he proceeds to knock things of cabinets with his paws, or his most favourite trick of all he shreds all my papers. I had just printed off the timetable for my first few days at school and he got stuck into those. Of course he loves to sit on my sewing in the sun.

Hanging Folded Fabric Scissor Pouch Variation-Tutorial uploaded

Hanging Folded Fabric Scissor Pouch Variation 1

Hanging Folded Fabric Scissor Pouch Variation 2

I have designed another fabric pouch. This one , circular in shape has eight separate divisions to hold embroidery scissors, reels of thread ,small rulers,marking pens etc. If you wish to use for larger pairs of scissors you will need to enlarge the pattern. It measures 5 inches wide and 7 inches long. This pouch may be a little too heavy when filled to hang around your neck but is ideal for storing notions or taking them to class.This one is large enough to embellish with monograms etc.The tutorial and pattern template can be found HERE

Hanging Folded Fabric Scissor Pouch-Tutorial uploaded

Hanging Folded Fabric Scissor Pouch 1

Hanging Folded Fabric Scissor Pouch 2

This hanging fabric pouch can be used to hang around your neck when sewing to hold embroidery scissors, marking pens and other assorted sewing notions. It measures 4 inch wide and 6 1/2 inches long. The pouch would be particularly useful when you go to class etc and are moving from work station to work station. You can either keep it around your neck or just grab it off the table and move off. It is particularly suited to embellishing with machine embroidery and would make an inexpensive gift.The tutorial and pattern template can be found HERE.

Swirly Star-Card Trick Table Topper-Tutorial

Swirly Stars Card Trick Table Topper 1

Swirly Stars Card Trick Table Topper 2

I have just finished off a table topper that has been on the go for while. I got the original idea from Roolen on her Russian blog . However, I had changed the strips to all 2 inches in width. As a consequence all of the measurements change. It is also difficult to cut the small triangles if you do not have a triangle rule so I have given instructions on how to do that. I have used fabrics from my stash and the topper will now live on my kitchen table as it matches the green decor in there.Roolen's colour choice is much more dramatic than mine is. My tutorial can be found HERE

Online Class Heirloom Nightgown-Finished Photos

Heirloom Nightgown Finished



Heirloom Nightgown Front Bodice/Yoke




Closeup of Nightgown with Lower Yoke Underlay



Diamond Lace Shaping on Front of the Nightgown Skirt



Back of nightgown yoke/bodice



I have uploaded some photos of the finished heirloom nightgown that we are doing in the current online class. The lesson involving lace shaping the diamond panel on the front of the nightgown will be sent out this weekend and the final lesson on the  construction of the nightgown itself will be sent out in another week or so.

Blueberry Crumb Cake Quilt - Free Tutorial Uploaded



Blueberry Crumb Cake Quilt

  I have completed the Blueberry Crumb Cake quilt based on the folded bow tie quilt pattern, also known as the 10 minute block minute. However, these blocks take a little longer than 10 minutes to complete. I made the quilt using some Moda Scrap bags from Hancocks of Paducah.The quilt would definitely not win any blue ribbons in a show but I am very pleased with how it turned.The tutorial can be found HERE



Blueberry Crumb Cake Quilt Block