2018 Wk 9 - A Catch Up

My work bench seems to be permanently cover with Parish Council papers and Pumpkins uniforms to be embroidered, but that’s all far too boring to even photograph let alone blog about, so here is some other stuff:

I’ve printed and laminated all the templates for the Farmers’ Wife blocks (I’m calling mine a Handyman’s Wife quilt!)


And they’ve all been cut ready for each block as I get to it (I’m currently making the blocks in order)


Number 4 is finished, and number 5 nearly finished


The girls’ kitties are suitably appreciative of quilts, especially if rolled up to make a nest for them! (Yes there are two kitties, even though Luna looks as if she’s Thor’s shadow, and half his size!)


These patches were done for a customer - I’m trying not to get too twitchy about his intention to glue (!) them onto their eventual home


And we had Stitch yesterday: welcoming 8 new members (including one very brave but lovely lad) and have a lovely pile of bag and liners ready, and next month we will concentrate on the shields.


We had two smashing teenage girls too - who now know how a sewing machine works and used one to make some liners, and also had a go on an overlocker (here on the right) . Next month they are going to make themselves a bag each!

2018 wk 7 - more retreat making

I did have slightly longer than usual in Ireland than usual, but considering one of us was a bit under par  I am astonished by how much we made.  Much of it is on yesterday’s post, but here comes the rest . . .

I hand stitched three Farmer’s wife blocks (thanks Plum for the book, and Jim for the fabric!). A slightly unconventional fabric choice but I’m loving it!!!


We made these,


Which open out to these


(One is slightly narrower due to someone forgetting you can’t iron vinyl!)


We used some more cork to make these Pythagoras pouches


With an inside pocket


We made two girly baby changing wallets - exactly the same method as Plum’s notebook cover but big enough to pop a nappy in one side and pack of wipes in the other.  We added a hanging look and a closing loop in case they were useful


Our final project were these two pouches - a useful 9 x 9 inches with a 7” vinyl pocket front and back.  Jackie wanted hers with a boxed bottom and I didn’t so that’s why they look different heights.


Then I had to take the long lonely journey back to Dublin - just me and the hire car!  Why don’t hire cars have a place to put a mobile phone / sat nav?  Luckily I had a scrunchy with me so I bodged a phone holder.

Now I’m home - it’s all over for a couple of months!  Love you Jackie - thanks is for a great 4 days xxxx

2018 wk 7 - Irish retreat

I’m at Jackie’s for a lovely long weekend.  Sewing has been a bit slow but chat and catchup and cuppas has more than filled any gaps!!!

We made cork boxy pouches


We made a leather zippy pouch and coin purse


We made a blocking octagon so these yummy crocheted octies can be blocked before being joined


And we’ve worked out a way to join these La Passigalia cogs


Jackie had made a knitting project bag (from Attic 24) but it stretched as stuff was added.  We folded a length of fabric into four, then drew around the bag also folded in 4 and ended up with this shape.  We’ve stitched into a lining shape and are now joining it to the bag.

2018 wk 6 - ooops

I was making a quilt for my step-sister’s second grandchild.  Six months ago I made this for the first one, Liam


And knowing his cousin was on the way I planed a similar but different one for her.  She arrived in December, and I remember thinking June was an unusual choice of name for a December baby.


But somewhere along the line ... maybe having spent an afternoon with my friend Jane, and having Rod Stewart’s Baby Jane song in my head for some reason, I managed to finish her quilt and embroidery her A name

Just in case you missed the problem - baby is called JUNE, quilt is embroidered


So, sigh, now I’m making *another* quilt to send to Baby JUNE!

So far so good
 

Fingers crossed the name goes ok tomorrow!

I also making 30 or so patches for the pre school (being hand stitched to little fleece zippies) before starting on 60 or so sweatshirts and polo shirts.


Next weekend will be MUCH better - I’ve just booked my flight to Ireland for 4 days with Jackie!,!