2018 - Wk 2 Chertsey - waste fabric

The Christmas tree has been put away, I've had four days back at work, I've done my tax return, the new bedroom is sorted (and very 'cozy' - aka small) and I finally have a working computer in the new sewing room so things are heading in the right direction!

We had the first Chertsey Museum session of the year on Friday.  The finished EPP Christmas stars were brought in and admired: Some other were still up with Christmas decorations, others had been put away - Stephanie made 4 and strung string between them to hang her Christmas cards from!  I think we'll call that a success!

This month we were making waste fabric.- basically strips of waste fabric woven over rug canvas.  It's difficult to see from the pics but there were some great colour combinations here - I especially liked the ones that used black and white and a bit of colour.

Once the weaving has been done, the fabric is stitched on a sewing machine

I've told them to use all the fancy stitches they have never use - and to use up all the odd bobbins and spools of thread that aren't really worth keeping but we do because we don't like waste 

I look forward to seeing them next month

My sewing room is now looking like this

a bit busier than when it was my bedroom

And I keep trying to remember it's husband's office too!!!!!  (the wardrobes will eventually go!)

And finally - Goddaughter was delighted with her Christmas pressie:

2017 Wk 50 - Fun with Kids

I taught a great bunch of families yesterday! I think there were 30 people in today - mums with kids, and dads with kids. The theme was Christmas decorations and I told the adults that this was for the kids to make something, using their own imagination, and we didn't want to hear a single "no, not like that" type of comment - and on the whole they behaved!

I didn't get pics of them all but they were all amazing! I think the polar bear on a sledge is my absolute favourite - all her own idea!

And here they are all hard at work!

Meanwhile I have broken needles quilting through too many layers

Thank goodness for grippy scissors that can put the broken bits out (and thank goodness it was stuck in fabric this time!)

But it was worth it - I have quilted

And finally finished, God-Daughter's selvedge quilt

I've also embroidered a whole load of pre-school uniforms but that's too boring even to warrant a photo!

And I've progressed a bit on an I-Spy quilt for a cousin of this one (she arrived last week)

I had the triangles cut, and some joined back into squares. I finished the others. I planned the design and then realised I'm out of light grey spraytime so this one will have to wait

I had an order for a Christmas sack. I generally don't do these any more, but Magnus has three siblings and three cousins who all have one so it seem very unfair to say he *couldn't* have one too! (Just need to hand stitch some buttons to hold the ribbon in place)

And finally - we've manged to put up the Christmas tree and room decorations - It's starting to feel Christmassy here - jut 4 more working days yippee (I have Wednesday off. Double yippee!)!

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2017 Wk 7 - Mostly Selvedges

I have been collecting selvedge edges for a very long time (the first post about them was August 2011, and I already had a good collection.

I have been working on a kind of giant rectangular log cabin but whilst I had enough selvedges (thanks to all the kind donors, Plum especially) but I had run out of the 'lotus' fabric used with them.

I finally found the website, (not live but at least an email address) and then had to wait patiently for ages until it was back in stock . . .  but at last I have been able to finish the top for the Lotus Selvedge

Meanwhile the embroidery machine has been earning its keep stitching logos onto school uniform (43 so far this week) 

There is plenty more of the lotus fabric, and it looks perfect with these charm squares from Amo

I think I have a cunning plan