Patchwork

One of the main projects I wanted to work on this month, instead of knitting and crocheting, was some patchwork using the English paper piecing technique.

I've done quite a bit of patchwork in the past, using the good old sewing machine and I particularly love the log cabin designs.  But I've never tried the hand stitched EPP technique.  I realised that I had seen this technique before when I was reviewing my Mollie Makes magazines.  There was a tutorial on it in issue 18, but I must have glossed over it the first time I read the magazine.

It was seeing Lorraine's beautiful work that piqued my interest.  I found this helpful online tutorial and set to work.  For my first project, I'm making a small piece of fabric that I will turn into a bag.

I can't believe how much I'm enjoying working on this.  It's a great evening activity and reasonably portable.  Once the paper and fabric had been cut, it all seems to have worked up very quickly.  I can't wait to start sewing all the little hexies together.

I had thought about using squares, but I was fortunate to find in my grandma's sewing box, this plastic template.

I'm feeling so inspired now, that I popped out to the local library and borrowed these books.

Some lovely projects in them.

The future could very well be filled with patchwork quilts.

Bargains and a Plan of Action

I've been shopping - I don't really shop that much - but when I do I like to come home laden with goodies.  Yesterday was the first time I had popped into Liverpool since completing my Christmas shopping in mid-December, so it was good to just look for stuff to treat myself.  

I work on the basis that if you see wool you should buy it, especially if it's in the sale and even if you already have more wool than you can use.  I pretty much apply this philosophy to any craft item - you just can't have enough!

So I was very pleased to pick up six balls of Rowan Pure Wool Worsted which was half price in John  Lewis. 

What makes it even better is that there was only a choice of two colours in the shop and one of them was my favourite.  This colourway is called crimson, isn't it delicious?

I also picked up some dress fabric [ * New Year resolution to do more dress-making * ].  Again I got this pretty print for half price.  Wonderful. 

What I need to do now is stop accumulating dress fabric and start the actual dress-making! 

As well as stocking up on those "essential" craft bits and bobs, I also bought this book at a reduced price.  

I've only tried one sock pattern before - just a plain ankle sock - but I could be persuaded to try something more fancy and there's plenty of ideas in this book.  

So that's good - lots of goodies and treats - but my New Year resolution is to "do more" rather than to "buy more"!  So now I need a plan of action.  

On the needles at the moment is an aran cardigan.  

The pattern is my Kim Hargreaves from this ancient book (it's from 1998!).  The pattern is called Tide.  

I'm adapting the pattern so that I can knit the body in one piece (late into the evening the maths can be a bit perplexing).  I've nearly finished the body, so only the sleeves to go.  Should have that finished next week.  

Then I've this gorgeous wool that Grace gave me for Christmas.  

This is destined to become a scarf / shawl - I haven't decided which pattern to use yet.  

After that there's the new Rowan wool - another cardigan I think.  

In between these knitting projects I intend to finish the skirt I started sewing back in October- only needs a waistband.  And of course make some dresses.  There's the crochet cushion cover and the patchwork tablecloth and, I mustn't forget the embroidered tablecloth that was supposed to be finished last year but I absolutely, most definitely intend to finish it this year.  

Oh dear!  This isn't a plan of action - this is yet another wish list.  They'll all get done eventually - so why worry.  My plan of action will be to do what is most appealing at the time - I don't think I can really do better than that.  I'd better get off and start "doing".  Bye for now.  

Free Machine Embroidery

A while ago I mentioned that I had borrowed this book from the library, Free & Easy Stitch Style by Poppy Treffry.

Finally, after consulting my sewing machine manual, I've plucked up the courage to give it a try.

The book gives very good explanations and step-by-step guidance.  So I gathered up some bits and pieces of upholstery fabric and started with sewing around some shapes I had pencilled onto the fabric.

The square started off very wonky but as I got used to having to move the frame around under the needle it became easier.

The book says it is essential to use an embroidery frame, but I found it rather a nuisance.  It got in the way and I seem to get it caught up on the machine a number of times.  So defying the book, I scrapped the frame and moved onto the next step - appliquéing.

This was a lot easier to do without the frame and I felt as though I was getting to grips with the technique.

Obviously the work looks much better when I've pressed it.

I liked the bold black outline, but the book suggests experimenting with different colours for top and bottom bobbins.  So I cut out some more hearts and experimented away.

The first heart I did is sewn with light brown in the top bobbin and dark brown in the bottom bobbin.

I could have altered the tension so that more of the bottom thread showed through but I have a very tentative relationship with the tension on my sewing machine so I thought it best to leave it alone.

The second heart has red on the top and cream on the bottom.

Again the bottom colour doesn't show, but I like the way the red looks.

The third heart has cream top and bottom.

This shows up nicely.  At this point I'm starting to feel more comfortable with the sewing but maintaining an even length stitch is very difficult.

The last heart has blue thread.

Now what shall I do with all these hearts?  Seems a shame to waste them.

So I made a little hanging for Eve.

I think it has quite a rustic feel to it.  Not bad.

I had one last go at free embroidery - this time, jumping in with both feet, I thought I'd embroider my name.

After several faulty starts, I realised that I'd been doing it all wrong previously.  I'd been trying to feed the fabric through the machine as though I was sewing a seam.  The fabric actually slides quite easily from side to side and up and down if you let it - rather than trying to turn the fabric all the time!

So how's this for a novice...

...quite good I reckon.  Obviously it helps if you read the book properly rather than just looking at the pictures!

I definitely need more practice but it was fun and I would recommend the book if you haven't tried this before.

Knitted Dolls

I've just come across this lovely book.

Knitted Dolls with a Designer Wardrobe by Arne and Carlos.

There is one basic doll pattern but a wonderful range of costumes to make that can be easily customised.

I love these outfits.

I'm itching to get started on a doll, they look so much fun to make.  I've put it on the wish list and it's in the queue, so not today but very shortly I'm going to have such fun making one (or maybe more).

Easily Distracted

I was supposed to be getting organised, you know, tidying the house and making space for the Christmas tree and the overwhelming amount of decorations we've accumulated over the years.  But then I saw this book in the library.

I couldn't resist the cute little pigeon.

So I didn't tidy and make room, I knitted instead.  Which was far more fun.

I fancy making this little beauty next...

but I really should get organised!!

Patchwork... But, Maybe Now Embroidery

I had some spare time yesterday, so I thought I'd make this week's scrap challenge over at Samelia's Mum - a double tulip pincushion.

I do love patchwork but my skill level is probably only intermediate, at best.  This was surprisingly quick to make and looks quite effective.  I may try some more patchwork / quilting but then again....

I popped into the library this morning and borrowed this book.

It's called The Hand Stitched Home and it's by Caroline Zoob.

There are lots of lovely projects with fun embroidery details to stitch as well as ideas for using vintage embroidery.

Now I'm thinking I'd love to do one of these - but what about the mittens I've started knitting, the crochet squares to make a blanket (started just the other day) and not forgetting the seamless sweater, now languishing at the bottom of the knitting bag!

Better switch the laptop off and get going!!

The Cutest Gnome

For her birthday recently I bought Grace some knitting books by Anna Hrachovec that she had been wanting.

They have the cutest patterns in them.  Despite the fact they are all knitted with DPNs (which I avoid if possible) I couldn't resist knitting the little gnome.

He's adorable.  He took less than an hour to make - he's not as fiddly as you would think.  Now I'm itching to make some more of the little lovelies - Grace, can I borrow your books, PLEEEEEASE!