Top Tip Tuesday

Keep your sharps sharp!!

Both your body and mind will thank you for ensuring all your tools are kept sharp from cutting tools, such as rotary cutters and scissors, to needles, both for machine and hand stitching.

Your body will thank you by being put under less stress and strain which if you do something repetitively can soon build up to manifest itself, whether that be in your thumb joints, wrists, elbow or shoulder.

Your mind will thank you because things will be more precise, need less rework and there is nothing quite like the joy of cutting fabric with a new rotary cutter blade!

Machine needles should be changed regularly, but I do not subscribe to the maxim of a new needle for each new project.  You know how much you sew and how much wear and tear a needle gets.  

Some signs that you may need a new needle are:

• skipped or misaligned stitches where before they were great
• a difference in the sound of your sewing machine because a blunt needle is having to force its way through the fabric
• you hit a bulky seam which could have affected the straightness of the needle

You may choose to change your needle when you give your machine its regular TLC, see my last tip here.

Again how regularly you change your hand sewing needles depends on the amount and type of sewing you do.  I had a gorgeous sharp little needle for sewing on my binding and I because I liked it I kept using it and using it and using it!  I didn't really stop to think why my hands were getting so sore with each quilt being finished.

Scissors are a hard one - do you replace them or get them sharpened?  I know when I lived in New Zealand there were scissor sharpening services locally to me and the difference it made was amazing.  I haven't found any near me in the UK but I haven't been doing much dressmaking to get my good fabric scissors blunt!  Do you have any near you?

Top Tip Tuesday

Give your machine some regular TLC!

Tomorrow is the 1st of the month so, if you are not a regular cleaner of your machine, mark on your diary on the 1st of each month to give it a mini spa day!

Your machine should have come with a screwdriver to remove the needle plate and a small brush for cleaning.  The best tip I came across several years ago was to also use a pipe cleaner.  The one in the picture started out white so you can see it's had some use!  It is great because the lint gets stuck to it so it is easy to actually remove from the bobbin area rather than just move it around.  Also because it bends it gets into all the nooks and crannies.  Be sure to clean the bottom of the needle plate too because you can get lint build up there aswell.

One thing that is not in the picture is oil - my machine does not require oiling apart from at its service but be sure to know if you should oil yours, what oil to use, where it should go and how much.  How much is really important because more is not always a good thing.  Too much lubrication means it can get in the wrong places and worst of all work its way down onto your sewing!

Top Tip Tuesday

Please ensure that whatever you use to mark your fabric that you TEST it first on the fabric you will be marking.

I will repeat "on the fabric you will be marking" because it is really important - just because it came out of one fabric easily does not mean that will hold true for every fabric!

Top Tip Tuesday

I have often thought about making a note of tips that help me with my sewing but often think everyone knows them all.  However, I know that's not the case so I have decided to start a Top Tip Tuesday over here on the blog.  Hopefully you might learn something you didn't already know and it might help you as it helped me when I learnt them.  I am also very happy to hear your Top Tips too!

Today's Top Tip is about a little tool .... this one is by Clover and is called a Soft Touch Thread Pic.

I was sorting through some samples last week and noticed a dark thread quilted under the fabric ....

If you work with low volume fabric then you'll know that this happens no matter how careful you have been with trimming threads and checking whilst basting your quilt.  This tool is like a tiny crochet hook that you can insert between the strands of fabric .....
 

then you carefully wiggle it about under there until you have snagged the thread ....

and slowly bring it up back through the hole you went down ....

and there it is!

I have to say there's something very satisfying about doing this!!

What little tool or gadget do you use that makes your quilting/sewing life easier?

ZAKKA from the heart :: A Book Review

Now this gorgeous little book arrived just before we headed off on our travels to New Zealand and it has sat on my desk waiting patiently ever since.  

ZAKKA from the heart by Minki Kim

When it arrived, a couple of days before departure, I had a quick look through it and, in my alternate world where I have lots of spare time, I thought I could make one or two of the projects for our trip.  I hastened out to the studio, picked fabric, found my Annie's stabiliser and even got some zips ready.  Alas it was not to be, and I admitted to myself that it was merely a diversionary tactic from actually having to pack!

That being said I would love to plan to make several items from this book.  I love it when books have an at-a-glance photo page of all the projects in the book ....

So much eye candy but so many useful, as well as beautiful items.  Well that is a loose definition of zakka - beauty in the mundane or as Wiki puts it "everything and anything that improves one's home, life and appearance."  As such you would expect the styling and photography in the book to be nice and it really is.

There are a couple of projects that could top my list of makes.  They are the Roll Cake Pencil Case ....

and the Small Dome Purse ....

Each project comes with a detailed set of written instructions and, more importantly for me, a series of photos.  Whilst I love reading when it comes to making I am a visual learner - one picture really does say a 100 words for me so these are invaluable.  And just look at that cute patchworked sewing machine - what's not to love?!

The other big bonus of this book is a set of full size pattern templates in the back ...... that actually came out along the perforated line neatly, instead of tearing into the pattern!  That aside, I do like to have access to full sized patterns rather than having to print out and stick together.

This book is published by stash books, an inprint of C&T Publishing, and available from Search Press in the UK and Europe - click here to take a look!

I had not heard of the author before so it was nice to read more about her in the author's bio at the back of the book and you can find Minki on IG @zeriano

The newest addition to the family ....

Trying desperately to get back into the rhythm of blogging I have found this draft post from the first week in August ...... not quite sure why I didn't post then but here it is for you today!

Saturday saw the village Flower Show being held in my childhood village.  We all love entering the classes, but this year I was running really late with making some of them.  By Friday afternoon I still didn't have anything for the Hand Made Toy class.  I have made plenty of toys in the past but entries are supposed to have been made within the last 12 months.

What could I make in an evening - even if it was going to be a late night?  The answer was 'Steve - the Cat' from Denyse Schmidts book ......

I started straight after dinner was cleared away and I was at this stage in 2 hours - which was very pleasing.

I emptied my pin cushion whilst pinning front to back ..

Every discerning cat has to have a collar and so I found some lovely velvet ribbon, a blue bell and got out my press fastener tool - easy peasy.  2 hours and 50 minutes the newest addition to the family weighed in at 6 1/4oz!

His first outing was to the Show, where he laid, rather nervously, awaiting judgement!!

Making friends with Poppy (on the left) and Tom (on the right).  Can you tell the older two have been rather well loved?!!  Also what makes me laugh is that 7 years ago when I made Poppy she took me all day; 6 months later Tom took half a day; and Leo (his name from his new owner - my youngest daughter) took under 3 hours!  My daughter was sooo quick to claim him, which considering she's soon to be 10, is a triumph.  I'm not sure how long I have left of them wanting mama-made.

Our real cat, Smiggle, had to check it all out ....

And just because!

Edited to add:  Leo was very proud to come away with a First in the class (as was his maker!)

Going to link up to Fabric Tuesday at Quilt Story and Let's Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts x

A bean bag .....

It is as the title says ... a bean bag!  

Although I have to admit it has been a long time coming.  I used the tutorial over at Project Nursery that promises you a bean bag in 30 minutes ..... and it actually does only take 30 minutes - it's wonderful.  So why oh why has it been on my to do list for sooooo long?!

I know it's not a very inspiring picture but my daughter, who is soon to be 12, was still in her pyjamas and did not want to get dressed and be in a picture!

Initially I made both daughters one each out of calico because I wasn't sure if they would be big enough for them or that they would actually use them.  My girls are 9 and 11 and tall and this pattern still works really well for them.  The fabric choice took a fair while and quite  a lot of negotiation!  The fabric ends up sideways and so a very obvious directional print would look funny .... to me, apparently not to my daughter.  So a compromise was reached because whilst this bird fabric is directional it does not scream at you that the birds are sideways.

So that is another finish from my 2016 FAL List - hooray.  The link ups for finishes opens today and runs for a week so I'll be sure to link up all my Quarter 2 finishes over the weekend. x

Me-Made-May 2016 - Week 1

I was almost too late to jump on the bandwagon that is Me-Made-May, #mmmay2016 over at So, Zo ... What Do You Know? but I am so glad I made it.

I don't have a wardrobe full of handmade clothes but I have more than I thought, if I include bags and accessories.  Some of them I haven't worn or used for a long time others I use a lot and forget that they are hand mades!

So a recap of Week 1, which I have been detailing over on instagram:

01 May

pyjama trousers

self drafted pattern

made from vintage sheeting and vintage Laura Ashley fabric for trim

02 May

crocheted bracelet decorated with various beads and sequins

03 May

nothing to show here!

04 May

crocheted bag

designed by me

made from 100% cotton yarn, Rico DK if I remember rightly

05 May

a feathered ruff - part of a dressing up costume for my daughter

made from a repurposed shirt collar and various sparkly 'feathers'

for more information, click here

06 May

handstitched skirt

from a pattern in this book by Alabama Chanin

made from jersey knit bought in an op shop in New Zealand

07 May

another pair of pyjamas

self drafted pattern

made from vintage sheeting

So you can see I didn't manage every day but it has got me thinking ....... a lot!  About what I wear, where it comes from and how I really need to do some making for me!  I have a couple of dressmaking projects on my FAL2016 Q2 list so fingers crossed there will be some new clothes on my horizon!

A litte apron .....

is my final finish for Quarter 1 form my 2016FAL list.

 

This apron was on my list a couple of times last year and I don't know why it didn't get finished!  It really did not take long to attach the neck strap and waist ties. 

 

 

 

It is made from the leg of an old pair of jeans.  The pink trims were scraps I had, the button on the pocket was from my daughter's dressing gown when she was 5 and the neck strap and waist ties were vintage grosgrain ribbon that has sat in my blue/green ribbon box for a long time!  The only new thing was the press fasteners and whilst I could have used buttons I thought these gave it a lovely touch.

 

 

I drafted the pattern from a similar apron my girls already had and made the pocket by backing a square of denim with the pink fabric, turning it and topstitching close to the edge.

 

Needless to say, now that my girls are 9 and 11 this will not fit either of them and that's why there's no model in the photos!

 

I am shortly going to link up all of my finishes for Quarter 1 over at Mrs Sew and Sow be sure to head over and see some of the gorgeous things that have been made so far this year. x

A week of finishes - Day 1 ....

.... a Project Linus quilt.

 

If you have visited here before you may remember that I mentioned having a large box of fabric sent to me for Project Linus.  Well this cute little top was folded up in there and just needed to be finished.

This was a quick and easy finish with wadding from stash and the backing was made from another piece of fabric from the same box.  This has made a cute little quilt which will be given to a child in need at a later date.

This is also another finish from my 2016FAL list.

Short and sweet for Scraptastic Tuesday ...

I am hoping I am just in under the deadline ...... I am linking up to Scraptastic Tuesday over at Mrs Sew and Sow for the first time.

 

I recently found a drawers full of scrappy blocks which I worked on at various times last year.  I realised I am not that far from being able to join them together and almost have a small quilt ..... OK that's rather optimistic maybe a cushion cover!

 

And here are the scraps in all their glory!

2016 Finish Along - Quarter 1 ......

I played along a few times in 2015 with the Finish Along hosted by Adrianne from On the Windy Side.  It was great motivation to get things finished ...... and blogged about!

 

Quarter 4 finished up on New Year's Eve and I did pretty well, by my standards.  I had put a rather optimistic 20 on my list at the start of October and by the end of December I had finished 12, 2 were no longer required, 2 were worked on but not yet finished and 5 were not even touched!!  So there are going to be some roll overs and some new projects for the first quarter of 2016.

 

Here it is - my list for the Finish Along 2016, Quarter - publicly stating my intentions in the hope that it will motivate me to get some finished!

 

1. Harry Potter cushion - for my niece's birthday at the end of January.  There's one that will definitely get ticked off the list!  UPDATED 26/01/2016 - this was finished earlier in the week but only given today!!  If you would like to see it finished pop over here.

2. ATC on the theme of Winter Comforts.  This is for a swap I signed up with over at Very Berry Handmade.  Again deadline is end of January.  UPDATED 25/01/2016 All done and posted to my partner - see the final product over here.

 

3. My Secret Valentine Challenge.  This is my local quilting club challenge and is an anonymous swap - all will be revealed at the second February meeting.  No pictures yet ..... because it's SECRET!!  UPDATED 12/02/2016  Now finished and posted - read all about it here!

 

4. This quilt is being rolled over AGAIN :(  It was made in the first Quilting Bee I was part of and I really want to get it finished.  I think I have now had enough practice on the longarm machine to quilt this as I would like.  Fingers crossed for this quarter!

5. Project Linus bargello quilt - another project being rolled over!  This is for the PL Coventry group and I would like it finished so I can deliver the last 3 quilts I have quilted for them, in order for there to be time to do quilts for my PL group in Warwickshire.  UPDATED 07/02/2016 - this has been done for some time but I forgot to put up a post about it!  Here it is .....

 

6.  Project Linus House Blocks - another project being rolled over!  These blocks were collected from Festival of Quilts and need to be pieced together and quilted.

7. My studio blind didn't get touched last quarter ...... so here it is again!

8. A quilt for my daughter - initially she was having one for her birthday in September which didn't happen.  Then we finalised a design and she was going to have it for Christmas .... umm that didn't happen either.  So this really is a MUST FINISH.

9.  All this needs is a neck strap and waist ties .... surely I can get that completed?!  UPDATED 03/04/16 finished finally and blogged finally over here!

10.  My mini quilt for the Rainbow Mini Quilt Swap Round 2.  I am still undecided on the final layout for this quilt but it doesn't have to be posted until the end of February so I still have time to play.  This is one option.  UPDATED 09/03/2016 - this is now finished, although not in this layout!  Head over here to see the end result.

11.  My version of the Rainbow Mini Quilt Swap for me to keep!!!  This is the other option.

12. Crocheted hexagons!  What to do with these?  I made them years ago when I was back over here on holiday from New Zealand. I loved them.  Certainly didn't have enough wool for a blanket so they just sit there.  What to do with them?

13.  A small quilt top from a box recently sent to me as a donation for Project Linus.  I need to quilt and bind ready to distribute.  UPDATED 24/01/16  This little project is now all done, see over here.

14.  Another quilt top, from the same box, donated for Project Linus.  Again I need to quilt and bind.  UPDATED 20/01/16  All finished, head over here to take a peek!

15.  A Christmas top already pieced, from the same box of donations for Project Linus!!  Yet again it needs to be quilted and bound ready for distribution.

16.  In November I went along to a quilting day for Project Linus that was organised by Joy Edgington.  It was held at The Cotton Patch studio in Hall Green and we longarm quilted all day!!!!  There was one top leftover so I bought it home.  This just needs to be quilted and then returned to Joy for another volunteer to bind.  UPDATED 29/03/16 - this has now been quilted ready to hand back to the PL co-ordinator - see here.

17.  Italian Houses - this was started in October 2015 at a workshop with Gillian Travis.  It had to go on the shelf for a while because I didn't have the right blue for the sky ..... but now I do and I would so love to see this finished.

And this list doesn't even include the bees I have signed up for, the Farm Girl Vintage blocks that I aim to do each week, the show quilts I plan to make and of course all the other wonderful things I get tempted to try from seeing them on blogs, pinterest and IG!!! It's going to be one busy quarter but I am sure it will be a while load of fun! x

I am signing up over at Mrs Sew and Sow, although this year there's a whole group of global bloggers hosting the event.