A catch up (photo heavy!)

What with all the excitement (trips to Brussels, wedding excitement yah-de-yah) I've not had time to blog about the normal goings on at the sewing machine.  So here's a little update on smaller things I've made as gifts and for selling in the shops.  Hopefully not too boring and same-y!

First up, Some iPad covers - After a false start with my first attempt, I managed to get the sizing right second time around and these actually do fit i-Pads in them! I played around with Velcro and zip fastening options. Feedback from James, whilst generally positive, did suggest double layers of batting next time (he's getting into the groove of this sewing lark!)

Then, a zippy pouch for Mothers day. I made this with the phone tucked into my shoulder catching up with the lady in a cupboard in Shetland, whilst she stitched and then unpicked some piecing - it's amazing neither of us sewed through our fingers! (Message for Mum: multi-tasking doesn't make it any less of a gift!)

Two cushions - I pieced the front of the first one yonks ago, it's taken me ages to getting around to finishing it off!

Some extra little zippy purses

A baby quilt - I tried to make this unisex, but rather than go rainbow, I opted for an alternative colour scheme. I think I was thinking log cabin, but kept changing my mind and ended up with these quarter log cabin blocks...

which I finally laid out in alternate directions, and added a double border and scrappy binding to create a quilt measuring about 30" x 40".  It's for sale in the shop at the moment, and is backed in purple fleece and quilted in a free-style wavy line pattern that is my new favourite "easy to do" quilting design!

(sorry for the appalling picture, forgot to get a proper shot so had to make do with a snap outside the shop!)

And finally, a lovely friend of mine, Zoe, whom I haven't seen for a few months, had a little boy a couple of weeks ago.  His name is Monty and I made this changing mat for him (well, more for his mum actually, although he may appreciate the fleecy lining!).

I followed this pattern but added improv-piecing to the exterior .  The pictures don't show the fabric covered button I need to add before sending it on it's way to it's new owner :).  Welcome to the world, Monty!

x

A teensy bit of sewing and some vintage loveliness...

We've had guests this week, first Mum and Dad and then my since-school friend Sian and her two boys, ages 6 and nearly 1.  It's been brilliant, think walks on the beach, yummy Italian ice-creams and garlic prawns with bread and salad for tea...perfect summer activities..

As a result, sewing productivity has suffered somewhat and I haven't even touched the bounty from last week's Festival of Quilts...  I did however, manage to put together a couple of cushion tops, destined for the two shops I am now supplying around here (woohoo!)  Sorry about the creases and loose threads, these are definitely works in progress!

I'm trying out this new colour scheme of red, lime green and grey...

This second one is quilted and I played around with a teeny bit of free motion applique on one of the apples.

 I was quite chuffed until I showed James and he said "Oh no!" ..he thought I'd accidentally sewn inside the apple instead of around the edge...I told him it was intentional detail and huffed (for about a minute!)

Having guests has, however, meant time for a little vintage bargain hunting...here are my most recent finds which have restored my belief that there are still bargains to be found!

In this little bundle is:

• A roll of Wonderweb from a charity shop (£1)
• 150m (so it says!) of white piping (50p), I've no idea what I'm going to use this for, but couldn't turn that bargain down!
• Vintage bias binding (20p)
• A 3m roll of heavyweight cotton webbing for bag handles (50p)
• Some beads and sequins from the most amazing stall at a car boot (£1). The chap had lost his aunt whose business had been making wedding dresses and he was selling off her stock.  This lady must have been amazing, there was apparently only a fraction of it left and it still filled three six foot trestle tables with bags and bags of beads, ribbons, sequins etc

This black and almost white print in a soft weave, no idea whether it's cotton, but I'm hoping so (£3 x for 37" x 71" )

These two skier prints, in two shades of blue (£1.50 for both, 31" x 45" and 45" x 76")

This tablecloth (50p - 50" x 60") that I thought I'd cut up and use, until I got it home and looked at the label and it's Mary Quant! A sarong I think, and not that vintage, rather 1980s cotton and polyester mix, but still...sell it on Ebay or cut it up, what's your view?!

And finally, This rather fabulous tablecloth from my local antiques place (£5 35" x 35") and yes, it does pain me to cut it up, but I'm still going to!

If anyone would like a slice of any of these, (or some of that piping, I think I've got enough!) please let me know.  I'm unlikely to use the whole lot, and since you can't order this stuff from a shop I think vintage is there to be shared.. :)

x