Sewing

Sorry to keep banging on about it, but it's now less than a week until I leave for Quiltcon (insert slight panic here). As well as the deciding what to pack, the assembling of a hilarious outfit for the 80s Dance Party (fishnet gloves, anyone?) and the trying not to forget anything, I thought I had better make myself a name tag.I saw this beauty on Marta's blog a while back, and shamelessly copied pretty much everything about it. I loved the embroidery, the genius buttonhole for attaching the lanyard, and the little pocket on the back for business cards. The only thing I did differently was to make a single pocket to fit my new, fancy, full size cards.I ordered my cards from moo.com - they [Read more...]

When I was a child my mum drank about a dozen cups of coffee a day. She was totally, physiologically addicted to caffeine. So much so that, on Yom Kippur (when no food or drink of any kind is allowed for 25 hours) she would make a paste of instant coffee and a spoonful of water and take it like medicine, just to avoid the crippling caffeine-withdrawal headaches. Looking back on those days it is so strange to me that she is now completely unable to tolerate caffeine at all. Even a cup of tea will keep her awake half the night.Of course, we British are obsessed with our hot drinks. Had a bad day? Put the kettle on. Got caught in the inevitable rain? Put the kettle on. Lost a limb in a freak [Read more...]

I've been feeling bad about chucking my naked Kindle into my handbag so decided to make the poor thing a cover. There were several requirements. First, it needed to open like a book (so, not a zip pouch). Secondly, it needed to be fairly rigid (yes Kelly, that is your cue to snort). Thirdly, it should be easy to hold while reading. And a pocket for the cable would be nice too.I bought some gorgeous yarn-dyed Essex and Center City from Annie the other day, with another Sidekick Tote in mind. I'm not normally the matchy-matchy type, but having cut the bits for the bag I had enough left over for a Kindle case. And it's such gorgeous fabric I couldn't resist.So yesterday, on my [Read more...]

I lost my 2013 sewing virginity this afternoon by sneaking away from my desk to make a little pincushion for a swap at the LMQG meeting this weekend. It was a nice quick make, using this cathedral window tutorial and some scraps of Frippery by Thomas Knauer. The most time consuming part (after the fabric origami) was choosing the button from my ridiculously enormous stash, none of which is ever what I am looking for. It's the universe telling me to buy more buttons. Yes, that must be it.Anyhoo, I eventually settled on a simple button with holes in it, rather than a hidden shank. Mainly because I tried sewing on the other kind and it went a bit pear shaped.I think it's quite cute - I [Read more...]

I'm feeling so incredibly unmotivated at the moment. I'm not sure what it is, although the practically subzero temperatures in the sewing shed/office may have a great deal to do with it. I would much rather stay in the house with the puppy and watch crap telly while snuggling under several quilts. However, there are gifty things that need to be made, and as my family's annual gift exchange is happening this weekend (aaaaaaaaaargh) I thought I had better get my finger out.When I saw this weekender jewellery pouch by The Plaid Scottie I knew that I wanted to make one for my mum. It's a really great pattern with clear instructions, which is always welcome. Kaelin suggests using a half [Read more...]

Christmas for this Jewish girl is essentially an excuse to bring an extremely oversized bit of forest into the living room. As my son says, "who wouldn't want a Christmas tree? Christmas trees are FAB!" The  crazy puppy who lives in this house has scuppered our usual plans, however. I have no doubt that she would eat/knock over/otherwise destroy every single decoration she could reach, and probably the tree itself.With that in mind we decided to go for a very small (i.e. tabletop), very fake tree this year. And taking my inspiration from (ok, shamelessly ripping off) Melody Miller's booth at Market I decided on a white tree. Embrace the fake. I would have gone for pink, but I couldn't [Read more...]

I know I have been a little bit on the quiet side lately, but it's for a good reason (honest). I've spent the last few days' worth of sewing time working on the Holiday in London Duffle Bag, a new pattern by Bari J that I picked up at Market (you can get your own copy here). As a bit of backstory, I had seen all the fantastic Weekenders popping up all over the place but was scared pantsless by the accompanying warnings. Needless to say, this seemed like a (relatively) simple alternative.(Warning: this post contains a LOT of photos. I spent a long time making this bag, and I am going to make the most of it!)I took a few shortcuts, mainly using home dec weight fabric instead of quilting weight [Read more...]

And ahead of time, too. Amazing considering I have a to-do list the length of an Olympic swimming pool and a shed load of work to do (that I may or may not be avoiding).After consulting my partner's very comprehensive inspiration mosaic I decided on a bright and happy approach. I've been wanting to try this block for a while, mainly because it is called "Road to Tennessee," and that is where the lovely husband is from. Call me sentimental, I don't mind. Anyhoo, some rainbowy goodness, a little hand stitching and some Essex linen and it was done. Not forgetting the obligatory texty lining, of course.and I put a bird on itThe additional item is a key fob, which I can't show you because it will [Read more...]