Roses

This has been my most fantastic year for roses ever.

Saved by a Snail

My husband was wearing his new shirt for the second time over in the barn and he caught it on a hook.  This resulted in a tear on the back near the bottom.  I decided that I wanted to repair it by covering the area with something fun and decided that as it was along the bottom of the shirt that a creature would fit the bill.  In the end I chose a snail, bonded and free machine embroidered over.

The dreaded hook which will be coming off very soon!

Japanese Tunic

I have bought a couple of Japanese pattern books recently and thought that I would try and make a cotton tunic from one of them.  You have to trace off the patterns which are provided on extra pattern sheets and add seam allowances.  As the pattern was quite roomy I decided to make a size 12 and hope for the best as the book said that the sizes had been adjusted for western people.

I had a few metres of some Tula Pink fabric which I had bought for quilt making and decided I would use that.

The tunic came together without any trouble and the fit was great.  The look is perhaps a bit young for me but I like it all the same!  I think I might try and make it in some linen next time.

I am very impressed with this book and will be trying more of the patterns inside.

Glitzy T-Shirt

I have finally used some of the glitzy lurex fabric which I bought a while ago from Fabric Land and made a t-shirt.  I wanted to make the top half with some t-shirt fabric but couldn't find the right colour.  I took a risk on some stretchy man made velvet and I think the tee shirt looks a bit cheap.

I however used Vogue V8877 pattern and was very pleased with the overall look and fit of the tee shirt and will make it again with some other fabrics.  I made the scarf as I had some fabric left. The top is actually prettier in the flesh as it is covered in sequins which catch the light.

Feeling Lazy

I cannot seem to get myself going today.  I am joining my gorgeous girls and being lazy!  They are Bengals which are bred from Asian leopard cats.  The top one is named Mishti Nikoo and the bottom one is Himani Minoo ( Indian and Persian names)

Circles Quilt

I decided that it was time to finish some projects that have been hanging around for a while, and  clear the decks for some new work.  I also needed a break from dress making which I have enjoyed revisiting after many years.   The background of this circle quilt was started several years ago, and last summer I added all the circles.  It has sat layered and tacked together ever since and now is the time for quilting it.  The quilting which I am making up as I go along, is going to be fitted around other things and so may take a few weeks.

I thought I would give you a peak, though I won't show you the whole quilt until it's finished.

The quilt has been made of Japanese fabrics.

I tacked the quilt together with a basting gun and add a few extra pins as I start to quilt in specific areas.  To start with I am going to sew in the ditch around the circles and then echo quilt some of them also. 







Here is what the back looks like after my first quilting session.

Pauline Verrinder Workshop

I recently spent a very enjoyable and productive weekend with The Textile Beas at Denman College with Pauline Verrinder.  Pauline is a mentor and part of the Fibre Fusion group who who often exhibit and have written several excellent booklets about embroidery.

We spent the weekend exploring scrim and wire along with other materials with machine and hand stitch.  I made several small pieces which I hope to take further when I have some spare time.

 

By stitching on the scrim, the threads are pulled apart and manipulated to create a lace like structure.  To see some amazing pieces made by Pauline Verrinder go to her website at Pauline Verrinder.com.

Felt has also been added to this sample.  As the pieces are wired they may be manipulated.