Sewing, Stitching & Quilting Fun

What a great time we've been having here at Urban Sewing

During the school holidays 

and after school

Above is one young student's first embroidery! Isn't it wonderful. 

We made it into a needle book.

The embroidery design is by Australian Designer Anni Downs

 from her little book Simple Pleasures available on-line from Hatched and Patched

More stitching. These gorgeous hanging lavender sachets are called Lavender Girls  

they came from www.lillipopo.co.uk and make very welcome gifts. 

The kit comes beautifully packaged in a calico bag.

Karen made these car cushions for her nephews from panels by 
Prints Charming
http://www.printscharming.com.au

How cute is this! Abi's little dog loves this cushion.

Pattern is a Claire Turpin Design " Cushion Stack"

Available as a PDF download www.claireturpindesign.com

Here's another one. They are so big and soft and retro and the perfect thing to use up scraps.

Dream up some beautiful bunting.

Print up some large letters on paper and trace them onto vliesofix. Use free motion stitching to outline them. Perfect!

I love the leafy tree. 

I find myself ironing little left over bits of vliesofix to little fabric scraps and cutting out leaf shapes. I have a bagful just ready for a rainly day. Add some beautiful varigated quilting cotton and feature stitching.What was once waste can now become a cushion to make anyone smile.

(Not sure you could give me a bigger happier smile than Jasmine)

 I-Pad carriers in 3 colours
From the book Handprint and make your own Bags
Jenny McCabe 

A bird themed european pillowcase & a heatpack for  
a Dad who is a star
variations of designs by Anni Downs &  Claire Turpin

Smirky is from the big book of softies
and is made from polar fleece








This gorgeous elephant is for a little friend.

 More big smiles for a pair of custom made shorts.

A wonderfully creative cushion with crazy patches, hand embroidery and piping.




Finally below is another handmade gift. A baby mobile made with great love and attention to detail

Beginners Sewing East Brisbane

 Just try something new! ....Preferably Sewing.

It's a New Year.
Make it the year you fulfil your desire to learn to sew.
I have taught many many absolute beginners over the years.
Both Adults & children. Lots of positive feedback.
Classes are small & personal
No need to own your own machine or equipment
Taking bookings now.

Testimonials

'Oh Linda we just had the loveliest time. Vanessa finished her bag today. Thank you so very much. We will definitely be back to make something else. Thanks again and I will be highly recommending you to everyone that will listen. ' Natasha

'My daughter has already made a gorgeous pink pillowcase for her little sister. She is very excited about her sewing. Thanks so much for all the help and encouragement.'  Kylee

'Hi Linda

I just want to thank you so much for taking on the extra work in helping Ella making the bag she wanted.

She couldn’t stop grinning from ear to ear last night, and she is just so happy with it.

I think it makes a big difference when you create something that you really want and will use.  She said she really wants to come to some more classes, so thank you.'  Sandra

Ekka - Quilts across Queensland

Here is a tiny selection of the many glorious quilts on display at the Ekka this year.
Best use of colour

Hangers Choice Award
Second Prize - Collaborative Quilt made by three or more people

Made by Schoolhouse Quilters Kenmore and professionally quilted by Wil Heinrichs

Charleston - made by Shirley Chiu  and commercially quilted. 
I particularly loved the centre panel of this quilt which shares some similarities with a linen valance made in England circ. 1775 -1825 which allegedly graced Lord Nelson's bed on board the Victory at Trafalgar. 

Nelson's quilt is on display at the the Qld Art Gallery 'Quilts 1700 - 1945' exhibition which is a must see for anyone who can travel to Brisbane before 22nd Sept.
















I am keen to try the strings of flags and beads
which lend a slightly naive look to both designs.











'My Citrus Beauty' made by Di Ginis and commercially quilted
has a fascinating 'on point' border. 
It was awarded third prize in the open collaborative non-professional section.

Christmas Lights 
Made by Robyn Sheppard and quilted by Genevieve Jackson

What a wonderful use of colour and different blocks! Genevieve has quilted hundreds of little gold stars onto the background. I also loved the way Robyn appliqued the holly leaf shaped pieces onto the edges of the branches to soften the straight edge.

Stepping Out made by Glenys Wallbridge 
 is full of interesting Japanese inspired piecing. The quilt top is a combination of hand and machine piecing and is hand quilted.

Pretty Birds made by Judy Carrow and commercially quilted by Judy Spijkers
is based on a design by Monica Poole called Peacock Garden.

 

Hope I have provided some inspiration to you all. 

Happy quilting   Linda

And now for some truly inspirational people of our time........the scientists whose work can save lives and spare families so much hardship and suffering 

Our wonderful Queenslander - Madonna King has a new book to be released at the end of August 2013. 

Part of the proceeds go to fighting cervical cancer.

Welcome to 2013

Friendship is a wonderful thing and this teacosy reminds me every day how truly blessed I am to have friends that I adore and who would make me such an outrageously beautiful thing.  


Since I last blogged 
(and yes has been a long long time)
 I have journeyed to Eastern Arnhem Land on a truly unique experience learning to weave pandanus leaf into baskets with the traditional Yolnu people at Maparu.
http://ceresglobal.wordpress.com/2012/08/29/glimpsing-mapuru/ 

I have been on a life journey with my husband and his elderly parents as they move from their home to assisted living.


I have taught more than 60 gorgeous children how to use a sewing machine over 3 lots of school holidays. 

I have been to two retreats at Glenrose Patchwork in Warwick where we laughed and sewed and ate ourselves silly. Well perhaps the wine had something to do with the silliness but I can highly recommend the experience.

 

Nearly complete
Scandinavian Christmas

Relaxing with drinks & nibbles after a big day of sewing

Fay at the design wall

Her blocks are a large split 9-patch

Chris whipping up
some Christmas gifts
between brewing us all a cup of tea

Basting a quilt
Many hands make light work

Karen handquilting

Introducing Rebecca Bleakley of
' Peck Designs'

 Rebecca is busy making & selling  
Handmade Baby & childrens products from her website

click the link below
Peck Designs 

And now I just need a friend who likes to dry up





Or maybe wash-up.....


I promise to be back soon
Linda

Cool Weather Sewing

Christmas Heart Hangers.

Karen has adapted some of the lovely designs in the book 'Scandinavian Needlecraft' by Claire Youngs & Sarah Hoggett  to make these gorgeous hearts. They are stitched on my favourite linen from Sckafs Fabrics at Indooroopilly. It has wonderful hand, colour & texture

Hooray for the last of the summer daisies which keep the garden looking bright & cheerful.

I am often asked what I am working on so I have snapped a few photos of my latest projects.

At any given time I always have lots of works in progress and I have learnt to accept that this is both part of my personality and a symptom of the various demands on my time. The good news is that I usually come back to them and that I always find little surprises and old friends when I tidy up.

This is the Sarah Fielke piece that I was working on in my last blog - I have finished it off as a large cushion and I am very happy with the result.

'Sewing Angel Toolstore'

 Hatched & Patched

http://www.hatchedandpatched.com.au/default.asp

I bought this kit in June 2011

Cut it out & started it in October,

took it on holidays with me in November, February & April and finally finished it a few weeks ago. 

 

View with the tri-fold the other way

A project like this takes time but the satisfaction and enjoyment it gives is well worth it.

Here is 'Acute' by Melly & Me

I love this little guy and so do most kids.



 This little zipper pouch is made using Moda Fabric designed by Aneela Hoey
and called 'Little apples olive outfits'




I used a Birdhouse pattern called 'Hexagon Purses'
www.thebirdhouse.com.au

'Charlotte Sometimes'

       from the book

Material Obsession Two

This is my major work in progress

and I am currently working my way through the needleturn applique on the borders.

So there you have a glimpse into what I am working on.  Happy sewing everyone......Linda

Sewing with Sarah Fielke in Toowoomba

I've just had a little time off and treated myself to a 2 day workshop with Sarah Fielke in Toowoomba. This is me on the front steps of Vacy Hall holding my 'Spring' mini quilt.

Precious Time hosted the event for approx 20 people and did a terrific job. Sarah was delightful and patient and also very generous with her knowledge.

We were treated to a showcase of Sarah's quilts on Friday evening including a sneek preview of two quilts to be included in her new book.

Sarah demonstrating her needleturn technique on the centre panel of 'Whirligig' which is the gorgeous quilt on the cover of her most recent book

 'Quilting from little things....'

Several ladies were making this quilt.

Setting out some of freeform blocks inspired by

'The Burbs' 

from Material Obsession

Some of the other great work being produced at the workshop

Pat with her centre for 'Looking Back' Material Obsession Two 

Same centre panel in a different colourway

'Stars in Your Eyes' block 


and

'The Night Garden'

both from   'Quilting from little things....'

Another 'Whirligig' centre panel ready to applique. 

We all loved seeing how the different colour combinations came together

Only 112 leaves to go Ros  .....










For me the excitement of a workshop like this is learning something new, meeting new people and most of all being inspired to try new things.

I learnt a great new way to needle turn points and how to quilt using No 8 perle cotton and a hoop....yes that is right......
I have been hand quilting and enjoying it! I also got to see all those spectacular quilts up close and get a little insight into Sarah's life.

I HAD to include this picture

 

Having arrived home from Toowoomba I set about making this silk blouse for my sister-in-law. To be honest I almost freaked when she presented me with this job. I was only too aware of how fluid silk is to work with and the challenges it presents. 

I still can't believe it turned out so well. Butterick pattern B4856 using fabric from Sckafs, Level 1, Indooroopilly Shoppingtown

 Finally here is my wonderful husband 

on the verandah of Vacy Hall

Kids love to sew

There has been a whole whirlwind of fun happening here in the Sewing Lounge.

So much so that I have forgotten to photograph half of the wonderful creations. 


Interest in sewing is definitely alive in the 7 - 15 yr age group and bursting to get out . All that youthful enthusiasm and creative optimism is a wonderful thing to behold.

Making linen cushions & pencil cases

This brightly pieced cushion had the words 'Best Grandma Ever' on the other side surrounded by lots of fancy machine stitches. 

What a beautiful gift. I bet there was a Grandma with tears in her eyes on Christmas Day.

This is my wonderful photographer who picked up the camera and snapped lots of photos of her group.

 





She made lots of owls for her friends for Christmas and they all looked as gorgeous as the one here.

Miss 7 has been sewing after school once a week for a year. Towards the end of the year we decided to make a simple sun dress using McCalls pattern M5613 . The finished dress looked terrific. 

While making it she learnt about cutting out, making pleats, adding a facing, overlocking edges & making buttonholes.  I believe a cooperative effort like this has much to offer a young beginner because they can see what is possible with practice and perserverance.

These girls travelled a long way for their classes and look pretty happy with their finished projects. 

On the left is a Melly & Me 'Sunshine Bag' and on the right another 'Owlivia'

 Bryn is another wonderful student who has been coming to classes regularly. She made this terrific vest for her uncle for Christmas using Simplicity pattern 2346

Making self cover buttons together

Even my lovely neices did some sewing while they were here on holidays







It was with great sadness that I held my last class at Thread & Ginger in late December. Natalie & Caryn have closed the shop and I wish them all the very best in their future ventures. I will be forever grateful to them for the opportunities they gave me and for the inspirational environment they created.
Victoria Point will be a poorer place with the loss of their business.
I will be holding extra classes at Urban Sewing Lounge this year (see classes page) and was delighted that many of the ladies from Victoria Point are going to travel here to continue classes.