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.