Quilts for Charity

I have just started to realise just how many crafty people there are living locally to me! Yay!  One of them is a lady called Tamara McDonald who makes wonderful quilts to sell for charity.  She is currently selling two, a masculine and a feminine.  All profits raised from this will go towards a children's cancer charity, in this case it will be the Piam Brown ward at Southampton general, UK. 

So I just wanted to share them on here in case anyone who reads this would like to go and buy them!

Tamara McDonald Feminine Charity Quilt

Tamara McDonald Masculine Charity Quilt

Thanks for reading! Have a lovely day!

Handy little Pocket Bag

Made this cute little bag today for a class this week.  The class is for Mothers and Daughters (or any combination of adult and child really!)  I'm hoping it is straightforward enough for them but also with interesting features.

I've used webbing for the handles to keep things simple. But added a pocket for interest.  They will also be learning how to make a lined bag.

Festival of Quilts

All I can say is WOW!  This was my first time at a big quilting event and to say I was overwhelmed would be a massive understatement.  Not only by the sheer volume of fabric stores offering their wares but also to the amazing talent on show with all the amazing quilts on display.  Wasn't sure if I was allowed to take pictures but everyone seemed to be clicking away! So here are some of my favourites.

This has to be my absolute favourite of the whole day:

I loved all that wonderful colour and idea behind the quilt, especially having been the outsider living in different countries for 10 years of my life.  Loved the way it was quilted too.

Then in stark contrast is this wonderful piece of art, by Susan Chapman.  I totally love the simplicity of the design work. 

Loved her style so much I bought one of her postcards!

 Loved the miniatures section too.  I'm afraid my photos are a bit blurry through! Girls and their shoes eh?

Thought my daughter would love this one!  War Horses by Emily Booth.

 It became apparent to me that I am not really drawn to traditional quilts, love something a bit different.  Check out this wonderful bench!

And this amazing piece was teeny tiny bits of fabric sewn in place

This had the most amazing quilting on it as can be seen more clearly in the close up.

And this one was amazing too!

This final one got awarded Best in Show.  I loved the design and how it reminded me of how Japanese kimonos are displayed.  Amazing work.

 And now onto the purchases.  As I said it was a bit overwhelming to see so much fabric in one place! I could have spent so much more than I did, but apart from the odd indulgence, most of what I bought was bought with either class or market ideas in mind! So quite restrained I thought!!  I have photographed it with the card of the shop I bought it from.  Think my favourite shop for the selection of unusual fabrics has to be The Eternal Maker.  So pleased to hear it isn't that far from me! Might have to pay them a visit soon.

The Eternal Maker

Simply Solids

Creative Grids

Favourite Fabrics

Sorry can't remember where these were from!

Lady Sew and Sew

Fiddlesticks Fabrics

Funky Needlework

The Fat Quarters

Harry & Floss (not actually at the show but near to my sister's house!)

If you are going have a great time.  I will definitely be going back next year.  Maybe for 2 days!

Dressmaking.....

OK so the last time I followed a dressmaking pattern was when I was 15 and that had limited success so I was a little apprehensive to give it another go.  But  we are 20+ years down the road since then and I do sew a lot so I figured I'd battle through!

My daughter had picked out a pattern and fabric so off I went.  I have made her bits and pieces over the years but never from a proper pattern you understand so wasn't really sure what all those little markings were for lol! But I figured it out as I went along.  And this is what we made...

 A top and a belt.

I used a Simplicity pattern: 2689

Not sure I'll be rushing to make the other items just yet.  I was amazed how long it took me.  Maybe it's because I wasn't familiar with using a dress pattern.  I did feel a little restricted following a pattern.  So, not sure it's really me!  But I'm pleased I did it. Think we spent less time shopping yesterday for a heap of items than it took me to make this one!

I did crack open the packet with the twin needle in it though and threaded that up for the first time to do a fancier hem than normal!

Relaxing in the Bath!

Well I needed a relax in the bath after making this! You know how sometimes you just know you should switch the sewing machine off and go and do something else because you just keep making mistakes? Well this was one of those projects that should have taken me no longer than 2 hours start to finish but because of all the mistakes I kept making took more like 4 or 5 I lost count!!!  Still I really love it!

I used a digital stamp as a basis for the design, but I changed the hairstyle!

It's lined with teal waterproof lining.  Now I just need a holiday to go on to use it!!

Sharing at Quilt Story.

Retro TV and Some Sweet Girly Cushions

Have been busy working on my autumn class schedule but managed to squeeze in a bit of sewing for market!  Have made three cushions.

First up is a funky retro TV cushion.  When I spotted that blue fabric I knew instantly that I wanted to make an appliqué to match!  And so this cushion was born!

 Love that you can pop the TV remote in between the button closures!

Next up are the sweet girly cushions!  Love this fabric in both colourways!

Right back to work! No rest for the wicked!

Back with some fun makes!

Oh boy where has the time gone! Have been super busy teaching classes.  It seems the sewing bug has well and truly landed in this part of the world.  So lots of fun being had!  Here are some of my latest makes.  Most of them for classes!

An iPad cover.

A Peg Bag

A sweet appliqué cushion for a Mother & Daughter class (Or any adult and child combo actually!)

Another cushion, this time for a class learning how to do button holes....

....and applique, as this is the back!

Such a sweet little birdie!

And we all need to be told to relax a little more!

Have a lovely day!

Happy Go Lucky Quilt

I made this quilt a couple of weeks ago using fabrics from different ranges but most from a range called Happy Go Lucky I think, hence the title.  The colours look really cheerful together and I think although I made it with a boy's baby quilt in mind, it's not really gender specific.

After much deliberation I decided to do free motion loopy quilting.  I was going to do wonky straight lines.

I almost like the back more than the front.