Maureen (and anyone else out there who might be able to help)...
I'm still struggling on the binding. I think I'm going to give your (Maureen's) idea of joining at a 45% angle a go - I can see how that will work.
Now how do I actually go about it? The one and only time that I tried we folded it in half, attached the raw side to the front and folded it over and hand-sewed the back. I've even unpicked the corner to see how i did that (mitred corner) and I'm comfortable with that. What I want to know is... is this the best/easiest way?,.. how wide to I made my strip?... and what sort of seam allowance to I have when I attach it? I don't ask much do i? LOL - grin ;)
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
A new look
In cas you haven't noticed, I've been playing with the colours of my blog. It's time for a change. Not sure that I like it yet...
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Handbag finished
I finished the handbag this morning before work. I have a late start today and managed to get in and do some more sewing. I still have a small bit of hand-sewing to do on it, but otherwise it's done.
Amazing how the busier I am, the more I can get done. Seems that with only limited time, I have been making the most of it lately - lets hope that I can keep it up!
Amazing how the busier I am, the more I can get done. Seems that with only limited time, I have been making the most of it lately - lets hope that I can keep it up!
Monday, November 28, 2005
Weekend report...
I didn't quite get everything from my list done, but I did manage to finish quilting my diamond quilt, now renamed "Diamond Windows". I'm still trying tofigure out how to bind it. I did an unsuccessful trial run on the red and yellow sample and now have to go back to the drawing board. I did want to use all the various purples with a few splashes of green pieced together and then applied as a border, however my testing proved that this is not so smart. It makes the binding very thick and hard to work with so it's back to the drawing board. I'm not so keen on using the backing fabric 'cause even though it's in the same tone green, being a commercial fabric it's very 'flat' and lacks the 'brightness' that the hand-dyed greens have.
Hmmmmm..... Will work on that this week.
Oh and I did get the handbag cut out and have done the fiddly bits that need to be done before assembling - the zippered pocket on one side of the lining, the patch pocket on the other side of the lining, the stitching on the handle, and half of the zip. The actual assembly now is quite quick once I finish the zip - might get that done tonight seeing as how everything is all set up still.
As for the other bag that I was planning - well... that was a bit ambitious! Should manage to draw up the pattern this week ready to get working on it next weekend.
Hmmmmm..... Will work on that this week.
Oh and I did get the handbag cut out and have done the fiddly bits that need to be done before assembling - the zippered pocket on one side of the lining, the patch pocket on the other side of the lining, the stitching on the handle, and half of the zip. The actual assembly now is quite quick once I finish the zip - might get that done tonight seeing as how everything is all set up still.
As for the other bag that I was planning - well... that was a bit ambitious! Should manage to draw up the pattern this week ready to get working on it next weekend.
Saturday, November 26, 2005
Just for fun...
| Your Nail Polish Color is Red |
 How you're unique: You have an incredible eye for style and art Why your style rocks: You are classic and classy - and that's hot! What this color says about you: "I'm smart, sassy, and sexy. And I know it." |
| Your Element is Earth |
 Your power color: yellow Your energy: balancing Your season: changing of seasons Dedicated and responsible, you are a rock to your friends. You are skilled at working out even the most difficult problems. Low key and calm, you are happiest when you are around loved ones. Ambitious and goal oriented, you have long term plans to be successful. |
Saturday evening progess report!!
The back is on the Diamond quilt and I've started quilting it - Yay!! I've decided that I'm just going finish it - no fancy stuff on the other side (couldn't figure out how I'd quilt it if I did and thought that my time would be better spent on other things). The quilting is really simple stuff - stitch in the ditch!! I've done maybe half of it and should be able to get the rest done tomorrow. As for the binding, we'll see how we go... REckon I might get so far as attaching one side - the hand stitching part will be next weeks television job.
Also managed to cut out the pieces for the handbag as planned.
Now it's time for bed. My back and neck and arms need a break, they've spent most of the day bending over a sewing machine and holding up the great bulk that is my quilt, or bending over the quilt layed out on the floor - the only space big enough to spread it out. As you can see in the picture it fits nicely on the double bed in the spare room.
Night night...
Also managed to cut out the pieces for the handbag as planned.
Now it's time for bed. My back and neck and arms need a break, they've spent most of the day bending over a sewing machine and holding up the great bulk that is my quilt, or bending over the quilt layed out on the floor - the only space big enough to spread it out. As you can see in the picture it fits nicely on the double bed in the spare room.
Night night...
Diamond quilt
This is the top of the quilt from the class that I mentioned. I finished piecing the top last night and am aiming to get it finished (or at least a back on it) this weekend.
Other projects for this weekend. Another handbag like the pink one froma few weeks ago, and another bag that I've been designing for the past 2 weeks for a friend who's just started quilting (a utility type bag that is useful for taking stuff to classes).
Will update as I go...
Other projects for this weekend. Another handbag like the pink one froma few weeks ago, and another bag that I've been designing for the past 2 weeks for a friend who's just started quilting (a utility type bag that is useful for taking stuff to classes).
Will update as I go...
Small quilt sample
This is last weekends quilt piece that I spent all night working on. It is done using techniques from Sandi Cummings book - "Thinking outside the block"
There are a few more things that I'd like to try from this book, but not until I finish the diamond quilt...
There are a few more things that I'd like to try from this book, but not until I finish the diamond quilt...
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Quilting and UFO's...
I have taken an interest in quilting of late (I know, handbags, quilting, what's next I hear you asking...). I did a class with B's Aunty about 3 months ago and have been doing bits on that lately. Normal quilting really isn't my thing, but art quilts on the other hand I do find exciting. This one is a traditional one, but I have also been playing with some non-traditional quilting techniques and am thinking about making this a double sided quilt - one side traditional and the other non-traditional... That way I get to experiment as well as learn basic quilting skills.
So I currently have the sewing machine set up on the dining table, the ironing board nearby and all my blocks layed out on the lounge room floor and do little bets when I get time. Figure at this rate I should get the traditional side done by christmas... next year... kidding!!! I mean I'm working on getting it done by Christmas so that I get it out of the way. (Wishfull thinking perhaps, but I have been putting my mind to it lately - stayed up till 2am last weekend sewing without even realising, so it may just happen!)
So I currently have the sewing machine set up on the dining table, the ironing board nearby and all my blocks layed out on the lounge room floor and do little bets when I get time. Figure at this rate I should get the traditional side done by christmas... next year... kidding!!! I mean I'm working on getting it done by Christmas so that I get it out of the way. (Wishfull thinking perhaps, but I have been putting my mind to it lately - stayed up till 2am last weekend sewing without even realising, so it may just happen!)
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Found this on Arlee's blog and thought I'd give it a try...
#008B8B |
Your dominant hues are green and blue. You're smart and you know it, and want to use your power to help people and relate to others. Even though you tend to battle with yourself, you solve other people's conflicts well. Your saturation level is very high - you are all about getting things done. The world may think you work too hard but you have a lot to show for it, and it keeps you going. You shouldn't be afraid to lead people, because if you're doing it, it'll be done right. Your outlook on life can be bright or dark, depending on the situation. You are flexible and see things objectively. |
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Handbags are my latest craze...
I've been intending to try my hand at handbags for some time now. I made this one a few weekends ago and have been using it ever since - I love it!! It's big enough to fit my purse, mobile, a book and a bottle of water but is not huge and sits nicely on my shoulder.
It's made from a pattern using commercial fabric but I'm still really pleased with it. It's even got pockets inside, some with zips!! The idea is to learn some skills to try making some of my own design, using my own fabrics (dyed and/or embellished)
It's made from a pattern using commercial fabric but I'm still really pleased with it. It's even got pockets inside, some with zips!! The idea is to learn some skills to try making some of my own design, using my own fabrics (dyed and/or embellished)
Self-portrait postcards
Nearly 3 months late, but I finally managed to get the self-portrait postcards for the Flickr Contemporary Textile Arts group finished and posted. This is them. They came from a photo of me, which I drew, enlarged and cut up into sections. Each postcard has gone to a different person, but they do go together(ish) in 2 sets.
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