The Sewing Room

pennib

Opps the top half of my post went awol!
Kies I was just saying that instead of a tradional sort of sampler I cross stitched a baby from Maria Diaz design which is held in fathers hands with the above wording.

pennib

Here are the last of me monkeys! Now I have an empty bag, apart from a few bits of baby socks.


Even tho it's 26c outside they insisted on wearing their hats and scarfs:D

Keiss_21

Lovely bags cuddles, well done. :T

I really should be making more as I have all I need to make them, including loads of zips!

Thanks for the idea of adding the wording pennib (love your lil' monkeys!!) , a good idea. Been on the phone to lil'sis about the samplers, but she still hasn't looked at the link. She's asked about me doing one like I made for her daughter, but I can't find the chart! Also it is too big and complicated to get done in the next month. Think I'll just have to go for one I fancy sewing myself!

Been in the garden at last today...working (or out) all last weekend, and again all this week, so only got out to the jungle today...what a size the weeds are...especially the nettles!! :eek::eek: Stung all over and tingling still, despite using dock leaves, then aloe vera MAnaged to get the greenhouse cleared and washed down before getting things rearranged for the summer plants (toms, pepers etc). DH also cleaned the conservatory roof and windows, so all sparkly now

Been planning a cot quilt/play mat for this impending baby (June 25th...or earlier) all week, and today I have cut out the material and started sewing. This will be my first completed quilt (still working on my other one ), and I have designed it from scratch, with a central morif adapted from a book...nothing like playing it safe!!! :rotfl: Took a while to cut the material today, as I changed my mind which combination of materials to use. Will post a piccie when I have done more work on it. Hope it works out OK.

Right, need to get to bed, late and long natters to lil'sis plays havoc with my sleeping pattern!!

Have a great Sunday everyone xxx

Keiss_21

Oh, almost forgot ailsb...and pennib.

This is a good machine, with a great deal on atm, though it runs out at the end of May, I think all dealers are having the same deal (the link is to my shop's website ). It is one of the machines I have sold since I started work there, a really well made and lovely machine. I am covetting one of its big sisters, but at £1500, it'll have to stay a pipe dream, at least for a few more years!!! :rotfl:

cuddles123

Is anyone on here accomplished at applique?
This is my first attempt, which I have made into a cushion cover for my Mum.
Would really appreciate any feedback please?

Keiss_21

That's lovely cuddles, fantastic for a first go!!! Well done :T:T !

Looks like you used a zig-zag stitch on the edges. If you want a satin stitch, then shorten the stitch even more if you can.

Did you use bondaweb to attach the applique? The key with using it is to draw the design onto the wondaweb's paper backing (mirror image), cut it out with a bit extra all round, then iron it onto the back of your material your going to applique. When you cut out the shape, you get a crisp edge and there is much less fraying. Use sharp sciccors to do the cutting.

Remember to always do your ironing with baking parchment above and below the fabric/wondaweb. That way your iron and ironing board should stay clean. You can always use buttonhole-stitch either by hand or with your machine (if it has that stitch) to attach the applique, or use some of the more decorative stitches on your machine. Also, if you have large pieces to applique,don't use wondaweb for the whole bit. Cut out a large part of the middle, making sure you have at least 1cm width roound the edge. This way, you won't use so much wondaweb (pricey) and your piece will be less stiff, and softer to handle.

Hope this helps. xx

cuddles123

Thanks Keiss.
I did use Bondaweb, although it didn't always stick, and shortened my zigzag stitch. Need to experiment with other stitches on my machine. Good tip about not using Bondaweb on big pieces - never thought of that.

Thanks for the advice - steep learning curve!

dizzy_lizzie

cuddles123 wrote: »

Is anyone on here accomplished at applique?
This is my first attempt, which I have made into a cushion cover for my Mum.
Would really appreciate any feedback please?

That is so lovely Cuddles. I bet your Mum will love it
x

rufusdog52

Lovely makes everyone.

I got back into sewing again at the weekend. Made two of my saddle bags for presents for my nieces for Christmas, finished them off yesterday morning then made three sock monkeys, sat in the garden finishing them off. The body bits look good but the ears all look like cauliflower ears lol. Think I should have sewn them by hand instead of on the machine. Still, gives them a bit of personality. I want to make them some clothes now, two are girls and one is boy so probably skirts for the girls and may be a necklace, not sure what to do for the boy one, may be shorts or a jumper.

Keiss_21

Wow, you have been busy Rufus, well done!!

Need to work out how to arrange all the blocks I have made for the playmat. I had planned it out on paper, but when I laid them out, it didn't look as good as I thought it would. Might do it after I've been shopping...we're running out of food...again!!

Also have a couple of presents to make....not sure what yet. Then there is the cross-stitch sampler my lil'sis wants me to make, I have sent her lots of designs to choose from, but she hasn't yet. So frustrating making something for someone else to give, yet for them not to choose a design. The baby is due in 4 weeks, but could well be earlier!! Think I will just have to make a decision, then order the threads tonight.