In the Making...

I’ve been a dedicated user of circular knitting needles since I first started knitting. I work everything on circulars, including plain straight knitting. Recently, I’ve found myself working on little samples in different size needles and I was being slowed down by changing the tops. So I bought myself some Karbonz Straight Needles to add to the ever growing collection. As I’ve exclusively worked with circular needles, I found that I didn’t have a home to put these new straights. After some stash diving later, I came up with a combination of fabrics that I liked and worked out how to make a needle roll from them. The outer fabric is a beautiful Japanese style fabric and I’ve lined it with fusible fleece to give it extra body. The lining is a combination of fabrics and I have used iron on interfacing for the lining too. This double layer of interfacing will hopefully give my needles all the protection they need. The binding and the ribbon is from my the collection of fabric tha...

That fabric, from last week, must have been calling my name, because it didn't sit there long before it was transformed into a cushion. I felt that the blue one (on the left) didn't want to be cut up too small, otherwise the pattern would be lost. This really did limit my options. In the end I went for a very simple stripe pattern and put the work into the free motion quilting to bring out the shapes. This was the pre quilted panel, basted and ready to go. It did take some fussy cutting to try and get those panels to be lined up perfectly (if you don't look too close, they look the same!) I was inordinately pleased with the zip. It's the first zip that I've been happy with and sadly, what I keep showing people who come to the house. Not look at my new Downton Abbey cushion, but look at this zip!! I found it hard to photograph the zip and I'm sure it's not up to the standards of most sewers; but I was pleased with it. The fr...

I had a little retail therapy the other weekend. There was quite a lot of fabric bought. This was the haul! The rippled one really did remind me of the Old Shale stitch pattern ( what most people erroneously call Feather and Fan ). Though Mr says it makes his eyes funny, so it won't be used for cushion as I'd intended. These two were from Andover Fabrics' Downton Abbey range. And the charm pack is one I've been on the look out for - Road 15 by Moda . My patchwork cushions in the lounge have been very well loved and could do with replacing so hopefully these fabrics will step up and take their place. I learnt a new crochet stitch that same weekend. Its modern name seems to be Diagonal Box Stitch - a rather uninspiring name. It was fun to do. Michele from Yarn Aloud taught us how to do it. There were a few examples about and I liked the look of it in a finer yarn.  So after some stash rummaging later, I came up with a ball...

I seem to have a thing for Cathedral Windows. I've made lots of different projects with them.  My favourite is this wall hanging  (the photography is dire and you can't see the detail, the entire hanging is quilted and the windows are metallic fabrics and look amazing).  Then there is this cushion  and my little needle case .  There's been lots more too that I haven't blogged about like one year when everyone got a cathedral window pincushion and the next when it was Christmas decorations. I had a weekend recently when the sewing machine came out and there was lots of industry. Secret Garden block during sewing. The block starts in a similar way to Cathedral Window but the "windows" are put in a different place. Finished needle case I've had a project sat for awhile, and I finally had some down time so I got cracking with it. It'll be a cushion when I'm finished similar to the one above. Here's...

Oooooo, pretty knitting goodies.  Fell in love with this fabric recently and Nicsknots  made me some lovely bags with it. They've already been out and about with me and it's really nice to be able to separate my projects - stops a big jumble of yarn! Thanks Nic. Miya Miya Bag Small drawstring bag Zipped purse