Showing posts with label 2016FALQ4sewofcourse. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2016FALQ4sewofcourse. Show all posts

Saturday, 7 January 2017

A last finish in under the wire

As well as my Lily Lapin I managed to finish a second project from my Quarter 4 finishalong list! And just in time since the link up will close tonight!


My Drunkards Path quilt is finally finished, thanks to the support and encouragement of the Finishalong community and my Instagram friends.

I started this quilt cutting out the pieces while on holiday last July. I used the 3 1/2" Drunkard's Path templates from Pappersaxten which were ideal to cut up a charm pack. The templates are for a Drunkard's Path version where the curve ends up in the corners of the block. The template set have extra allowances so that it is easy to sew the curves together, and the set comes with an extra trimming template for accurate blocks. Perfect!

When all blocks were assembled and trimmed I tested a few layouts:



With help from some feedback on Instagram I decided on the last version and sewed it together.


Then auditioning border fabrics,


sewing the top together,


and auditioning quilting threads:


In the end I used many different threads in different areas.
I machine quilted this one, emphasising the shapes I associate with retro flowers. 


Not being able to find a suitable binding fabric in my stash, I decided to turn in the edges of the quilt, and quilted the last border areas after finishing the edges.

Finally today I was able to convince my youngest to hold up the quilt for some decent photographs. Pfft!

Linking up with the Finishalong at Archie the Wonder Dog.

And if you want to be encouraged to finish your WIPs (quilty or otherwise), do join us for the 2017 Finish-a-long at Rhonda's Ramblings and other hosts...
Sandra

Wednesday, 2 November 2016

The wardrobe of Lily, a cousin of Luna Lapin

- none of the links in this post are affiliates, and any opinions are my own - 

In my previous post I introduced Lily Lapin, who got comfortably settled in my Studio recently.
Lily is a cousin of the well known Luna Lapin, and just like her cousin she is a talented sewist/seamstress, and loves to make her own clothes. So it was very fortunate that Sarah Peel, the creator of Luna, has written the book "Making Luna Lapin" with patterns and instructions for a wardrobe for Luna. After happily making Lily herself from the pattern in the book, making clothes for her was also a joyful project.

I had been asked to make a piece of rabbit/hare clothing for the blog hop around "Making Luna Lapin", but of course I could not stop at just one. And the book has so many patterns to choose from!

I started with making Lily a pair of French knickers. The pattern specified the use of lace, but since I did not have any to hand I added a small seam allowance to the pattern pieces and used a remnant of pretty cotton instead. At least she was decent if ever her skirt would lift a little.


Then I went on to make Lily a tweed skirt. It went together so quickly and easily, I am tempted to make several versions of this!

To go with the skirt I wanted to make a top. I wanted to use a lovely piece of liberty fabric, so I hemmed the fabric first and used the pattern for a lace top. I did use a lining (very light though) as was described for the lace top, because that makes it easier to finish the edges around the neck and arms. Both the skirt and top close at the back with small poppers.


Of course an outfit like this is not complete without boots, and yes, the book includes patterns for shoes and boots, too!

I used the pattern pieces to create some well-fitted boots, though I did change the way they close up. I used hooks and eyes to guide the ribbon laces instead of threading them through the felt as the pattern instructed. Aren't they just gorgeous?!


If you are interested in making your own version of Luna, the book (available as e-book, which I used, or paperback) is great. The patterns are all printed FULL size in the book, and stories about Luna are included, too. A preview of the book can be found towards the end of this post.

The book includes chapters on materials and techniques used, and the instructions with each pattern are described step by step. A beginner should take their time over these projects (sewing small can be tricky!), but a more experienced sewist should be able to use the patterns as a basis to give Luna (or her cousin) a wardrobe to be proud of.

I leave you with a few more photos of Lily. She was very happy to show off her efforts at dress making, and has recently started knitting, too...




I think there may be more dress making in Lily's future!
Do check out the others on the blog hop in the coming days, the schedule is as follows:

Monday 31st October – SewandSo
Tuesday 1st November – Meet Sarah Peel
Wednesday 2nd November – Sew of Course
Thursday 3rd November – Melanie Sews and Other Stuff
Friday 4th November – Poppy in Stitches

Monday 7th November – Carina Crafts
Tuesday 8th November – Bendigolioness
Wednesday 9th November – Bit of Tea and Honey
Thursday 10th  November – Thimbeleanna

"Making Luna Lapin" includes twenty patterns;
- from a short sleeved T-shirt dress with bow to a long sleeved polka dot dress with collar,
- from a winter cape (think little red riding hood) to a detailed wool coat,
- from a lace skirt with lace top to a tweed skirt with coordinating tweed bag,
- from a patchwork scarf to boots and shoes.
There are also patterns to dress Luna's brother Alfie in jeans, shirt and a waistcoat, an armchair for Luna to sit in, and of course the pattern for Luna herself is included, too!



I'm off now to work on a different project, I hope to show that next time.

This is also #2 goal in my Quarter 4 finishalong list, I will be linking it up at the the end of the quarter.
edit: linking up with the Q4 Finishalong at Rhonda's Ramblings
2016Q4FALsewofcourse 

Sandra

Wednesday, 12 October 2016

Quarter 4 Finishing Plans

After a miserably unproductive quarter 3 - NO finishes, in case you are wondering - I am editing and lengthening my Q3 list for quarter 4. After all, if I give up on these projects they will never be finished! And having them in the list at least motivates me to pick some of these up and work on them. While finishes are the aim of the finish-along, my personal aim is progress...

1. Drunkard's Path


The drunkards path blocks have been transformed into a quilt top, and I have progressed so far that I thought that I would manage a finish in quarter 3. It will surely be done in this last quarter of 2016.

2. Working on a non-quilt project, too.

 The project in this lovely basket (basket described in a previous blog post) has a deadline, and definitely will be done soon!

3. Hearty

The quilt top from (More) Hearty Good Wishes fabrics and sashiko-stitched linen is now finished. It needs to be quilted and bound.

4. Oakshott
If I keep it in the list, it will be finished one day, right?! Every quarter some quilting stitches are made in this one, slow going though! Rolled over from last quarter, still working on it.

5. Cubes quilt
Not worked on this at all in quarter 3, time to finish it though, it's so close!

6. Curved improv

The top is (probably) finished, time to turn it into a quilt.

7.Sunflowers

The blocks are together for years, I intended to quilt it for free motion quilting practice. The idea is that the riot of colours and shapes will not show up my inexperience too much...

8. Stack and cut log cabin
Another top ready for quilting!

9. Feathered Star top
Yes, you guessed it, this still needs quilting!


As you see, more than plenty to be getting on with!

Linking up with the Quarter 4 Finishalong!
#FALQ4sewofcourse


Sandra

Thursday, 14 July 2016

Flying through the Year - Time for Quarter 3 Finishalong Plans

With another measly three finishes last quarter (HERE, HERE and HERE), my list is not really shrinking fast! Time for an updated list, with many still on it from last quarter, but also some new additions. One day I will finish them, hopefully some this quarter... I keep trying anyway!

1. Hearty


This quilt top from (More) Hearty Good Wishes fabrics and sashiko-stitched linen is virtually finished. Time to make this top into a quilt, though I am still debating if I will add a border to it...

2. Oakshott
If I keep it in the list, it will be finished one day, right?! Every quarter some quilting stitches are made in this one, slow going though!

3. Cubes quilt
I did work on this one for a day or two last quarter, still not finished though.

4. Curved improv

The top is (probably) finished, time to turn it into a quilt.

5.Sunflowers

The blocks are together for years, I intended to quilt it for free motion quilting practice. The idea is that the riot of colours and shapes will not show up my inexperience too much...

5. Stack and cut log cabin
Another top ready for quilting!

6. Feathered Star top
Yes, you guessed it, this needs quilting!

7. Drunkard's Path

While on holiday I cut a charm pack into Drunkard's Path pieces with the fantastic templates from Jenny of Pappersaxten, and started piecing them together by hand. I am not sure if I will continue by hand, or will grab my machine one day, but I do want to see how these will look together when done!

Better get to it pronto!

Linking up with the Quarter 3 Finishalong!
#FALQ3sewofcourse


Sandra