A new toy

I'm a basic kind of sewer.
(hmm, should that be sewing person rather than plumping poop pipe?!?!?!)
When a dressmaker friend mentioned a "gather foot" my jaw dropped. "Really?? Can you buy those ?? What, no two rows of big stitches and mind numbing fiddling as you pull the gathers and space them out ?????"
I did the happy dance - how cool! And this is it.
It does look a little Steam Punk but eventually (after fiddling, screwing, unscrewing, swearing, breaking a needle and swearing some more) it fits and works! One skirt for the eldest girl hot off the press (Yep, that is an elastic waist - what can I say, I'm lazy).

And she refused to model it as she had more pressing things to do ... apparently. Hmm I wonder if she'll wear it ????

And a little story to share... I introduced a very clever girlfriend (who sews like a dream) to Amitie during the week. Whilst we were dawdling around oohing and aahing and making plans for many bolts of fabric, her husband called. She told him she was with me in a fabric shop. He scoffed and said "phew! better a fabric shop than a shoe shop." Ha! He has no idea!

Hope you're all having a lovely weekend.

Jenny

Quilt number 4 - done

All finished and waiting to be delivered to the most scrumptious little nephew.

I popped into Amitie on Thursday intending to buy plain blue for the binding but Jenny convinced me to try something else. After pulling out a couple she found the blue checks and I looked at her in disbelief. She folded it over on the bias and "bingo!" it was perfect. I nearly fainted when she said suggested doing the binding on the bias but it was so simple (with her tips) and really effective. - Thanks Jenny & Judy, you're awesome!

And because it was a Thursday at Amitie, this clever cookie just happened to be there teaching a class.
And I haven't shared with you that I was lucky enough to win a giveaway of some lovely fabric from this lovely lady the other week. Check it out here. Thanks Andi - you are also in the awesome chick category!

Now what will I do for number 5 ???

(I finished it 2 days ago and am a bit lost without one to play with - is this the begining of a quilting addiction .......)

Retail Therapy

When all goes down the pooper - go to Amitie and buy the beginnings of a new quilt!

They always make me smile!

Won't bore you with details but I hope your day is better than mine - although I'm sure it will improve now - ABC kids and a rotary cutter ! (oh, they're not for the same person or being used in the same space so no need to call children's services just yet...)

And if you're interested, this will hopefully become a cot quilt and a throw/wrap for my newest little nephew. Well, that's the plan anyway.

Cheers

Jenny

Quilt number 1 DONE!

I've stitched the last stitch and handed it over to my little man. He loves it - phew! I'm a little sad to see it go.
It's been fun.
Quilt 1 and I have been a couch couple since February. We've laughed, cried and stayed up late. We've grown close.

We've bonded. I think I miss you, Quilt 1.

Amitie had a sale on Friday and I met Quilt 2.

I was searching for something green and came home with this.

I hope we'll be friends.

Will keep you posted.

Cheers

Jenny

Great Quilt Update 2

Ok, it's getting a little out of hand. I'm avoiding aprons and skirts because I'm rushing off to handquilt instead. Usually I sew at night when the helpers are asleep but I've been sitting on the couch doing lots of little stitches instead.

Yes it is fun but I'm going to have some hell nights ahead of me before the next market....'sigh'.

The Roald Dahl, Quentin Blake collection ... a bit ambitious for a first quilt but my little boy is happy and tells me that he can make out George so that's good enough for me.

If you use your imagination you may be able to make out George walking up the stairs with his marvelous medicine, the car that Danny drove and (the almost finished) Caravan that Danny and his Dad lived in from "Danny The Champion Of The World".

There'a Mr Fox and a peach on their way too when I get around to them.

Cheers

Jenny

PS The working through the stash thing had a little Amitie setback .... very nice fabric though...and I really did need it ... and I will use it ... and I won't be going back for ages...well not tomorrow anyway....

A Wrap For Jamie

My little nephew is home at last after an extended stay in hospital (3months - very prem) and we're all VERY excited.

So a trip to Amitie today (I know , I know I said I would work through my stash but this is a bit special ...) and a wrap (as per Matilda's - see last post) to take to them tomorrow - with a multitude of gifts and cards from my 3 excited little "cousins".

Can't wait to cuddle the little man!

(Sorry the colours in the pics are shocking - taken using my phone at night. Trust me, they look much better in real life.....)

Quilting - I said it would never happen......

I've always said that I don't quilt. I don't quite get it or the obsession with it.

Wiser women than me just gave a knowing smile and said "not yet....", "you will...."


AND I HAVE!!!


The urge has been there for some time. I've looked at the quilts in my local fabric haven (or is that heaven ??) Amitie - yes I am lucky aren't I - and am in awe of their skill.


So I jumped in head first on Saturday. Jenny at Amitie was divine and helped with fabrics and heaps of tips as I have no idea what I'm doing. She's so patient!

It's all cut & stitched together with the help of Kiddie no. 1 - it's for his bed. And we loved doing it.

Now to start the hand quilting and I'm feeling very nervous..... have I chosen the right colours? Can I do it properly? Will I finish it before he gets his drivers license ?


Any advice from super quilters would be greatly appreciated.


Watch this space for the great quilt update ...