A New Toy and a Proud Boy

Woohoo - I am the proud owner of an embellishing machine :-). It's a Pfaff 350P - check it out. I've done a bit of experimenting with various materials, yarns, ribbons, scraps...and so far this is my favourite piece, felted from pieces of two scarves I bought from a charity shop (plus a teeny bit of chiffon), then hand stitched with chain stitch swirly bits:




I think what I will love best about the embellisher is the opportunity to use all sorts of scraps and shiny bits...and making lovely textured surfaces to embroider on. Watch this space!

On the subject of proud, my eldest son, Gman, completed his first quilt project this week. He made a nine patch table runner for his bedroom drawers. He chose all the fabrics and pieced and quilted it himself. As you can see, he is very pleased with his efforts! And his mama is very proud :-)

A Brief Foray into the World of Polyester

Well, one of my sewing goals for 2010 was to attempt to make something I could wear and I have achieved that!  Well, sort of...I suppose technically I could wear it but M would probably file for divorce if I didn't dehydrate from sweating so much in the night first.  Yes, it's a nightie made from some ahem..."vintage" polyester sheets!!



It hasn't been a total waste of time because I have learned a few things:

(a) polyester is not nice to sew.  and even not nicer to wear.

(b) I may have erred on the side of caution a little too far with the hemline...

(c) my gathering stitches will be seen so it might be an idea to use a coordinating thread :-P

I may give it another go using cotton...

...or I may just stick to patchwork!

The Village is Growing



In the meantime, I have put together a few more blocks on Waif's houses quilt.  I am enjoying this process.  Take the house, add a tree, or a star, or some flying geese until it's the right width to fit together with the others.  Fun!