Inspirational book

I now know what I want to be when I grow up - brodeuse! 

It is a wonderful, wonderful book. Just have a (little) look.

Thank you so much for the kind words about my embroidery! I have some more learning to do to acheive anyting like the picture above...

I'll be back with a more quilt related post later.

By the way: I'd be very appreciative to know if anyone has any impressions of Dublin, Ireland. Any tips about interesting things to see or do? Tudelu! 

Doodeling - learning by doing

I have had some wonderful hours with hoop, linen and floss in hand. It is an immensely soothing activity, and I long to do more. 

A long time ago I tried my hand at embroidery, and had forgotten its charm. Now I am hooked again:) 

It might become a framed memory, but I have yet to find the right frame.

After what feels like the longest winter in a long time, we are enjoying the springing of spring. 

On a different note, a little while ago David gave me an award. Thank you!

I get a bit nummed when this sort of honor is bestowed upon me, so I humbly direct you to a post written after I had been tagged some time ago - here. 

I am off to fetch the kiddos. Have a lovely week end 

Bunchin

According to my Process Pledge I'm posting a basket I'm working on.

I was inspired by Taryn's Red and White online exhibition, and decided to make a red and white quilt. This will be the center applique block - the other blocks will be shoo flys and four patches.

The grey item looking like a bag that is holding the applique block in place (how I love long sentences) is my rendition of a 'Bunchin'. In last year's class I saw Ms. Saito using a bunchin - a weight - to hold her applique work in check while stitching. She sells them on her site, but they weigh 1,3 kilograms, so the shipping is a little expensive, I think - I mean for merely weight....(I would rather buy her books...) So I made one from cloth and 'bird sand'. Mine weighs 1,4 kg (that's how much I had left of the sand) It works like a charm.

Happy Monday!

Thinking of the Japanese today

Friday bliss

Oh, James Taylor, how you brighten the day...

Home with a bad cold. But nothing seems drab and dreary listening to that voice of his. Now if only the 'plugs' in my ears would go away soon so I could hear it better ;)

Reversible Zakka Pouch Tutorial

Here is something I have been wanting to do for almost two years...

To save some space here, the tutorial with photographs is
over here.

The recipe is as follows:

You will need:
For outside and lining:
4 strips of fabrics for the front, each: 3'' x 12,5''
4 strips of fabrics for the lining, each:  3'' x 12,5''

The draw string closing fabrics:
2 strips , each cut to 4,5'' x app. 19''

For the 'yo yos':
2 strips of fabric, each cut 2'' x 10''
Medium thick plastic
Surgeon's tape

For the stopper:
1 piece of fabric: 2'' x 3''

Batting, thin yet sturdy polyester batting:
For the bottom:
1 square 4'' x 4''
For the 'body' of the pouch:
1 piece 6'' x 16''.

You will also need a piece of string measured to 22''.

*********

I will be making an*other or more from the tut myself, and add corrections as I go along.

Have a beautiful week end.
U

No words Wednesday - almost

Memory of a colourful Monday spent with good friends.

Pockets and a huswif

A few years ago I did some sewing for a Danish designer and shop owner Helene Juul. She has an affinity for the treasures of the past, and does wonderful work. She wanted to display ways to use reproduction fabrics, to entice her customers to make practical and beautiful items. I was honored to be able to help a little. She sent me lovely fabrics, and a booklet by Edyth O'Neill. Inspired by Mamifleur's recent lovelinesses, I show the samples I made then, a pocket and a huswif from Ms. O'Neill's booklet.

And the one I'm currently working on, for a friend, which is supposed to be a surprise... well well ...

Merci - amitié.

Winter sewing

This is wonderful. Real winter. The kids love it. Everything is quiet and embracing. So much better than the cold cold days before this blanket came. We had some days of minus 18 degrees celsius.

And it inspires to colorful activities indoors. I am slowly working to complete the flying geese sashing rows. There are still a lot of geese and skies to be cut. These are mere a beginning.

Barbara Brackman is graciously hosting a block of the week quilt along. These are my first blocks. Being a lazy daisy and discovering the measurements for the saw tooth part of the star were the same as the geese above, I decided to use some that were already sewn. I was pretty happy with the result. When I had deciced on which cornerstones to use, I discovered there were some of Ms. Brackman's fabrics in there - the cornerstones and the red 'goose'. I look forward to the next block! Which will it be?

Dreaming of ocean waves. Only two half square triangles of a myriad. I will try to piece these without marking sewing lines - according to Jinny Beyer's method - eyeballing the seam allowance. But in what color scheme?

Also longing for the first bicycle ride this year...

See ya!

Another pair and a small bag

Again the same block and two sizes. This is another block from the 'George coverlet' at the V&A in London.

I found it so exhilerating that the maker decided to make a block looking oval. It was challenging but fun to draft it. Here they are in all their unironed charm;) 

Finished size about 11 inches.

And about 5 inches.

I'm experimenting a bit in making small bags. I wanted to make a rounded bottom. It did not turn out as I had wanted, but I like it all the same. The experimenting goes on...

Made just about only from scraps:) Enjoy your Sunday