I have been sorting out my samples for the classes at the college, and today pinned the stage-by-stage for the needlecase to a display board
I had a bit more sewing to do on the hexagon pincushion samples, before I could make up that board - the last pincushion is in different fabrics, because I ran out of the other ones
I divided up the three little packets of tiny buttons, to add to the kits for the pincushions
I then turned my attention to the scissor keeper. This shows the two fabrics and wadding sewn together, with a gap left to turn it through to the right side
having turned it through and pressed it well, I topstitched round the edge (I used a contrasting thread so that the students can see what I did - I would normally use a matching thread)
the first fold
again I used a contrasting thread to show the stitching
the first pocket finished
the second pocket pinned in place, and the flap also pinned in place to show off the little scissor charm
having washed the sashiko piece at the weekend, I used rulers to work out where to cut it to size
I had to take the previous photo from the side, as the sun shining in the velux was reflecting off the rulers!
I cut four 1"strips and folded them in half
pleased with the look, I stitched them in place and trimmed them
but what to use for an outer border? I have some lovely fabric which I have had for years. Way back when I was a Quilters' Guild rep, I was introduced to a man who worked for a (now defunct) patchwork fabric firm. On learning that a) I made quilts for Linus, and b) we lived near each other, he called at the house and gave me a big box of fabric samples to use for Linus quilts. Some of the fabrics weren't suitable for children's quilts because they had a rough texture, so I swapped them for some of my own fabric. First I auditioned this one
and included a little butterfly from another of the fabrics
then I considered this one
but they were really the wrong shades of blue. So it was back to the stash
choice #1
choice #2
choice #3 (top) and #4 (bottom)
do leave a comment and say which one you prefer. By the end of the afternoon, the studio was looking just a little bit untidy!!
Maureen had reminded me on Friday about the time she had a heron in her garden, something which is very unlikely to happen here ....... then today she sent me this photo - I don't think I am likely to find one of these either in our little garden!!
I did some work on Mrs Billings on Saturday, but I'll show you that tomorrow. I am going down to Stitchin' Heaven tomorrow, to spend the day with Anne and her lovely Wednesday Ladies and Mrs B will be going with me - hopefully I will get a reasonable amount of sewing done, in between blethering and drinking copious cups of tea!!