Sandra Loves Sewing: UFO - 2

Sandra Loves Sewing: UFO - 2: I am after, and have been for a while, Michelin Man fabric. Does it exist? I have searched for a while (and I stand to be corrected, if...

UFO - 2

I am after, and have been for a while, Michelin Man fabric.

Does it exist? I have searched for a while (and I stand to be corrected, if I am wrong); however, I don't think it exists.

I wanted to make a queen sized quilt, at least that was my aim.  The closest I could get was a Michelin Man bandana.  I found two on ebay (I've been searching for quite some time). One blue, one black; and that's it.  I initially got excited because I thought that I could collect a few of these and make my quilt.

One bandana on it's own, does not make a quilt, not one that was envisaged in my head.

So in my organising and reorganising of my fabric stash we found each other again, and this time, instead of putting it away, I made it into a pillow case; some collectors have probably fallen over in horror; but things like this need to be used and not collect dust.

It's a part of my new mantra, why store it for someone else to enjoy when you pass on?

So here it is, a Michelin Man pillow case:

I hope it will be appreciated.

Happy sewing everyone.

Sandra

UFO - 1

Pocket section of Quillow

Since I've been on school holidays, this has been a good time to yet again tackle my my fabric stash.  Last break, I was was unhappy with the way I stacked my fabric in the wardrobes as the method of folding I used didn't allow me to store very much.

After some contemplation, I decided to use my quilting ruler to wrap fabric around to fold.  It worked, and as a result, after numerous hours, I was able to fit a lot more fabric in my wardrobe.  The job is not yet finished.  It's a process.  Decisions need to be made as to what stays and what goes.  One laundry basket full of fabric and wool has gone to the textiles teacher at work.  The next lot will go to a group teaching refugee women to sew.  (I haven't got to that yet).

I thought I didn't have many self covering buttons (not so); I thought I didn't have much elastic (not so).  Up side is, I won't have to buy any of these things for a very long time!

I have found some UFOs in the process.  A shirt (now gone); a jacket (that I didn't like the pattern when I first did it - gone).  I have a dress sitting on my machine, and if that isn't finished in the next two weeks - you guessed it, it will also go.

Almost finished quillow (with wonder clips holding binding)

However, I found a quillow that almost was finished. (A quilt with an attached pocket into which the whole blanket can be folded, thus making a pillow. - Wiktionary)  I started this some 15 years ago, I guess.  A friend and I used to get together to sew about once a month.  She gave me this fabric to make a quillow.  It just needed to have the quilting finished and the binding.  This was back in the days that I used to tie my quilts rather than baste them.  So, the underside may have moved slightly in the process, but all that needs to be done now is the hand stitching on the binding.

Happy sewing everyone.

Sandra

Sandra Loves Sewing: Thrift shop fabric

Sandra Loves Sewing: Thrift shop fabric: I can't say this week's sewing adventure has been the most exciting of sewing adventures, certainly it has been the most practical. ...

Thrift shop fabric

I can't say this week's sewing adventure has been the most exciting of sewing adventures, certainly it has been the most practical.  I've spoken before of my patchwork Japanese print fabric pillow cases for our lounge room couch.  I then felt I needed a second set of pillow cases for when the others were off being cleaned.

Some time ago I picked up some upholstery fabric pieces and made these pillow cases.  Simple, but great fabric.

I did want them to be finished with button enclosures at the back as a design feature, but, due to a shortage of fabric, I had to use zippers.

Have a good week everyone, it's a long weekend here, and I'm off to have some lunch with some friends.

Happy sewing.

Sandra

Sandra Loves Sewing: Patchwork bag.

Sandra Loves Sewing: Patchwork bag.: One post a week is my personal challenge. Almost didn't think l would make it this week! What prompted my latest creation was the ...

Patchwork bag.

One post a week is my personal challenge. Almost didn't think l would make it this week!

What prompted my latest creation was the need for a birthday present. I've had many good ideas along the way, and many good suggestions by others.

What caught my eye on Pinterest was a bag.

I went to this site:  https://www.pinterest.com/source/patchworkycia.blogspot.com.es/   Found photos and no instructions.  I tell a lie, I found instructions, but in Spanish.  Using Google translate wasn't exactly helpful.

I also found this same bag at:  http://www.handmadiya.com/2014/06/blog-post_5.html?m=1.  Again Google translate let me down.

So, between these two sites and one other I was able to construct a bag.  I guess what prompted me to finally decide on this bag style was the fabric.  The fabric inspired me to begin this bag.  Japanese fat quarters I'd had in my stash that I'd forgotten I had.

Here is the bag, without the handles.  I almost ditched the handles, they had to be hand sewn on:

Here's the bag before it's had lining and formed into a bag, I used my Sizzix machine to cat squares of 4 1/2":

I like this bag, too bad I don't have any of this fabric left.  I am pressed for time, so this bag can't be mine, it is going to a good home.

Where are your sewing adventures taking you?

Happy sewing everyone.

Sandra