Buttonhole pin wheels.

At my patchwork group last week people were asked to bring some old family textiles.  It is amazing what people have in their cupboards.  Most of the ladies had old baby clothes and a smattering of wedding dresses dating back to the 1800's.  But one lady had an embroidered linen cloth worked by her mother back in the 1940's.  It was worked in buttonhole wheels and still looked as good as the day it was finished.

There were a lot of these stamped designs around back then and I'm sure just about everyone has one in the linen cupboard.  The quality of the linen used is beautiful, you would have difficulty finding that today.  At the Guild when old un-worked or partly worked table cloths are donated they sell like hot cakes.

There is something about buttonhole wheels that I find really attractive.  Maybe it reminds me of the embroidery of my mother and grandmother and their table cloths which then brings up other images and memories?  Maybe it is the combination of the thread colours that are bright and cheerful?

And then there is the appreciation of the actual stitching.  I know from experience how hard it is to keep that buttonhole edge so neat and even.

I missed the email asking us to bring these textiles and I have already donated most of the old textiles I had to the Guild collection but I think I will investigate just what is hiding in my linen press.

It's in the bag

There were times I didn't think I was going to finish this quilt but it is now in it's bag and stored in the guest room for my paddlers. So it is called "the paddler's quilt."

I made it's storage bag from the left over fabric, which means I know what quilt it is without having to open it and it keeps it clean. 

My paddlers arrive during any good weather.  "Hello Mrs Foley, we were paddling in the area and thought we would drop in".  After feeding and watering them, or rather after a few beers,  it's getting dark and too dangerous to paddle back so they are invited to stay.  It is always, "we don't want to be any trouble" but I have a bundle of inflatable beds and pull quilts out of the cupboard for them.  Being  mostly young men, who you can read like a book, the looks on their faces when the floral quilts are given out made me think I needed something more masculine.

This quilt all started with a charm pack of nautical fabrics and like topsy grew.  I started the quilt  a year ago but managed to damaged my shoulder  and made it worse trying to use the roller cutter.  Then I bought too much fabric and then a few couples started to turn up in the mix.  So the quilt ended up queen size.

I just couldn't handle quilting something this size so gave it to my local quilt shop Bayside Stitchcraft who did a great job.  I am so lucky to have such a good shop close by.   (Well only about 15K away.)

She used a wave pattern to suit the nautical theme.

So I can't wait for the next lot of paddlers to arrive to see if this meets with a better reception.

Family has taken over

My eldest son, father of my grand daughters, had a serious workplace accident .  After much to do he ended up with a major operation on his spine.  It has been rather tense here wondering if he would end up in a wheel chair but to date everything seems to be going well.  The big problem is keeping him from moving,  he has always been a bee in a bottle.  This has meant that we are constantly visiting to take the girls to and from school and him to and from medical appointments and from doing what he should not  (Like chopping and stacking fire wood!)  In-between travelling and looking after everyone not much sewing has been going on.  What I have managed to finish is my' sew together bag' that was my gift for one of my patchwork group.  I managed to cut the cushion of my thumb while sewing and although I still have to keep a dressing on it I am sewing again.

So this is my gift, now finished with the correct zipper and beading in place.

My choice of fabric for the bindings was not good.  They matched the colour of the main fabric well but the weave was too open.  Still, it is now ready to return to it's new owner.

 

I also finished the trial run of this bag.

I used tailoring interfacing on this one it was a lot lighter but still held it's shape well.  I also hand stitched the bindings on  both bags as it gave a better finish.

I used different coloured zips and a bright kangaroo print for the lining.  (I never thought I would find a use for this fabric.)

I don't think I will make any more of this these two were enough.

Waiting

I am waiting, not too patiently, for the arrival of my new book by Sue Briscoe.

(Image source: Book Depository)

There was reference and one project in her original book (2005)  on Sashiko Emboidery to Kogin Embroidery, but this was omitted in the later editions.

(Image source: Book Depository)

So I am keeping my eye out for the mail person to call.  Please Hurry!!

An Aniversary

My patchwork group celebrated 30 years of wonderful friendship and love of textiles this past weekend with a High Tea at 'Room with Roses' in the city.

I have been a member of the group for 20 years now and the support and friendship from these woman has been one of the outstanding blessings of my life.  The theme of the celebration was 'roses' and we were tasked with making a 'sew together bag' made of a fabric which featured roses.  This was a challenge not helped by the fact that 2 of the 4 zippers I purchased were faulty and I had no means of transport to go and buy another.  I put in a plain white zipper for the day but have requested the bag back so that I can replace that zip.  Thank goodness for You tube or I would never have worked out how to make this from the written instructions.

The bag I received was made by Mia and it is beautiful.

The fabrics are lovely both inside and out and mine came packed with goodies.

The friendship of these ladies is so important to me.  Thank you ladies.