Miranda's latest

My young pupil has mad her first skirt.  It is a needle cord print. She matches the seams nicely and her zip went in a treat!  Well done ....

Oscar's Quilt

A lot has been going on n the stitchshed lately, my fingers have been busy, busy busy.......

This quilt was the idea from Clare my youngest daughter - she wanted to preserve some of Oscar's baby items.  I suggested the bunting design.  I gave her a quick lesson on bondaweb as most of the fabrics were cotton jersey.  Clare ironed, cut and stitched the design onto 100% cotton sheet with the help of Oscar at times!   I free-motion quilted it with a triangle /bunting shape design and bound it.   

It was a resounding success as you can see......

Red Square

This quilt is purely made from scraps.  It is a Bonnie Hunter Free pattern and I must say it grew quite quickly.  The quilting is not brilliant as I was practising free motion quilting on my home longarm, but it's not too bad.

I have a little Fiat 500 and this quilt is destined for the back seat of Nippy Nora!

Silver Wedding Cushion

Some friends of ours celebrated their silver wedding today and I decided to make them a little momento.  It was an embroidered and patch worked cushion with applique hearts in the centre, their names and dates.  I then embroidered rows of hearts.

Wilderness Trail

Many moons ago I started this quilt at a local retreat and a few weeks ago I pulled it out of my unfinished projects where it was buried!   It now has a new home in our friends house.

It is a moda fabric called "wilderness trail".  It has a beautiful quality to work with and quilt.  I free motion quilters it on my home longarm.

Here is the back view 

The makings of a young Seamstress

My young pupil has been busy over the last few months learning lots of processes including zip insertion, seams, fitting and the list goes on.

Pyjama shorts 

Pencil Case

Reversible Bag

Star Pupil

On Saturday I was back with Miranda for a further sewing lesson.  We had decided before the break to make a cushion cover for her room.  Miranda went shopping (not a hard thing for a girl to do) and she chose a duck egg blue and pink zig zag print for the front and a contrasting res and white sausage dog print.

From a matching fat quarter Miranda drew a folksy heart shape and I taught her to turn in a 1/4" seam all round clipping the edges for ease.  Miranda then applied the heart to the centre of the top and machined it in place.

For the back we decided to do an envelope opening.  Miranda turned over each edge of the opening and machined along about a inch from the edge.  Her straight stitching is becoming so neat.

The final stage was to put the backs and the front right sides together and sew all the way round.

Viola!

I think you'll agree a successful product.  Well done Miranda.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Earlier this week I loaded Sue's quilt on my frame ready to quilt. To load a quilt it takes about 45 minutes which I normally do the night before as there is a lot of stretching across.  Then I'm ready to roll the next morning!

As you can see it a pretty and colourful quilt just right for Sue's first grandchild who arrived yesterday - beautiful little girl.  

We agreed that free motion vermicelli would be the most effective quilting design as it would depict the caterpillar's meandering movements.   As the quilt was so colourful we both felt felt a strong coloured thread would be appropriate.  Sue chose purple which has brought the whole quilt together.  It is a single size bed quilt so it took me the morning to quilt it and then I squared the quilt edges ready for Sue to add the binding.

I think you will agree it is a beautiful quilt.  A successful finish.

An expert in the making

I have two mor session with my pupil, Miranda.  Her sewing skills are increasing for both large and small projects.  The small project was a pin cushion.  Miranda worked hard on several intricate stages including turning corners on the sewing machine, stitching two layers together, stuffing and closing the gap with hand stitching.

The next project was a made to fit apron.  Miranda handled each stage with great gusto and managed to complete her apron in just under two hours!  Well done.  

Successful Bag Making Session

Yesterday I had a successful bag making session with my young pupil, Miranda.  Miranda learned very quickly how to thread her sewing machine, start and stop stitching.  Miranda practised on strips of scrap material so that she got the hang of it.   

In no time at all we had cut out the bag and lining. Then the stitching began.  It is a simple bag that is lined and measures 10" x 10" with long handles.  Miranda chose an Easter theme fabric which is very pretty as you can see.    Thank you for an enjoyable morning Miranda and see you next week.