Tiger shirt

Here we go! Just needs buttons. The kiddo likes snap buttons, I need to buy some more from spotlight, and maybe even see if I can get them at a better price. 

The big metal snaps don't always hammer in well, can dent, and can be tricky for little fingers.

Does it look like pyjamas because it's a light colour?

Hmm.

The next outfit will be this yellow cat suit. I've decided to make it as his special performance outfit for his first drums concert.

Yes, I bought it on sale, I have 2 metres of Tula Pink cat fabric from the Curiouser range. Just love it!

I'm going to make a kids shirt wardrobe!

 

The story of how I started sewing a lot

I love to sew. There was a time I didn't have many clothes, but Mum had fabric in her cupboard and a sewing machine, so I sewed my own.

Of course Mum used to make our clothes when we were very little. Back in those days it was much cheaper to do that. And I guess over time she collected large "remnants", end of bolts and such and popped them into the cupboard.

The elderly lady next door also sewed. She made everything. She was always making aprons. She made her own undies. Even bras I think.

I remember the power of creating my own clothes I loved in 1988 (year 9), and I was hooked. It started with pleated shorts, made from black and white stripe fabric, that fastened on the side with a hook and loop type closure.

After that I made myself another two pairs of shorts, from scraps in the cupboard, and in 1989 (year 10) my Christmas and birthday gift from Mum was a sewing course in knitwear. Maybe you heard of it? KnitWit. I absolutely loved it. At age 15 I was the youngest in the class. I made my own collection of clothes as we progressed through the 8 weeks of the course. Mostly in navy, white and a touch of red. And I made a cropped swing jacket in mustard yellow. Oops. (I now know to use earrings and hair accessories in those funky fashion colours, and make my jackets classic navy).

So that was when my sewing journey really started... but also kind of ended... at the end of year 10, Mum said it's time to get serious now and which maths and science was I going to do. Sigh.

I bought half a metre of this tiger fabric from Fabric by Missy Rose. It's a beautiful quality cotton fabric for clothing that holds its colour, doesn't pill, feels soft, 

There wasn't quite enough fabric to make the shirt, so I used a bit of leftover cotton doona cover from the bushfire charity quilts of 2020, and cut as pocket and collars. 

I've also appliqued a tiger onto the pocket to give some congruency.

My old Dad used to call his shirt pocket his front office. And now my son, who never got to meet my dad, loves a front office too.

 

 

Pumpin' the pumpkin runner

Hello! *waves like crazy*

I'm putting these little squares together. Chain pieced in my favourite way, just like with my Itty Bitty pieces.

What else can I make using these precious scraps from The Raven quilt? This needs some thought.

 

Another Itty Bitty

The first Tilda mini is complete and mailing out to its new owner. I love the tassels for dimension, especially when I think it's going to be a wallhanging. It kind of says, "this isn't big enough for a table centre, so please hang it on the wall".

"

I've made a sleeve at the back, but maybe little tabs at the front would be better? I'm undecided. Maybe it depends on the person.

This one is at my place, enjoying a turn on the walls.

I still have fabric for two more of these, but of course with the fabric cuts, and the arrangement, each one is different.

 

Pumpkin table runner

Ooh, this is a very pleasant part of the journey where I get to lay out the squares and play with arrangements. It comes so easily to me after creating so many quilts over so many years.

The browns don't look too brown.

I wonder if I need to cut more orange.

Yes, let's fit this in as well.

Bit more rearranging...

I can't wait to get this onto my table next to the big pumpkin quilt. What a statement!

I love home decorating.

Give me a few days to finish this.

 

Velvet Pumpkins

Uh-oh. Here comes the start of something.

I went into the TK Maxx store. The new one. There are now two in town, and the other one is inconvenient location.

So I came across these fabric pumpkins. 

Made from all kinds of material. Some look like they're made from old knitted jumpers, others from felt.

See the pumpkin strand above? It would cost more for the trim than it would to buy these already made.

Lots of fabriac styles, some with fabric stems, others with plastic or metal stalks.

I especially like the blue velvet one.

I'm torn. I'd like to buy one, but I also know that I make these kind of things. I also know that I couldn't buy the velvet, stuffing, weights and wool felt for this price. $15!

I will drool and pat it for a while, and keep an eye on what comes in.

TK Maxx is kind of a clearance warehouse with lovely homewares, gifts and clothes.

I just love pumpkins! Wouldn't this be beautiful with my pumpkin quilt?

 

My preferred needle turn technique

All these pumpkins have me going... my beautiful quilt hanging on the wall, pumpkins on the table... and I am inspired to make a table runner with the quilt scraps. 

I have tried many many methods of needleturn applique, but the FASTEST and the way that's programmed into my memory so much, just because I've done it so many times....

is the method using freezer paper.

The freezer paper pieces are removed through the remaining opening, as we go.

And then the last piece. 

I use YLI silk thread. 

It creates stitches that are barely noticeable.  I listened to others talk about using aurifil thread, but I didn't like it for applique in this way. The weight was so different. I really tried to persevere, but, I like what I like.

Alright! onto the next part of the table runner!

 

The Raven Quilt hangs

The Raven  quilt is hanging at home, and it's an exciting time to think of how I will decorate my house for Halloween for the first time!

I'm trying to take a good photo of my quilt!

Here's a little video...

Outtakes file.

Beautiful... just the beginning of the decorating... I am so excited! 

 

New boys quilt

I have an extra kit from a quilt I designed and sold years ago. 

A dear friend has a new grandson, and I would like to make something to send. I hope this Lil Cowpokes is fast to make, because it needs to be sent out soon!

I used a microsuede for the chaps. Time to add some fringing/embroidery next.

The first block begins. 

 

Slow stitching

I love how fast and slow these are to make at the same time. 

Using up some little scraps of Wonderfil thread from the quilt I made with raw edge applique/quilt at the same time. It just feels precious to keep these pieces and make them!

So that's a gift almost done, just needs binding.

I love my mineral paints. In an attempt to get ready for Father's Day stall at the school I prepped these mugs with primer, then mineral paint, getting ready to transfer a design with transfer medium.

Well, they all washed off so easily. So I gave it away, and will just wrap with a piece of raffia and a nice napkin, then fill with chocolates. That will have to do!

 

Two Littles completed

Oh! This Itty Bitty piece is complete! And gifted to a friend who loves provincial style. 

Janelle turns 50. I love the tassels for a wallhanging. I feel it doesn't look like a tiny piece of art on the wall.  But it is indeed art. And I want it to be seen that way.

Made from moda mini charms. French General.

The red one is for my cousin Katie. She got married and bought a house, so this is what I was able to send on my budget.

Made from Moda mini charms. French General.

So pretty! I stalked her social media photos slightly, looking at the home decor, I feel sure this works.

And finally, I cut up some regular charm squares I bought. It was a pack of Tilda, and I had no idea what to make with it. I decided I can make 4 of these Itty Bitty quilts/art pieces from the pack, and they can be gifted out and shared.

I'm glad I've chosen small art pieces for gifting this year. I have a lot of friends turning 50 and celebrating other milestones in the next year or two.

 

sashiko progress

Almost finished the sashiko panel I bought at the Craft Alive fair. I am enjoying this. The markings do start to wear off, I am grateful this is only a small panel.

The plan is to make a cushion gift. 

My question is: where am I going to find some Indigo fabric to go with the centre?

 

Angel wings

I love freemotion stitching to embellish, enhance, quilt, machine embroider, and embed energy into the altar cloths I sell in my etsy store.

Archangel Michael sold straight away.

SewIntuitiveByRainey.etsy.com

He is rather striking!

A sale here and there, funds my sewing addiction! Thank you!

 

Batik tiles

This is another one of those hand pieced pieces I've wanted to make. 

I'm planning this as a decorative throw pillow, as compared to a cushion. But I don't think I can stop the boys in my family from using it, squashing it, getting it dirty....

I've tossed around ideas whether to have the white in the very edge as well to create a flush edge, or whether to trim the block back to the straight point and then put a border.

I've decided to cut it flush.

I think it looks great! Next for the border.

This is the border print, I just love these colours together. It's a fresh tropical feel!

Ooh? What am I baking? A bit of food crafting....

Delicious! I wonder if I can buy spelt flour in bulk. I would like to start using it for all of my baking.

 

My spoils from the show

As promised, I'm sharing my shop spoils from the Craft Alive fair.

I was looking for bargains, things to go with patterns I have at home, and things that I don't see in my local patchwork shops.

This jelly roll and roll of batting were absolute bargain. $15 for the bag batting, and only about $20 for the jelly. I chose red and green as those are my favourite colours.

I already have a pattern that uses this style of make, and it won't cost me two arms and legs to have a go at it. Score!!

Next, a sashiko panel and thread. I'd like to make a cushion as a special gift.

Next, some candlewick threads. I've never been interested in making it for my own bedding, but I think it's pretty, and I'd like to have a go, then gift it.

And a bargain purse embroidery kit, including the metal clasps. It's so danged pretty!

I'd best put it away with this hoop that appears to be the perfect size.

I feel like I made some fun choices, with an interesting variety. I honestly have so much fabric, it's great to have some little choices and a day out.

BTW, I didn't stay long at the Craft Alive venue. They had sold out of food by 11am. Crazy to think that they would sell out before lunch! Obviously more quilters and crafters here than anyone expected! I will remember that for next time, it's not necessarily a whole day event here.