English Paper Piecing.....

About seven years ago I joined the Fat Quarter Bargains Club at a local quilt shop called Sew Sisters. Each month 10 fat quarters were mailed to me. It was a great deal but after awhile I had a LOT of fat quarters....LOL I had to quit while I still had room for them all. I have no idea why I joined as I never intended to make a full size quilt. Fabric junkie I guess and it was such an easy way to shop for small amounts of fabric for dolls and crazy quilting.

There were a few sets that I wasn't really in love with though. There was one batch that I decided to use to make hexies. For what I don't know. No real plan. Just to use up the fabric I guess.

Then recently I was looking for something to get me started back into hand sewing again. I found the hexies and I put them together and made a table runner. I've never made anything like this before so it was a learning experience.

I'm not a quilter so I struggled with what to put where. I only had a limited number of hexies and options for pattern and colour. I even asked the husband what he thought. Then along came my son who also offered his opinion. In the end this was the result...all hand sewn. I think I like how it turned out. I'm getting used to it. Blue is not a colour I choose to use very often. The dark blue and the pale green don't really work that well together but hey I used up the fabric and made something. Best of all I'm sewing again.

The fabric is called "Heard it on the Grapevine".

It looks like there were a couple of colour versions of it. I think the one I used is called Summer Breeze. It's by Sue Beevers for Northcott Fabrics.  You'll see on her website that not all of the collection is still available. I much prefer the Autumn Warmth version but then greens, rusts and browns are my favourites.

I'm adding this post to the WIP Wednesday Link-Up at the Needle and Thread Network as I haven't  done that in a while. I hope you pop over and visit.

Take care:)

Happy January 1, 2018

Wow it's been a bit of time since I last posted on here.

I got out of the habit of checking out my blog list every day which is a pity. I spent a few hours today visiting here and there. Lots of lovely stitching and eye candy. Just what I need to get my creative muse back in gear.

I haven't been idle though. There has been the odd bit of sewing. Mainly for my granddaughter's Wellie Wisher doll called Willa. It has been one toy that she continues to play with.

I made a few summer dresses.

Mini dresses :)....finished length about 6 1/2 inches. 

Then there was a lull as I had made quite a few outfits at this point.

She asked that I make something for Willa for Christmas. So I went to my favourite Etsy pattern store....Pixie Faire Doll Clothes Patterns..... and looked at their selection and found a Galactic Warrior outfit and a Jedi style cape. My GD loves Star Wars.

It was fairly easy to make but to be honest I'm not in love with the cape. The fit is very strange. I also made some boots which after three attempts sort of turned out okay. Now I know what to do I think I'll make another pair that are just a bit better looking. I also made a Light Sabre from doweling that my husband cut for me. He also sanded the ended so it was rounded off...perfect. I painted it with metallic blue paint and made a handle/grip with faux leather that I then painted metallic pewter.

The whole thing was a great success.

Here are some pics...this is not Willa by the way. This is my Wellie Wisher doll Camille that I use as a model when sewing. 

Hope you all had a great Christmas and a Happy New Year. I also hope you are having warmer weather than we are....brrrr.

Take care :)