Deconstructed Patchwork Christmas Tree

Here is my Nephew, Oscar. He does enjoy sewing and hasn't yet got a sewing machine so he comes to my house and we use mine. Our last sewing day was on Christmas Eve.

I have been so busy I just havent got around to keeping my blog updated.

We were working on deconstructed patchwork. No measuring allowed, all done by eye and perfect for children who can use a rotary cutter safely.

So, after buying some materials that he chose we got to drawing a design of a Xmas Tree on paper. Then simply sliced up rectangles and squares with the rotary cutter (yes I did hold my breath on a number of occasions!) After each piece was joined we trimmed the seams back to 1/4 inch.

This method gives fast results and never promises to match points and so you can just enjoy the sewing part. However the compromise is the rather wasteful use of fabric. It was so good to share this with Oscar, he had so much endless enthusiasm and was so amazingly quick to grasp techniques and instructions.

Well done Oscar! xxxxx Love from Lou-Lou!

Hand Pieced Christmas Star Patchwork Panel

Well yesterdays photographs were not very good, its a balance between memory usage on the site and getting detailed pictures. Hmm, so I need to work on that.

It's been a productive day, look what I've made with the diamonds! You can see the order that they need to be stitched in.

This is what I have ended up with. Considering I wasn't exactly fond of the fabrics or the idea of Christmas themed fabrics, I can't quite believe that this has turned out so well. I loved adding the border of rectangles which I just trimmed by eye each time I added another strip. I would like to make this part of a mini sampler quilt and incorporate some foundation piecing as well. So my next challenge is going to be improving my skills on my Electric Quilt software. I definitely want some Dresden plates...

One final thing on this panel, the outer red points, turning the seams in was tricky. Helped along by some spray starch sprayed into the lid so that it is a fluid and then brushing  onto the corners, tease into position and then dab with a hot iron. Worked a treat  and the sewing machine stitched without a hitch.

My last quick project for the day, I can't take credit for. I saw this done somewhere on the web and fancied having a go. It's a super fast Christmas star decoration which I think would be brilliant as a Christmas style bunting or garland, personalized gift label or whatever else you can think of.

As it's late I'll post up the pics which are completely self explanatory. I stitched on the machine, normal straight stitch width. I used a Frixion pen and some wadding scraps. Just sandwich the wadding between the fabric front and back, right sides out and stitch on the line. Remember to tack a ribbon loop inside before you sew. With pinked raw edges this is so much fun to make and really, really fast! Yes it will fray, but that's alright. You could layer organza over a print or stitch together strips and mark the template on the resulting pieced together fabric. Add buttons, a bell, bow, whatever!

I like Christmas sewing!

Christmas Diamond Paper Piecing

Gosh it's a busy time! I have had a super lovely day today, finished some sewing and had the pleasure of spending the day with my sister's family. We made a big roast dinner, listened to Christmas music and put up my Christmas decorations.

My son, Max is away in Cyprus right now and my Husband, Charlie is in Australia of all places! It's quiet, just me and Charlie boy, the dog and the crackle of logs on the fire.

So, I have been sewing! Mainly for the sewing class I am teaching at Beales in Bedford. We are working on English Paper Piecing. So far we have dabbled in simple hexagons and now are taking a break from that shape and moving to diamonds as it's a festive shape for a decoration. I have fussy cut these to create a kaleidoscope pattern in the middle.

In the center there is a 6 point meet and that can be tricky to get a neat finish so you can always stitch on a button or two or make a sweet little label like this one.

And look at this apron! I just love this! It has two gusseted pockets which means I can fit all of my notions and spares inside. Its a mid weight denim, tough but flexible enough. I saw lots of variations on the internet, some with sectioned pockets, but I'm glad I just have two large ones, a really flexible space which I can reach into and grab what I need. The applique, I would do differently now, but it was quick and fun.

What else have I been doing? Have a look at these cheerful, festive fabrics

There's a fun reindeer print on an oatmeal background. I just love the image of a reindeer! I don't really much like novelty fabrics, well not until now. Besides, I think it is really good to try and use different fabrics and unfamiliar styles, keeps the creativity going. As long as you don't hate the fabric that is!

These diamonds have a 1inch side. one is fussy cut.

 So I made 6 sets of those and added larger 2 inch sided diamonds. Next, my favorite bit, arranging the proposed layout. Isn't that a pretty little flower that has appeared in the middle?

I have added more, but that's for next time! Back soon...