Sunday, January 25, 2026

Rainbow clock


One of my Christmas presents from Lizzie and Matt was this £2 clock from Ikea. I have included the reverse of the clock so you can pick one up too.


I planned out the basic colours on a scrap piece of paper and then picked suitable skeins from DMC threads that were waiting to be put away. Having stitched those numbers, I then picked out the remaining colours from my storage boxes. I used three 12" lengths of DMC six stranded floss.


I have now hung the clock in my sewing room in an alcove where I store my overlocker.

Friday, January 23, 2026

Paris Je t'aime - section 4


I prepped the applique pieces of section 4 to take to my guild meeting on Saturday. However I woke late on Saturday and road works around the venue put me off going, so I stayed home and did the applique and then pieced the units together. I am pleased with how it's looking so far and I will now put the project away until February when I'll work on section 2.

I now need to work on my January UFO challenge piece which is the Noa dress by Tilly and the Buttons.

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Frosty tiny town

 

I took this piece to the framer last Tuesday and collected it yesterday. Initially I thought the painted frame was too brown but when I photographed it this morning it looked much better.


Monday, January 19, 2026

Design boards

 

Yesterday I did some cutting out for a pattern that I am designing. I pulled out my 18" design board to keep the pieces in some sort of orderly fashion. I made these design boards according to Lori Holt's instructions here. I ask my local framer to cut the mount board into 18" squares for a small cost. I also use premade bias tape for speed.  I don't however use a hot glue gun as I haven't mastered using one and I end up with big blobs of glue everywhere. Have you made any of these design boards?


Wednesday, January 14, 2026

WIP Wednesday

 

I have been working on part 4 of Paris, Je t’aime by Pride & Joy Quilting. I am surprised at my progress and I have all parts of the piece foundation pieced apart from one, so I need to prep the appliqué pieces next.


I was going to pin my fabrics to my design wall to free up space next to my sewing machine but instead I’ve laid them out on the window sill which is to the left of my sewing machine. I’m not worried about sun damage as I will put away the fabrics until February soon.

I still need to find pins and the kit pack from Nantes. I can then use the leftover fabric from the Nantes fabric first.

Monday, January 12, 2026

Project planning

 

I have started prepping my Paris, Je T'Aime by Verushka Karate as my fabric arrived during the week along with the starch. I have started by printing out the instructions and putting them in a folder. I printed out the foundation papers on speciality paper which I have grouped in the folder by section.

I tried the starch powder for the first time and made a BIG mess! The fabric was as stiff as cardboard, so I had to wash the fabrics and use spray starch. I have labelled all of the fabrics and have started sewing section 4. I need to find the kit for La Vie en Rose as I know that I have some of the same fabrics. I can then use up some of the smaller pieces for this project.

Monday, January 05, 2026

Frosty Tiny Town


I have completed Frosty Tiny Town by Heart in Hand on 32 count opal evenweave in the color Rai. It just needs a press and then I can take it to the framer. I like the framer's simple system - drop it off on a Monday (for example) and pick it up a week later.

I have now made a small start on A Honey of a tiny town.