finish-a-long: Q2 ound up & Q3 list!

Firstly Q2 round up and finishes... 

My nanas 80th birthday gift- made her a quilt!

Easter gifts- both were finished and gifted them both on time.

My meadowland quilt- now quilted but needs binding still

Car accessories- no progress 

Unicorn pouch- sadly not

Pin badge banners- still not looked at it

Green blanket- hiding in a cupboard!

Adele dress- no progress

Liberty cushion- finished and now on the liberty London website! check out the sew along article here.

Birthday stitchers swap project 2&3- I did one... little sneak peek in bottom corner.

Postage stamp quilt- made for my nans 80th! 

My first proper pattern release- yes, read about my pouch here... or buy it here. 

Plus I want to do a bit more on my ice cream soda quilt, hopefully more than last quarter- I did twice as many this quarter. still a long way to go but im happy.

I really wish I could have finished more projects, but that's just the way it goes, maybe next time!

Time to plan Q3...

• finish my meadowland quilt- needs binding!
• an EPP case for myself (possibly as a pattern release too)
• a heather ross quilt
• car accessories
• unicorn pouch
• adele dress
• green blanket
• Annie's advent
• birthday stitchers projects 3&4 (still wont be able to show you but will need them ready to send)
• use cork! (have a liberty cord and cork little pouch planned)
• pin badge banner
• butterfly cross stitch
• jo's gifts
• Tasha noel seaside skirt
• Christmas bunting
• my advent
• Christmas cross stitch
• Christmas pouch ig swap
• polar bear cushions
• liberty HST quilt

... of course more progress on my ice cream soda quilt too, although im not expecting that to get finished this year now.

This list is so long, I just know I wont do it all. part of me thinks im just setting myself up for a fail, however its better to be here to remind me what I actually need to do. I am getting very distracted lately and think this at least gives me the full list to go at! Only time will tell.

I am using the #2019falcraftylilmouse for all my finish-a-long projects, if you wish to check them out.

If you want to join in the finish-a-long please go visit the blog here.

Mx

Cotton + Steel cushion swap - what I received

I received my #cottonandsteelcushionswap parcel from Naomi (@naomic08) and it is wonderful.

 

 

Firstly the cushion cover, which is a super FPP heart design. She used a selection of rainbow cotton and steel fabrics. She did some echo machine quilting and added some little hand stitched/quilted details in matching rainbow colours.

It is a wonderful cushion and just what I wanted, since I would never have chosen an FPP pattern myself!

 

 

Naomi included some very lovely extras too. A large #speedyvinylpouches using one of the beauty shop hankie panel images, which is just perfect for me. Some fabrics which will be used in my ice cream soda quilt and other little projects. Plus the adorable little pegs, covered with cotton and steel fabrics. What a cute way to use up even the most tiny scraps. 

 

 

I have really enjoyed this swap and I think everyone else taking part did too. Go check out the #cottonandsteelcushionswap on Instagram and give the fabulous makes some love!

 

Mx

 

Cotton + Steel cushion swap- what i made!

 

In may I decided I would host a swap for the first time. I had a little hiccup but overall it’s been a success. Although everyone has not yet received their cushions, I think everyone has enjoyed it.

 

My #cottonandsteelcushionswap partner was @made.in.hackney.by.karen and since she has received her parcel I thought I’d share what I made.

 

 

Firstly the cushion cover of course. I decided I’d make the front using half square triangles and after some encouragement on Instagram, I’d try to use as many prints as I could. I tried a few different layouts and played with where the colours were going but decided on this. Apparently it’s a barn raising design, although I didn’t know this at the time. It’s definitely not as random as I set out to do but because it’s me, that isn’t surprising. I decided to hand quilt it using black perle thread. I didn’t do anything too fancy since it was my first time doing proper hand quilting (previously I have only tried the kantha stitch on my liberty cushion) I used a quilting hoop this time which definitely made it feel different. I love cotton and steel salvages, they are such fun, So wanted to include one on the back. I chose this sewing themed one (from the add it up basics) and happily the cotton and steel words just fit too. I picked a pink sprinkle basic to match and the black add it up for binding.
 

 

I just love how all the different cotton and steel prints work together. Although it’s not what I would have made myself, I definitely would now. I’m quite proud of how it turned out including the hand quilting, which I was worried about. 



On to the extras and Karen had included a mushroom on her mosaic, so it was an obvious item to make. I looked through my stash and found these little people to go around the bottom. A selection of pink prints for the top and a nice blue for the underneath. I added hand stitched crosses and other details to finish it off nicely.
 

 

On to the extras and Karen had included a mushroom on her mosaic, so it was an obvious item to make. I looked through my stash and found these little people to go around the bottom. A selection of pink prints for the top and a nice blue for the underneath. I added hand stitched crosses and other details to finish it off nicely.
 

 

Next was a #speedyvinylpouches using the welsummer range. I thought a bit of Epp would be nice but opted to use larger hexies to make the most of the prints. I chose the smaller print from the range for the inside, sparkle vinyl and binding the same as the cushion. 
 

I also included a pack of cute sewing pins and made a basic card using a hunkydory sewing image, from a little book.
 

I was a little worried Karen wouldn’t like it but so pleased she does. I am told the cushion is in her sewing room chair and the mushroom will be joining her collection. 
 

Mx

Snappy zip pouch

So I have now released my first pattern! It’s called the snappy zip pouch and I thought I’d tell you all about it!

It all started with the gift I made for the #send a little love swap I took part in January/February. I decided to create this double sided pouch. One side has a zip and the other a snap fastening (or in this case 2)

I was very happy when the recipient loved it and I got many compliments. A couple of people asked if I’d be making a pattern because they would like to make one too. I wasn’t sure at first but then thought why not... it wasn’t the easiest to do though. I tend to make little scribbles as I sew when I’m making it up as I go, sometimes I can’t even understand them and definitely not enough to write instructions! 

I decided I’d start again, worked out the measurements and take pictures as I sew. Then came the written instructions, for this I talked my sister into helping. She is loads better at English but only a beginner at sewing, so explaining everything wasn’t the easiest. We thought we had done alright but wasn’t quite happy with our first attempt. I sent it to a couple of people to pattern test for me and give some feedback. Then came the stress of making amendments, a few diagrams and deciding the pictures weren’t quite right. I ended up making another pouch to show everything clearly and I am so glad I did. Then it went off to the pattern testers again, plus an extra as a fresh set of eyes.

During this time I also made a couple more and changed the sizes and made a few alterations. My sister was not pleased when I asked to add more to the pattern, but as a consumer I always love bonus sizes so thought it could only be a good thing. 

I’m so happy with how it turned out and the pdf download is now available in my Etsy store. I feel nervous about the whole selling thing but also I’m so excited to see everyone’s pouches. 

Would I do it again... part of me thinks no. It’s a lot of effort and I found it quite stressful, however... maybe, yes. I have another pouch I’m desperate to make myself but feel it could also be a nice pattern to share. I think we learnt a lot and it might be easier the second time, so we shall see...watch this space!

If you want to make your own #snappyzippouch visit my Etsy here to buy the pattern!

This whole experience was part of my finish-a-long project list for this quarter. You can read more about my projects here. It is almost time for Q3 so if you fancy joining too, visit their blog here.

Mx