My #100daysusingcottonandsteel project finished!

Let’s face it my #100dayproject2020 did not go entirely to plan. There's some projects on my list I intended to do and didn't, some I actually finished and a few I started, but are still in progress. So here's a run down of the projects I made...

The postage style quilt- I was super pleased to get it slightly bigger than I expected at 84 inches square. This was 441 4” squares in the end! I chose a quilting design that needs custom quilting by a long armer and there was quite a wait list, so it will be a while before I get it back to bind and finish. We will all just have to wait a while for those photos, but here is the finished top before the quilting!

The scrappy triangle cushion- this was finished early in the project. I pieced and then hand quilted it. I am super happy with how it looks and it's now in full use in the lounge. Tutorial blog for that is here!

Patchwork tote- well this was worked on a little in the middle of the 100 days but left until the last push to actually finish. I went with using only melody miller designed fabrics in the end and love the way it turned out.

Pin badge banner- made for my sisters birthday. I have been wanting to make one for ages, so I’m pleased I have made one now. I added a rainbow panel to the top for some fun colour. I also made her a key ring with the perfect selvage too!

A rainbow jelly roll quilt- so technically I didn’t use a jelly roll at all, which would have made it so much easier. Anyways, I am so happy with my new quilt. You can see and read more about it here including where to get the free pattern to make your own!

Selvedge cushions- I always wanted to use the fun selvedges from my stash but I wasn’t sure what for exactly. I took inspiration from a quilt a lady was making on instagram. I didn’t have any where near enough for a quilt, so I made a pair of cushions instead. They look so fun with my quilts and other cushion in the lounge.

I made 2 pouches- one to join in with a sew along, (although I didn’t like the original size so changed everything.) I made another where I supersized the idea to be a pencil case, again using all my own measurements and a different construction method to make it work.

A fabric bookmark using a few scraps, which I was going to give away but ended up keeping in the end... I did gift something else instead !!

I also made a few smaller projects: a #weeboxybasket (pattern by sweet cinnamon roses), 2 key rings using selvedges, which feature the fun text and prints to make them extra special for myself and mum and a simple hair ribbon, made using lawn fabric for extra softness.

It wasn't just me using my cotton and steel stash in the 100 days... My mum used my mini travel pinnie pattern (available in my Etsy store here) to make a gift for my sister.

My sister is also in the middle of using my stash to make herself a quilt too! I didn’t take photos to share but I finished cutting out my entire ice cream soda Epp quilt. I also cut out and have started a triangle quilt, more will be shared for that soon, hopefully. I also used some stash doing a giveaway of 70 precut hexies. 

So overall during the project I might not have finished everything but I feel like I got a lot made so I’m happy with that. I did however end up purchasing a few bits, mainly large cuts for backings and a few basics. This definitely wasn’t helpful in reducing my stash. In fact even though I have made so many things, including cutting out 5 quilts, I still don’t look to have used much!

I learnt I actually like doing my other hobbies still and miss them if I give something else too much attention. I also feel a little lost now my challenge is over and my focus has been removed.

I think going forward I need to set smaller goals to get the sense of achievement, but definitely make time for other activities I enjoy too. 

Mx

Birthday stitchers swap 2020... what i made!!

I decided to take part in the birthday stitchers swap on Instagram again this year. I was so pleased to be making for one of my close friends again too! I had so much to choose from the inspiration mosaic Zena made, it was full of fun ideas and I was quickly excited to get started. 

For the main make I chose to make a quilted tote bag with strawberry patchwork. I used similar construction to the previous one I had made, but changed the measurements (I'm hoping to do a tutorial blog for this soon!). I knew Zena had already received a larger grey tote, so it would be nice to make something different and a bit smaller. The smaller size also made more sense to fit the size of the patchwork strawberry

To make the bag I used red and green scraps for the strawberry patchwork and Everglades by Betsy silver for Michael Miller for the white. I added an Essex linen in ‘midnight’ to finish the bag outer nicely. For the lining, I used Strawberry tea by Axelle design for Michael Miller and added a slip pocket inside. This print felt like the perfect match for the patchwork design on the outer. I picked the Aurifil thread in shades 2745 & 2021 to use as I thought the colour matches were great

For the small makes, I started with a medium sized sewing case as Zena had included a few similar ones on her mosaic. I didn't want to purchase another sewing pattern, so I just made it up as I went along. I'm pleased with how it turned out, (although I'm sure there was a lot easier way to make it, so I wont go into that!) 



The main feature of this make for me though was the EPP. I didn't want to do just regular hexie shapes, but I don't feel quite ready for anything as fancy as clam shells. I decided a honeycomb was a nice option, it was a little different but still in my comfort zone. It also worked very well with the fussy cut images that I wanted to include. I felt it would be too much to make the entire case from patchwork, so I opted for a panel on each side instead. I joined my EPP shapes together, appliqued them onto the linen, then quilted over the top. This was the first time doing something like that and I'm so happy with how it looks. I used several prints from the Penny Rose fabrics 'bunnies & blossoms' by Lauren Nash range, some cream/ natural linen (I cant remember the shade colour) and Aurifil thread '2311'. I know Zena likes to add extra details into her makes, so I thought it was only right I did the same when making for her too. I made zip charms using some strawberry shaped beads and handmade hearts. I also used a single honeycomb shaped piece of fabric, appliqued on to the inside with stuffing in, to create a mini pin cushion!

Next was a small drawstring pouch with a pocket on the front. To make it, I used some cotton + steel fabrics. Zena said she likes neon's and I knew I had some prints that I had bought without a plan of what project to make with them. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to use them. I liked using the different prints but felt like they blended a bit to much, so I went in search for some trim and ribbon. The neon was a struggle to find and it isn't a perfect match, but it's close enough to make the pocket look pretty and fasten the pouch.

The last little make was one of my mini travel pinnies.  I used the Riley Blake 'little sweetness' range by Tasha Noel, which I know Zena loves and managed to fussy cut the little dresses for the front to really make a feature of the print. The extras that I bought for Zena was a Cath Kidston mug, a 'z' candle and some charms. The best gift wrapping for any sewist is fabric of course, tied with a big ribbon. I also made a little scrappy keyring that served as a gift tag! 

It was a pleasure making everything and I'm pleased to say Zena loves her gifts. More photos of her gifts are on my @craftylilmouse Instagram account and you can go see all the beautiful things Zena makes on her account @mycreativepottylife too!

As for my birthday stitchers swap parcel, I still have a while to wait. I am already getting excited and will share those as soon as they arrive...

These projects were on my finish-a-long list, so I can tick them as complete!!

Mx

tweet tweet...

I thought I'd share some more of my hand stitched felt key rings with you. I found a template on pintrest and printed it out. I then used this to cut the felt pieces to make the birds. Each one has two pieces for the body and two wings, I used a different shade of the coloured felt for the wings and chose embroidery floss to match. I laid the pieces out with a wing on each body piece making sure they were facing the opposite way so they would come together to make a bird. I then secured the wings with blanket stitch on the blue one and backstitch on the others. I added French knots in black thread to create eyes. I then stitched the two body pieces together using blanket stitch. Once part way round, I added stuffing to give the birds some shape and secured a loop of ribbon to attach the key ring and completed the stitching to close the gap. These were nice easy shapes to cut and sew, so they would be perfect for beginners !

 

Mx 

very strawberry...

I made this strawberry keyring using panels of red felt. I added yellow French knots all over the panels to represent the seeds. I blanket stitched the panels together to form a cone shape, I then stuffed it before closing up the gap completely. I used green felt and cut out a pointy flower shape to make the leaves. I back stitched all the way around the edge and attached it in the centre, to the strawberry.  instead of using ribbon for this keyring, I made my own loop at the top.

Mx

i carried a watermelon...

 

a friend requested a watermelon, after seeing my previous  keyring's. I cut a circle of green felt, a slightly smaller one in white and a slight smaller one again out of pink. I used coloured embroidery floss/ thread to add some details and secure the layers together. I folded my circle in half to find the centre and stitched a ribbon loop on the back. I cut out another circle of green felt, to the same size. I folded this in half, then trimmed either side down to make an elipse. I blanket stitched along one side attaching the front to the back, I then stuffed the watermelon. I made sure the shape was right and made any adjustments, by just trimming the felt a little. when I was happy with the shape I blanket stitched it all together, I added a bit more stuffing before I closed up the gap completely. I added on my metal keyring hoop to finish.

Mx

an apple a day...

 

to make this cute keyring i simply cut my felt out using my hand drawn template as a guide. i layered the felt pieces together, using backstitch then added satin stitched pips for detail. i cut out two leaf shapes glued these together and used a back stitch to secure them. i attached a ribbon loop and the leaf onto the back panel of the apple. i used a blanket stitch to secure the front to the back, leaving a gap for stuffing. once stuffed I stitched up the gap and add a metal keyring to finish!!

Mx

hoot!!

i hand-stitched this cute owl key ring from some felt. to make a pattern i used the SU! owl punch to cut a piece of paper. i photocopied this to enlarge to the size i wanted. (i think that keyrings need to be big enough to be able to sew and stuff but not too large for general use.) i cut all my pattern pieces out in felt and used some embroidery thread/floss to attach the appliqued elements. when i was happy with my design i attached a loop of ribbon to the back piece of felt. i blanket stitched the 2 pieces together, leaving a small gap to be able to stuff it. (a nice padded effect is good, but do not over stuff). once stuffed, finish the blanket stitching to close up the gap and add your keyring to the ribbon loop.

more felt projects coming soon...
 

Mx