Project 4 Patchwork quilt is Complete

Well its 99% done!

It has taken a while as obviously I can only do it at night time when Izzy has gone to bed.

I didn't make it as a traditional all in 1 quilt, mainly because I wanted to be able to wash it at home, and with it being the size of a double duvet it might not wash well if it was like that.
Instead I made it like a duvet cover, it has the patchwork layer, then a cream cotton layer and then the other cream cotton layer - so the duvet goes between the two cream sheets. I did this becasue I didn't want to risk the stitching on the patches being damaged when putting the duvet in and out. The duvet was a double 4.5tog, I only had to trim a small piece off the one side for it to fit.

Here are some pics

Project 8 - Nappy inserts

We use cloth nappies so I had a go at making an insert for them, I used bamboo velour for the topper and then bamboo terry for the rest.
This one is a 'super' as it has 8 layers of bamboo terry!
Again my kam pliers aren't here and it needs a couple to snap into the nappy and a one to hold the fold up. I have done it long like this rather that all stitched as bamboo, being very absorbent, takes a while to dry if its very thick.

Project 7 - Cushion covers

Tonight I made two huge cushion covers (24"x24" cushions) for Izzys room, at the moment they are pillow case style as my Kam snap pliers still haven't arrived - will add the poppers when that gets here. They won't look so baggy then.

The fabric is so soft - its gorgeous!

I also made a couple of mini cushions for Izzys dolls!

Project 3 - Isabelles bedroom curtains

I started this today - determined that they would be really good!

I read a few tips and I have to say the extra effort and time is well worth it.

They are unlined as the room needs plenty of light, they have tab tops.

Actually they were really easy to make - first I folded and pressed both long sides, 1cm over and then again 1cm over. Stitched that.
Then I did the top and bottom hems the same way, making the top one wider as I had to attach the tabs to that.


I made the tabs in a similar way, as in pressing and stitching - makes everything so much easier and neater


The thing I still can't find a good way to finish is the bottom of the tabs - I tried to do a zigzag , but with the 4 x thickness of the tab plus the 3 x thickness from the hem it was quite thick and needle kept getting stuck - so maybe I need a bigger one or something? I am not overly worried as its is something that isn't visible unless you take the curtain down, and I can rectify it when I find out how!

Project 6 - Curtain for Utility door

Not happy with just the draught excluder...my OH wanted a door curtain too.

Luckily I had the right amount of black sequinned material to make one, although I had nothing to line them with. I got some red curtains that are no longer used (they were in Izzys nursery) - I needed both of them for the lining.

First I stitched them together, they were a few inches too wide and a foot long, so I trimmed the width down but have left the length until they are hung so I can hem them the right length

Then I put the right sides together and stitched the 3 sides, leaving the bottom open. Turned it back the right way ready to put my tab tops on.

I used some of the red material and made tabs, so that about 1 inch by 2 inch was showing for the pole to go through, just stitched these on to the top of the curtain with a big X shape stitching.

I also made a tie back, the same principle as the curtain pretty much, with a loop each end to hook onto.

I cant hang it yet as I need my OH to screw the curtain rail up.

Project 5 - Draught excluder snake

The dogs live in the utility room, which is perfect except the door is rather draughty - we make do with old towels ect on the floor, but its far from ideal.

So I bought some beans to make a draught excluder.

It took me a while to stuff one leg of a pair of tights with enough beans

Then I sewed some black material (with nice embroidery and sequins) to make a tube, closed off the one end. Stuffed the full tight leg down the tube (was quit tricky!), then stithed up the other end!

Done - simple but does the job!

Project 4 Patchwork quilt

I decided that since I am decorating and creating a whole new bedroom for Isabelle - that I would make her an extra special patchwork quilt! How hard can they be?!



I have picked out some fabric squares, and have put a bid on them...lets hope I win them! I have bid on enough to make the quilt hang roughly 10 inches down the side (the bed is about 18 inches tall), also there will be enough squares for a pillow case cover/shim


This is her bed - a quilt should look lovely on there.

Project 3 Curtains

I bought the material for these curtains ages ago, the plan was that my mum would make them, anyway plans change and I am doing them.

The walls are a gentle yellow, so I needed something bright but not really too babyish

Project 2 - Adjust duvet cover

I put the new duvet inside the duvet cover I got from Ikea - to find that as usual their sizes are HUGE and there was spare fabric hanging off the side...very annoying!
It was pretty simple to sew a straight line up both sides 7cm in (I considered just doing a larger cut on one side but obviously the opening wouldn't be central) then I cut the excess off and zig zagged the edges, seems okay I hope the edges hold up in the wash though!

This is the set, stock photo but will update when the bed is set up.

Of course Isabelle will need another set of covers, so I will make a set from scratch.

Project 1 Bib - Sewing machine arrived today

look
My sewing machine arrived today ...wooohooo..never really thought I'd be excited about that!

I had a little go at making a bib for Isabelle - nice and simple to start me off..

I used an old pink fleece jumper and lined it with really soft bamboo/cotton velour, with a metal popper on the back (my kam set hasn't arrived yet!)

I just cut the fabric slightly larger than a bib shape I like, put the fabric right sides together and stitched round the edges. Obviously left a couple of inches in one of the ends, turned it inside out and finished that off by turning both pieces of the fabric inside - was a bit fiddly and didn't look all that neat but I wasn't sure of a better way to finish it.
It must have felt nice and comfy as she didn't tug at it once, always a good sign!