Primrose Corner

Just in case you’ve lain awake at night wondering what a pile of thirty-ish yo-yo’s looks like. It looks like this…

… tiny… tiny .. made the old fashioned way using a tin lid as a pattern. And then I didn’t have enough so I had to make even more…. bit of a miscalculation. Note to self : remember to double check the adding up……

So, if a group of geese is a gaggle, a group of crows is a parliament (not forgetting that a group of Ramblers out in the rain is a ‘Misery’) what do you think the collective noun for a heap of yo-yo’s ought to be ? All answers gratefully received…… I’d like a smile.

(I haven’t really lost it - it’s just it’s Friday and there’s a definate shortage of chocolate around here!)

Have a good weekend and stay warm!

It’s strange sometimes when you look at fabric and it almost tells you what it wants to be when it’s not longer flat wrapped around a carboard bolt.

That’s the kind of relationship I have with this
Barefoot Roses

It’s a beautiful old fashioned, blousy rose print and to me it always says ‘Grandma’ - my grandma. She used to love this kind of fabric print.

So, with a little bit ot sewing time I’ve made this -

it’s a simple little drawstring pouch. I used both the rosy and the polka dot fabrics, and pieced them together with the a soft pink fabric inbetween the main pieces, highlighting the pinks in the roses.

It’s a bit ot a sewing departure for me. If I make pouches, it is usually the zipped kind. But this is pretty, girly and pink….

It’s simply quilted with a cross-hatch design in a pale pink thread, which I thought would add to the old fashioned/vintage appeal of the fabric and the pink was again to draw attention to the roses.

I used the polka dot fabric as the lining and a narrow burgundy, velvet ribbon for the drawstrings. (Oops! I’ve hidden them a bit with the beads - I think I got a bit carried away.) Again, I thought the velvet has an old fashioned, opulent feel.

There - that’s without the beads

The beads? I raided them from my daughters dressing-up jewellery stash just for the photo. I’m trying to improve my photo’s and this is my attempt at creating a mood! (I need to sneak them back before she gets home from school! or I’ll know what mood means!). They probably were my grandmothers beads …. unintended realism?

What do you think to the bottom?

It’s a pleated, folded arrangement. Quite nice ? I’m thrilled that it turned out as well as it has.

Enjoy your weekend.

Two posts in one day … I know it’s simply not done is it? But look what at what Celia the post lady dropped through my letterbox!

It’s finally arrived. I’m so excited to get my hands on it at last.

It’s full of projects - modern contemporary, gorgeous, sewing projects. Manda McGrory (editor) says and I quote, that ‘Sew Hip’ was …..created for all of us that own too much fabric (of course there’s no such thing….. I can’t argue with her on that!

It’s full of things to do with fabric; small pieces…..
Now I wonder who designed you? Link I want one!

Recycled pieces:

Cute little projects for the little people …..

Visit this lady’s blog for more crafty fixes - Raspberry

… and good, potentially messy, (the best sort - in my opinion), ideas for crafting with the little people.

A felted bag - an ideal solution for those sweaters and jumpers you cooked in the wash

From Alicia Paulson of Posie gets Cozy

and quilts from charm packs, needle cases, bunting and gorgeous, gorgeous, plumptious cushions

and then there are interviews with Amy Butler, Alicia Paulson and…and……. I may be here for sometime.

Want a peep at next month……

This has been a week with poorly people. Colds again! Haven’t we done this already? It’s only October. Didn’t we have our colds quota in September. All that mopping of the fevered brow… Do I need to allot an amount in the family budget for cold remedies, tissues and all that paraphenalia? Time to get out the juicer again I think. There’s a wonderful juice made from tomatoes, chillies and red peppers (plus a dash of worcestershire sauce - if you like it) that really blows the socks of a cold. It’s the chillies you know, opens up the ‘tubes’.

Consequently, not a lot of sewing has been done and of what I have managed to do I can only show you this, because I’m taking part in a ‘Christmas Decorations swap’ and I don’t want to upset Father Christmas by giving the game away. Do you like the button in the side bar? The swap’s been organised by Indigo Blue. I’ve never been involved in a swap before - it’s nerve wrackingly exciting….

Anyway, this is the frilly buttonony thing….

I do like it - it’s all sparkly!

Yes, you’re right! It’s another little pouch and another experiment. It’s diminutive. It’s 20cm (8 inches wide) and stands a 12.5 cm (approximately 5 inches) tall (or short if you prefer). It has no depth. It is a flat pouch.

It’s made from a purple moda marbels (why do I always struggle to spell that?) marbles fabric, which I pleated into randomly spaced 1/4inch tucks. I know they were 1/4 inch wide because I used my 1/4 foot on the sewing machine. Once the tucks were finished I sewed straight lines with a variegated quilting thread in between the tucks. All pink, purples and greens. Lovely. To complete the fabric I added a mixture of different sized shell buttons in green and turquoise blue , so it’s all lovely and shiny. It’s a very tactile piece. I used wadding behind the fabric which gives it a nice squishy feel, apart from the hardness of the buttons of course, and it has a simple pink fabric lining. I decided it was just too tiny to add any kind of pocket-ty arrangement.

If you haven’t spotted the similarity already, it’s based on a design in ‘Handmade Embroidered Purses’ by Jenny Rolfe.

Can you see the picture on the top right? She used sequins rather than buttons and I might just make another with sequins. You’d get a slightly more delicate effect I think. In fact I’m wondering what this pleating and sequin/button effect might look like in my favourite wristlet pattern. Umm!

I like her books. I’ve said before that I need to practice my free motion sewing for the course I’m doing and these designs give me lots of ideas for practice. The ‘I can’t wait to get started’ kind of practice, not the ‘oh no! Not more…..’ kind of practice… walks away wih heavy feet…. I can’t cope if things get too repetitive. I get all stressy - as my darling son would say. The books also give you loads of ideas for using the practice bits too. So, that folk like me don’t get buried in the left over deitritus of one more outing with the darning foot and the sewing machine.

Which incidentally I’d better get back to whilst things are quiet!

How you interline your bag is often a case of personal taste and judgement. As you gain experience and develop personal preferences then obviously you make up your own mind. Nothing substitutes for the ‘personal’. That’s the beauty of ‘handmade’. A beautifully ‘crafted’ bag or beautifully ‘crafted’ anything is the result of that happy combination of experience and heartfelt creativity.

You do use it don’t you? It can turn the lightest of fabrics into the firmest of boxy little clutches with just a little know-how. This post isn’t intended as a how-to, however, it is intended as an “For Information” type of post.

Obviously, when Crafters such as you and I use patterns, pattern designers want the ‘Material Requirements’ on their pattern sleeves to be helpful, to ensure that we get the best results and most rewarding experience from making one of their designs. So. following the demise of Timtex, Amy Butler has reviewed her sewing patterns and has recomended the use of pellon products; Peltex and fusible Peltex.

Her recommendations vary with the particular sewing patern so if you’ve bought or are thinking about buying these patterns; Kimberly Bag, Sophia Carry-all, Betty Shopper , Weekender Travel Bag, Chelsea Bags, Madison Bags, or In Town Bags , then take a look at this. ‘Pattern Updates’

So, now you know. Remember though that the decision about which interlining to use is yours. Remember too that combining interlinings such as a fusible fleece with medium or heavy sew-in can give some very nice results. I quite often do this, because I like the tactile, squashiness that the fleece imparts to a bag but I also like the structure which the sew-in gives.

What’s your favourite way of interlining your bags?

I’m trying to get to grips with free motion quilting. You know, feed dogs down, attach the darning foot etc etc and off you jolly well go…. meandering, drawing, painting with thread across fabric. No particular rules - just freedom! Yay!

Don’t believe them! it’s not that easy, you have to practice, or in my case practice, practice and then practice some more. It’s trying to get nice even stitching whilst manoevering your fabric… and remembering to meander, that’s the challenge. My poor little brain hurts.

My real difficulty was remembering to breathe. That sounds silly doesn’t it but I tensed my muscles up so much that every now and then I’d suddenly get a desperate urge to just BREATHE, which of course interrupted the flow of fabric, thread and machine (Sigh!). That’s my problem of course, I need to relax a little. After three practice pieces my poor muscles felt as if I’d been to the gym!

Relax that’s the key. I’m fresh out of lavender scented candles but that probably wouldn’t have worked anyway because you have to breathe to inhale the soothing aroma…… Music then. so a few precious sewing minutes later I had music to provide a calming, soothing, backdrop to my intensive, physically grueling, learning journey. So, to the sound of Crowded House I tried a few more pieces with a double needle just for a bit of added spice and tried some more.
…must…..breathe….

Free-motion stitching with a double needle creates a kind of ribbon effect, very pretty in skilled hands. The wadding sort of ‘puffs’ up in between giving a subtle impression of cording. I used a green thread in one side of the needle and a variegated quilting thread in the other.

Anyway, with the two ‘best’ pieces I created this pouch or make-up bag. It’s got a curved zipped top. I’ve been seeing quite a lot of pouches with nicely rounded tops lately. They’re quite sweet and feminine looking aren’t they? It’s probably a bit bigger than most, at 22cm (9 inches) across the top and stands 15 cm (6 inches) tall. It’s about 5 cm deep (2 inches). A nice useful size.

Then I sewed on a few buttons, ‘cos buttons are for using aren’t they? They’re not just for squirrelling away in your secret button stash. Alright, I used quite a lof of buttons - I got a bit carried away.

Which side do you prefer?

I ‘buttoned’ both sides and because the fabric wasn’t worked as one piece the sewing is slightly different between them so I used buttons of differing sizes, styles and colour just to add to the really ‘handcrafted’ look. (Obviously, this was all completely intentional. No, really!) I like the overall effect though. Quite light hearted and fun!

Are you trying to learn something new? and what do you use your buttons for?

I’m off to buy more buttons and then I need to get some more relaxed (deep breath), practicing done, with a single needle this time. Oh! and did I mention that I need to buy more buttons….. it’s not an obsession or anything …… not really……

To answer the questions I’ve had about Timtex, from this talented lady of Indygo Blue and others I’ve had via e-mails I thought I’d post this. It may help but then again……..

Timtex has the texture of a squashy type of crispbread that’s been exposed to moisture for too long and when you sew it, it squeaks like not quite cooked green beans. (Yuk - I hate that sensation! It rubs on your teeth and ….. yuckky!). The wonder of Timtex has always been it’s versatility. It lends itself to being steamed into shape hence it’s loved by folk who make fabric bowls, hats ( Think baseball type hats) and by folk who make bags. Particularly loved by folk who make bags. I think the characteristic that always made it so lovely is that it’s firm but not hard. It takes stitching and quite dense embroidery beautifully without cracking or snapping. Lovely stuff.

I shouldn’t rant and ramble on……. but I do have some bad news and some a little better. Firstly, in case you haven’t heard, is that they are no longer making Timtex. Why? Who knows? It’s bad news for a lot of people who craft because of course you get to know the materials you work with and understand how they perform best etc and know that your lovingly crafted items are going to perform as they should.

The sad demise of Timtex

It’s an issue for a great many pattern designers too. Particularly those who believe strongly and with a passion in the products they produce, like Amy Butler. Her bag patterns recommend using Timtex and here in the UK it has been more difficult for us to source. But it has been here, lurking away in craft type stores. Supplies of Timtex around the world are dwindling …. (sorry! does that sound like an announcement of impending doom and disaster?), but just to cheer you up, there are a few metres left in my own shop. Link

On really a GOOD note, Amy Butler is in the process of writing an article about interfacings or interlinings (whichever term you prefer), as she has been ’searching’ for a suitable substitute or substitutes for Timtex to recommend on her patterns. Brilliant for those of us who love making her bags! (Has anyone ever told you how lovely she and the folk that work with her are?) An e-mail this week promised it shortly, so when I hear any more I’ll post a link or at least share what I find out.

There I was adding some Christmassy fabric bundles (mixes of reds and greens - which I thought might be useful for those sometime soon Christmas projects) to the shop and suddenly the application which does the up-loading of the photographs disappeared.

Where’d it go….. No warning - no message just stomped off and sulked somewhere. Had it taken itself off to the trash? No! Was it hiding amongst the applications somewhere tired and fed up? Or had it been abducted to that place where socks go to? Anyway, operations came to a halt and I made these instead.

These are the place mats or table mats if you prefer, from the ‘In Stitches’ book by Amy Butler. They’re big! A significant 20 inches by 15 inches. But are they big enough to protect my table cloth from the ravages of tomato sauce and other things that get spilt, dripped and spread around the table. (How old are they?). Time will tell!

They weren’t a difficult make. I just followed the instructions but instead of Timtex I used heavy sew-in interlining. I decided Timtex would be too firm, with a potential to curl up if the mats weren’t stored flat. I haven’t got a drawer to devote to their storage so I used the heavy sew-in, so that I can fold them to put them away.

The fabrics I used are Amy’s designs too. In case you’re curious the central green panel is Wallflower in green and the side panels are in Star Paisley in Lime. The combination makes a splash of ‘bright and cheerful’ for manic family meal times. (At least ours are manic. Stories and giggles from the day. Frustration with homework and deadlines. Aaah! What goes on? Aren’t meal times supposed to be calm?)

I had to sew in a hurry though…… logic took a leave of absence and I had to sew very quickly to make sure …
Look!

…. just made it!

Anyway, it’ll be fine dining at our house tonight. I’d invite you over but I only made four! Though there’s probably room for at least two to a mat, if we squash up a bit…..

Today I’m sitting with slightly singed fingers and injured dignity/pride/self confidence that sort of thing from a little exploration of selling my bits and pieces through a local shop. I’ll just steam away quietly …. doesn’t seem a positive way to start a Friday before a bank holiday does it? Best do something. I know I’ll get on with some sewing. Just look at what needs finishing….

This is one of those work in progress things(WIP’s). This one speaks for itself. It’s a quilt top, log cabin (you knew that didn’t you) and I’m absolutely in love with the way the colours have worked out. It’s a bit of a departure from the normal designs I make but you have to try different things sometimes. It was quite therapeutic; cutting out so many little bits, (Oh! the back ache.) stitching them all together (that needed a lot of organisation. ), to make the blocks. Stitching the blocks together to get to this…..

The decision and if you’ve any suggestions they just might help, is what to do with the borders? I can’t decide whether to have one fairly wide border, 3 inches or so (sorry, I always think in inches when I’m quilting) of dark red and quilt into that. Or have two borders; a narrower dark blue one and a slightly wider dark red one. I’d love to see it finished…… it’s making the decision that’s hard.

Coming next is ……

‘Apparently these blocks are called ‘a flying geese variation!’ I’ve used some Amy Butler fabrics and a gorgeous flowery blousy print designed by Kaffe Fassett and the spotty one from Anna Maria Horner All lovely Rowan fabrics!

It’s quite bright isn’t it? When I began these blocks of blousy floweryness, I was looking out at my garden. The resemblance is quite uncanny. (No! it isn’t a magic garden that grows fabric, I’m referring to the colours.) Really though, I was experimenting with using large fabric designs. It intrigues me the number of different looks you can achieve from one fabric, just by the way you cut it out, isolate bits of pattern motifs creating something which is sometimes, brighter and more complex than the original fabric. That’ll probably be a continued fascination/ exploration for me - I hope so.

It is quite LOUD, but I love it’s brightness. I’m sure it won’t end up being put in a cupboard to protect our eyes! What stands in the way of it’s ‘completeness’ is that I need to decide whether or not to use the two sets of four blocks to make one cushion cover and button it through the centre? That centre square just cries out for something doesn’t it? Or whether to applique a flower in the middle and make two cushion covers with an envelope back? (Two cushions is probably best, the children will be more fairly/equally armed for those cushion fights they swear they do not have! Like I believe them!)

My third sewing project on the go…. (or maybe it isn’t quite…. is this. Can you work out why it’s quite brown…russet like…. bark cloth? No! Well, it’s going to be, when I haul my sorry self back in front of the sewing machine an Amy Butler messenger bag and it’s for Mr Primrose. (He chose the fabric :)) He’s getting a little wary and weary or those rucksack for laptop type things which shout ‘Hello, I’m a laptop come steal me…..’ and he wanted something quite … well different. So, I’m about to begin stitching it together. It’s like all of Amy’s patterns lots of fantastically clear instructions, more unusually it has lots of pieces, heaps of them actually.

I’m going to use interlining instead of cotton canvas that is recommended on the pattern sleeve but I’m confident (!) that it’ll support the bark cloth better. I’ll report back how I get on - at the moment I can’t quite fathom the pencil pocket but It’ll probably become clearer when I start assembly.

Let me have your thoughts on the borders! Pretty please! Have a wonderful bank holiday weekend and may the sun shine bright!

I hate starting with an apology but the photo’s seem a little dark (It’s the torrential rain, you know.) even with all my manipultions in Lightroom. (I don’t know much beyond the very basics I’m afraid.) Anyway, on this dark and dreary day, here is a simple tote bag made fron Amy Butler’s home decor weight, Nigella fabric and a plain (I think you’re supposed to call them solids.) black fabric with a subtle basketweave pattern.

Vital statistics

It’s 12 inches wide, 1 1/2 inches wide, 14 inches tall and a 28 inch fabric handle.

It has a fabric handle (28 inches finished length), Nigella fabric on one side and the plain fabric on the other. It’s stitched along it’s length four times for added strength. It’s also interlined with a medium weight interlining which was a little bit of overkill given the heavier weight of the nigella fabric. I think I’d use a lighter interlining next time, if I felt it needed any at all.

The handle is looped through a nickel o-ring and sewn down in rectangle to try and keep everything tidy and nice.

The bag is lined with a solid dark burgundy fabric with a divided slip pocket in the same fabric. The pocket is trimmed with the main Nigella fabric. It has a magnetic snap to add a little security and help keep everything tucked safely inside.

I made and then added some black piping to the top edge of the bag, I’m not sure that I’d do this again because I don’t think it’s adds anything much. Perhaps in a different colour it would have made more of an impact?

I’ve started adding a extra piece of interlining over the back of magnetic snaps I add to my bags. To explain; in a bag like this I add the magnetic snap to the lining. The lining will also have an interlining, so that’s one piece of fabric ( the lining) plus the interlining. Through this I add the magnetic snap, then insert a further square of interlining over the prongs at the back and add the ‘washer’ part of the snap and fold the prongs inwards . (I know a lot of people like to fold the prongs outwards.) Over this, I sew a further square piece of interlining which covers the whole magnetic snap and protects the exterior fabric (the outside of your bag), which I also interline, from any wear and tear caused by the movement of the snap against the bag fabric. It’s a lot more complicted to explain than to do.

Why do I do this? Well…. it’s because I lost a much loved bag to constant use - the magnetic snap constantly pulling and rubbing against the fabric began to wear it away when the rest of the bag was fine. Sad……. so very sad.

Any tips, hints, suggestions for taking photo’s of bags (better than this anyway!) ?