Sunday, July 10, 2011

Quilt and matching cushions

The sewing machine has been busy these past few days with the last stitch in place only moments ago.  Not to mention tying in all those ends!

Though the block pattern is easy the fabric gives the substance.  I had the brilliant green in my stash box for some time, originally purchased it for a project I forget what.  That project never left the ground!  When thinking about a birthday gift for my son undergarments, T-shirts, and other wearables hardly made the list.  I suppose it might be true to say I have taken to this quilting lark and look for any excuse to make another.
As I expect this quilt to find a place on the couch ... a warm cover for cold wintery nights ... a couple of matching cushions may be handy.  The quilt is backed with a warm flannel and I machined stitched 'wavy lines' for the quilting.  In the Ditch would not have given the same effect, whereas the wavy lines were just as simple, and in this case, I think, more effective.

Monday, July 4, 2011

Ladybugs

Ladybugs ... or what I call them Ladybirds, though when one gives the matter some thought, of course they are bugs.  But ... bugs?  Mmm, conjures up images of creepie crawlies doesn't it?  And I am not a particular fan of creepie crawlies.

"Ladybird, ladybird, fly away home, your house in on fire and your children alone" is a ditty we chanted as children.  I wonder if children of today's oh so modern age know such ditties.

Over the last few days I have sewn the top of a post and rail, or is it just post, quilt top, completed a huge cushion to match, and feeling rather pleased with my calm temperment [meaning everything went well] decided to have a slight change of tempo.  The sandwiching of the quilt, actually quilting it for it is larger than I have ever attempted before, and sewing on the binding is best left for another day. 

The washing was on the line [must get it in shortly before the damp night air descends], and I felt like making another dishcloth; this time from a pattern that incorporates a ladybug.  Not having red cotton ~ I use a cotton/bamboo thread ~ I opted for pink ... a paler shade of red!
A little over two hours later I had it finished.  Another item for the gift box!