Busy Two weeks

Having visited a local pet supplies, I got talking to the owner.  She makes cushions for dog beds stuffed with memory foam pellets.

That got me thinking and I was soon down to Dunelm Mills and bought some memory foam pellets and some material to make him a cushion for his basket.

I made it 10" deep so that it would be doubly comfy.

Next was  a cover for Ruby's bed.  She sleeps in an envelope and this was easy to make, especially as I bought some double sided fleece from Harrogate.  

We then bought 8 cu feet of memory foam pellets and Red's night time cushion was made from the waterproof material bought from Pennine Outdoors.

The left over fleece was made into a blanket.

Then I washed the cover from his old night time cushion and transformed it into a cushion for his summer house bed.

Then the spare night time cushion was unstuffed and made into a cushion for Dan.  Not that Red would get out of the basket so that I could photo it.

Whilst on a roll, I have made a cushion for the living room out of the spare material.

Now it's time to make something for myself, I think I've earned it.

PS

Where do you think Dan and Red are sleeping now?  Dan is on the landing at the top of the stairs and Red is on the sofa. 

Phew - Assignments Completed

In May of this year I thought it would be a great idea to learn more about using my overlocker, so I enrolled on the Martha Pullen Serger II Licensing Agreement internet course.  This course would not only be teaching me new skills but giving me a license (if I pass) to teach the lessons they have on the course.

In May the deadline of the 30th September seemed so far away.  Then I started the course and panicked.  There were videos to watch, new feet for my overlocker to buy and lots of supplies to get - most of them not available in this country.  Oops.

But on Sunday I finished the last piece and I have today submitted the assignment.  All I need to do now is wait for my accreditation.

Martha Pullen is mainly known for her Heirloom Sewing and the intricate and delicate nature of that style of sewing.  Tiny stitches and delicate fabrics spring to mind.  This course was mainly to do Heirloom Sewing on an overlocker!  How?  Was my first question.  But as the months went by and the number of practise pieces you have to do were completed, I soon understood how delicate sewing was achievable on an overlocker.

As well as inserting lace and bridging, I have learnt how to insert zips with an overlocker.  Not as strange as it sounds, and really very easy - just different.

We even had to complete some patchwork using an overlocker.  For me, though, this technique is superfluous and uses far too much thread.

One of the first things was to attach bridging and lace to fabric and to make pin tucks.  I got the bridging wrong, so had to resubmit it.

This was resubmitted and I got it right this time.

 Patchwork with an overlocker, not only that, but 1/4" seams and a bowtie patch as well

Then making a small zipped bag.  With lace and ribbon insertions.

Two placemats that are bound in two different ways.  I thought this was a waste of thread as all the seams are flat-locked.

Now for something more associated with an overlocker and that is jersey.  So next came a cotton jersey camisole, but just to make it a little bit more difficult, we had to add a ribbon trim.

Now for the last piece using some heirloom techniques.  This is an underneath slip for a 4 year old girl.  Frills and skirt gathered and attached by overlocker.  My sewing machine didn't feel left out on this project because there are 4 tiny buttons and buttonholes on the back.

Lets hope I have done enough, and I can't wait to do some sewing lessons on these techniques.

There are other lessons as well and I hope to do some of these and show you pictures in time, but please do not hold your breath.  I have endless dog cushions to make at the moment.