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. 

What to give my Mum for her birthday

Here's the dilemma:

For her birthday I normally either make my mum something or I give her a present of something she can make.  But this year, whilst on holiday, I bought her a jacket she liked.

I have seen people making appliqué cards and wondered how hard it could be.  So I had a go and here it is - 

For my first attempt, I don't think this is bad.  The writing I think could be better, but that comes with practise.

I know she will like it.  What Mum doesn't like anything her children make?

I've been quiet

Sorry I have been quiet on here, but I have been sort of busy.  I will explain:

In January I didn't feel like doing much sewing, so didn't. Quite simple really.  In my day job I work twelve hour shifts and because of this I get to see very little sun, which makes me very tired and sad and lacking energy.  This usually continues until the end of February when we go skiing.  But this year, due to our days off, we went skiing at the end of January.

On returning from skiing my batteries were full and I couldn't wait to get back to sewing.

I have therefore spent the last couple of weeks finishing my invisible machine appliqué double wedding ring quilt and here is a picture.

For the backing I didn't have enough material, so blizzard pieced it and added some left over pieces from the front.

Out of all my quilts so far I have not added a label to the back.  But a piece of the selvedge shouted at me and using the embroidery feature on my machine I have created a perfect label.

To learn this really simple, but effective technique, I went to a class by Dawn Cameron-Dick.  She is truly inspirational and a great teacher.  Check out her website to see where she might be teaching near you - http://www.dawncamerondick.com

Now to get my scrappy king size quilt finished, now where did I put those 2.5" squares . . . . . . . . . 

Busy Week

Time to reflect on how busy I have been this week and all in all I think it has been a very successful week.

Again I have been struggling to sleep, so have found myself in my work room at 6am in the morning (it is 6:30am as I am writing this blog).  I have found this a great time to finish off things.

The first thing to be finished was my Seamstar Lucky Elephant Hanging.  It now takes pride of place above my sewing machine.

This table runner was the next thing to be finished and is now posted to Germany.  It was a piece of material that came with the December 2014 issue of Love Sewing Magazine.

Thursday afternoon saw me glueing and sewing the rings onto my IMA Double Wedding Ring Quilt.  I have omitted the small segments, as I am fed up of making the applique pieces.  As I have already said it is something that I have enjoyed learning, but don't wish to do again.  Obviously, I may need to use the technique for other items, but the rings were not my favourite.  I now can't wait to quilt it, but first I need to buy a small amount of material for the sashing on the border.  I am thinking of trying to get a yellow close to the centre ring colour.  It's sort of mustard/greenish/yellow.  The border and back will be made in the dark grey, which has lovely butterflies on it.

When I finished the top of the quilt (that has now been put away), I cut out the lining for my grey and purple tartan pinafore.  This has now been sewn together waiting for a zip, which has been ordered.  Hopefully I will have it finished for the 10th of December.  This date is very significant.

Last Wednesday the 26th of November, was the last lesson in my Beginner's Dressmaking Course and the ladies were so sad to see it finish that they have asked for a further lesson.  This will be on the 10th December.  I was so chuffed, that I couldn't say no.  They want to come every Wednesday, but alas, we are waiting for Lorrayne to confirm the dates of next year.

So to say thank you for my ladies who have stuck by me I have made them Christmas presents and here they are:

They are 5 needle cases and each one is slightly different.  The patchwork cotton was from Seamstar and part of one of their craft kits; the linen on the outside is also left over linen from one of their craft kits, as is the wool felt on the inside and the grosgrain ribbon; the lining is from an old pair of linen trousers.  I hope they like them and think of me when they are sewing in the future.  I know one of the girls will keep coming on the odd Wednesday, as she will want to make a dress for a wedding she is going to.  

I just hope next year will be more successful.

As for today, will I be sewing?  NO.  Not until the zip comes for my pinafore, I won't be sewing . . . . . . but I have fabric and buttons for a blouse . . .

IMA

Or Invisible Machine Appliqué.

Yesterday (instead of going to work) I went on a one day course to study this technique with Dawn Cameron-Dick.  Dawn travels the country (and further afield) giving lessons, talks and demonstrations and if she is near you in the new year, go to one of her classes.  They were chilled and relaxed and Dawn has a depth of knowledge to draw on, I certainly picked her brains and taken away things to add to my classes.

I have always loved the look of the wedding ring quilts, but didn't fancy all the piecing of those fiddly little bits, but Dawn has a great way of making them.  I have to admit, that, once this quilt is done, I won't be making another.  But, never say never, as I will be using the technique for other applications.  The day was great, and I for one, learned loads and took away ideas for my dressmaking classes.
Here is my quilt so far, all the rings are pinned for transport and ignore the freezer paper ring.

The fabric was from Seamstar and is a collection called September Blue.