Sew sew modern / a little bit retro

This weekend I finished up my items for round 3 of the Sew Sew Modern swap.  My partner this round is very very talented - I was looking through her flickr photostream this week and realised I would definitely have to bring my A game!

I'm really pleased with how my items turned out and I hope my partner likes the slightly retro vibe.

I used the Beyond Measure pattern from Bloom and Blossom to make this sewing machine cover.  I thought it might be quite tricky since it looks so fancy with the piping and everything, but I found it remarkably easy to put together.  I think this is partly down to a really well designed pattern, and partly because I have been sewing quite a few 3 dimensional items lately.

I altered the measurements of the sewing machine cover slightly to fit my partner's sewing machine - I always think the mark of a good pattern is that it's pretty easy to customise to suit your requirements.  I also deviated from the pattern in my use of interfacing etc.  The pattern calls for fusible fleece and one layer of heavy weight interfacing - I had medium weight interfacing on hand so I interfaced both the exterior and the lining instead.  I also omitted the fusible fleece - I just really don't like working with it!  If I were to make this again, I would probably include a layer of cotton batting (I always have odd shaped pieces lying around), but it certainly has enough body without it - in these photos it is standing up by itself.

For the co-ordinating small item I made another 7" fabric bowl using the nesting fabric bowl pattern from a cuppa and a catch up.  I was inspired to add the binding around the top edge by these ones amy/badskirt made.

 

I'll be sending these lovelies off to my partner this week - can't wait for them to arrive!

Linking up with:

    

and with Finish it up Friday at crazy mom quilts.

Vintage Flowers Fabric Basket

I've been planning my items for both the Sewing Room Swap and Sew Sew Modern Round 3, and I think I'll end up making both my partners fabric baskets.  Since I haven't made a fabric basket before, I  decided to make a prototype to test out the size and pattern I intended to use.

 

I used the Nesting Fabric Bowls pattern from a cuppa and a catch up, and I think it was definitely worth the cost.  The technique used to make the fabric bowls is not that complicated, but the pattern explains all the steps in great detail, and it includes lots of variations if you want to add handles, pockets, and lots of other good stuff.

 

I am borrowing my friend Anne's Janome while my sewing machine is being serviced and I was tempted by the novelty of fancy stitches to add these to the exterior of my basket.  I think they work really well with the vintage flowers fabric (from Melody Miller's Ruby Star Shining collection and bought at Stitchbird but I'm pretty sure I snagged the last FQ).

 

I lined this basket with one of my favourite fabrics - its an oldie but a goodie from Joel Dewberry's Heirloom line.

This was a super speedy make (apart from applying the interfacing which always takes me ages - this is a job I would happily delegate to the sewing elves!) and gives a really satisfying result.  I'll be working on my swap baskets this weekend and I can't wait!

Do you have a favourite fabric basket pattern?

Linking up with:

and finish it up friday at crazy mom quilts.

Sew Sew Modern Received

A couple of weeks ago I received the most wonderful parcel in the mail - my amazing swap goodies from Cindy, who blogs at Adventures of the Singing Quilter.

 

I asked for a few different swap items - to give my partner options (I know I like having options when making for a swap partner!).  But what I was really hoping and crossing my fingers for was a sewing machine cover.  Cindy really pulled through for me!

 

Isn't it gorgeous?!  Cindy used linen (love) and lots and lots of different text fabrics (more love) and that fantastic measuring tape trim (so cute).  Linen is not that easy to work with on this scale, and Cindy did a fantastic job.  It fits my sewing machine perfectly and I absolutely adore it.  Even the lining and piping fabric (Cindy made piping!!!) is beautiful

 

How cute is this little thread catcher?  I love the little bits of Flea Market Fancy and there is even a smidge of text print here too.  I cleared it out for these photos, but I have already been using it - there are far fewer threads on my sewing room floor thanks to this little basket.

Finally, how sweet is this little pincushion?  It's filled with what feels like sand, which strangely enough makes it really satisfying to stab pins into.  What can I say - it's the little things!

Cindy also sent me a lovely note, a cute postcard and a spool of Aurifil!  So generous!  You can believe I am excited to start sewing with that Aurifil - I've read so much about it online but never used it myself.  It's a light grey - a perfect all purpose colour, and I'm going to save it for quilting to really get the most out of it.

After quite a lot of swap activity over the last three months, I think I will take a little break for a while, but I will definitely sign up for the next round of Sew Sew Modern - it's a fantastic swap group!

Linking up with:

WIP Wednesday

A very quick WIP Wednesday post - this is what I am working on at the moment - my project for Sew Sew Modern.  The next step is blanket stitching around the fox's body.  I also have something pretty cool planned to add interest around the edge.  Can't wait to see this one finished!

As with my last little fox project, the fox shape is from Kajsa Wikman's book, Scandinavian Stitches.

Linking up with Lee at Freshly Pieced:

Lots of swaps

I just signed up for two swaps being run on flickr - they are both new for me but have been through at least one round already.

The first one is the Modernista Homemade swap.

This round focuses on the living room, and I asked for a pillow.  You might have been able to tell from my mosaic...

1. PTS9 finished !, 2. PTS9 Pillow Received, 3. Pillow Talk Swap 9 - Sent, 4. Pillow Talk {Swap} 9 Recieved!!, 5. Spinning Stars QAL Twin Quilt Top in Good Folks, 6. PTS Received!, 7. Pillow Talk Swap Angel Pillow - April 2012, 8. texty hexies pillow for MQPS, 9. PTS#8 pillow cover #2, 10. Aqua, grey, yellow chevron quilt, 11. Pillow Talk Swap 9 - Done!, 12. Finished Pillow Talk Swap Round 9 Pillow, 13. Pillow Received

Partners are being sent out tomorrow, and I am really looking forward to seeing who my partner is, what they want, and to start plotting!

The second swap I've signed up for recently is the Sew Sew Modern swap, also on flickr.

I've nominated a sewing machine cover, or a fabric basket or two as the large item I'd like, but I'm pretty open to ideas.  I'm still not 100% sure I'll get into this swap, so fingers crossed - the reason I joined was because I kept seeing amazing things from the last round on blogs I follow, so I'm really keen to participate.

1. sofia's sewingmachine cover, 2. Another fabric bowl, pattern by Nova, 3. Patchwork zippered pouch, 4. Field of Triangles #2, 5. Proverbial Sunshine, 6. go anywhere bag., 7. Patchwork Bucket, 8. Sewing machine cover in 'Hope Valley', 9. pixelated heart

I think both these swaps will push my design skills and my sewing skills, and I can't wait to get started!

As an aside, it took me AGES to realise just how much modern sewists use flickr, and how key it is to participating in swaps etc, and getting your work noticed.  It's not a site I had ever used before I started this blog, and its not somewhere I ever looked for quilt inspiration.  However, you can find so many beautiful things on there, many of which are not posted elsewhere.  I'm guessing most of my readers have already cottoned on to this, but thought I would share my experience just in case anyone else was wondering about flickr.

Are you participating in any swaps at the moment?