Getting free and easy(ish!!)

Well good afternoon to you! Thanks for stopping by. I have some lovely things to share with you today, starting off with the results of a sewing workshop I did last weekend. It was called Free Motion Machine Stitching and was a lot of fun! Normally when you use a sewing machine, the little  'teeth' on the sewing plate pull the fabric through the machine (apologies for any inaccurate terminology here!), but with free motion stitching, these 'teeth' (in my machine manual they are called feed dogs) are lowered, so you are in control of the fabric and the direction in which it moves. To make it easier to start with, we stretched fabric in an embroidery hoop and moved the hoop around under the needle. First, I just played around, changing direction and trying out some patterns.

 

 

After that, I wrote my name, in both printed and cursive styles.

 

Next, we were shown how to take a piece of fabric and using an iron-on Vilene, to attach it to the backing fabric and then use free motion stitching to embellish it. You can see my attempt at a flower here.

 

I rather like my little owl too. All I did was stitch around the edge and then around the eyes and wings. It almost gives a 3D effect don't you think?

 

 

To finish the workshop, we had a little project to complete - to make a felt needle book with a decorated cover. I chose to make a butterfly. I should have kept the black thread in my machine rather than change to the light pink as I don't think there is enough contrast between the stitches and the fabric. After all, the stitches are a feature of this style of sewing. But I'm still quite happy with the way it turned out. If you'd like to see some really beautiful work, Poppy Treffry is a leading light in this area of sewing. (I've put her book on my Christmas list!) There is a really interesting YouTube video here too.

 

On the knitting front, I finished the first pair of baby socks using the mini ball of Regia yarn. They have already been worn by baby Otto and fit well, so I shall make another pair with the other ball of yarn I bought in Delft.

 

I still have secret knitting on the go, so can't share that with you yet. I have also wound up some handspun to join in the Phryne mitts KAL in the Fluff-n-Stuff group on Ravelry. The pattern is one I test knit way back in the Spring for my friend Marianne. It's a lovely pattern and super quick to knit, so if you fancy joining in, come on over! Here's the yarn I've chosen.

 

 

I also hope to knit Mr JK a hat before Christmas, so have the yarn wound all ready for the off!

We have a dusting of snow forecast for later in the week and temperatures are set to drop. Brrrrrr! Hope you're nice and toasty where you are. Keep warm and see you soon! xx