Wednesday 18 February 2015

All sewn up


I am enjoying my half term holiday, although the days are going far too fast for my liking! Yesterday I went into Norwich and did a sewing class to learn how to make a cushion with buttons. I must say that the sewing machines are just top notch. They pretty much do everything for you! I chose a Scandinavian style fabric and added a green contrast band with fabric covered buttons to pick out some of the colours in the pattern. I'm really pleased with how it turned out.


button cushion (2)


Here's a close up of the button band. I shall have to try the button hole maker on my machine now. I can remember using my Mum's old Singer machine and having to hand sew the button hole using blanket stitch on the rare occasions when I did some sewing years ago.


button cushion (3)


I am gradually replacing all our bought cushion covers with handmade ones - here's how the sofa is looking so far! There's still plenty of space on the other sofa.


button cushion (1)


I can now share with you properly the free motion embroidery I did a few weeks ago. I made a bag for my friend Michele. She was my swap partner in the ThreeBagsFull group on Ravelry, and is also bag maker and sewer extraordinaire of ThreeBagsFull on Etsy. I decided (rather rashly, given how fabulous Michele's sewing is!) that I wanted to sew something for Michele, and settled on an idea to use free motion embroidery so that it would be completely different from the bags Michele usually sews. I was thrilled with how it turned out and I learnt a lot about the placement of designs during the making process. There will definitely be more of this kind of sewing in my future!


free motion embroidery knitbits bag (6) 

free motion embroidery knitbits bag (5) 

free motion embroidery knitbits bag (1) 

free motion embroidery knitbits bag (13) 

free motion embroidery knitbits bag (7)

free motion embroidery knitbits bag (11) 

free motion embroidery knitbits bag (9)

free motion embroidery knitbits bag (8)


Come back soon and I'll show you what's keeping my knitting needles rather busy right now. xxx

11 comments:

faith76 said...

I love your new cushion! Job well done :) Also loving the bag, fabulous

Clicky Needles said...

Great work on both JK. That cushion fabric is gabby and the bag........................a present any knitter would be pleased to receive.

Clicky Needles said...

should say fabby...stupid spell checker.

Gracey is not my name.... said...

Love the cushions, although they'd get so beat up in my house...the Hubs is not kind to them....and awesome bags!

Judy said...

Love seeing your sewing projects, Helen. Michele's bag was such a great gift for her! Enjoy the rest of your holiday.

Helsie said...

Lovely stuff coming off your sewing machine these days. Clever girl !

Lynne said...

These are lovely, I really like the fabric and buttons on the cushion.

Jennyff said...

Very impressed with the button cushion, those button holes are excellent, but even more impressed by the lovely bag. You'll be opening a shop soon.

Unknown said...

wow your sewing looks fantastic! I love free motion sewing, really neat effect

Celia said...

You made some great fabric choices.

knittingsandwich said...

Oh my goodness!! I love that bag you made! It's wonderful!! Your embroiderings are just perfect!
-Melissa