Happy Sunday and a very warm welcome to my newest followers!
I am so glad to be blogging again after the holiday break, and each
and every comment has made me smile. Thank you!
One of my goals for 2014 is to do more sewing. I am a
beginner, but I need to devote a lot more time to my machine if I want to
improve (plus I have *so many* projects I want to try!).
To that end, I’m going to broaden my Stitching Sundays focus
to include machine sewing as well as my beloved embroidery. All of it involves
a needle and thread, so it’s fair game.
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| Lady Elna |
A project I started ages ago, then stowed away at the bottom
of a fabric pile, was a sewing machine cover. What better way to get more into
the art of sewing than to create a lovely cover for Lady Elna?
Machine sewing and hand embroidery – a perfect combination. I
found this wonderful pattern here, and
I had a layer cake of Aneela Hoey’s Sew Stitchy fabric that I bought to entice
me to sew (I have purchased *a lot* of fabric with the intention to lure me to
the machine...). The two just seemed destined to be together!
I cut and ordered sixty small squares, then sewed them
together to form a panel (I'm trying to be forgiving with the uneven squares, I'm still learning). The linen and patchwork panels use a “quilt as you go”
technique, ironed to fusible interfacing and sewn together (ha ha! Get me, “talkin’
the talk” like a proper seamstress! I hope you’re enjoying this, Grandma!). Next
will be some more embellishment, some fusible fleece, lining fabric, piping...a lot of sewing experience to
be gained from one project!
Now an update on my Green Eggs & Ham embroidery, part of
the &Stitches Finish-Along:
I’m making progress on the letters this week, ignoring the dodgy “H” and concentrating on the “Green”.
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| Featuring my handy-dandy needle magnet |
It is slow going, as I fill each letter with long-and-short
stitch embroidery, but it is extremely calming and enjoyable. I’ll probably
bounce down to the ham next, I’m itchin’ to get some green floss in there
now...
I’d love to see what you’re up to with needle and thread,
link up embroidery or sewing projects below!
Chrissie x
Lovely to see your sewing projects Chrissie, I look forward to following along and seeing how you get on. Perhaps you will inspire me to get my machine out more!! xx
ReplyDeleteI am very envious of your snazzy Elna. We learned on these in my sewing class but finances dictated otherwise when it came to getting one. I'm very happy with my little machine but sort of go 'ohhhh' when I see an Elna!
ReplyDeleteI'm totally in awe of your fancy sewing talk. I haven't quilted but see such wonderful examples from the bloggers I read. I also love the idea of a sewing machine cover. Mine lives in it's box as it didn't come with a cover but that might be a nice project once I work out what this fusible caper is...lol! Look forward to seeing what else you sew and how your green eggs project comes on.
I'll be looking forward to watching your quilting project grow and bloom Chrissie - what a fabulous cover that will make! And it's so nice to see the lettering on 'Sam' progressing - changing colours can really keep up the inspiration; ah, you'll have him finished before you know it! I really need to choose my next little stitchie project, the withdrawal symptoms are growing by the minute! Happy stitching, love and hugs, Joy xo
ReplyDeleteLook at you stitching away! Love your machine stitching and your hand stitching, neither of which I can do.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Meredith
Chrissie your embroidery is divine and I drool over it every time I see it, I wish I could be half as good as you. Considering you are a learner Chrissie you have done a fabulous job on the patchwork and I cannot wait to see it all finished. Aneela Hoey is my favourite designer of all time as her fabrics are just so lovely and fresh. A fabulous post as always Chrissie, thanks so much, big hugs
ReplyDeleteDorothy
:-)xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Your sewing machine cover is going to be so gorgeous! Love the fresh colours of those fabrics.
ReplyDeleteMarianne x
I have sewing cover in the to do pile, I might get it out this afternoon. It is lovely weather here but Little one is too wiped out to walk yet. Good progress on Ham an eggs. You are much more patient than me. Jo x
ReplyDeleteI am in awe of your embroidery, you are very patient! Julie x
ReplyDeleteSewing machine cover is looking great - looking forward to seeing the finished item! That's on my craft to-do list too... I need more time!
ReplyDeleteMaria x
Lovely projects on the go. I seem to have lost my crafting mojo for now. I'm sure it will be temporary.
ReplyDeleteThe cover looks lovely, I want to learn more about sewing this year, bit the machine scares me, I struggled with sewing the bias binding onto my seaside bunting this morning. Although I was using a very old hand turn Singer sewing machine of my Mums. The letterign on the embriodery looks amazing. xxx
ReplyDeleteClare x
I'm so glad that I found your blog! (Thanks Jooles from Sew Sweet Violet). I've recently made a little pin cushion with a scissor wrap with the word 'stitch' embroidered on it :) so I am looking forward to seeing your finished sewing machine cover :) Thanks for the opportunity to link up.
ReplyDeleteYay! Good for you, the cover looks terrific! I recognized the Aneela fabric right away, I love her designs. I started sewing as a child and have always loved it. I try to sew several times a week. I'm far from expert but I enjoy it a lot. Your Suess stitching is really coming along, you're really good at embroidery and I'm always taken with anything you make.
ReplyDeleteOhhhhh your tempting me in with the sewing, I bought a sewing machine and fabric last year with the ambition to jump in with both feet but only ended up landing on my face since I was too scared to use it....I really admire those who quilt and sew things together.....your embroidery is looking great too!!
ReplyDeleteOh what a gorgeous sewing project. I love the fabrics you chose for those small squares and I love the way they work together. It is going to be a stunner and I look forward to following the progress along here. Your stitching for Green Egg and Ham is so neat, I think I need a lesson from you my dear. It is looking really really good! Sending much love xoxo
ReplyDeleteI wish I could delve straight in to some sewing today... just like you are doing with those lovely creations of yours, but this afternoon I've only got as far as unpicking the dress for my basket liner. Very tedious! But at least I've made a start - so far so good! xx
ReplyDeleteStitching Sunday is such a great idea! I try to stitch every night, but more often than not it comes back to crochet. I joined a Stitch from Stash challenge in the hopes it will keep me motivated to tackle some old charts and WIPS. We'll have to see!
ReplyDeleteJenn @JennsCraftyWorld
Green Eggs & Ham is looking absolutely wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI think i have a bit of a hollyhobby patch work calling at the moment! The small squares are lovely! Heather x
ReplyDeleteChrissie your stitches are perfect! :) x
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your sewing successes thus far. You will be an expert in no time. The Green Eggs lettering is looking fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThe fabric you chose for the cover is so lovely! I also want to get better about using my machine. I generally know how to sew but there are a lot of settings that I don't know how to use. I am currently in hexagon hand piecing mode, but I will definitely be getting my machine out soon!
ReplyDeleteWow, Chrissie that is stunning. I so want to dust down my sewing machine it has been in storage for over fifteen years. Your post has got me seriously toying with the idea of sewing again. Oh Chrissie every time I visit your blog I want to try something else .I love your lettering
ReplyDeleteGreen eggs and ham is coming on well. I love your patch work too. I still need to work out my machine I can do the basics but I need to go into more depth xx
ReplyDeleteYour embroidery is so neat, Chrissie! Love the idea of making a sewing machine cover too, and the patchwork is very pretty!
ReplyDeleteHelen xx
Chrissie you stitch like a dream...and I don't!!
ReplyDeleteif we lived nearer I could pop round and help you sew and you could help me stitch..now wouldn't that be nice....Oh well I suppose will have to read your old posts and pick up some hints that way bestest as usual D....xxxx
I made that very same machine cover from an issue of Homespun, if you're interested, you can see it here:
ReplyDeletehttp://thecraftersapprentice.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/bliss-post-in-which-i-say-piping-quite.html
Then a friend asked for one, so i made it again!
http://thecraftersapprentice.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/sewing-machine-cover-2.html