Thursday, August 26, 2010

Cute Pet Pictures

Okay, so any time I post pet pictures, it pretty much means I haven't had any time to sew!  School is starting soon so I will be able to sew more.  I do actually have a project in the works.
This is Alice sleeping on the fridge.
Emma is posing with the girls.
Stripe and Cloud exploring.
More sewing soon.  I promise.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

A Few Random Sewing Pictures

Here is a felt mola I sewed years ago.  It is reverse applique- the top layer is teal, light green next, black and pink is the lowest layer.  It was just a sample of the technique.
This is another sample (I have a huge box full) of a button and loop treatment.  A square of fabric is folded so no raw ends show.  Tuck the loop under it and sew around the edges.  Sew a square opposite with a button on top.
 
I made these fabric roses to sit in a thread bowl.  Quick and easy: cut a long bias strip, fold in half and gather one long edge.  Pull up the gathering threads and roll the flower up.  Stitch and add a bottom circle.
Close up of bottom of flower.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Needle Weaving a Purse Flap

Trying to get a jump on some fall projects, I wove some scrap yarns on a wooden frame.  Then fused interfacing to the back to help it hold together. 
I added fabric and piping to make this purse flap.  It has a magnetic closing under the flap.  Pretty interesting, but I thought it needed something else.
So I added a few buttons from my collection.  The bottom two are hand made (bird is plastic, right hand one is ceramic).  The top button is an extra that came with a sweater.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Pillows from a Rug

A customer brought me this gorgeous, embroidered wool rug and wanted 2 pillows made from it.  I cut it in half and picked the heavy canvas backing off.
The back has a really interesting texture.
She wanted removable inserts.  I sewed 2 stuffed pillow forms.  For the back of  the pillows, I used 2 pieces of muslin, overlapped, to form a zipper-free closure.
Here is the finished back.
The 2 finished pillows.  I love the colors!

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Pets on Quilts Show

This is my entry for http://sewcalgal.blogspot.com 's Pets on Quilts Show!
Stripe, my son's rat likes hanging out on this scrappy yo-yo quilt.  I sewed it years ago.  Partly by hand, partly by machine- I couldn't seem to decide!
Here are Cloud and Stripe sharing secrets.
Stripe, up close on quilt I made inspired by a sunset. Those are applique clouds.
Not to be outdone by rats- Alice is posing on her favorite quilt.  It actually has calico cat fabric in it too!  I sewed this one using the instruction booklet in my shop http://catsongstitchery.etsy.com

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Pets on Quilts Show

Be sure and visit http://sewcalgal.blogspot.com/ and see the upcoming show of Pets on Quilts!  You can enter starting Aug.7.  I will be entering and I'll post it here.

Easy Gift for a Child- "Color Me Cat"

I have sewn this cat many times for gifts.  I include washable markers.  The child can then decorate it again and again, front and back.  Just throw in the washer and dryer and it is ready for a new look!
Color Me Cat is just 2 pieces of muslin, sewn right sides together, turn right sides out and stuff!
It is really that simple.  You could use any shape.
I have found that Crayola Washable Markers wash out the best.
For older kids, include a permanent marker and it becomes an autograph cat.
My son had fun doing the sample above.