A very crumpled wrapping cloth.

 

It's crumpled.

It hasn't been damp stretched...ever.

I created this piece for a specific space in my home, a sofa which gets a lot of wear.

As I was embroidering the cloth and piecing the patchwork flowers I was convincing myself....this is the piece that will go in the washing machine.

By the time it was finished I was OK with that. 

I finished it a couple of days ago and true to my plan I threw it in the washing machine.

Then I got extra brave and put it in the tumble drier.

It will definitely NEVER be ironed. 

Meanwhile, I'm embracing the 'lived in' look. 

Fabric mounts and patchwork pieces.

 

I'm focusing on a couple of things at the moment.

A fabric mount is in progress for a sample relating to my drawstring bag (which is also in progress).

There are patchwork motifs being created for that drawstring bag along with some grandmothers flower garden patchwork to use on this piece. 

I have also this morning pinned the backing on a wrapping cloth which should be finished and ready to show you very soon. 

My hands are never idle! 

Preparing to back an embroidered wrapping cloth and other Saturday faffing.

 

The table.....now.

The wrapping cloth on the left will be backed with the yellow fabric.

I have been measuring marking and pinning. 

More patchwork pieces are being cut from gingham offcuts too so that I can progress my drawstring bag.

If you are in my class...hello! You may notice something annoyingly wrong with the fabric on the right.

Safe to say it's giving me a headache with my plans.

I'm not crying....yet.

I will make a video to speak about this on Monday. 

Sampling for a drawstring bag.

 

Small embroidered samples, gathering information for a new drawstring bag.

Initially I intended to create my new bag using gingham but after sampling have decided I much prefer a white base cloth with gingham highlights.

I now have a lot of the patchwork flowers to create as I need nine of those in total and I also need to source some white silk ribbon. 

The fabric with cartoon like small children was bought in Sweden several years ago.

Thankfully I have managed to find some more with a UK based supplier as I am running low. 

Now I just need to stalk the postman! 

 

A little bit different

 

Something a little bit different from me today.

I figured since I have spent all weekend making two baby blankets you needed to see them to prove I haven't been idle. 

No they aren't for me!! and no, there are no new grandchildren on the horizon.

But.....I can't say who they are for either.....sorry about that. 

Really this kind of thing isn't my forte.

These pieces are completely devoid of embroidery, that way they can be thrown in the washing machine. 

I did buy a lightweight wadding to put in the sandwich but chickened out because I'm not clever enough to figure that out.

I doubt the babies will freeze though, they do have a 'weight' to them. 

Note to self.....take patchwork and quilting lessons! 

Fabric beads

 

I've been wrapping up loose ends with this design collection as the wrapping cloth is ready to be finished.

It seems I have 6 unfinished fabric beads!

So, a quick 'how to'. 

 

Embroidery

 

Hand embroidered gingham pouch and two little pin pillows.

 

My little pouch is finished and is now available in my shop.

The edges were closed with hand stitch and a pretty, contrasting printed fabric has been used for the lining.

You'll also notice that I couldn't resist adding a Suffolk puff too, I'm a sucker for Suffolk puffs. 

Also in the shop, these two pretty pin pillows.

 

On the 'to do' list today.

 

Today's plans....

Measure, mark and line my 'mushroom' wrapping cloth. 

Finish the embroidery in the hoop.

Line the pink gingham piece with the blue cherry fabric.

Make five big gingham Suffolk puffs. 

And below....

Already ticking things off that list. 

 

Design for a drawstring bag.

 

Yes, more pink gingham.

Design work for a new drawstring bag...a pink gingham drawstring bag with child themed applique.

I have woven paper and gingham here for the backgrounds of this sampling which I feel works well.

These pieces still need to be finished and I'm also piecing more samples.

The more information I have to hand when deciding on my final design the better,