Thursday 28 April 2011
Sewing Set
This is a sewing set I made to take to my weekly quitling group. On left is a "mug bag", in the centre is an "iron caddy" and on the right a zipped bag for my scissors,needle etc. I bought this material on-line from the USA, as it matched a large sewing bag I also have.
Tuesday 26 April 2011
Sewing room cleanup
I decided I could not get creative enough with my sewing room being in such a mess, so have had a huge cleanup. I spent quite some time going back and forwards to Crazy Clark's buying those plastic boxes with lids. I still need about another 4, but meanwhile things are looking so much better. I put labels on them, so I know where everything is now. (That is in the boxes, anyway!!). I still have a pantry cup- board to clean out. I was feeling very guilty when I had to buy the biggest bin to put my UFO's in.....
I actually found heaps of fabrics I didnt even remember buying, so it was like a free shopping spree...
I have now decided I will not touch anything other then the UFO's for the next 6 mths at least.( I hope that wont be like a New Years Resolution, which doesnt last long...lol) Note the big bin at left is the UFO's one...
I have also taken a photo of my antique sewing machine shelves.
See photo at right.
I actually found heaps of fabrics I didnt even remember buying, so it was like a free shopping spree...
I have now decided I will not touch anything other then the UFO's for the next 6 mths at least.( I hope that wont be like a New Years Resolution, which doesnt last long...lol) Note the big bin at left is the UFO's one...
I have also taken a photo of my antique sewing machine shelves.
See photo at right.
Friday 22 April 2011
Machine Embroidered Quilts
I love machine embroidery and quilting. This joint love encouraged me to combine the two and make machine embroidered quilts. Of course, I also make many other items with machine embroidery.
I love making different small items for my friends (and myself), such as scarves, bags, sewing needlebooks etc. I wish I had kept a photographic record of all the things I have made over the years.
Recently I did large neckline embroideries on two cheap t-shirts, turning them into expensive designer t-shirts.
My sewing machines are a Husqvarna Designer 1 and a Bernina 200E, with medium sized hoops.
The Husqvarna hoop is 150 x 240cm or approximatly 10" x6" and is the one I use the most.
I use all brands of threads but recently have been trialling Marathon Threads, which have proved to be wonderful. I never have to worry about thread breakage again.
I use a medium weight "tear away" for nearly all my sewing. I often spray the material I am going to machine embroider with a spray starch. I saturate them while they are hanging on the washing line and leave them to dry. They end up very stiff like thick paper.
If the material is a silk or satin, I sometimes will also use a "Stick It All" (SIA), which has a peel-off paper layer. (I get this from www.hoopitalldownunder.com.au- but it is also available from the American site or a private website like Punch with Judy. When it is removed the stick side is facing up and I press my material onto it. I do not often even hoop my actual materials, preferring to machine baste them to the tear-away instead.
Starting out, I used other peoples embroidery designs for my quilts, but have recently digitised( which means turning a drawing of my own into a machine embroidery design by using a software package) and designed a number of my own quilts.
I started firstly with some basic redwork designs, doing an antique toy sewing machine quilt.( I am a collector of these adorable little machines and have over 40 of them!)
Next, I changed the thread colour and did a greenwork quilt with watering cans.
I then got more adventurous and bought some clipart and digitised a boys quilt with trucks and tractors and little men with their shovels.I altered the clipart of some to my own designs. Of course, I then had to do a girlish one and made a lovely set which I named after my granddaughter Ashley Anne.
Being so pleased with them, I decided I would try something bigger. I had always loved the appliqued Baltimore Quilts in America and decided I would do one in machine embroidery, made to look like the applique. So far I have made one large one 59" square with 9 designs and a border and a miniature one that fits in a 5"x7" hoop, of the same designs.
I have since digitised and sewn out another 14 blocks and am testing another 11 blocks with a view to making a huge 25 block quilt of Baltimore Designs. I have also made about 40 smaller designs of eagles and assorted items to embellish the quilt.
Because I had to draw them myself and allow for the fact they would be machine embroidered, the designs are a bit different from the real appliqued Baltimores, but I just love them.
At the moment I am very busy doing an Arts Degree, with a view to learning as much as I can about textiles. I would love to make an art quilt with embroidery in the future.
Finally, today, there is a picture of a glorious little "lap cushion" designed by Sue Daley from the site www.busyfingerspatchwork.com. I added embroidery to the side panels. this cushion is great for having on ones lap whilst you handsew. I am now making them as presents for my friends.
I love making different small items for my friends (and myself), such as scarves, bags, sewing needlebooks etc. I wish I had kept a photographic record of all the things I have made over the years.
Recently I did large neckline embroideries on two cheap t-shirts, turning them into expensive designer t-shirts.
My sewing machines are a Husqvarna Designer 1 and a Bernina 200E, with medium sized hoops.
The Husqvarna hoop is 150 x 240cm or approximatly 10" x6" and is the one I use the most.
I use all brands of threads but recently have been trialling Marathon Threads, which have proved to be wonderful. I never have to worry about thread breakage again.
I use a medium weight "tear away" for nearly all my sewing. I often spray the material I am going to machine embroider with a spray starch. I saturate them while they are hanging on the washing line and leave them to dry. They end up very stiff like thick paper.
If the material is a silk or satin, I sometimes will also use a "Stick It All" (SIA), which has a peel-off paper layer. (I get this from www.hoopitalldownunder.com.au- but it is also available from the American site or a private website like Punch with Judy. When it is removed the stick side is facing up and I press my material onto it. I do not often even hoop my actual materials, preferring to machine baste them to the tear-away instead.
Starting out, I used other peoples embroidery designs for my quilts, but have recently digitised( which means turning a drawing of my own into a machine embroidery design by using a software package) and designed a number of my own quilts.
I started firstly with some basic redwork designs, doing an antique toy sewing machine quilt.( I am a collector of these adorable little machines and have over 40 of them!)
Next, I changed the thread colour and did a greenwork quilt with watering cans.
I then got more adventurous and bought some clipart and digitised a boys quilt with trucks and tractors and little men with their shovels.I altered the clipart of some to my own designs. Of course, I then had to do a girlish one and made a lovely set which I named after my granddaughter Ashley Anne.
Being so pleased with them, I decided I would try something bigger. I had always loved the appliqued Baltimore Quilts in America and decided I would do one in machine embroidery, made to look like the applique. So far I have made one large one 59" square with 9 designs and a border and a miniature one that fits in a 5"x7" hoop, of the same designs.
I have since digitised and sewn out another 14 blocks and am testing another 11 blocks with a view to making a huge 25 block quilt of Baltimore Designs. I have also made about 40 smaller designs of eagles and assorted items to embellish the quilt.
Because I had to draw them myself and allow for the fact they would be machine embroidered, the designs are a bit different from the real appliqued Baltimores, but I just love them.
At the moment I am very busy doing an Arts Degree, with a view to learning as much as I can about textiles. I would love to make an art quilt with embroidery in the future.
Finally, today, there is a picture of a glorious little "lap cushion" designed by Sue Daley from the site www.busyfingerspatchwork.com. I added embroidery to the side panels. this cushion is great for having on ones lap whilst you handsew. I am now making them as presents for my friends.
Bye for now, Jennine
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