21 December 2014

Cushions and Christmas

It’s been a long time between blogs but I thought I would share with you my efforts with octagons!!!

While away earlier this year we saw in an amazing shop some octagon shaped ottomans.  They looked great and as we have some old couch fabric at home we thought we might have a go at making them…


So I started with a couple of prototypes – not quite as big as the final one will be but a decent size.  My shapes were taken from a computer program and then printed off (I did the octagon shape first and then broke it into the triangles).


Then it is a matter of cutting out and stitching together (sides then tops with a bit unstitched in one of the top bits. I have used heavy fusible interface on the sides and as one whole piece I have put a piece of bag batting on the top and bottom. This lets it keep its shape.  I slit one in the centre as this is where I fill it and then hand stitch it up.




To stuff – I am sure you can get heavy stuffing but I have yet to source this – what I have done is used old cushions and pillows (clean!!) that have lost their oomph but are quite dense. I shove a lot in!!!

Finally to close hand stitch the opening closed and then stitch the octagon in the middle on.


So I have made 2 so far with the biggie cut out as my January project…

In the meantime...

Threadneedle Craft wishes you all the best over the festive season. Be safe and happy and enjoy your families.


Our shop will reopen on January 8 with our school holiday program commencing on the 12th.

13 September 2014

The Quillow... and ... wait for it ... a family holiday!!!

I know it has been a while - months are definitely missing and I am sure they were there when I last looked!!!

So apart from the usual faffing around that I do, I decided to make a quillow.


I am not sure if that is the correct term but it is the one I have heard. We were given one when our first son was born and initially I was thinking …what will I do with this???

Then we started walking to the park and the pocket was great for a nappy or two, some wipes and any other things that you seem to need with a baby.  It would get chucked under the pram and away we would go. It also was thrown in the car as a back-up pillow or blanket while driving


So I thought I should have a go at making them…
The size is about 1.1m x 0.7m. It’s a sort of not too big, not too small size that seems to work. (These are all finished sizes).

The cushion pocket should be wide so I use about 0.40m by 0.30m. Any leftover fabric I use for another smaller cushion pocket – and a handle if I have enough. (I attach the handle to the inside of the large pocket.


I use a thick sort of polyester wadding - it is going to be washed a lot!
And really then it’s a bit of putting the small pocket on.  Right sides together with wadding. Sew around the whole thing leaving a turning gap.

Turn it through and machine all the way around which should close the gap (yes I am lazy and try to avoid hand stitching).

I then quilt it doing straight lines up the quilt from the small pocket. Then add the larger pocket (with the handle on the inside) to the quillow over the smaller one. (Trust me it works!!). Again quilt straight up the quilt to sew the large pocket on.

And its done!!!

There are more detailed patterns on-line if you look here but when you start you sort of work it out (and I tried to make a very easy one).

And the fabric is available at Threadneedle

Now, on another note, Threadneedle will closed for ten days until Thursday 25th September. We are about to go on a family holiday!!!



See you during the School Holidays and yes we do have a school holiday program.

02 April 2014

Let's Pretend.....

How do you end that sentence.....

 
I like to pretend that I am actually going to finish all the projects I have started.....


Or maybe that my corners are perfect.... my soft toys are stuffed correctly and don't have lumpy bits.... or that my knitting is so even that people will gasp in wonder!!!
(I like to pretend with a strong positive theme)


We all used to pretend so well when we were little... and this little range certainly triggered some memories.


When I say little, there are only three elements to the range that we have and I added just a little of the blue homespun sashing.


It's not huge but it is a sweet little quilt that was fun to do.


And the final pretend..... that it is actually finished - still with pins in, and needing some hand stitching... But, well, lets pretend anyway

(The backing fabric is called Fun - Rain White)

12 February 2014

Novella - time to finish

Novella fabric... It's different, its multi coloured... And I wondered what I was thinking...


So I cut some up into squares and played... (squares and Novella strips are 2.5" - chocolate strips are 1.5")


And realised that it all works together... I mean it should as it is a range... but it really does.


So I kept going for a while and ended up with a quilt top. Which means I had to make a back.


(If I can I will try and use all my leftovers on the back). The spot is not part of the range but works really well.

And now I have picked the binding - again not part of the range but I do love using a stripe on the binding.

I might just add that it was suppose to be quilted in January .... then it turned hot - really hot - so it has been put on the cool weather pile.

Oh well, on the next thing ..... Happy stitching!

08 January 2014

What about a set of placemats for you???

I dont know about you but I feel like I have Festive Season jet lag.... I am still trying to catch up on all the things I was suppose to have finished before Christmas but....

Anyway... ages ago these came in...


There are four fusible placemats in the pack and they are the perfect size.

So I decided to do something with them using Sunrise Silhouette panels for the front....

and Sunflowers for the back... Both these fabrics as well as some others are on sale at 25% off on our website



But then promptly sold them all before I got a chance to tell you about them (and finish them).

Now they are back in stock and are great to play with.


Have fun!!

Hope 2014 is everything you wish it to be (notice there is no mention of resolutions here!!! I have made a resolution to ban resolutions!!!!!!)