December 10, 2014

Small Things, Large Things, Other Things

Do you like to sew small items? Or what about large items? Things other than quilts? Do you make clothes for yourself or your children? How about bags, pincushions, pillows, aprons . . . etc?  Do tell, as I'd love to know what else you like to make besides quilts.

Long before I started quilting, I made clothes. Some were for myself, most were for my daughter, plus a thing or two for my son. Then I made lots of things for the house; curtains, table skirts, bed skirts, and of course numerous pillows. The last few years however, I've find it hard to motivate for anything other than quilts. I've made a few pillows and a bag or two but that's it really. This month though, I've devoted time to stitching up some of those "other" things.

I made my very first pin cushion this week. Can't believe I've never made one before but then again I don't use them so why make them. They are terribly cute though and I do like small, cute things so perhaps I'll make more. I think it would be fun to have a collection of lovely little pretties in my studio.  This one was for our Boulder Modern Quilt Guild Christmas party swap. I started with this tutorial and then switched things up a bit. Instead of three layers of felt I only used one for the top. I stitched up two separate four-patches . . . one for the back and one for the petals. Pretty happy with the end results. I wish it were fuller but I used all the walnut shell stuff I had which I got from a friend.


Once it was done I realized two of the four fabrics were the same ones I used last year to make a mug rug for the same guild party. Hmmm . . . what might that mean?


I'm also working on the mechanics of a super-sized tote bag/portfolio for my daughter. She needs something pretty to carry her sign and a few other larger, flat items to her handmade jewelry shows. The cardboard case she taped together is far from pretty and doesn't really function that well either.
Here's the fabrics for the new one and the sad current case below.




Obviously anything will be better looking than all that cardboard and duck tape. I enjoy the challenge of figuring out how to make something. In this case it needs to be a custom portfolio so I'm thinking through all the possibilities. No doubt over thinking is a more apt description but hopefully in the end it will function as needed. With all the little details to figure out, I certainly appreciate even more all those designers writing patterns and tutorials that do all the figuring for us.

I'd also like to make a couple of kitty beds for the two furries. I've heard of using leftover batting and even fabric scraps to stuff a bag so the whole thing can be thrown in the washer. I think I'll use this tutorial and leftover fleece. Right now the furries sleep in an old basket and a box with a towel folded inside. Pretty lame. They're in the works so maybe by Christmas the kitties will have real beds.



Linking up with WIP Wednesday.

14 comments:

  1. You seem to have lots of things on the go - but the kitties look quite happy!

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  2. Now that is a wonderful pin cushion.

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  3. I love both the pin cushion and the mug rug. Very nice.

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  4. I'll have to try those pincushions sometime, yours looks great.

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  5. That pin cushion is fantastic - my favorite color combination :)

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  6. Great pincushion, mug rugs, and KITTIES!!! They are so cute.

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  7. I'm just not that good at small things. Tried a small zippy pouch and it was a fail.....
    I like your projects . Very cute and nice job on the first pincushion ; )

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  8. I love your adaptation of the pincushion. Love those pops of colour,

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  9. Awww, your kitties are so cute! They deserve pretty cushions.

    I've made slip-covers (my next one will be scrap-quilted!), lots of curtains, some clothes, and plenty of quilted pillow covers and tote bags. Not so many other little items, like pin-cushions, although your cathedral-window one is charming and enticing. Making some catnip mice is still on the XMas list, haven't gotten to those yet.:-)

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  10. Fun to see your pin cushion--I think it's darling. I'm not a pin cushion person either, but I keep receiving them. I've repurposed them as paper weights when I'm working at the computer. Good luck on the giant portfolio--I love making helpful projects like this, so I'm cheering you on. Remember that foam core art board is sturdy and light (in case you need some stiffening on the sides).

    I finally found some time to do some blog reading tonight and having fun!
    Elizabeth

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  11. I love that pincushion. The funny thing is that I had just finished printing out instructions to do cathedral windows and then came here and saw your pincushion! And I have stacks of wool felt. I would never had thought of using wool but I love the looks of the gray with the pops of color. Beautiful!

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  12. Your pin cushion turned out adorable, Anne! Really cute! I hope you received one as lovely in return. As for the case you're making for your daughter... that's quite a project! However, it's doable. I made a case to carry my largest rotary cutting mat. Used webbing for sewn-on straps (around the whole case) handles. And used a super-long, large commercial zipper. Even added pockets inside to fit particular rotary rulers and cutters. I have no doubt you'll make a case that's practical and beautiful. Enjoy!

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  13. They're so dang cute in those boxes but I know they will settle in to their new beds soon! I'm so proud of all you've accomplished this year, what you've designed and swapped and won and got accepted into ;) and I can't wait to show off my pretty case xo

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WaHoo!!! You're leaving me a comment. Thanks for stopping by and do come back again. Quilt on, Anne.