Fixing clothes with embroidery

One of the pleasures of owning an embroidery machine is being able to fix almost any tear, burn or whatever on one's clothes.  The biggest problem is deciding which design(s) to use when there are about 250 000 to choose from...

These pants had a small burn above the knee and this is how I fixed it.

By repeating the paisley design on the other leg, it forms a unit.



The Art of Quilting Sampler Quilt - Blocks 17, 19 and 20

After the initial poor start with the subscription service, the blocks now arrive like clockwork on time every 4 weeks or so.  I even managed to catch up to the issues currently on sale in the shops.  They are even going to replace two issues I made a mess with at no extra cost!  How's that for service?  I'm rather impressed.

Blocks 17, 19 and 20

Blocks 21-24 is lying in wait to be stitched.  I am however currently working hard on my kaleidoscope quilt for our general meeting on the 7th of February.

Heritage Quilt - Corner Blocks

After having problems with the Internet yet again, I have tried numerous times getting this post written. Suddenly I experienced problems loading images.  As I was still on Internet Explorer 8, I decided to move to Google Chrome.  I really hope it resolved the issue.

After finishing up with our Latte Quilts (read this post), Maresa and I started with this gorgeous quilt designed by Jenny Haskins in January 2011.  We already started buying fabric for this baby during January 2010 on one of our day trips to visit Habby and Lace in Vereeniging, a mere 4 hours drive from Bloemfontein. 

As Maresa unfortunately moved to Cape Town in April 2012, I now have to continue on my own.  I'm hoping to finish at least one block a month this year.

The 4 finished corner blocks looks like this (in dire need of starch and a hot iron, but that will be done once all 16 blocks are finished):

The background is done in 2 different shades of fabric and embroidery.  Then all the flowers are embroidered separate and added giving a 3D look.

Looks like my blogging problems is over for the time being.

Kaleidoscope

One of my quilting buddies and fellow group member, Sonja Snyman, showed us how to cut fabric for a kaleidoscope quilt during our March 2012 group meeting.  As I had so many unfinished quilts at the time (as my husband also kept on reminding me), I decided not to start this one as well and after cutting the triangles, I just put it on the back burner for the time being. 

With the 2013 17th National Quilt Festival coming up in my hometown (read all bout it here), it was decided that our first challenge for 2013 is a Kaleidoscope quilt as it is also the theme for the festival.   What better time to finish mine then.  Now I only have to finish it in about a month's time....

The 24 blocks assembled thus far:

Table runners

I've found a few pieces of organza fabric between my mother-in-law's belongings when she died in 2007 and decided to use them to make runners.  Although not the easiest of fabrics to work with, the first two turned out rather beautiful. 

The yellow one was put to use in my room.  Designs used was the Frangipani set of Artistic designs.

The four corners.

The basket design used in between.



and the centre design.

 

I put the bronze one in my bathroom.  It is a perfect match to the new colour scheme - see this post.  Designs used from A stitch a half.

 

 

 

With the maid on holiday, I'm spending the majority of my time cleaning, washing and cooking and  less time doing any needlework.  I however managed to do quite a lot thus far.  Just hope I keep it up once I start work again.  Must make it a New Year's resolution.

Kneeling and ring cushions for weddings

A client of mine phoned me on Wednesday 19 December asking me if would be possible to make 2 sets of kneeling cushions with the accompanying ring bearers cushions for weddings today, Saturday the 22nd. 

With such short notice, I immediately started working.  Thursday she phoned again asking if I could deliver one set the same afternoon!  As I was still far from finished (I had to drive around the shops buying the necessary supplies also), we decided that I would deliver one set on Friday morning and the other set Saturday morning. 

With my overlocker out of order, I had to do everything the old fashioned way which was a lot more work and very time consuming.  The frills needed for all 6 cushions was approximately 20m in length...

This set was finished Friday morning at 03h00 and delivered on time.  I asked my husband to photograph the set with some close ups, but he was in such a hurry that most of the photo's are blurred.  He also did not notice that he set the Ipad on video, so these photo's is about all there is.

Kneeling cushion x2

 

The embroidery was done in white with silver lace and ribbon.



Ring bearers cushion

After getting a few hours sleep, I started with the next set finishing them 24h00 Friday night. 

 

 

This set was done in white and gold.

 

 

 

 





Assimina from Crown Catering was absolutely thrilled!  I can only hope that the people hiring these sets, will appreciate it and take good care of them.  I am extremely pleased with the end result and think they are gorgeous.  I was however extremely tired.  At this rate I will need a holiday once this one is finished...

Cupcake pincushion designs

I designed these cute little ones a little while back for a friend of mine.

The large one is embroidered only while the small one is embellished with Swarovski crystals.

It's amazing how time flies by when you're having fun...