Wednesday 1 February 2012

Progress and Pillows

The temperature here has plummeted in the last 24 hours, which is a great incentive to stay indoors and sew! It is also the beginning of a new month so time to reflect on the deadlines and goals set for January, and I am pleased to find that things are progressing nicely.

The Shades of Green patchwork cushion/pillow that was to be the first in my set of Rainbow Cushions has not only been completed but has been joined by the Fleur Blue cushion I started at the weekend. Shades of Green is also the second of my 12 WIP's  in 2012 to be finished, so I have a really early start on the next one as this is finished on the first of the month! If you are looking for more inspiration for cushions and pillows check out Pam's link party here



Sewing supplies are here in Riga, but not always easy to find especially specific items, so imagine my delight yesterday at finding a supply of quilt basting spray in a small, tucked-away, sewing machine shop. Needless to say I snapped it up along with blue machine embroidery thread and used them both to finish off the blue cushion. Basting spray has been on my "wish list" for a long time as it is something I cannot have sent nor can I bring it back on the plane, as we usually only travel with hand luggage to avoid the long wait at the airports for baggage, so this was indeed a find.

I have a question for those of you who use the spray, is there a limit to how big a quilt you can use this with? I suspect that there is given that it is described as temporary. I have a king-size quilt pieced and waiting to be basted and quilted, and it has been waiting over a year for that to happen, could I use the spray on that to hold it together whilst I use my brand-new microstitch gun, or does that defeat the object of the micro-stitch? Another question too, whilst I am thinking of this will using the microstitch on a wooden floor, mark the floor? All advice gratefully received!

Whilst rummaging around my fabrics looking for blues for the cushion I came across an embroidery that I had completely forgotten about, probably because I didn't have an idea what to do with it once I had finished it. Now, however, I think I might turn it into a lap quilt for my mother, who has just undergone a hip replacement and is also a great tea-drinker!

I have some fabrics with teacups, teapots and cakes and thought I might try using a couple of the blocks from the Sew Happy QAL around the embroidery, as I have really enjoyed making them so far. I have also seen in a French Quilting magazine a teacup block but it is paper-pieced and we haven't got to that yet in QAL!

Starting this might have to wait until next week though as the next block in In Color Order's HST BOM is due this week and I have printed out but not started the 7th block in the Sew Happy QAL. More than halfway in the QAL, what a surprise:)

22 comments:

  1. What a lovely idea to have a set of rainbow cushions! The two so far are lovely:) Sorry I don't know about spray - but I'd love to find out because I hate pinning!

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  2. The pillows are very nice. I have pillow covers on my work in progress table and you are inspiring me to get them finished and on display! I found your site through the Freshly Pieced link up, thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thanks for the kind comments Jessica, the pillow covers were the two easiest and quickest projects on my WIP list, so I have a nice, warm glow from finishing them that will, hopefully, spur me on to the bigger, more daunting projects! Sometimes it is just nice to have something quick to do.

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  3. Both pillows are lovely, Fiona, but I especially like the Fleur Blue cushion. The circles really draw my eye to that one. I like the sound of the 'all things tea' lap quilt. Thanks ever so much for the link back...

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    1. Thanks Pam, the blue is my favourite too. I have ordered some fabric for the lap quilt so will be raring to go when it arrives. I am always looking for inspiration so was delighted to mention your link so that others can share it too.

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  4. Your cushions are lovely, and i love you Time for tea embroidery. Something I am not very good at.

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    1. Thanks Kath, I am quite new to embroidery although I have cross-stitched for years, but I find it really quick, although I haven't tried anything too complicated so far!

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  5. I just popped in from Lily's. I love your idea of a set of rainbow cushions.

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  6. I just drop by for tea...what time?
    Love the lovely embroidery :0)

    Happy sewing

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  7. Cute idea with the rainbow cushions. Looking forward to seeing them all together. Thanks for linking up to TGIFF. :)

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    1. Thanks Erin, I am having fun deciding what to do with each colour too!

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  8. Two finished instead of one - Way to Go! :D

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  9. Your cushions are just beautiful! And I'm sure your mother will love that tea time quilt! Good luck!

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    1. Thanks Heather, the fabric is on order so I might even get it started this month!

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  10. Sorry, I haven't used basting spray on anything larger than a wall hanging so can't help you there. Great job with those pillows! They are going to look wonderful all together!

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    1. Thanks M-R,I am really enjoying doing the pillows and they will certainly brighten up our all neutral room!

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  11. lovely pillows! I have been wanting to make some for my livingroom, but I've been putting it off because I've never made one before. seeing yours makes me want to set aside my other projects and make a pile of pillows!

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    1. Thanks Allison, I can definitely recommend the repurposed shirt route if you want a pillow fast, using the front of the shirt means that all the hard work of making a closing for the pillow is already done for you!

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  12. what is a microstitch gun?? my something new to learn today

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    1. Hi Marsha, it is the same as is used in shops to attach tags to items with a plastic staple, but smaller I think. From what I have read the plastic staples will stay in better than pins if the quilt has to be stored or moved, and both of those things are likely to happen so that is why I thought I would try it. This is a steep learning curve for me too :)

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