Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Variety is the Spice of Life!!

So far this year I have managed to do quite a bit of sewing on a few quite different projects.

First hand piecing....



Seven more little houses to add to my collection. I have decided to not stress about trying to keep up with making one a day. I will make as many as I can and keep enjoying the process.

Some machine piecing....



Four more blocks for my Civil War quilt. Only 3 more to finish now!!!

I have decided I will put a log cabin border around each block to get them all an even size. (Some of mine didn't quite make it to 8 1/2 " !) I am still deciding how I will join all the blocks, but I am thinking about making 2 or 3 smaller quilts instead of one huge quilt.


Hand applique....


Here is the start of my next Roseville Album block. Still lots of stitching to do on this one. Looking forward to doing some reverse applique with the vase and the large flowers.

I haven't forgotten about Friends of Baltimore!! More on it in my next post.  (click on the link and scroll down to a photo of Sue Garman's completed  quilt in her November 6th post)

Some preparation for a new quilt...



Yesterday I cut out the background and sashing and prepared some stems for Trailing Vines. Can't wait to start stitching on this one!!
When I went searching for the fabric for this quilt I fell in love with a couple of the fabrics and bought "the rest" in the shop. Consequently, I don't have quite the amount specified in the instructions, so my quilt will end up being slightly smaller. 

A little dress making...



I had a wedding to go to last Saturday and nothing fitted in my wardrobe. I went shopping but couldn't find anything suitable, so (on Thursday) my DD suggested....why don't you make something!!!! There was a race around fabric shops on Thursday afternoon with the rest of the day (and half the night!!) taken up making a toile. I spent all day Friday (and half the night again!!) sewing the dress. Saturday morning found me stitching the hem and sewing a few beads on the lace.

 
Next time I won't leave it so late to make something! Lol


Even more hand applique.....



...this time on a wedding dress. My DD made the wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses for a very good friend of hers. I helped by hand appliqueing the lace around the hem of the wedding dress. The lace motifs were cut from the original fabric and rearranged on the organza of the skirt. A band of satin was sewn to the hem.
There were 24 motifs around the hem and each one took about an hour to stitch (I am slow!!!). I looooove hand sewing, so I stitched on the wedding dress while my DD made the bridesmaid dresses on her machine. Plus, I got to spend time with my DD! :)
The bride looked stunning on her wedding day!

The Australian Open is on here in Melbourne at the moment. I am looking forward to a few hours in front of the TV with plenty of stitching to keep me occupied.

17 comments:

  1. Oh, you have been sooo busy - a lovely Post - wow! dressmaking too!
    Hugs - Lurline♥

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  2. Your houses are great! And I am so amazed at your sewing dresses too (and lovely ones at that). Working on a bridal dress would so stress me out--I'd likely punch a hole or two from the jitters alone. Looks like a beautiful dress! Lucky you to have a daughter that sews!

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  3. Those are beautiful dresses! When you set out to do something, we are never disappointed. It all looks fabulous!

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  4. You HAVE been busy! What you can do is seriously amazing. Everything is just lovely to look at.

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  5. dear miriam,your houses are very cute,have a nice week,susi

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  6. OMG!! You have made so much!! Love the satin band! Ahhh lovely houses!! Always nice to recognize the various fabrics! Love your applique basket! Enjoy your stitches, hugs, Daniƫlle

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  7. Wow - what a great variety of projects! Your dress is beautiful - I'll bet you looked stunning in it. Your little houses look fantastic too - I'm still trying to be strong LOL!

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  8. Love hearing about your projects. I'm always thinking about one while working on another! I got a chuckle out of the dress story. Glad it worked out in the end.

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  9. Well done with all your work Miriam. Sounds like at least one project is nearing an end. Although just because the blocks are finished the work doesn't stop there does it? Still lots of decisions to be made putting it all together. And then throw in a bit of dressmaking as well!

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  10. Holy Moley! You are getting a variety of things worked on! Very nice!!

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  11. Wow, really. I enjoy hand sewing. Seeing your work on the clothing is neat. I like all the quilts you are working on or are in your plans. Looking forward to seeing your creations.

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  12. Hi Miriam, You have been very busy! Lots of little houses and your applique block is gorgeous!

    Nothing like leaving it to the last minute with that dress - it looks fantastic. And your daughter's brides dress looks amazing - I love all the lace motifs on it.

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  13. Wow! I can't believe all you've accomplished! Your little houses are fabulous! Then you just whipped up a dress - it looks very nice!

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  14. As always, you just have so much going on. I downloaded the pattern for those houses and they are soooo small! Well done for even making one.

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  15. Wow Miriam, I haven't visited in awhile, boy you've been one busy bee! Really a dress in 2 days???? WOw, very impressive indeed!

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  16. You are such a busy bee!!! And so many beautiful things!!

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