The Colour of your Sewing Machine

Did you see Camille Roskelley’s sewing machine design?  Camille was asked to design the casing for a Bernina sewing machine. 

This got me thinking – what would my machine look like? 

Sewing Machine Mug Rug Pattern

Red and gingham of course!   What about you?

Mug Rug Starter Fabric

Before I show the Wishes block for April I just wanted to share this wonderful layer cake that arrived from the Fat Quarter shop recently.


Butter Pecan 10" layer cake

It is called Butter Pecan by Whistler Studios for Windham Fabrics.  As soon as I saw it I knew it was the perfect starter pack for new mug rug makers.  Every single block is 10” which is ideal for a mug rug with some left over for scraps and applique.  The colours vary from pale lemon through to darker taupe but each and every fabric will work well as background fabric for any mug rug.

I also ordered some charm packs at the same time - these are a great way of increasing your fabric stash without spending too much money.  Some of the most versatile are the Kona ‘cotton solids’ from Moda.  I particularly like the Sunrise selection for spring:


Kona Solids 'Sunrise' Charm Pack

Whilst the Neutrals pack comes in handy for owls, goats and hedgehogs:


Kona 'Neutrals' Charm Pack


But enough of fabric (can you ever have enough of fabric?) and onto block four of the Wishes Quilt Along.  This block is called “Broken Dishes” and it was a lovely easy make.  I cut my squares 4½” to make the half-square triangles (slightly larger than the pattern stated) and then trimmed them to size.  I used a scant ¼” seam and the finished block is a generous 14½”.


Wishes 'Broken Dishes' Block

I am loving this sew-along – it is so quick and easy.  And the blocks are huge.  One block a month is the perfect timescale for me – relaxed enough to be enjoyable yet productive enough that I will have enough for a quilt in a year.

Oooh-er ..... I am beginning to sound like an advert for the Fat Quarter shop as the Wishes sew-along is also organised by them.  But rest assured - I am not affiliated to them in any way - I just love their products.

Sew until Monday when I hope to have the next two blocks completed for the Patchiqué quilt ......

Patchiqué Blocks 12 and 90

Patchique Flickr Group

This week has seen a lot of sewing on the Patchiqué trail.  Looking at the blocks you might think the patched block, Block 12 was a lot of work – but you’d be wrong.

Block 12 from Japanese Taupe Quilts

Block 12, ‘Atsuita koshi’ (translated as “Noh robe check”) is made up of 61 pieces but I found a quick and easy way to make this block.  Firstly I cut 20” x 1½” strips from each of my two chosen fabrics and stitched them together along the 20” length.  I then sliced these strips into 1½” sections as shown. 

From here it was a simple case of stitching the pairs together. 

Patchiqué Block 12- Patchsmith Style

For the darker grid borders I used a scant ¼” seam and I’m glad I did.  My block measures a perfect 9½”.    

So if it wasn’t the patchwork block that was a lot of sewing that can only mean one thing – it was Block 90 ‘Yayuki’ ("snow arrow").  This block looks quite simple but it involves a lot of pieces. 

Block 90 from Japanese Taupe Quilts

All those leaves – thirty six of them!    In fact there were too many and I left off the twelve smallest leaves.  I like the way the largest of the leaves are set at right angles to the stem.  However, the other leaves have to point upwards or they will not fit.

If I were to make this block again I would fuse  and stitch the stems and leaves into position before adding the heart flowers.  This would save having to start and stop for each pair of leaves - something I found very tiresome. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.  

Patchiqué Block 12- Patchsmith Style

I would also recommend you pick one colour thread that will suit all your leaves and stem – this will save you having to change the bobbin for each section.   

Even though this block was a lot of stitching, I absolutely love it - it reminds me of a folk art panel. 

So there you have it, another day on the Patchiqué journey.  Be sure to come back in a fortnight when I shall be tackling Blocks 30 and Block 85.

Across the Pond for a Phone Pouch

April Fools day sees a nice, new project for the Across the Pond Sew Along - the mobile phone pouch or camera pocket.  A project small enough to fit into a spare hour yet sweet enough to make a lovely gift for Mother's Day (which was last Sunday here in England). 

There are lots of phone and camera pouch patterns on-line whether you like sewing, knitting, crochet or felt-work.  Susie from Susie's Sunroom, has been out pattern hunting and has found some lovely little offerings.  And here are a few of my favourite FREE tutorials:

 

First up - perfect for a phone or camera is this easy little number:

Samelia's Mum Mobile Phone Case

This patchwork gem from Sandra will capture your heart and have you reaching for your scrap bag:

Cherry Heart Phone Case

 

If time is really short and you are looking for a quick pouch for your phone, camera or sunglasses then look no further than the poppy pocket drawstring pouch from Isewfree.

I Sew Free Camera Pouch

 

And remember those nifty little circular pouches we made – well Erin has a perfect open pouch tutorial that can clip onto your bag or belt loop):

Dog Under My Desk Phone Pouch

If crochet is your thing then how about this pretty flower pocket from Julia Crossland

Garden Flower Pouch

 

I have recently purchased a little Nikon digital camera and wanted a new pouch for it so I added a little bit of applique to Fairy Face’s phone cozy.  What I didn't realise when I picked this pattern was just how lovely it would turn out. 

Fairy Face Last Minute Phone Cozy

 

I added a bit of Patchsmith appliqué:

 

with a touch of Bonnie and Camille fabric on the back

One recommendation – if you make this pouch for a camera you might want to omit the wrist strap.  Most cameras come with a wrist strap that hangs neatly out of the top of this pouch whilst the button fastening ensures the camera doesn’t fall out.

I've gotta say - I love this little pouch.  I love it so much I intend to make a bunch of them to give as Christmas treats.  Of course I will add a Patchsmith touch – an appliqué lamb on one and a robin on another.   And when done I will post pictures to the Across the Pond Sew Along Flickr group. 

Fancy joining in?  I do hope you can. 

Until next time .....................