Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Lighthouse fabric cards

Before going on holidays I made these cards. They are for the birthday swap.
I used the technique of reverse paper piecing. I've had a lot of practise through previous projects so it's not a problem for me. I drew these to the 4"x6" size needed for the postcards.

I find that I don't have much time at the moment to get involved in more card swaps, life is too busy.

I do a bit of sewing and hope to show you some things regularly, but I was hoping to do a bit more, and it's not going to happen.

Anyway on Friday I intend to go to Quilts UK show in Malvern, you can find more information on this page. It will be a great day, lots of shopping, inspiration, photos (I can't show them because of copyright rules).

Have a good time sewing.
Pascale.

Monday, May 09, 2011

Sorry for my absence. We went on holidays to northern France, I saw my sister and her family, my parents, some friends. Had a lovely time. We also started painting the bathroom in that house, it needs it dearly.

Since we came back a week ago I have been trying to get the house in order and working again. I haven't yet caught up on all the emails received in that time, the non urgent anyway.

I have done a bit of sewing but not  as much as I had hoped. I always take projects with me, more than I can do, just in case. I wonder if you do the same.

Here is a little pencil box I made before leaving. I use it on my coffee table whith a glass top, hoping it will look a bit tidier.
I decided on the size I wanted, drew it, added the seam allowances all the way around and made this shape. Use 2 pieces of fabric right sides together, and sew nearly all the way with 1/4" seam allowance, leaving one short side opened.

 You clip the seams in the corners, and turn it right side out. Next you measure the space you have in each rectangle area and cut some stiff interfacing to fit in. Insert the rectangles for the 3 sides and then sew to maintain them in place (sorry I forgot to take a photo at that stage).
Now do the same with the bottom of the box, sew the fourth side closed , and finish with the opened side where you might have to hand sew to close your structure.


 The last stage is to slip stitch the vertices, or angles of your box. Done.

You could make a lid, change the size to whatever suits you, enjoy.

Pascale.