Stitchin', Sewin' and an Idea

I finally managed to get in some stitchin' time this week along with some sewin' time.
I call that the best of both world's.

First up is a Lizzie Kate freebie "Liberty"
Stitched on 32ct. linen using DMC Color Variations.
Finished off as a pin pillow.

My second finish is another Lizzie Kate freebie
"Count Your Blessings"
Stitched on 32ct. linen using DMC threads and finished as a mini quilt wall hanging.

I've been making more of the strawberry, pumpkin and tomato pincushions as well as working on a couple of patterns for stitching and sewing organizers to sell.
What do you think? Good idea? Bad idea? Let me know your opinion.

Well that all for today stitcher's I truly do appreciate your stopping by and leaving a bit of yourselves behind.

Take Care & Happy Stitching...... Sandy

Finally, Some Finished Stitching

Being in less of a stitching mood and more of a sewing mood does have it's advantages.
I managed to get three pieces finished.

" Alphabet Sampler Tree"
This was a free pattern you can find here:
http://amonamipierre.net
Stitched on 32ct linen using DMC variegated threads.
Finished as a quilted wall hanging.

"Scissors Heart"
Stitched on 32ct linen using DMC #115
Finished as a medium sized pin pillow.

"I Love A Country Collection"
Stitched on 14ct aida using DMC.

I finished this piece several years ago (2006) and planned on entering it in the local fair so I framed it in a hurry using duct tape.
NEVER DO THAT!!
I started getting some discoloration that was peeking beyond the frame, so I went ahead and cut it down this year and made a quilted wall hanging out of it. Much more country looking this way, I used cotton calico and denim from an old pant leg.
I never did enter it in the fair.

Thanks for stopping by and thank you for leaving a piece of your self behind in the wonderfully kind comments you post. I do appreciate each and every one of them.

Take Care & Happy Stitching .... Sandy

Antique Sewing Machines

Since I've been in much more of a sewing mood I thought I would share pictures of my three very "Elegant Ladies".
Two are Singer's and both function but need some parts to make them sewing members of the family. The third is a Western Electric and will never be functional but is still very beautiful.

You can click the pictures to get a better view.

Elegant Lady #1
This is my Singer Treadle machine, I had wanted one forever and when we first moved to Montana it was a house warming gift from my DH. It just needs the long belt replaced and the base of the metal thread spool pin trimmed down so it can be used.

Elegant Lady #2
This is my Singer Electric machine, I have no idea what model this one is, it came in it's original cabinet, but with no paperwork. This one runs, but needs a lot of cleaning and some work to make it functional. The paint is really ruff on it, but I just love the look of the older Singer machines.

Elegant Lady #3

This is my Western Electric table top model, unfortunately she will never be a sewing member of the family. There are far too many parts needed, like the power cord and all the accessories, but she looks great in my sewing/craft room.

I would have loved to have any one of theses elegant ladies up and stitching this past weekend when my eight year old Brother XL-5340 decided it needed a vacation not once, not twice, but three times over the past four days. I got her fixed up and she's back in sewing order, but I think a servicing/cleaning trip may be in order soon.

Have A Great Day Everyone
Hugs and Stitches ..... Sandy

My Sewing Machine Is Getting A Workout

I've been using my sewing machine a lot lately, and this is the latest fruit of my labor.
You can find the tutorial for this project here:
http://www.sewmamasew.com/store/media/blog/SMSPincushionOrganizer.pdf

It's a sewing organizer with a removable scrap bag, pocket panel and pincushion.
The pincushion is 9" long and has a weighted bag in the bottom to keep it on the table or on the arm of your sofa or chair.

You can make this using two fat quarters of fabric and some flannel.
It called for wool felt for the center strip on the pincushion but I used flannel.
The weighted bag is filled with dry rice, but you could use sand or dried beans to weight it down. I even made a strawberry emery for my sewing snips out of a couple of leftover scraps.

Thank you all for stopping by my little corner of the world and leaving a piece of yourself behind, I always love reading your comments.

Take Care Everyone
Hugs and Stitches ...... Sandy

More Stitchin' & Pin Cushions Galore

Well I've been busy stitchin' & sewin'.
I kind of got sidelined on a pin cushion sewing adventure for a while, but then got my stitchin' mojo back and made a Needle & Scissor Case with a matching Fob.
Now, if I can only find a pair if prim scissors in black the look would be complete.
You can click on the pictures for a better view.


Here is the front & the inside of my needle & scissor case along with it's matching fob. I designed everything but the big fancy scissors, I got them from a freebie pattern. It is stitched on 32ct. linen tea-dyed after stitching, using DMC thread in 310 & 115. I even tea-dyed the felt piece. I got the fabric from Hobby-Lobby and made the cording from the same DMC threads.

Here are the passel of pincushions I sewed up. There are two tomatoes with strawberry emery's, a strawberry with a strawberry emery, two strawberry emery's (hanging), two pumpkins and a little tomato. Aren't they just too cute.

I also fabric covered a couple of cardboard textile bobbins to wrap some of my flat trims on. I definitely need to make some more of these.
You can find the pattern here:
http://sarahdenormandie.over-blog.com/article-679373.html

Thanks for stopping by and leaving a piece of yourself behind, I really do appreciate all of your comments, they make me smile & keep me motivated.
I hope you all have a great weekend filled with sunny weather and lots of stitching fun.

Take Care & Happy Stitching
Sandy

Strawberry Pinkeep Tutorial

Welcome to the show everyone.
Are you ready to try your hand at making a "Strawberry Pinkeep/Pincushion" ?
If you are, here is my oh so simple pattern for you to use.

First off you need to gather up your supplies.

9" x 9" piece of cross stitch fabric (any count or type)
1 skein of embroidery floss
3" x 14" piece or 1/8 yd. of cotton fabric or 1 piece of felt for the leaves
8" to 12" of cording, ribbon, yarn, etc. for hanger
9" x 9" piece of light weight fusible interfacing
18" of 24 gauge wire
9" diameter paper plate
strong sewing thread, pearl cotton or crochet cotton
Filling of your choice: Sand, Emery, crushed Walnut Shells or Fiberfill
scissors
pins
tacky glue
pencil & ruler
sewing machine

1. After you have finished your stitching iron the fusible interfacing to the back (wrong side) of the fabric. Using the ruler and pencil mark a line 1/2" away from your stitching on the diagonal edge. (aka: corner to corner) and draw a line. Cut along the line.


2. Fold or cut the paper plate in half and line up the cut edge of the plate with the cut edge of the fabric. Make sure that your stitching is centered and that the edges of the paper are no closer than 1/2" from your stitching all around. Using the pencil, trace the arc of the plate onto the fabric and cut out out along the line.








3. Match up the straight edge of your piece along the stitching, right sides together and pin in place. The stitching should abut/touch, but not overlap. Sew the long edge using a 1/2" seam allowance, make sure the stitching is lined up properly, then trim the seam allowance to 1/4". Turn right side out.






4. Using the strong thread and turning the edge under 1/4" as you go, sew a gathering/basting stitch by hand all the way around the top edge. Make sure you leave two thread tails around 3" long for pulling. Pull the tails of your thread to loosely gather the top of the strawberry. Fill with your filling material and top the filling with a circle of fabric to help hold the filler inside. Gather the top tightly and tie off the thread, making sure to leave a small opening for the hanger and leaves stem.













5. Make a template for a simple oval leaf. Trace ten (10) of the leaves on to the cotton fabric. Cut them out. Cut the 24 gauge wire into five (5) 3-1/2" pieces. Using the tacky glue, lay a thin line of glue around the edge of the leaf and down the center on the wrong side of the fabric. Set the wire in the center of the leaf approx. 1/4" from the top. Lay the second leaf half on top of the first leaf, wrong sides together, and press in place. Set aside to dry. Repeat with the remaining leaves. You should have five (5) leaves.




6. While you are waiting for the leaves to dry make your hanger. I've used twisted cording and jute that I braided, but you can use whatever catches your fancy. Make sure that your hanger is between 8" and 12" long. Fold your hanger in half and knot the ends together. This will be placed inside the top of your strawberry and stitched or glued in place at the back seam.

7. After the leaves are dry trim the edges to remove any stray threads and uneven sides. I used pinking shears for this. Gather up the leaves and twist the wire stems together tightly. Trim the stem to 1/4" to 1/2" long. Cover in glue and insert in the top center of your strawberry. (You can poke a small hole in the fabric for the stem to set in) Set it aside to dry. (You may want to pin it to hold it in place) After drying arrange the leaves how you want them and glue them around the top edge if necessary to help cover the gathers.

8. There you have it, you just finished your first Strawberry Pinkeep/Pincushion.
Congratulations!!!

NOTES:
I don't have paper plates at my house so I just found a lid in the right size and traced that onto paper for my template.
Remember that the count of your fabric will change the finished size of your Strawberry, so you may need to adjust the size of your template.
I found that crochet cotton is the best for the gathering stitches as the first knot will stay in place while you make the second one. Sewing thread and pearl cotton or floss can start to come loose.

Well, there you go folks.
I hope you have as much fun making yours as I did mine and if you have any questions my e-mail address is in my profile.
I'll try to answer them the best I can.

Take Care & Happy Stitching
Sandy