Ruby's Baby Bloomers

This is a project I have been sitting on for a while. I bought the fabric back in February, but knew they would not be needed until the summer. This was when our Great Niece Maisie reached six months old. As usual  Considering the pattern size I used was for 6-12 months she'll probably need to grow into them a bit. I left them to the last minute!

I made these using the Ruby's Bloomers pattern from Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross. The book suggests making a set to give as a gift so I chose some contrasting bright and bold fabric. I used ~

Ann Kelle Metro Market Strawberries ~ Red

Ann Kelle Metro Market Cherries ~ Aqua

Anna Kelle Confections Cupcakes ~ Aqua

It took a few attempts to get the elasticated stitching right around the legs, I was certainly well practiced well practiced after the third pair!

I managed to photograph two of the three pairs last week. North Cornwall is now under a blanket of fog so I will re-do the photo to include the 'cupcake' pair as soon as the sun shines again.

Square Deal Pincushion 2

In an earlier post I had made myself a pincushion using a variation of the Heather Bailey Square Deal Pincushion pattern. I said at the time that I would make one for my Mum. She is still using an old pincushion I bought for her from a school craft fair over 30 years ago.

It has been a really stormy morning so it was a good time to get sewing. 

Sewing the corners on this pattern can be a little tricky so accurate cutting out and matching up is essential. It is a little forgiving so don't be put off if you are a novice, just take your time with it. I left the ribbon off again to show off the fabric.

I used Riley Blake My Minds Eye Penny Lane ~ White and Penny lane Dots ~ Blue. With fabric covered buttons in Dots ~ Blue.

Saturday Sewing ~ 'Square Deal' Pincushion Variation with Covered Buttons

I've spent a fair amount of time picking pins off the floor when I'm working on a project. I'm missing one essential piece of kit - a pincushion!

I can remember buying a pincushion for my mum at a school Christmas craft fair in the early 1980s. It was made by a friends mum who I'd previously watched folding squares of fabric into triangles, stuffing them and sewing then together on her machine ready for the fair.

I chose some Carolyn Gavin fabric, Spring Street Buzzing Garden and Tossed Flowers in blue. Using Heather Baileys free Square Deal Pincushion pattern.

The actual pattern uses ribbon crossed over the pincushion. I haven't used it here because I didn't want to hide the Buzzing Garden design. I covered two buttons in the contrasting Tossed Flowers fabric for the top and bottom to finish it.

This was really fun to make! I'll pick some different fabric and make one for mum soon.

Bunting in Soft Pastel Flowers

I'll admit to having one of those unfinished sewing projects that I've done my best to avoid recently. So, instead of watching YouTube tutorials on how to sew with elasticated thread...I've made bunting! 

This little piece of procrastination was made with three My Minds Eye - Penny Lane 'Petals' fat quarters in pink, blue and green. Each FQ made five double sided flags.

The only puzzle was trying to work out how on earth should I photograph it!

Making a Super Quick Baby Quilt using Cloud9 Fabric

I used the Saints & Pinners Super Quick Quilt Pattern with a mix of Cloud9 'My Happy Nursery' and 'My Happy Garden' Designs. 'Speckle' in Sky and Grass, 'Leaves' in Sky and 'Toadstools'. The colours are fresh and lively, they gave me a real lift while working with them during the winter.

I hand tied the quilt with embroidery thread matched to the main colours.

This pattern is simple and easy to follow, so it's a great quilt to 'cut your teeth' on if you have never made one before.