Sewing Space

As I am sewing furiously to finish the Nest quilt I thought I would put a post up about my sewing space.  I did sew at the kitchen table which meant taking the machine up and down every time I wanted to sew so I moved into the back room.  This room is where I do my office work,  piano and where Lula plays piano and we all use the computer.  It is a busy room but cozy and bright when the sun is shining and next to the kitchen so not far to go for a cup of tea.

This is neat for me and tidied for the photo.  I'm not messy exactly, but I spread my stuff out whatever I am doing so every surface is quickly filled.  I am always envious of those white and tidy work spaces I see on other crafter's blogs and websites.  Lots of gaps around the inspirational objects, everything has space to breathe.   I know I am never going to achieve that.  I live in a small house with pressure on space so my work areas will always over flow.  If I'm really into a project I just clear what is necessary and work away in the piles of thread and scissors.

The sewing machine is on a breadboard as beneath it lies a large whole where a Singer treadle used to sit.  The house is a Cath Kidston sewing box and a personal favourite.

Radio is essential, as is tea.

The sewing cabinet is a beauty and was a great find in Steptoes. I found it on the day I went looking for a sewing table and could not believe my luck.  My work space is a happy place.

Carboot treasure 3-uninspired title but nice goodies.

I didn't need these, I have a lot of mugs, but they are so beautiful and such a bargain- a lovely pair of 1970s Hornsea Clappison mugs.  If you are not familiar with John Clappison, put his name into Google images and a great selection of his work come up. 

Final goody is a 1950s Be-ro cook book.

I learnt to bake when I was a girl from the 70s version of this book and I always have a soft spot for these.  The recipes are reassuringly familiar even though some of them are not the nicest of cakes!

Carboot treasure 2

I bought this as a share, for Lula and for me. It is going in the living room so she can play with it and I can look at it.

The inside is just as good.  When I was looking at it the lady offered it to me for £3, how could I walk away?

As for the patterns on the sides, love them!

Lula has designated it as Sylvanian family holiday chalet.

Carboot treasure 1

I had a number of great finds at the car boot sale yesterday.  I found a great set of Galt memory game cards. By coincidence these are also up on Jane Foster's lovely blog

Beautiful images and a limited palette, I have grouped them according to different themes that ran through my head as I was playing with them.

I think they are destined for a big mosaic style display.  More booty to come, it was a bumper day...

Finishing Line

The end is in sight, well just about if I pull my finger out.  I have been working on this nest quilt for almost a year.   I have done lots of other stuff as well but this has been ongoing.   I have ordered a Japanese clothes pattern magazine and I want to make something out of it as soon as it arrives so realistically I have got to get this done.

Let's just pause a minute to contemplate the arrival of Pochee Magazine vol 7.............................

I cannot wait.  I have ordered it from an ebay seller ccalled pompadour24.  She has a beautiful selection of books available on ebay mailed from Japan.  She also includes lots of photos in the description to give you an idea of what you are getting.  These pics just make me feel that I have found my dress making destiny, it is like coming home.  But, this quilt has got to be finished first.  It is my first bigger quilt, although I guess it is only lap size, that is big for me.  I find big chunks of fabric difficult to handle so I am making it using Carolyn Forster's quilt-as-you-go method.  Works well but involves a lot of hand sewing.  Each square is machined to the next but the batting and backing have to be joined by hand.  This is the last sashed square awaiting machine quilting.

Then the batting is hand sewn.

And the baking fabrics are joined, yawn, by hand again.

It works well but the hand sewing is literally a pain. I had to put the pincushion in to the shot because it is so cute and very functional.  I'll try bigger sections of quilt with the next one.  Binding to come...

Blossom

How beautiful are these?  Great big tea cup size Magnolia blossom- at least I think that's what it is.  Taken at Exeter University grounds near where I live.  I feel incredibly lucky to live so close to town and yet so close to places like this.  The lovely weather has helped to ease in return to work and return to school run routine (it's not that hard really...)

Saturday Sew in the Sun

I found this project on Flickr, a very generous free tutorial for a cover/stand for a Kindle.  All the goodies ready to sew on a sunny Saturday afternoon.

Sun streaming into the backroom,  the lovely Dermot O' Leary on BBC Radio 2, dog has been walked, family time has taken place and now,  it's just me, the sewing machine and Lottie curled up watching...

A very clever tutorial, and finished in less than a couple of hours.  I love my Sony reader and now I no longer need to prop it up against random jars on the kitchen table, it has its own stand.

Clever little foldy bit makes it stand up beautifully

Bit of a wonky line of sewing at the top of the cover but in my excitement at its functionality and prettiness I will over look such trifles.

As Radiohead would say, "everything in its right place"