Twisting, wrapping, and couching

Hello. 

I had a lovely day visiting family in Nottingham, yesterday. Nice to see Auntie and cousins, and kids, again. They made a lovely spread, I came away feeling full to bursting. 

Twas a fun crafty morning at the Village Hall today. A new lady came along and thoroughly enjoyed herself meeting new people. She is knitting some children's dolls. I think she will come again next week. 

A few people asked about the new picture, the techniques I am using. Sue asked what am I weaving onto. This one is not weaving Sue, I'll explain further. Caz asked what is this kind of work called. I don't know Caz. I found a video on yoootooob on how to make cords with a sewing machine, it looked easy to do, then I thought about how I could incorporate the cords into a picture. Rather than splash paint onto a canvas, I decided to stitch the cords on instead. Then I found a picture that inspired me to copy the outline and use it. 

How to make cords, I can't find the first video I saw, so here is my version. Cut strips of fabric about an inch wide, doesn't matter how long they are. Fabric that is the same colour both sides is best, and one that doesn't fray. 

These are the finished twisted cords.

And this is how you do it. Set the machine to a zigzag stitch, probably the biggest one. Start twisting at one end, hold it tight because it will untwist if you let go. Trap the end underneath the foot with a little bit sticking out of the back. You will need to pull it through because the feed dogs won't do that automatically because it is so narrow. 

Twist a few inches of it, hold it with the right hand, then pull through with the left hand. It would be impossible to do this with a hand machine. Use an ordinary foot, keep stopping and twisting a bit more, then sew a bit and carry on like that until you get to the end. One thing you will have to watch out for is the twists coming up through the gap in the foot before it has been wrapped. Try and keep it taught and hold it down as flat as you can while you are sewing, but if this happens keep going to the end because it will still sew if the twisted fabric sits on top of the foot.

I am using a plain piece of stiff, strong fabric, a bit like a closely woven sack cloth, they use it on the underside of sofas at the Lebus factory. You can use any sort of heavy fabric, plain is best if you want to draw a design on it. It needs to be heavy enough to support all the stitching without sagging, and puckering. 

 I am using a couching stitch, some of it is in matching cotton and some in contrasting cotton.

This is what the underneath looks like, hundreds of stitches. 

How to do couching, here are a few pictures to help you. Instead of making cords, you can couch anything onto a piece of work, from fine embroidery thread, to wool, or string. You can use one strand, or several strands, depending on the thickness you require. Basically the stitch is up through the fabric, over the top and down the other side. If you want a really neat job the distances between the stitches should be uniform. As I am going to be adding more detail later my stitching doesn't need to be perfect.

How to go round corners. If the corner is too tight, and the gap gets narrow, I have been cutting the cord to fit exactly in the space, then starting again a bit further down where it is a bit wider.

Anybody going to give this a go? You could start by making a smaller sample picture. I think I shall be working on mine for another two months. You know what I'm like, I faff a lot, ha ha.
Toodle pip

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The cat sat on the sewing

Hello. If you want to get on with a sewing project, put the cat out of the room and close the door. Yesterday afternoon Mayze was in and out, and up and down, like a fiddlers elbow. I'd get a few stitches done and back she came again.

'Wadaya doin, you've missed a bit there. I want to sit on here, stop sewing.' 

Last night it was Heidi's turn. 'This sewing lark is so boring, I'm falling asleep.'

No wonder I'm not getting on very well with it, all the interruptions. Here's a little bit so far, shades of green. Strips of fabric twisted and put through the machine on a zigzag stitch. Sewn on the fabric with a couching stitch. It will be a long while until it's anywhere near finished at this rate.

The parsnips were turned into a big pan of parsnip curry. That's my dinner for three days. I fancy going for a walk tomorrow, but the forecast is gales and rain, I'll see what it's like in the morning, might have to resort to plan B.

A short one tonight, sees ya tomorrow. Toodle pip.

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How to make a Suffolk Puff

Hello. Did anyone see the gorgeous sunset last night? I spotted it looking out over the rooftops, from my bedroom window. Boots on, coat on, off to the churchyard for some pics. I like to play around with the flash, sometimes it works really well at picking out objects close by, and sometimes not. It depends on how much natural light there is. Love how it picks out the red berries. 

Silhouettes of the bare trees against the moody sky.

Love how the flash picks out the railings. It was still quite light at this point.

Love how the lush green leaves add even more colour to the red sunset. 

I like to try and frame the picture to draw the eye deeper into it. Looking for overhanging branches or strategically placed bushes.

Talking of pictures, I mentioned that someone wanted to use one of mine in a publication. I am happy to allow that, and it's nice that I was asked, rather than it just be taken. One of my photo's was used as a cover for a community brochure in Lincolnshire. Another was used in advertising material by someone in the USA who was coming to London to give a presentation at the London Palladium. He wanted a photo of the venue without any advertising boards on the front. I happened to be passing when there wasn't a show on and got the picture. Here is a link to Bed Times, my picture of a bed spring gate is at the top. From what I can remember I was in Derbyshire when I took it. 

What was I doing last night at sewing class? Making Suffolk Puffs. I don't know why they are called that, I think the common name is yoyo's. These are for embellishing the cushion cover I am making from a mans shirt. Still need some more. 

There is a gadget you can buy to help you make them. A circle of plastic which sits inside another circle and sandwiches the fabric between the two. They clip together and have holes around the edge that you sew through. Last week I borrowed one from a class mate, but she didn't bring it this week so I carried on making them without it. It's quite simple. Probably most of you know how to do this.

Cut a circle twice the size of the puff. Fold a single hem around the outside. I didn't bother to iron it, just folded as I was sewing. Basically you sew a line of small tacking stitches around the outside, and when you get back to the beginning you pull the thread tight, gathering the fabric into a puff with the raw edge on the inside. Then you finish off with a button.

I've just watched a video which demonstrates this, but the lady didn't make a hem, she sewed round the raw edge and pulled it in. I think this way is a bit messy and if you were going to wash the piece afterwards the raw edge would fray.



Here is another video which shows the hem method, and how to make square puffs.



If you go onto yoootooob and search Suffolk Puffs there are lots of ideas on what to do with them. Happy stitching. The sun is out and I am off outside. Got to dig up the last of my spuds. Hope all is good where you are. Toodle pip.

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It's not all rubbish

Hello. Question - who is a wombler and who is a dumper? Who saves things in the hope that they will come in useful for something at a later date, or who tosses things straight into the bin because they do not care where it came from or where it will end up? How do you know what is rubbish and what has value?

Some of you may have noticed a list at the bottom of my blog of free things that I have found, or been given, or I have asked for, if you have scrolled down that far. I started this list when I started the blog. but I have stopped adding to it because it was becoming a mammoth task to itemize every piece which came into my possession. I still continue to collect free stuff, either for my own use or to pass it on. I find it incredibly amazing that people regard it OK to chuck perfectly usable items in the bin, or a skip, or in the hedgerow if they can't be bothered to dispose of it through the correct channels.

So what's on my found list? Two small conifer plants found in a rubbish bin - with a bit of TLC they are thriving. Three plastic crates found in the Takeaway bin - they are in my shed with small items stored in them. An orange plastic pumpkin bucket - given to a small child for building sandcastles on the beach. Yellow plastic ball - given to a dog to play with. Three pallets, I asked for them, they would have been chucked. And so it goes on. There is loads of free stuff out there, you just have to keep your ears and eyes open.

You all know my stance on skip diving, if I see something I want I will ask for it. I have no shame in getting in there and rescuing useful items, I don't care if anyone looks at me in disgust. I am trying to do my bit for the planet, my conscience is clear. If I can find something free then I don't have to buy it, and if I don't want it I will endeavour to give it away. And while I am on the subject of buying, I wouldn't care if most of the shops on the High Street were charity shops. All I need are the discount stores where I can get cheaper human food, household cleaners and toiletries, and pet food. All the clothes shops, shoe shops, jewelers, fancy goods and frivolous non essential items and such like, I wouldn't miss them one iota if they disappeared. No Siree. I won't be going to the new out of town Marks and Sparks which has just opened opposite Tesco, they haven't got anything I need. I know that without even looking. The new Debenhams next door won't see me crossing their threshold either.

You might have seen pictures in the media of people in third world countries sorting through mountains of rubbish, separating plastics and metals etc, that is how they make their living. I can see that in the future this kind of recycling will be taking place here, where every single piece of rubbish will be sorted, graded and used as raw materials to make something new. Bring it on I say, we cannot carry on taking from this earth, there will come a point where we have stripped the land bare of all it has to offer, only then will people wake up to re using and re cycling on a massive scale. They will have to because there will be nothing new left to buy.

Have a look at this article which appeared in The Big Issue, about turning rubbish into art at the Science Museum. Then read more about the exhibition on the Science Museum web site, and watch the video. It looked very interesting, sadly it has finished now.

So, I offer you this challenge. Ok, so you can afford to buy new, but if you have a hankering to go to the shops for something other than food or personal essentials, think before you make that trip. Put it off for 24 hours and think about a plan B. Can you get it second hand? Will you find it at a car boot sale or a charity shop. Have a look on the free web sites, Freecycle and Freegle, is someone giving one away? Look in the small ads in the shop windows or local newspapers. Any jumble sales in your area? Mention it to your friends, have they got one they want to pass on?

When you are getting your presents together for Christmas look for toys in charity shops and car boot sales. Think small gifts, set a limit, can you make something? When you are getting your garden ready for veg growing don't go to the garden centre and splash out on tools, wood for the raised beds, etc, you can buy spades, forks, rakes, at a car boot sale, and get wood out of skips and back doors of DIY stores. Always ask before taking. When you want to do a bit of sewing, don't go to a shop and buy fabric, cotton etc, go to a charity shop and look along the garment rails for the colours you need. Re cycle unwanted clothes, make them into something new. Look in your own wardrobe, is there anything in there that you don't wear any more. Get a buzz out of your efforts, be proud that you made something with your own hands, whether it be a complicated piece of embroidery, or running up a shopping bag on a machine.

Here is something I knocked up before breakfast this morning, using materials that people have given me. Six small pieces of pink felt, 3.5 cm square. Decorate each one with gold and purple sequins.

Sew them all together with a running stitch, making a box with a lid. I used one strand of purple embroidery silk for the sequins and two strands to sew it together. You can use any colours you like.

Before you sew the last seam stuff it with scraps of any soft fabric you have, and attach a matching ribbon in the last corner with a few stitches. There you have a dinky Christmas tree decoration. I am going to make some more with different colours, I tried this one to see if it would work, and it does. You could make them bigger if you have a big tree, or smaller for a table decoration. You could make pyramids. You could sew beads, ribbon, or lace on them, any embelishment you like.

Have fun. I have things to do before sewing class tonight. Catch up with you tomorrow. Toodle pip.

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The magic of the www

Hello. Just thought I would pop back tonight to tell you about something amazing that happened today. You may remember that my wonderful computer fixer upper emigrated to Australia nigh on two years ago now. I was very sad when Mark went, although it was the best move for him and his family. They are now settled in a nice area in a lovely house, they have jobs and a car each and their children are happy in their school. I've never met his family but Mark is an all round good guy.

So why am I singing his praises now, I haven't seen him for two years. I sent him a message via Facebook, asking how do I connect the Hudl to my internet connection here in the house. A couple of messages went back and forth, then this morning I had just replied to him and literally seconds later the phone rang. I had the shock of my life, Mark was on the line wanting to help me.

My phone is upstairs next to the big computer and he thought the password I needed would be on there, as that's what he used to connect up the little net book. I switched it on, and the screen filled up with messages like it has been doing for several months. I just ignore them because I don't use the big computer very often now.

I followed Marks instructions clicking where he told me to click. A code and password came up in a box and I read them out to him. Things started happening on my screen as he took over the computer. I had sat with him many times before as he worked his magic, unable to understand the double dutch  which appeared, or keep up with the speed at which things were happening. He is like grease lightening when it comes to fixing things.

He chatted as he worked, I found out all about his new life in Australia, and for just over an hour this went on. I worried that his phone bill would be horrendous, but he assured me that it is very cheap to phone England, he pays a very reasonable annual fee to Skype and all calls are covered.

He found the password I needed for the Hudl so that is now connected. He also went through the whole computer and gave it a thorough clean, there was a few bits that shouldn't have been there, and he put me a new anti virus on. It's running like a new computer again.

Isn't it flippin amazing that someone from the other side of the world can sort out my computer for me. Mark, if you are reading this I am really chuffed that you were able to do this for me, you are one of the best.

Tonight I've been to college for the first lesson on up cycling. We were asked to take a man's shirt and we are turning them into cushions. I didn't have a shirt, but my good friend Barry had a rummage in his wardrobe and found one he doesn't wear any more. The first thing to do was iron it, then measure a cushion and make a paper pattern and use that to cut out the material. I skipped the paper bit as my shirt is a bit smaller and I will make a cushion to fit it. The front with the buttons on becomes the back of the cushion, and other parts of the shirt will be used to customize the front of it. Ideas for customizing will be demonstrated next week by the teacher. Photo's to follow.

I'll sign off now, time for the hot chocolate and beddybyes. Good night.    

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Food for the brain

Hello, Getting on with things a bit earlier this morning. It was a big ask yesterday to point you in the direction of a video that takes an hour and a half to watch. Not everyone has the time to sit through something that long. There is a natural break at the point where the first story appears to finish, and a second story emerges. You could split it that way and still enjoy the whole thing, because the two stories run parallel, drawing it to a very emotional conclusion at the end.

You know I am a nosy person, I have said it many times, but I am not nosy for the sake of it, it's not that I want to know everybody's business. It's just that my little brain keeps asking me, what's that all about, I want to know how things work, how they fit together, why things happen, and what makes them happen. The internet is an ideal tool to satisfy my curiosity. I wasn't interested in learning at school, the only lessons I liked were practical subjects like cookery, sewing, art, and cross country running, and writing stories. I hated being forced to sit for a couple of hours my head jammed up with a mass of numbers that made no sense at all, or listen to the teacher drone on about some battle or other that happened a million years ago.I didn't need to know that stuff. I wanted to know about life, how and why things happen, right now while I am a part of it.

I walk around my village in the evening, and now it is getting dark early I see people watching the tele. The screens are that big these days, it's easy to see what they are watching, and the same tele's in the same houses are on, night after night. There seems to be a lot of run of the mill stuff, which is neither taxing to the brain, or even remotely interesting. I suppose they call that entertainment. I ask myself if I am perhaps missing out, should I get a tele. But what would I learn from Strictly Come Dancing, or the X Factor, or the many quiz programmes it seems to be awash with. And don't tell me I can learn a lot from cookery programmes, my mum was there to show me how to knock up a meal.

No, tele on the whole does not add to my learning experiences at all. I have an appetite and I need to feed it. Just like my body needing food, my brain also needs sustenance in the form of stimulating information which I can dissect and consume.

I do pick out a few programmes for their entertainment value, to watch on the computer, but I am paring that down now in favour of  something that will give me food for thought. Even Coronation Street has been given the boot, where do they get those barmy stories from, and so repetitive as well. Same old same old is not what I want. I need fresh, new ideas to feed the old grey matter.

I've been checking out a few crafty web sites which I am happy to share. You never know, there might be some new ideas here to give you inspiration.
Contemporary Quilt is all about erm,... quilting. There are lovely pictures of amazing quilts and details of events which you can visit.
Effie Galletly is a landscape artist and quilt maker, her works are inspired by the landscapes and structures of the Western Islands and the West Highlands of Scotland. She runs workshops on the Isle of Lewis, which were very successful in 2013.
Gillian Travis is an award winning textile artist living in the north of England. Her web site is choc a bloc full of interesting stuff, I will have to bookmark this one. Her work is colourful and contemporary, inspired by her extensive travels, all are documented on her blog.
Anne Kelly is a textile artist who lives in Sussex. She collects recycled fabric and paper to create a range of work which is mostly framed. She has a blog, and teaches at her workshops.

There's a few to be going on with, Now here's the question....what do you read up about on the internet, what subjects feed your desires for more knowledge?  What are you studying, what subjects  are you keen to learn more about? Are you feeding your brain with the right fodder, or are you slumped in front of the box, content with chillin after a hard day with your nose to the grindstone? Hey, that's more than one question, never mind, I'm being nosy again, ha ha.
Toodle pip.

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A sneaky look :o)

Hello. I thought I would take a day off yesterday, to give you chance to catch up, ha ha. No, that's an excuse. I am busy with the picture, and when I have my creative head on I have to stick with it. I need time to unscramble the ideas I have, to look at the picture as it is emerging, to rearrange the pieces I have decided to put on it, and try new ideas as they come into my head. Then step back and wait. Walk away from it. Go back to it. Study it, what colours does it need? What is missing? Is it too cluttered? Lots to think about.

A couple of pictures? Oh go on then. I have cut this shape from a piece of upholstery fabric, now I am embellishing it. I sealed the edges by applying PVA glue with a paintbrush, this stops it from fraying. 

This piece is still not finished, more to add to it. The darker beads are aquamarine colour, not come out very well in the photo. 

Oooops, sorry, you didn't want to see them, did you. Never mind, just pretend you didn't look. Please excuse me while I get on. Stomach is rumbling, need to eat, then back to the stitching. Will take a day off from this tomorrow, other things to do. So for now, Toodle pip.

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Will it work?

I woke up this morning with an idea buzzing around in my head, as I often do. I need to capture ideas as and when they happen, try them out. Before I made a coffee, and before I fed the cats, I laid a few beads out on the picture, will it work? 

I am quite liking this project, it's easier than painting because I can try ideas out first before I fix anything permanently. If you splodge the wrong colour paint on a picture, or put it in the wrong place, you have to redo stuff, and cover up the mistakes with more paint. Piecing things together bit by bit you can move things around and try several options. Working with fabric is a lot easier. So yes, I think the beads will work well here, all I have to do is sew them on.  

I've found some small white butterflies in my bit box, they were joined together in a strip and I have separated them. They will work well here among the green flowers.

I'm having an easy day today, gave keys back to the owners of the gardens I have been watering. Stopped for a natter and a coffee at one of them. Replied to a couple of comments here, will reply to emails later. Just eaten a bowl of strawberries and vanilla yogurt, lipsmackin good. Now I'm off out for a dog walk, Lady dog will be wanting a piddle. Come back, bit of sewing, lounge in the bath later. Love Sundays. Enjoy yours.
Toodle pip.

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Whip up a quickquilt

I've had a change today, instead of hand sewing I've been machine sewing. Wanting to use up some bits and pieces of cotton fabric. Don't want to make a big quilt, but a little quilt for cats would be nice, not for me but to give to someone else. This is the easy quick way, I've shown this once before, when I turned a piece of quick quilt into a curtain. This is the same principle. I find it easier to sew the bits onto a bigger piece one by one, rather than join them all up. 

The stripey backing piece is from an old worn out flannelette sheet, cut to a 24 inch square. I've cut two pieces to make it thicker. First choose a piece of cotton fabric, put it face down in the centre, and sew along one side. Then turn it over with right side up.

Then get a second piece, right side down, and sew along one edge. Turn it right side up.

Then do the same again on the other side. Right side down, sew, turn it right side up.

And so on.....keep adding more pieces. Pin the edges down to keep it flat. Iron if you want to.  

Add more to it and it grows bigger.

You need longer pieces so you might have to join a few shorter pieces to make a strip. Put the strip right side down and sew it on in the same way.

All done, when the patchwork reaches the outer edges time to finish it off. It doesn't matter if the edges are not 100% straight. I don't have any wadding so I have put another piece of the stripey sheet on it. The backing is is a piece of red cotton sheet. Cut it bigger and bring the excess round to the front to make the border. My quilting is not fancy, just straight lines to keep the layers together. I want to start in the centre and work my way towards the outer edge, but Bugsy has decided that the sun is too hot in the windowsill and he wants to lie on the table for a few minutes. Come on Bugsy, you are in the way. I get him to move by offering a tasty piece of chicken.

All finished, doesn't take long to run one of these up. A mat for a cat. Five layers thick and washable. It can be put in a cat bed, a box or basket, or can be put on a chair if you want to keep the chair free of cat hairs. Janet has seven cats, I'm sure she will find a place for it. 

Here is another snippet of the picture I am creating, it's on the back of a piece of upholstery fabric. Long way to go yet, will show more as I add to it.

I feel a bit peckish, time to make my dinner. Won't be anything fancy, can't be bothered to cook.
Toodle pip.

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Really nice shopping bags

Good morning. I want to get on with stuff today so I am posting here early. I bet you have been wondering what I have been doing the last couple of days, while posting the photo's. Here are the fruits of my labour. Eight shopping bags finished, photo's taken before I give them away. I'm on a use up the fabric crusade. Nothing fancy just bog standard easy to sew bags. They can be folded, washed, chucked in the car, used for groceries, or kept for best. They are handy for carting all sorts of stuff around, library books, swimming gear, baby and toddler stuff, gym wear, and lunch bag for a day out. One of my craft club friends brings her knitting in hers every week and loves it. 

It is forecast that we are in for some sunshine in the next few days. Luvvly jubbly, got to get some of that. The end of my road looks a scruffy mess, I'll get a black bag and pull up the weeds and tidy round.

I have booked an appointment with the nurse to have the jab, thanks for your input in that matter. The battle with slugs and snails is ongoing, but hey ho, there are some broad beans on the way, and the spuds look great. Six courgette plants should eventually give me something to eat. I wanted to sow some more seeds in a vacant bed, but on lifting the plastic compost bag covering it I found three frogs have set up home there, so only half the bed can be used. Didn't want to destroy their secret hideaway, they are safe from the cats if they stay covered.

Catch you tomorrow. Toodle pip.

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Sewing busybee

I think we've skipped summer and fast forwarded to autumn, it's been a wet and miserable cold day. I've gone back to knee length socks and a fleece in the house, and got my old warm jacket out for dog walking. The council in their wisdom sent the grass cutters out to mow the village communal grass areas and verges, you should see what a mess they have made of it. The machines are far too heavy and sink into the sodden ground leaving our lovely village green like a herd of cattle have trampled through it. Mud bath describes it at the moment, with ten days to go to our fete. I can't see it recovering by then unless we get several days of sunshine to dry it out. 

Another day of sewing, and another project finished. I started this ages ago, and put it down to make a bigger cat mat. That one went to the rescue pens, this smaller one I am keeping. 

The fleece offctuts are hand stitched onto a piece of tatty stained bed sheet which I was using as a table cloth. The underneath is very wrinkled, which has pulled the whole thing out of shape. It doesn't matter though, the cats will never notice that it's a bit wonky.

I chose a piece of pink floral cotton for the backing, and a piece of old flannelette sheet for the sandwich bit in the middle. Lay the backing face down....

and fold it over at the front, pin in place to make a border, and run the machine round.

All done. I have run the machine all over it in a zigzag stitch, for the quilty bit. None of it is straight, all higgledypiggledy. 

I've got more fleece offcuts to play with but will move onto something else now. I don't like to do too much of the same thing. Variety is what I like.

I've brought my salad leaf bowl into the kitchen now, out of the way of the slugs and rain. All growing nicely so handy to pick a few leaves when I need them.

Dinner tonight was cold pasta. I made lots yesterday, enough for lunch and dinner today. I like it cold as well as hot. I mixed in some tartar sauce, one year out of date, hence the price of 30p. Also green pesto, grated carrot, and salad leaves, one tomato and two boiled eggs. Made a lovely meal. Quick and easy to do.

It's still raining, going to do some more sewing to keep me busy. Toodle pip.

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