tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10685355687089479952011-11-29T19:09:33.746+01:00Things to do and things to remember.Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.comBlogger2091100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-75798786382718329532011-08-26T12:53:00.002+02:002011-08-26T13:05:05.286+02:00

Not a great picture :-) I had been meaning to make myself a tailors ham for years, but never got around to it. I used rolled up towels and cushions to press shoulder seams and other curved seams, it never worked very well. I went to buy a ham, both in Spain and the UK, but they always seemed very expensive for what they were, and not particularly well made. I decided to sew these up while I was

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-44495862051788080562011-08-22T01:58:00.002+02:002011-08-22T02:20:44.348+02:00

Corset, originally uploaded by soja.First go, just to practise creating something closely fitting and boned. I used the free Jacci Jaye pattern at Burdastyle for an underbust and some curtain/upholstery fabric scraps. The biggest problem with the bodice boning, was cutting it - the cheap mini-bolt cutters (Silverline 8") I bought from ebay made it much easier this time. :-) I bought the busk

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-67757628285379968002011-08-14T23:23:00.002+02:002011-08-15T01:25:30.984+02:00

Perfect Fit!, originally uploaded by soja.Another task that I had meaning to do ticked off! I bought the cotton for this months ago when I saw it on ebay. It is 100% cotton made for sheeting, so was already the right width for my queen size bed. I just needed to cut a 12.5" square from each corner to make it the same size as my other sheets from habitat. I followed the instructions from my

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-38622822751363111902011-08-12T00:13:00.003+02:002011-08-13T20:13:44.605+02:00

u Dad's Quilt, originally uploaded by soja.I grabbed the opportunity to get photos yesterday while we had some sunshine! Just as well as it has been grey and windy nearly all day today. Mum loved her quilt, it is used everyday, and Dad feels the cold terribly as a result of his treatment so hinted that he really wanted a quilt of his own. I was happy to take up the hint, and it turned out that

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-61789482541708832532011-08-10T18:24:00.002+02:002011-08-10T18:31:25.747+02:00

Retro bombshell dress and course finished!, originally uploaded by soja.Finished! Not the best photo, granted, nor a stunning setting, but still. Not even intentionally headless, but I balanced the camera on the ironing board and used the timer - glamorous! I'd got my mother to take a quick picture earlier, but she couldn't really see and the shot was a little blurry. I'm happy with the result,

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-4134126134363386122011-08-03T17:16:00.003+02:002011-08-10T18:29:25.034+02:00

Charlotte's Quilt, originally uploaded by soja.A bit dark, but earlier it was too bright and over exposed, ah well, glad to have pics before I give it away! :-) A small quilt made for a colleague at the first school I was placed at. We had chatted about quilts as she had said that she was looking for one for her home, so when I knew that she was expecting her first baby just before I was due to

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-21835687098905311892011-08-01T15:55:00.003+02:002011-08-01T17:59:37.238+02:00

Muslins for Retro Bombshell Online Sewing Course, originally uploaded by soja.So, one quilt has been given, to my dad, I'll get some photos later, the other is in the washing machine now.Here are the muslins I have made for the online sewing course created by Gretchen Hirsch for Craftsy.com. When I read the pattern details I was a little surprised that the measurements closest to mine were the

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-30551893212596857572011-08-01T15:19:00.001+02:002011-08-01T15:19:24.777+02:00

Finished!, originally uploaded by soja.The confirmation letter arrived at the weekend. I had an interview within a couple of days of the last day of the course and started work the same day - so a bit rushed!. No blogging, I was a little disappointed with the quality of the course and busy most of the time and didn't want to have lots of whinging posts!Anyway - all finished and I have a job! :-)

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-89588274308660302752011-02-24T14:55:00.001+01:002011-02-24T14:55:25.409+01:00

All bundled up, originally uploaded by soja.I spent the early evening part of New Years Eve ironing, cutting and rolling up fabric to send out to the other Bee members. A good start to the year. :-)We are making log cabin blocks, I've made half a dozen, and (hopefully) will get 22 blocks back from the Bee... planning to make a queen-size quilt with 42 - 48 blocks..... Hope I like it!

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-12283551072584776872011-01-31T11:04:00.001+01:002011-01-31T11:04:32.692+01:00

Bee Europa Honey Bees November, originally uploaded by soja.I'm missing this space. And I'll forget things if I don't start making a not of them here. I've been sewing and knitting a lot, but not taking photos. Perhaps I can have a little catch up here... The course/teaching is keeping me very busy.I loved making this block (eek! - before Christmas), so pretty, I'd like to make a quilt like this

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-15624562802437021492010-11-21T13:10:00.003+01:002010-11-22T21:16:55.929+01:00

Pear Pincushion, originally uploaded by soja.It was good to do a little sewing again, and this was much easier than I thought it might be! I just based it on various cushions I had seen online, UK lass in the US has kindly supplied a template on her blog, and her pincushions look great (I was too lazy to print anything off!)I stuffed it with fleece and wadding offcuts as I didn't have any

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-78821241946514835712010-11-07T17:26:00.003+01:002010-11-22T21:18:29.081+01:00

October blocks - Honey Bees - Bee Europa, originally uploaded by soja.All caught up! So pretty and cheerful, especially as the days are getting shorter and shorter now. Though the autumn colours are beautiful, I haven't really experienced an autumn for the last few years, summer got cooler and then it was winter. The leaves seem especially vibrant and colourful this year!I hadn't realised how bad

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-53918018690505463582010-11-07T17:23:00.002+01:002010-11-21T13:22:03.376+01:00

September blocks - Honey Bees - Bee Europa, originally uploaded by soja.Um, still here. Blocks for Anita. Pretty fabric - the gingham is printed it isn't really gingham, lovely shade of green. Made following one of Amanda Jean's brilliant tutorials kindly worked out and provided for free on her blog Crazymomquilts.Studying and family absorbing most of my time at the moment.

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-17540703013674822702010-10-10T11:33:00.002+02:002010-10-10T11:36:24.604+02:00

Honey Bee blocks for Isabel - July, originally uploaded by soja.I haven't vanished into a pit! Just a few packing boxes and a lot of studying! I've missed this space a bit, thank-you for the well-wishes. Me, dog and cat are all settled and happy in our new home. In fact, I think that my cat has never been happier, she has turned into a much friendlier, more playful and confident little feline,

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-3320532334225155992010-07-09T16:39:00.002+02:002010-07-09T17:32:48.825+02:00

View from the mountain, originally uploaded by soja.View from the mountain, a final farewell hike yesterday evening - it was so cool and fresh up the mountain, stifling down below in the city.I leave tomorrow, returning to live in my hometown, really for the first real time since leaving school 17 years ago.... it's seven years or so since I left the UK. Gosh, all change...New beginnings....

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-67238444294353679632010-07-07T09:58:00.002+02:002010-07-09T17:30:41.760+02:00

Bee Europa Honey Bees June Blocks, originally uploaded by soja.These are the blocks for Elena. Are they still blocks if they are hexagons? Hmm, not sure, but here they are.The design is taken from a book by Kaffe Fassett, and at least some of the prints are his too, I think some is Amy Butler too. So bright and vibrant, and we have all been sent different selections, some are more blue, not seen

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-42331222474247835922010-06-24T17:51:00.006+02:002010-07-09T01:05:35.873+02:00

Haven't vanished off the face of the earth, just end of term, finishing up, saying goodbyes, organising moving and packing. My least favourite activity, but I know that it will be worth it when I arrive. Difficult to leave, but great to arrive.Dog and cat have their passports, blood tests and transport booked. The removal company is booked. I have a flight and a house to move into when I arrive.

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-36134708316911827872010-06-06T18:49:00.003+02:002010-06-06T18:57:29.796+02:00

Skirt Refashion, originally uploaded by soja.Very simple! Still can't work out how to take a picture of me in things though. ;-)This used to be a very comfortable, old summer dress... I wore it to the vet's three years ago when Lucky got his first rabbies jab and, trying to escape into my arms, he caught his paw in the front of the dress and managed to shred it. It has been sitting in my recycle

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-21312386281272301862010-05-30T16:49:00.004+02:002010-05-30T17:12:29.545+02:00

A new toy! Since I have started sewing a little more regularly, I find that my irons last only about a year or two. I don't buy expensive irons, I do use special de-ionised/ironing water, I think perhaps having it switched on a lot when sewing, doesn't help. The one I have now is still going, but I don't think it will last much longer, and I don't want to buy another one before I move back to the

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-221709773979295772010-05-29T19:51:00.003+02:002010-05-29T23:37:28.034+02:00

Bee Europa - Honey bee - May blocks, originally uploaded by soja.Humm, might try and take a better picture later... anyway, these are the Bee Europa blocks for May for Beatriz.She sent us beautifully packed bundles of wide strips of the natural and white linen and thinner strips of the Japanese printed cotton. She asked us to make improvised blocks of different sizes, to be inspired by this

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-61726820029411856102010-05-28T16:55:00.004+02:002010-05-30T17:13:02.976+02:00

aHalter neck camisole and french knickers, originally uploaded by soja.A birthday present for a friend. I think it'll be a bit delayed, I had planned to get this finished earlier. I had bought an old McCall's pattern (dated 1979, pattern number 6972) a while ago from an ebay seller, but when I checked the pattern more thoroughly, and went to sew, I found the camisole pattern was missing. So not

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-66274154368630850542010-05-23T15:51:00.004+02:002010-05-24T11:16:01.387+02:00

Crochet Sea Shells Scarf, originally uploaded by soja.My first crocheted anything! Except for the odd granny square and doll hair. I'm used to knitting, but was a little daunted about following a crochet pattern, but this free pattern, very generously available from "My Little City Girl" was easy to understand and fun to do.I did remember that the terms for American and British crochet were

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-12801192512912244932010-05-20T23:18:00.002+02:002010-05-20T23:20:37.405+02:00

New collar, originally uploaded by soja.I've been wanting to make Lucky a collar ever since I saw the one in Amy Karol's "Bend the Rules Sewing" book. In the end I based this on the one he already had that was getting worn.I bought the plastic fixings (made for parachutes so they should be strong) from an Ebay seller, but thought that the metal d-rings looked a little thin, so recycled one from

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-64421769982264666052010-05-17T23:34:00.005+02:002010-05-18T10:42:49.652+02:00

So cute. More 'wrap' than 'kimono', but that is what they are called in the pattern book. I bought Amy Butler's book "Little Stitches for Little Ones" just for this pattern. And I do like them. Not sure about the book, pretty photos, but the patterns are very wordy, when I suspect a few diagrams would be easier to follow. Not that the instructions were hard to understand.I did make a few

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-43205616523603240152010-05-17T16:41:00.002+02:002010-05-17T16:57:05.401+02:00

Alabama Stich book (based) skirt, originally uploaded by soja.Finished this a week (or so) ago, been wanting to blog, but couldn't get a good picture. This doesn't really show enough of the skirt. :-)I love it, very comfortable. Not sure about the fit, might just be me. I can definitely imagine making another one though.I made a few changes to the book method. I drew out my own design and used

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-24626077078012767262010-04-26T16:05:00.001+02:002010-04-26T16:05:42.307+02:00

Skirt panel, originally uploaded by soja.There are four panels in the skirt. I stamped six to seven leaf prints on each panel with the gocco. I like the way it looks now - I'm almost tempted not to cut out the leaves to reveal the under layer - but I will!(For more details see the previous post).

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-29904645019086931342010-04-25T21:42:00.001+02:002010-04-25T21:42:07.257+02:00

A New Project - for me!, originally uploaded by soja.This is going to be a Reverse Applique Swing Skirt, based on the one in Natalie Chanin's 'Alabama Stitch Book'.I changed the method a little bit. I chose to draw a similar design, a bit smaller, so that I could use my Gocco to print the fabric, rather than use a stencil - just because I had fabric ink for the Gocco, so it seemed like a good

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-83527169053962017352010-04-18T20:15:00.001+02:002010-04-18T20:15:09.829+02:00

Railfence block quilt, originally uploaded by soja.Another quilt top that was finished months ago, waiting to be quilted and bound and listed on Etsy. Another girly quilt. :-) This is also the biggest quilt I have made, I think.I tried something new with the quilting, and am pleased with it! I used the same variegated (cream/pink) thread as before for the front, but used thread of an equal weight

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-11016638293706798152010-04-18T20:00:00.002+02:002010-04-18T20:04:07.501+02:00

Love hearts Pinwheel Prairie Point Baby Quilt, originally uploaded by soja.Finally got this listed in the shop! I finished the quilt a long time ago, but hadn't got around to making the matching bib and top. I guess this is definitely more a girl - lots of pink!The beautiful pinwheel and prairie point pattern was designed by Jodi Nelson for Moda Bakeshop, I added some raw applique hearts to the

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-46956181070368824092010-04-13T15:11:00.001+02:002010-04-13T15:11:18.528+02:00

WIP, originally uploaded by soja.Ooff, quilt top made, um over the summer? Trying something new (for me) with the quilting. I like it. Nearly finished handsewing the binding.

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-60080543915884975872010-04-08T18:04:00.003+02:002010-04-09T14:30:23.259+02:00

Quarter Log Cabin Mini-quilt, originally uploaded by soja.Inspired by Muriel's quarter blocks and Tacha's prints and black mix!Fabric is from the Free Spirit Chocolate Lollipop Collection by Anna Maria Horner. Bought as a mini jelly roll (12 strips of 6 prints) from imaginefabric at Etsy. Solid black and orange fabric from Ikea. Backing is cut from a (new) duvet set, 'eco' cotton, bought locally.

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-16888706087965447672010-04-07T22:22:00.002+02:002010-04-07T22:27:07.783+02:00

Honeybees/Eurobee block April - for Muriel, originally uploaded by soja.I loved making these! They are wonky quarter log cabins. We followed the very clear, friendly tutorial by Quilt Dad on his blog.The fabric is a mixture, all a lovely weight and rich colours. Muriel bought the bird fabric locally in the Netherlands, and I recognise the Kaffe Fassett print (all the circles/splodges) as I have

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-6040349907921024932010-04-06T05:02:00.002+02:002010-04-06T05:07:28.937+02:00

Scissor case, originally uploaded by soja.Not exactly an easter chick. I saw these scissors in a shop the other day and thought they were attractive - I've seen lots of storks, but not a cockerel before. I was looking for a little thank-you gift for a crafter, and I think small sharp scissors are always handy. So with a little bit of felt and some embroidery... one little gift. I added a little

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-32835333985715659192010-04-05T00:06:00.003+02:002010-04-05T00:15:58.740+02:00

Cheerful Pyjamas for Dad, originally uploaded by soja.Because I can't do anything else. And Dad needs pyjamas, and grey and dull has never been his style.And something that I have only learnt recently, and only from blogs and flickr and online; that if you can make something handmade as a sign of love, then do it. Why not? I didn't make things for people for fear that it wouldn't be wanted, Over

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-19975927534217640002010-04-03T00:42:00.003+02:002010-04-03T14:16:42.358+02:00

Doll making, originally uploaded by soja.I cut these out, hmm I think over the summer? Maybe even Easter last year, so thought that I had better get back to them. I'm trying out two slightly different designs - one with handsewn fingers and toes, and one without. I'm pleased with the size and proportions, though I think that they are still too time-consuming to make to sell? There are 16 or 18

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-40795001182295086862010-04-01T23:50:00.002+02:002010-07-09T17:34:18.539+02:00

Dog-walking Bag, originally uploaded by soja.Made this in February I think. Quite pleased with how it turned out, made up as I went along out of necessity as the zips on my old bag had broken.I keep this by the door, fully stocked with plastic bags (that I can pull out through the hole on the right-side, keys, lip salve and phone in the outer front compartments, back zippered pocket for dog

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-77124971612582855972010-03-31T16:24:00.002+02:002010-03-31T16:27:42.096+02:00

Honeybees March blocks for Tacha, originally uploaded by soja.Nothing for over a month, and then two posts in five minutes. I wanted to get these blocks recorded now, while it is still (just) March.These were Tacha's blocks, the person who put together the Bee Europa group. She said that her family didn't like her choice very much - I think that they look great and will make a really interesting

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-401496170705561272010-03-31T15:59:00.002+02:002010-03-31T16:32:16.391+02:00

Pencil case detail, originally uploaded by soja.Made for an interview, for luck. Hmm, interview was mid-February, in England. Logistics, and, oh, six weeks ago... Which means Dad has been sick for six weeks. He saved the day by coming over to dog and cat sit so that I could go, and then had to put up with the coldest wettest ten days we had had for a long time. The whole thing was a bit long and

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-11914705163245298592010-02-25T23:45:00.002+01:002010-03-31T16:33:28.270+02:00

February - Bee Europa blocks for Eva, originally uploaded by soja.Hope they are straight enough and not too wonky!Interesting design, and was curious to see what kona solids were like in 'real life' - love the colours, the material not quite as nice as the other stuff I've been ordering from the US, so don't feel like I am missing out any more. :-)Rough couple of weeks, but should be back to

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-51243334970112011082010-02-07T20:57:00.002+01:002010-02-07T21:06:38.288+01:00

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-30775425799299726662010-02-07T17:09:00.003+01:002010-02-07T20:01:42.411+01:00

Hidden Stars Quilt, originally uploaded by soja.This is the quilt that I made for my sofa, to be shared with the cat and the dog! I love modern quilts with lots of white, but for this purpose it would not have been very practical, I decided to go for this fabric to make a sort of 'traditional' looking quilt. I wanted fabric that was mostly blue, green and beige with a little red. I saw this Moda

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-49855349656063840172010-02-03T23:31:00.003+01:002010-02-03T23:32:46.520+01:00

Felt rose hair clips, originally uploaded by soja.It's my friend's daughters birthday soon, and after a few Christmases and birthdays, I'm running out of handmade ideas for presents.I bought her a non-handmade gift, and was feeling a little sad that there was no crafty love. Then I saw the tutorial for these clips at the Purl Bee and thought they would be just the thing to add to a homemade card!

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-9448246823484728922010-02-02T10:35:00.001+01:002010-02-04T21:54:53.975+01:00

I'm not running late on the first block! Poor Linzi was trapped inside by the snow and the post offices were closed in the UK, so I only received her lovely Heather Ross squares of fabric last week. She asked us to make maverick stars, following this tutorial with the mermaid and fish squares in the middle, the dots as the points and the sea horses as the background.There weren't too many

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-39817153835057259082010-02-01T15:13:00.003+01:002010-02-01T15:18:36.306+01:00

American Patchwork and Quilting Magazine February 2010, originally uploaded by soja.Well, If I hadn't come out of blog hibernation yesterday, I would have had to appeared today to say thank-you to Rosa Maria! I read her blog regularly, she is on my blog list on the right, "La Vida Compartida", she sews beautiful quilts and gifts, and has two handsome dogs, and a new member of the family, a little

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-80933389737144557942010-01-31T15:21:00.005+01:002010-01-31T23:36:26.057+01:00

Hmm, didn't mean to disappear. Strange as I've been sewing and cooking and marmalade making, so not because of lack of things to record. I haven't even covered the Christmas presents.... still the shrug I knitted for my sister, the hat for her boyfriend and the t-shirts for my dad. I've meant to blog. I think I haven't partly because of a few rainy, grey days and no light to take photos, partly

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-67198535801355945412010-01-05T18:24:00.002+01:002010-01-05T18:27:27.975+01:00

Badger Pyjamas!, originally uploaded by soja.More holiday makes. My friend and her family, especially her husband, are all a little badger crazy, so I wanted to make them matching pyjamas and include badgers somehow.Unfortunately I didn't find any badger brushed cotton - not very surprisingly! After thinking about embroidery and applique, I decided to draw a badger and use my gocco to print onto

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-13437426230969440542009-12-30T17:40:00.003+01:002009-12-31T00:52:06.796+01:00

Ally's bag ll, originally uploaded by soja.My sister heavily hinted she wanted another bag for Christmas... she had spilt curry over the last one....This hasn't reached her yet, I was running late, I was a little stumped, but came up with this design. I'm pleased with how it works with the fabric, and with the details. It was my first time making this type of strap. I now love my new sewing

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-44646317388824789642009-12-25T19:11:00.001+01:002009-12-25T19:11:12.211+01:00

Lucky's new ball, originally uploaded by soja.It's warmed up here and we are all snug and well fed. Hope everyone else is having a good Christmas and taking care in the bad weather.Just a short clip to thank my friend for Lucky's Christmas present, he obviously loves it!Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!love,Amanda, Lucky and Jaffa x x xMusic: La Cocaleca by Bobby Capo.

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-52610115247078103312009-12-14T00:18:00.004+01:002009-12-14T10:56:32.595+01:00

I was asked for the dimensions and amount of fabric used for this quilt... and I've been meaning to post for a week, life just needs a lot of attention sometimes. Roll on the Christmas holidays, work busy and busy with stuff I can't post about. Anyway:The finished quilt is approximately 36 x 39"/91 x 99 cm.For the front I used 28x 5" charm squares from the Moda sorbet collection and under a metre

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-58573793530796567632009-12-07T20:21:00.001+01:002009-12-07T20:21:57.649+01:00

Mum's quilt, showing back, originally uploaded by soja.OK, I felt somewhat self-conscious spreading this quilt over a park bench, with cars whizzing by... this will be the last picture of this quilt. I think this is as big a picture as I can get.

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-6445779701220690962009-12-06T16:48:00.007+01:002009-12-06T18:57:47.048+01:00

I love the peacocks on this print! The fabric is a moda collection called Sorbet, designed for them by Sentimental Studios. The beige fabric is from Ikea. In the end I used two different stripes for the binding that I had got online from Barcelona.Listed on Etsy - I've just sold the pinwheel quilt, I'm so happy that it is going to go to a home and be used. :-) I'm feeling quite soppy and

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-89760538703573164182009-12-05T15:02:00.001+01:002009-12-05T15:02:03.970+01:00

Mum's quilt finished!, originally uploaded by soja.See last post...... :-)

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-21357466026670785292009-12-05T15:01:00.001+01:002009-12-05T15:01:27.013+01:00

Mum's quilt finished!, originally uploaded by soja.It's bright, but I think it all works together.Can't find anywhere to spread it out to get a picture - without furry helpers.....

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-53947819474654195122009-11-26T15:04:00.001+01:002009-11-26T15:04:55.398+01:00

Mini Purl Frog, originally uploaded by soja.He's too mini to ribbet!I made a couple of Purl bee frogs (see link on the right) a year or so ago and one of my students became a little obsessed with them. Unfortunately moths got to them over the summer and they had to go. :-(My student gave me an origami frog, so in return I ran up this little mini version - he's less than 5" long and stuffed with

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-81538614207370842462009-11-22T16:04:00.002+01:002009-11-22T16:08:16.138+01:00

Phew - cushion covers finished!, originally uploaded by soja.Um, tried to blur out the untidiness a little, unsuccessfully.... ;-)I have loads of cushions, but nearly all of them are 14", I have one really stuffed 18" and one soft 17" so have used them.I like the way these have turned out, but a bit worried I've taken a simple project and made it into a more complicated one, but I hope my partner

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-27327489549826451042009-11-18T14:56:00.002+01:002009-11-18T15:07:18.929+01:00

WIP for BTRS Swap, originally uploaded by soja.This is going to be a panel on a cushion cover for the Bend The Rules Sewing Swap. I really like it, I think it'll be hard to part with, and heavy to send - oops!I sewed up the backing squares by machine, then the rest is hand sewn - these are 'cathedral window' blocks. The backing fabric is linen and the print is by Amy Butler.My partners words were

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-44321655843303278722009-11-16T15:30:00.001+01:002009-11-16T15:30:06.411+01:00

Quilting done, originally uploaded by soja.Meandering with a few hearts thrown in. Fairly hassle free after altering the tension.Just waiting for the fabric to arrive for the binding - I hope it's a good combination when it gets here!

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-69955699428388400212009-11-14T15:41:00.001+01:002009-11-14T15:41:54.692+01:00

Making progress, originally uploaded by soja.About half way through the quilting, on my fourth bobbin... I think I could have quilted less densely, but like the way it's looking. I'm just sort of meandering, rounded zig-zagging with a few random hearts thrown in.I love the variegated thread! It's just perfect colourwise. I went with the candy floss, I'm using a plain beige (finer) cotton for the

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-21022368259152900282009-11-12T23:48:00.002+01:002009-11-12T23:49:16.191+01:00

Rolled hem, originally uploaded by soja.I'd never been able to get a decent rolled hem with my old machine, probably more to do with me than the machine. :-)But I thought I'd give it a go with the new machine. I switched to fabric hankies over the summer, you know to stop filling up landfills with paper tissues, and because my dog always tried to eat the used tissues. nice.So I got some fabric

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-520092807988155792009-11-08T21:47:00.001+01:002009-11-08T21:47:11.346+01:00

Another quilt top!, originally uploaded by soja.Made with one jelly roll! I haven't used one before and was curious to see what you could do with just one, so I odered this from Emerald City on Ebay.The fabric is Soiree from Moda, I'd love to have some bigger pieces of some of these prints - I really love the botanical ones.I wanted to make a Rail Fence pattern, so did a little maths to work out

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-18918941906517981862009-11-05T15:02:00.001+01:002009-11-05T15:02:01.594+01:00

Gift for a new baby boy!, originally uploaded by soja.I hope my friend and her new babe like it! Little Oscar has arrived a couple of weeks early.I had already made the bibs, so this little onesie was quick to whip up. I just used a little bondaweb to attach the fabric hearts and then used the blanket stitch on my machine to slowly sew around the heart. I didn't need to use any other stabiliser

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-47552240263263406772009-11-03T00:00:00.001+01:002009-11-03T00:00:24.353+01:00

Triangles basted, originally uploaded by soja.All the pins are on Mum's quilt, so it was back to needle basting this weekend to baste this quilt. With my two furry little helpers keen to give me their input.The quilting is also finished now, I'll get a pic when I get some light, I finished sewing in the loose ends this lunchtime. I used my lovely new machine's fancy feather stitch for one lot of

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-83578112907222718632009-11-01T17:29:00.001+01:002009-11-01T17:29:34.217+01:00

WIP - Mum's quilt about to be basted, originally uploaded by soja.As of Friday night, all pin basted. The pin basting was definitely quicker and easier on the knees and fingers - no blisters! I like the overall look, I think the colours and patterns are quite balanced. The border (especially the one at the bottom of the photo) seem a bit wonky. :-( I think it maybe from where I've had it pegged

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-15948570521788234032009-10-31T15:37:00.004+01:002009-10-31T19:28:15.613+01:00

Zigzag front!, originally uploaded by soja.Hmm, I've got to learn/have more patience using Gimp (the photo editing programme) but at least this is a full picture of the front! Taken inside at school so I could use the desks to lay it out on.I also stayed late so I could use my classroom floor to pin baste Mum's quilt, as I haven't got a big enough space at home, without trying to move a sofa or a

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-26040469024837756432009-10-28T22:24:00.003+01:002009-10-28T22:26:38.102+01:00

Chutney and Pickles, originally uploaded by soja.Well, more like what to do with the rest of the green tomatoes after eating fried and grilled tomatoes for a few days after being given several kilos by a colleague!I adapted two recipes from The Austrailan Women's Weekly 'The Book of Preserving', like usual. The main adaptations were using white sugar instead of brown and a mixture of vinegars (

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-64791385309405809402009-10-28T15:15:00.001+01:002009-10-28T15:15:23.253+01:00

zigzag binding, originally uploaded by soja.I can't find a big enough and bright enough place to take a picture! I was going to try to take it to a park this morning (just to reinforce the idea I'm a crazy English woman to the local population...), but it was overcast. Now it's bright and sunny but I have to go to work. Ah well, here's a bit more of the binding.

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-53939691860240214602009-10-26T16:55:00.005+01:002009-10-26T17:02:52.984+01:00

Finished! Bit of a break as I was having trouble quilting this. I think it is partly to do with the thread - it's very thick cotton (30 from Cotton Patch) eventually I got it done with a size 16/100 needle and a new sewing machine (which should be a post all of its' own). I must remember to order some topstitch or quilting needles, perhaps the bigger eye would help with all the thread

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-90569877615373293652009-10-14T14:53:00.003+02:002009-10-14T14:57:40.494+02:00

Amy, of Park City Girl, is hosting another blogger's quilt festival - there are so many quilts to look at already! You can add your own too.I've only completed three quilts, two just recently, so not sure I have anything to show myself, but I'm enjoying looking at everyone else's work. :-)

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-53595691045656655472009-10-14T14:47:00.001+02:002009-10-14T14:47:47.973+02:00

Getting there, originally uploaded by soja.I got a little bit more done this morning - and the thread only snapped once! I must be getting better. Though there are a few bits that I know I'm going to back to, unpick and redo, but I wanted to see some progress, so decided to leave that until I'm mostly finished.I was tempted to free motion the top and bottom thirds and then use the walking foot to

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-10373133969863883262009-10-13T01:21:00.003+02:002009-10-13T01:30:26.225+02:00

Zig-zags!, originally uploaded by soja.Four day weekend finished, and another quilt top, I'm about a third of the way through the quilting now. Phew. ;-)And another bad dark photo, the only space big enough to baste was my no-natural-light hall floor - then the trickiest bit was keeping Lucky and Jaffa off until I was finished. The fabric is the Red Letter Day range by Lizzy House and one fq

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-62633743557458976692009-10-10T16:46:00.004+02:002009-10-10T17:00:08.931+02:00

I was thinking of machine quilting the top below with one of these variegated threads - but now I'm not sure? I was originally thinking of the candy floss thread, but now I wonder if it is too light. hmm.I think that I will avoid the solid pink and beige blocks, and hand quilt them with words/designs. I have a beige fabric with a green fern-like pattern on it for the backing - I'm thinking maybe

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-78259052615880171112009-10-10T14:20:00.003+02:002009-10-11T02:56:10.591+02:00

Finished quilt top - unironed, originally uploaded by soja.Well, I've checked, nobody in my family reads this blog, so I can say that this is going to be a (slightly belated) 60th birthday present for my mum.She likes bright colours, when I was growing up I remember her wearing a lot of shocking pink and electric blue in the eighties - including matching mascara(!) She has also recently repainted

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-62537349661481365482009-10-05T01:32:00.005+02:002009-10-07T10:55:56.609+02:00

New project!, originally uploaded by soja.A bit blurry, it's late here and I've got to get to bed (ok, took another pic this morning), but just wanted to record where I was by the end of the weekend. All the blocks (20) are done, and sewn into four strips of five. The border squares are cut out, but not pieced. Should have a finished quilt top by the end of the week....Then there will be a bit of

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-59363961130588218342009-10-04T19:35:00.004+02:002009-10-11T02:57:28.456+02:00

Phew, school is in full swing again. Bit of a shock to the system. Lucky and Jaffa aren't very keen on me being out of the house most of day - they have both been waiting for me at the door when I get in.I've started a new quilt - it's going to be very colourful, it's a bit of a late birthday gift for someone special, so I might have to be a little bit cryptic... I'm using lots of Amy Butler

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-13207090776183357552009-09-30T15:17:00.003+02:002009-10-11T02:52:13.814+02:00

Pinwheel baby quilt mosaic, originally uploaded by soja.Still stormy and overcast here, so not great pictures, but the quilt is all dry and wrinkled up.I think this Nouveau fabric is really lovely, some of the prints remind me of Liberty or William Morris designs. This collection was designed by Sentimental Studios for Moda, I purchased a charm pack from the Emerald City people on Ebay, and a

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-53198843600106813942009-09-29T14:10:00.003+02:002009-09-29T16:07:44.240+02:00

Pinwheel quilt - finished!, originally uploaded by soja.Wow - having the rulers, mat and rotary cutter really made a difference! I didn't have to trim off much more than the extra backing to size up the quilt, and it has ended up perfectly square (or rectangular really...)And being able to cut the binding strips with the cutter, rather than scissors was much quicker and easier. I'm really pleased

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-52153359184849718102009-09-22T00:04:00.005+02:002009-09-23T13:56:41.257+02:00

I was invited to, and have joined, my first Quilting Bee! Tacha contacted me through flickr to see if I was interested. After checking it didn't matter that I was new to quilting - I was thrilled to accept.To keep postage costs down, it is a European Quilting Bee. I think that there are eighteen of us and that we will be starting in January. Tacha has started a flickr group for us, it seems there

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-88723699659226260162009-09-20T17:11:00.004+02:002009-09-28T01:45:24.187+02:00

Hmm, can't seem to enlarge the gif images, so here it is as a jpeg....

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-61253667799056581242009-09-20T16:35:00.010+02:002009-10-11T03:00:04.106+02:00

Dad went home on Wednesday, staff meeting on Tuesday, we've had mad thunder, lightning and hail storms, it's cool in the mornings... summer is over, sigh.We had a great time pretending to be on holiday, going to the beach, drinking coffee on plazas, going for long walks with Lucky and eating out. I've got quite a few new projects started, or being planned, but first, here is the promised

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-27838142627305899762009-08-31T17:06:00.003+02:002009-10-11T03:01:29.620+02:00

First purse, originally uploaded by soja.No posts for a week and then two all at once. I guess that's what comes of having several projects on the go at once.Anyway, I think I've worked out the purse pattern I've been playing with for a couple of weeks. This is the second (and first successful) fabric prototype, I've played about with a few paper versions.I used the knowledge from Cotton and

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-10015654492044030712009-08-31T10:40:00.002+02:002009-08-31T10:43:08.107+02:00

Mini Tortoises, originally uploaded by soja.I made up a pattern for these little tortoises last night, they are about 3" long and already in the post to my Etsy customer. She had mentioned that she and her husband had just got married, so I included these as a little gift (she was buying a tortoise soft toy so I guessed that she liked tortoises). I'm pleased with how they turned out, and as I

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-11671239103705447252009-08-24T15:14:00.001+02:002009-08-24T15:14:00.644+02:00

Stripey Puzzle Ball, originally uploaded by soja.I think it was a little quicker to cut and sew two balls at once. In Joelle Hoverson's book, this project is in the 4 to 8 hour section, and I'd say that's right, these took over eight hours to make together.

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-55941292810281691662009-08-24T15:11:00.003+02:002009-08-24T15:17:32.861+02:00

Moda Print Puzzle Ball, originally uploaded by soja.Green print from Moda's Nouveau range. Attaching the segments is getting easier. :-)

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-31429471925325459812009-08-24T10:10:00.002+02:002009-08-29T18:19:03.850+02:00

Folded Star patchwork, originally uploaded by soja.Trying something new (to me). I wanted something I could do away from the sewing machine. It wasn't as easy as I thought it would be to get a good result, maybe because this cotton from Ikea is slightly thicker than quilting cotton, so a bit harder to press the points crisply.They are small, the white blocks are 5" square, but took hours. I don't

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-31695577818664483972009-08-21T16:43:00.010+02:002009-08-22T03:39:44.207+02:00

Just checking in. It's got hot here again, 35ºC, if I get up early enough, it's bright and cool and I can get stuff done before the heat sets in, but during most of the day, it's stultifying.I'm desperately keen to play with free-motion quilting, I've tried again with the plastic foot, and got it to work a little better, I'm bidding on another over at Ebay, I've bought the two books above, my

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-60085253540490860352009-08-20T12:34:00.001+02:002009-08-20T12:34:11.266+02:00

Fabric Puzzle Ball, originally uploaded by soja.I made one of these last year for a friend's baby. The instructions are from Joelle Hoverson's attractive book 'Last Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts. It is made up of twelve sections, like last time, there was one point when I wondered if they all would fit together and make a ball. And then when they do it seems like a little bit of magic might

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-50621685279307660092009-08-17T03:21:00.005+02:002009-08-17T04:45:37.009+02:00

Drum roll please, trumpets blaring....ishI've done it. I've opened up a shop at Etsy. :-) Waded through all the Spanish international postage charges, worked out how to reduce all the megabytes and kilobytes on my photo files, taken pictures in the best light I could find in the flat, hummed and hahhed and ermed over prices, weighed different sizes of jiffy bags and tissue paper on the kitchen

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-91105939096510161352009-08-15T20:23:00.003+02:002009-08-22T03:37:27.736+02:00

Baby girl gifts, originally uploaded by soja.More free motion practise. :-)I really like the way the bib turned out. I sort of followed the seedhead circles and petal shapes on the fabric with the quilting, without trying to follow the print exactly. This cotton is lovely, much softer, and a finer weave that some of the thicker Ikea cottons.The ruffle-bottom onesie I made up quickly. I wanted to

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-52580734767605830972009-08-15T20:10:00.002+02:002009-08-16T01:56:33.733+02:00

Flipped coin quilt back, originally uploaded by soja.Ikea fabric with appliqued circles to link to the front. I was worried the black was going to be too "strong" for the rest of the quilt, but with the applique circles I really like it - I like the back as much as the front I think.

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-77125903527792453412009-08-15T20:09:00.002+02:002009-08-16T01:54:03.446+02:00

Flipped coin, originally uploaded by soja.Better light? And washed and wrinkled. I love it! I like all the fabrics better together here than I did apart. I even like the quilting. :-)

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-91779505138134260932009-08-14T10:32:00.003+02:002009-08-16T01:51:15.511+02:00

Flipped coins, originally uploaded by soja.OK, how do people photograph quilts?! I'll try and get a better picture later.Why all the circles/bubbles/flipped coins? I don't know, it just seemed like the right thing to do at the time. I like it. They are all hemmed and handstitched on, so shouldn't fray. I'm not sure how they will wrinkle when it is washed, I might add some quilting to them if they

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-91244083080790709502009-08-13T20:39:00.004+02:002009-10-11T03:10:30.272+02:00

Quilted!, originally uploaded by soja.Um, yes, I know this doesn't look much like pinwheels....The thing is, I've been having a bit of trouble with the quilting, and decided I needed to try something larger than the sandwiches I had made earlier, but a little smaller than the pinwheel quilt.So I made this up yesterday from the white fabric and batting I had left and 11 charm pack squares. These

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-44930197557831620872009-08-13T15:12:00.007+02:002009-08-13T18:25:55.706+02:00

Ha ha, it rhymes, not me giving away, though perhaps I will, it's just I'm not sure there are many people out there that would be interested....Anyway, Bake and Sew posted about this great fabric give away over at I have to Say, what beautiful fabric, sigh, I wish there was a lovely fabric shop here.... Though I do have a little fabric ordered from Etsy seller TheHandMadeRepublic, thanks to an

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-38817419680591841672009-08-11T23:10:00.002+02:002009-08-11T23:14:09.297+02:00

It didn't even make the top three. Wow.On the quilt front, I'm waiting for the new darning foot to arrive in the post.

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-51034754989791881662009-08-11T00:07:00.003+02:002009-10-11T03:11:54.076+02:00

Hand basted quilt, originally uploaded by soja.I (almost) feel like I have just hand quilted the whole thing!But wouldn't that look great? Perhaps on some linen, embroidery thread spiral... hmm, another project.I was going to try the curved safety pins for the first time, but a little note with my order said that they were out of stock and would arrive in about two weeks. So back to thread

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-77139086171391686332009-08-10T01:53:00.001+02:002009-08-10T01:53:48.751+02:00

Quilted bibs, originally uploaded by soja.What to do with all the practise quilt sandwiches? Colourful absorbant cotton on the outside, and some fleece blanket inside - sounds like a good combination for a bib. Lots of bibs.And the one thing I can find in this town is bias-binding, no fabric, but trims and bias binding a plenty. Despite the cotton being pre-washed, it still wrinkled nicely after

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-25651801466505955572009-08-09T02:35:00.002+02:002009-08-09T02:42:19.697+02:00

Quilt top finished, originally uploaded by soja.Fabric arrived/collected from the post office yesterday (Friday) morning, along with rotary cutter and batting.2am Saturday morning quilt top finished. :-) Much bigger squares/pieces than the first quilt = much quicker and easier to do. Though this ended up a little smaller than the pattern, despite my efforts to be accurate. :-( So I still need to

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-40976192364711485532009-08-07T17:37:00.002+02:002009-08-07T17:38:35.635+02:00

Making me happy today, originally uploaded by soja.New plants!.These lovely bright flowers on the table that I don't know the name of, and the bourganvilia against the wall in the background. These are what I see through the window from my sofa. :-)And fabric in the post for more quilt plans. It's a good day.

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-15986577251418450582009-08-06T15:25:00.008+02:002009-08-06T16:18:24.159+02:00

Well, I still think of this blog as a little notebook for me - and I love it for that! It is the first notebook I have ever had that I am not able to misplace, lose, tuck into a drawer somewhere and spend hours looking for.... etc etc.I have noticed though, that a few people have come here looking for information about Lervia sewing machines, so I want to give them some information. I'm not an

Sojahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582607262568399412noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1068535568708947995.post-44522463216411506092009-08-05T18:46:00.003+02:002009-08-05T21:50:04.788+02:00

Japanese fabric Purse, originally uploaded by soja.Another thing on the list! I was a bit worried that the clasp would be very tricksy, so I thought buying a kit would make it simpler - and I have been an admirer of Cotton and Cloud's blog for a while. She makes a lot of lovely knitted things, including a knitted purse like this and writes about her furry friends.I bought this kit, with this

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