An oldie

Quilt Sandwich

Time to dig into the UFO pile!!

I started making these placemats for Christmas 4 years ago!!!! They were all pieced I was just stuck on how I wanted them finished!! So on Monday I had a sudden urge to just finish them. I dug out the walking foot and batting and got stuck into quilting. I decided to make 2 into a table run instead of having 6 placemats. 

I'm not sure what it's called but I've just backed them using the leftovers and turned inside. No binding then!!

I noticed too late that my tension is screwed, so now I'm stuck again and they may sit in the UFO pile again for another 4 years!

Shawls

I've been a bit shawl making crazy this year. They are so satisfying to make. Also make a train journey very quick.

Here is a run down of a few. Check out my Ravelry page www.ravelry.com/projects/MandyMade  if you're interested in making one for yourself. The majority are now gifted, I managed to keep some to myself :-).

I'll start from the latest. Unfortunately I didn't get photos of them all finished and being "modelled".

Elise Shawl

Diagonal Shawl

Diagonal Shawl

Progress on my Sugar Sparkles Shawlette by Linda Permann

Mapleton

Tender sandstorm shawl

Boteh Scarf

Multiplicity Lace Shawl

Diagonal triangle shawl

Elise Shawl

New pouch

Hook Pouch

I wanted a new single project hook pouch. I looked at all the patterns I have but none seemed to fit. I was resigned to making up my own when Michelle brought out her mending kit pouch. Perfect! It took me a little while longer to work out which fabric to use then get around to making it. 

Hook Pouch inside

One of the aims of making it was to help get my crochet mojo back. It's been a bit AWOL lately. Instead I think I've got my sewing mojo back instead! I enjoyed making it, uninterrupted too!! I was a bit worried about the turn out with all the interfacing used but it worked out fine. 

Now to go through my huge yarn and pattern stash to find a new project ;-). 

Pattern used: Michelle Patterns - Mending Kit 

This post contains affiliate links.

Pencil case for work

Pencil Pouch

I've been meaning to make a pouch or notebook cover for ages to help me cart around my "stuff" to meetings but never get around to it. But the other day while trawling through my Pinterest feed I came across a really quick to make pouch. 

It was unfortunately one of those pins that doesn't have the correct link (if I find it I'll post it otherwise go to my Pinterest feed). But it did have all the step by step in one image. So when I got home from work I whipped it up. I also added a lining  and covered the ends. I'm not a fan of raw edges!! I used 2 10" squares and a 9" zipper. 

Pencil pouch

It's cute, gets the job done and took under half hour to make. Winner. 

Mr 4s pjs

Foxy PJ's

Next off the overlocker we have Little O's PJs, complete with mismatch socks and his floating glass trick!!

It went a lot more smoothly this time. There was a lot more need to use the sewing machine for the top so I got to take mums banina for a spin, very nice. I chose a tricky pattern for my first time with this fabric but it worked out in the end! (See previous post for pattern info). 

So the decision now is, do I save up for an overlocker? I reckon I'll give it a year, if I've gone back to use mums one quite a few times then maybe I will!!

Another pencilcase

Pencilcase for Max

Another of Little O's friends turned 5. His name is Max, so I just had too!!!!

First overlocker lesson

Mum's overlocker

I had my very first overlocker lesson on Monday (serger to some folks). It's been one of those things I knew I had to eventually try!! Mum didn't have one when I was growing up and learning to sew so we had work arounds. She's had this machine for quite a few years now but for some reason I've resisted. Maybe it's the scary amount of threading!!

My boys are tall and thin and it's getting harder to find clothes that fit. I used to have the problem of age appropriateness for larger sizes but now it's just they are too wide. Surly I'm not the only mum with this dilemma!!

So, I've bitten the bullet to start making them. Lucky for me they love wearing handmade. 

First attempt

So this is my first attempt!! AJ chose the fabric. I used simplicity pattern 1285. 

Simplicity pattern 1285

He was measuring a small in the waste (for 6-8 yrs) and large in length (for 14-16 yrs). He's 10, so now you understand my predicament!! I decided to just make the large this time and fiddle with sizing next time depending how they turn out. For tracky dacks they were fine around the bum. If they were meant to be fitted i would definitely make the small around the waste and legs. The length is perfect for now so he's not allowed to grow for a while!!

The lesson went well. I've mastered 2 pieces of fabric together, more than that and over seems needs to be worked on. I'm making the full PJs for Little O. I started the top. It's in a different fabric - interlock - and much easier to sew. He keeps asking if they are finished. It's going to be a long week for him until my next lesson :-). 

Skill building

The concentration!!

I'm trying to teach my boys that - rushing off to the shops and buying a new one - is not always the only or best answer. AJ wants to make a book pillow. We have a few small square pillows he could start with but the only one not currently in use has stuffing coming out. Out comes the needle and thread. He said he enjoyed it. Next up drafting a pattern and the whole design process. He's keen, just need to keep the momentum going! 

Crochet Ballerina Mice

Ballerina Mice

There are so many projects that I have forgotten to write about. First up are the finished Ballerina Mice I made for my Nieces for Christmas. I added photos of the mice in the making but forgot all about the finished ones. Well here they are.

They were lovely to make. You can read all about the materials used on my Ravelry page. I mainly crocheted them on the train so they came together pretty quickly. They are so cute and were well received. I didn't add cheeks, I thought they were ok without them.

The pattern is Ballerina-Mouse by Mari-Liis Lille.

New placemats

New placemats 

I've been needing new placemats for ages. The kind you can chuck in the washing machine, not have to wipe down all the time! So I dug into my stash and found this ikea remnant I'd bought ages ago. Just enough to make 4 mats. It's a home deco weight so I didn't interface or pad. I just used calico on the back. AJ wants to make one himself so that's our first school holiday project. I'm aiming to make more that are double sided. Great stash busting project. Fabric was cut 14.5"X11.5" and used 1/2" seam allowance. 

Testing them out!!

Think I deserved a wine :-). 

Pencil case

Dino pencilcase

Last weekend Little O had a birthday party to go to. I didn't know the child. Too many kids to keep track of at kinder! Lucky for me it was a dinosaur theme. So, I figure he likes dinosaurs :-). I was really not in the mood to rome the shops searching for a gift. I was in the mood to sew. So I dug out some dino fabric and made a pencil case. Love a gift that lets me get some sewing time :-).