Slow stitching and fun

I hope the New Year Is going well for you. Going back to work after the break was a bit tiring and the weather is cold and wet. Apart from that I'm having fun. I promised myself that this year I would try and do some stitching for at least 15 minutes every day. So far I've stitched something for 5 of the 8 days and it makes a great way to unwind before bed.

Today was the first day I managed to get to my sewing machine. I'd planned a sewing day on Friday but I still had marking to finish so I got that done and out of the way. I spent some time planning projects whilst doing some hand stitching in the evening. Yesterday I needed to do some chores and I wanted to sort my fabric stash. That took some time but it also gave me the opportunity to pull some fabrics Today I got my machine out and started sewing. It was great fun and so relaxing. I can't wait for my next sewing day which if all goes well will be Friday.

I wanted to make a carry bag for my cutting mats. When the mats aren't in use they are flat on the desk but things get stacked on top of them and they are getting damaged. The bag will protect them on a daily basis but also when I take them to Guides or for a sewing day with friends they will be easier to carry and will be protected instead of just being put in the boot of the car.

I had a charm pack of Best of Morris Spring from Moda that came in my subscription box, along with a pattern. I've altered the construction a bit from the pattern. By the end of my sewing session I had the two side panels made and I'd joined them at the bottom. 

A nice simple project sewing squares together and adding borders. I now need to quilt it. The wadding and lining is cut ready for use but I haven't yet made the quilt sandwich. I love the William Morris patterns. The curtains in my parent's living room were in one of his prints and they looked fabulous. 

Having packed my sewing away I decided to try and make some bolts of cloth for my doll's house. The house is 1/12 size so this involved a little maths and since the numbers were going to be small I switched from imperial to metric measurements. I stuck two layers of thin card together to make the card for the bolt and I stuck the end of the fabric to the card and then wrapped the rest round. I used a very small lace  pin to hold the fabric in place. Here are two small bolts of fabric on a charm square. I need to make some more and also some fat quarters. The sewer in this house needs lots of fabric

I'm currently working on the sewing room. I can't fit a sewing room into our house so having one in the doll's house is the next best thing. I have been laying a wood floor but it takes a bit of time to do. It's starting to look quite good. The walls in the sewing room are all painted  a cheerful yellow. 

Once I finish the floor I can add the skirting and put the basement together.  The lighting will be added before it's all fastened together. The other side of the dividing wall is the kitchen, not far for her to go to get a cup of coffee.

For Christmas Richard bought me the kitchen cupboards, cooker, fridge/freezer, table and chairs and lots of other small kitchen bits. I love the little drinks set.

He felt it was important that after a hard day sewing the owner should be able to open a bottle of wine, relax and enjoy her handiwork. He also bought this set of pickles and spices. These jars are so cute.

Today is slow stitching day and I've finally started to add the next round of flowers onto the grandmother's garden quilt. This round is pink and red. After this round I will need to start making the quilt into a rectangle rather than the hexagon it is now. This is what I've been working on this week, making the flowers from the hexagons I'd already prepared and then starting to sew the flowers to the main quilt. This is my oldest UFO and I really must get it finished.

I'm linking this post with Kathy from Kathy's Quilts for her Slow Sunday Stitching link up. I'm looking forward reading what everyone is busy stitching this year.

I'm hoping to post at least twice a week now that I'm fit and have got my sewing mojo back.

Take Care

Lyndsey