Patchwork Project Bag No. 2

Swapping between all my interests I often find myself in a bit of a muddle - Surprise? - No.
On a table next to my armchair in the living room are the DMC threads from my cross stitch, mixed together with my crochet shawl, balls of wool, patterns, scissors, markers etc.
Endlessly trying to be a tidier person I decided to make another project bag in order to separate things.
Of course, then, in my workroom I have fabrics, cutting mats, threads and sewing machine out to make the bag.
Having lots of scraps of browns and yellows I set about making another in the heart pattern I used before. The bag size is perfect for quilts or knitting as It is almost 20" wide.
I took the cutting mat, wheel and rulers into the kitchen as the worktop height is good to cut standing up, plus the iron and ironing board are there.
Once the hearts were constructed I needed a bigger place to lay them out, and I take them to the dining table.
If you were keeping up with me, I have now taken over four rooms with my stuff!
Project Bag No. 2

The bag is perfect. I put my crochet into it, folded away the ironing board, vacuumed the floors, hide my tools away and yes, I look quite like a tidy person for a while!

Making the bag was also a test for my sewing machine. Only 6 years old and it had become noisy. The needle was never in the centre and sometimes it scared the life out of me as the needle hit the foot and broke with a bang because it had moved over to the left!
It had to have the Step Motor replaced and now works as if it is a new machine, thank goodness.
Now to do something about my knitting needles - they need a bag.
It's Good Friday, I hope it is a good one for you,

Crochet Along - Another Shawl

Making the first shawl was fun and quick to work. It did my moral good to finish something. Those who know me understand my lack of  self discipline. I get bored easily and have to break off a big project to make something small and quick inbetween, hence my many 'works in progress'.
Actually getting to wear my shawl  was so moral boosting that I started another one immediately!

I finished this one also but no photo as it's currently 'missing' in my workroom somewhere!
I had to hastily make space on my table as my sewing machine, which has been repaired, was back and I needed to try it.
This morning I started working on the next shawl in the Crochet Along, the Perranporth Shawl by Diana Bensted
For this shawl I'm using Sheepies mix of cotton and acrylic.

I've placed a marker on the straight edge so that I remember which side to increase.

I'm making this one for my daughter, hopefully in time for Easter, nothing like pressure to get me moving!
Have a good weekend!

Crochet Along Shawl Is Finished!

A really fun, fast make and here is the completed shawl.

 Just seven evenings work!

 I enjoyed making this and will probably make more in other colours.

I'm on a roll now!

Want to give it a try? Visit Diana here for the pattern.

English Paper Pieced Pin Cushion

This is a kit by Sew Motion which I fell in love with and just had to have.
It comes with more than enough fabric and has very clear instructions.

In the past, I have always tacked my papers to the fabric shapes but the kit suggested glue and as my friend glues hers successfully I thought I'd follow suit.

Using 'Sewline' fabric glue pen I glued merrily away. The glue held well and I carefully hand stitched the shapes together.

I then had to remove the papers, this was where the trouble began. The glue held fast.

The only way forward was to keep going but the fabric was becoming frayed despite my trying to slide a pin or the end of my tweezers between the fabric and paper to help release it.

I thought I was going to totally ruin the patchwork.

 The edges had frayed but bits of paper were glued too hard for me to remove without shredding the fabric, so I had to leave them.

It took ages and I was left with a mess.

I carefully folded the turnings inside and as best I could, ironed them down again. I then pinned the patchwork down to the plain fabric very carefully. 

I stitched slowly,  pushing in any ends as I went and I used an even smaller and tighter stitch then I usually would.

Now that it is complete I'm quite happy but will avoid putting pins near the edges of the patchwork for fear of wearing it.

It is large and heavy, as I filled it with ground walnut shells which stops it flipping around and also keeps the pins sharp.

I love the look, I love the vintage 30s fabric.

I shall think twice before using fabric glue again though.

Crochet-along Shawls

It's been a while since I last crocheted anything; I seemed to have overdosed on it for a couple of years and then I moved on.
Now that I've tired myself of quilting I'm ready to crochet again.

Diana, one of the ladies I sometimes see at our local 'Knit and Natter' was wearing a beautiful scarf she had made and as she had just completed the pattern and started a 'Crochet-Along' on Ravelry 
I decided it was just what I needed with the freezing, sub-zero temperatures we're having this week!

The yarn I ordered arrived this morning and I've just started to make it. I'm using Drops Fabel, colour 151 and I'm finding it very smooth to handle.

You can also find Diana of The Crochet Chain here
I hope you're keeping warm and cosy,