I've been working on a couple of bigger projects this past week, staying focused and trying not to be distracted by other things calling my name.
I'm making another caddy using Annie Unrein's Catch All Caddy pattern. I've made several of these in the past so it's largely been plain sailing; it's a good pattern, well written and very methodical —
Quilting the Soft and Stable —
Making the handles —
Binding fronts and backets, pockets, side pockets and so on —
Inner pockets —
When I stopped this afternoon this was how far I'd got.
The next step is to sew binding on around the outside. Easily the fiddliest step so deep breathing and slow sewing will be needed to get it finished.
You may have guessed that this is destined to be for baby bits and pieces. Our ED and DIL are both due within the next couple of months so there's been a bit of a focus on things for babies lately :-)
Over the weekend I tested another pattern for Juliet of Tartankiwi.
Meet my Emu!
This fellow is 18" square so a bit of a change from the 6" wrens I've made for her lately. I loved seeing him come together, and it was a relief to see his cheeky face appear on my workbench!
One thing I enjoy about testing (and making) one-off blocks like this is the chance to play and experiment with fabrics and colours I haven't used much. Here I wasn't sure how I was going to treat the fractured background area... I thought it would be good to move away from my usual background fabric choices which are a little more traditional. By choosing this co-ordinated range of grey and whites I was able to achieve something with a different look that I'm happy with.
I also wondered if the eye colour might be a bit too strong but I think it helps give him 'the look' :-)
I'm linking this blogpost up to Stitch, Sew, Snap and Share, hosted this time by Julie. This fortnightly linkup is a chance to share what we're working on and be inspired by others. Do pop over.
And Dione of Clever Chameleon has started up a weekly linkup called Tuesday's Inspiration Colour Party...Dione is full of inspiration herself and now she's giving us the chance to be excited even more via the link-up party.
I'm heading back to my machine to start tackling the binding on my caddy. All going well I'll have a finish by the end of the day!
I'm making another caddy using Annie Unrein's Catch All Caddy pattern. I've made several of these in the past so it's largely been plain sailing; it's a good pattern, well written and very methodical —
Quilting the Soft and Stable —
Making the handles —
Binding fronts and backets, pockets, side pockets and so on —
You may have guessed that this is destined to be for baby bits and pieces. Our ED and DIL are both due within the next couple of months so there's been a bit of a focus on things for babies lately :-)
Over the weekend I tested another pattern for Juliet of Tartankiwi.
Meet my Emu!
One thing I enjoy about testing (and making) one-off blocks like this is the chance to play and experiment with fabrics and colours I haven't used much. Here I wasn't sure how I was going to treat the fractured background area... I thought it would be good to move away from my usual background fabric choices which are a little more traditional. By choosing this co-ordinated range of grey and whites I was able to achieve something with a different look that I'm happy with.
I'm linking this blogpost up to Stitch, Sew, Snap and Share, hosted this time by Julie. This fortnightly linkup is a chance to share what we're working on and be inspired by others. Do pop over.
And Dione of Clever Chameleon has started up a weekly linkup called Tuesday's Inspiration Colour Party...Dione is full of inspiration herself and now she's giving us the chance to be excited even more via the link-up party.
I'm heading back to my machine to start tackling the binding on my caddy. All going well I'll have a finish by the end of the day!
Happy stitches,
I adore your version of Juliet's Emu, he's very cheeky looking & bright eyed. The foxes look great stitched up into a bag.
ReplyDeleteThe caddy is looking wonderful! Congragulations on two new little ones on the way. Love the emu, think the eyes are perfect, emus have a way of looking at you so it is spot on.
ReplyDeleteYour caddy is looking great. The outer binding though does definitely look like a very deep breath moment! Lovely emu. xx
ReplyDeleteThe bag looks very handy--and more detailed to make than I could ever tackle. Looks like you have done a great job on it. I'm sure it will be loved.
ReplyDeleteOh, my goodness, that Emu face made me laugh. So full of personality!
Very impressed with your bag making prowess... and those eyes and background are perfect!
ReplyDeleteGreat bag and wonderful events to look forward to. Love the emu x
ReplyDeleteThat emu !!! Cheeky is a really good way to describe him.
ReplyDeleteI never got started on caddy - I think we have the same pattern - I really don't know when or if I will. I never seem to be in the mood for a project like that.
ReplyDeleteYour Emu is sew cute. Such a lot of work Raewyn.
ReplyDeleteThe baby bag is adorable and I.m sure your DIL will love it.
hi Raewyn,
ReplyDeletethe Emu is so cute. It feels like he's looking trough the computer screen :-)) . The caddy is great and I like the idea of using it for baby-things. I've had the pattern for years and three weeks ago I've started sewing. It has been a very slow project which will be finished tomorrow, when the last few stitches has been done.
happy quilting
Angelika
Wow! Another amazing project . . . there is nothing that you can not do when given a needle and thread.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a lovely day.
Connie :)
Love the emu .... We have a few of those running around here at the moment......
ReplyDeleteGoodluck finishing the caddy ......
Did you know I love red foxes--and when I see fabric with foxes on it I have to buy it--
ReplyDeletesooo I love your new caddy!!!
enjoy,di
Those caddies are awesome! You make them look so easy! Two new babies! Oh, my! Love the pp pattern you tested. It must have been fun!
ReplyDeleteyour caddy is looking great - fiddly work there but will be so useful for new baby. that emu sure is cheeky looking.... love the backgrounds..
ReplyDeleteHugz
Love the foxes on the caddy Raewyn, must attempt to make one.
ReplyDeleteAlso love Mr Emu and also should try one of Juliet,s patterns one day!
All the best for the arrival of grand babies thinking of you and all those cuddles. xxxxx
Love your emu - he's definitely got a wicked twinkle to his eye. Exciting news with two grandies on the way. Thanks for linking to Sew, Stitch, Snap, SHARE.
ReplyDeleteYour emu is wonderful! So expressive.
ReplyDeleteYes, that caddy is a bit of work to put together, but so worth it. Love your foxes! :-)
I do like the emu, but I couldn't help thinking that if some of those triangles around its head were colored differently, they could become spikes and he would make a great alien! I absolutely crave that fox fabric! It would make such a wonderful hex flower for my novelties quilt. Who makes it?
ReplyDeleteWow, that's a great emu!
ReplyDelete(O)
ReplyDeleteGreat work with the caddy, Raewyn. Looking gorgeous for use with a baby. Time as flying by with those babies due so soon! Exciting times.
ReplyDeleteLook your emu. Lots of character is the face and great use of colours.
Wow, that is a great caddy! Love the fox fabric, it is soooo cute! Your emu is looking great too! xx
ReplyDeleteWhat an EMU smile! So cute!
ReplyDeleteoh Raewyn these are awesome!!! love them all go you! xox
ReplyDeleteThat Emu is classic. The eyes are perfect.... so intense but still friendly! Thanks for linking up to Clever Chameleon. I'm so glad I didn't miss this post! :)
ReplyDeleteOh babies on the way. What a cute bag, but I am sure that the binding would irritate me, because binding has been having that affect on me lately. Love the Emu he is great.
ReplyDeleteOh I'm so impressed with your projects! Such a lovely carry all. You picked great fabric. As for the emu - my sister used to own some and yes - that's how they would look at us! Love them!
ReplyDeleteYour emu is very fun. The background really works! Thanks for the links to new linkups.
ReplyDeleteThe caddy is fabulous. It looks as if it would take a long time to stitch. LOVE your emu! He has the sweetest expression and the background fabrics are perfect.
ReplyDelete