Houndstooth Shumper

Isn't this fabric fabulous? It just zings! I always love hounds-tooth, but these colours make me really happy and its doubly nice to use quilting fabric for shirting - or in this case, for a shumper which is my own hybrid of a shirt and jumper. 

And I have so many teals and yellowy acid greens, so its extra versatile in my wardrobe. I have a little bit left over and I'm wondering what to do with it. I'm thinking of hemming a scarf or creating a tote bag. Yes, you can tell I just love this fabric. 

I am trying to stash bust and minimize generally, but I'm always on the lookout for zingers to update my wardrobe like this one. It also takes care of the neckline problem. I am finding that a lot of otherwise good jumpers and tops have enormous necklines that just swoop down. I don't know why this trend is in, but it is. It doesn't sit right to have the neckline scooped like that and then I have the dilemma of wearing a shirt underneath (too hot and bulky) or just the top alone (too chilly on top). You can see I've been having wardrobe frustrations over this. Well, my whole new shumper sewing ethic has taken care of this problem, and I'm glad about it because I have some beautiful mohair and wool mix tops with lousy necklines which will now become fabulous wardrobe staples. 

Whenever I wear one of my shumpers (and I have quite a few now), I always get asked where I bought it. Whether I'm at the petrol station, or buying groceries or in the newsagents. I used to be taken aback when people came up to me to say something about the quilting fabric I was wearing, but now it happens so routinely that I almost expect it! It's so flattering to be complimented for wearing beautiful fabric and it's so nice to have it put to use instead of sitting on my fabric shelf. Do you compliment people when you're out and about? Its something I have to do more of myself - it really shouldn't be so usual or surprising to give or receive a compliment but I have to admit its something I don't do enough of and I think there needs to be more of it.

I made it on my Bernina 820. Well, let me re-phrase that. I tried making it on my Bernina 820, but after a few hours decided to shift back to my trusty 1950's Elna. Why would I do that? This is why. 

Regular readers of this blog will know that I've experienced great disappointment with the Bernina 820 which my husband purchased for me on our 40th Wedding Anniversary. Since my first posts reviewing this sewing machine, I've received lots of emails from quilters around the world who have themselves purchased the 820: all offered advice on how to handle this machine. Some of you were happy with the machine after a period of settling in and others of you were and still are unhappy with it, a year or two on. I have appreciated all comments and feedback on this issue because I've been faced with a difficult decision regarding the machine. 

If you would like to read my previous posts regarding the Bernina 820, click here   and here   and here 

I have given this machine every opportunity to perform and have taken countless hours trying to settle it in, all without results. This machine is one difficultly after another. Every sewing session that begins with such enthusiasm and ends in tears of frustration and another round of regret. What to do with this machine? I don't know. Trading it in is not an option because of the value loss - and that loss of value is a further insult - to be punished again for trusting the 820 in the first place. Sell it? No, I cannot, in good conscience, sell it on. I'm just not that type of person. The 820 needs to be put away, not passed on. Some people have suggested that the 820 is a sewing machine for people who think like a computer. I don't know what that means except to realize that if they're right, I obviously don't think like a computer. 

Lastly people have offered advice concerning me taking lessons on how to use a sewing machine. I take this advice with the good intention it is offered in, and I don't take offense. I would also recommend this myself if someone complained about a machine as much as I complain about the 820. However to be clear I do just want to point out that I am not a hobby sewer: I have been sewing for over 40 years and on a variety of machines. As well as being an accomplished sewer, I have been an award winning quilting for 13 years and was a tailor before that. I know my sewing machines. And that somehow makes living with the 820 worse. 

I regularly receive emails from readers who'd like to know if I've sorted out my 820 issues and the answer I'm afraid, is no, I have not. I hope things will improve somehow but I can't see how this will happen. It's my opinion that Bernina should recall the 820's but again, don't see this happening either. I have a very high opinion of Bernina and indeed trusted in that brand name, so it surprises me that the 820 was ever produced and manufactured. And I sincerely regret that it was.

These buttonholes are a serious mess- and as usual, no amount of tension adjustment or thread change or bobbin fiddling can remedy it. I've been here before and it just gets more frustrating to have beautifully prepared fabric damaged like this from a machine that should perform better. This standard is inexcusable. And so disheartening too. What a waste of fabric and time. 

So much for teaching my DDs how to sew by example, I don't let them near the 820 - not because its 'precious' but because I don't want them to be put off sewing. This really bothers me because I am one of those women who believes that even if you do no sewing, you should know the basics like hems, darts and buttonholes as a general life skill. Well, not on my Bernina 820 that's for sure. 

This is OK. And this is the best the Bernina 820 can do. 

Overall, one hole out of 5 is acceptable and I am not impressed. 

Maybe I'm too particular, but I can't live with this kind of sloppy work!

By the time I've re-created my collar, I've moved machines and feel better about getting my creation finished within the day. I love these buttons too, they're such a nice detail to finish on. Because of course, I have a button stash to rival my fabric stash too, but decide to stick with black on black.

After hours of struggling with my 820, its nice to look at my finished (or nearly finished, in this pic the buttons need to be sewn down) creation and realize that this is what its about - using what time I have to do what I love and with the materials I love. Its such a shame that I have a tool which doesn't benefit my work, or my creativity. It hinders both those things and fills me with such regret and indecision - because what can you do when you have spent so much on something so bad?

 Have you sewn anything for yourself to wear lately? I'd love to hear about it. 

WOW: Back to Shirt Collars

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

As I try to downsize and minimize, I keep finding things that are too good to throw away quality wise but too boring to keep in their present condition. This week I've been sorting through my wardrobe - and I found some excellent jumpers in need of some revival - so you know what that means? More collars of course! I don't know about you, but I just like collars - on everything! It seems like more and more collars are being neglected on garments and this is not a trend I'm a fan of. In fact, the last few tops I've tried on at the stores have had enormous necklines, really wide and low - I honestly don't know who's wearing them?!

I just love creating collars with my beautiful quilting fabrics. Most of you already know that I've been here before, I do it each winter, it's just fun and so practical as well and a good excuse to allow myself permission to buy extra fabrics - like these here: what do you think?

I know I just finished a set of shirts a few months ago, but its winter now and that means its time for a set of revived jumpers and I've decided that there's just too much black everywhere. Of course, I do love wearing black like so many women, but I'm going to ban it without some beautiful fabric pepping it up on the collar and cuffs. It's my compromise.

I waited years to find clothes that reflected my colouring and were practical as well as stylish - they were few and far between. So, now I just make my own. What about you? Have you been driven to revamp your wardrobe?

What's your WOW ?

An InLinkz Link-up

Here's My New Tablecloth!

Quickest WOW ever, I love getting projects completed in under 48 hours!

This fabric is just gorgeous, it reminds me of Dutch blue plates which also reminds my of one of my new BOM designs. I think it's a fine fabric for a tablecloth. And being cotton means that its so easy to wash. Unfortunately it also means I'll have to iron it each time I wash it, and I do hate ironing but I think the beauty of having it makes up for that (and you never know, one of my DDs might offer to do it ..?)

The fabric had 'borders' which I cut out and stitched around as the hem to finish off the tablecloth as the table itself is oval shaped. I was going to use a lovely wide navy blue ribbon I had, but it would mean far too much ironing and buckling later on and I do like my tablecloths to hang straight. Because of this, I usually select heavier weight fabrics and light upholstery prints for my special occasion cloths but even they need ironing when un-packed so I guess its just something you can never get away from!

I have to iron the center crease in after each wash or I'll never get it centered on my table! This trick really helps and saves me walking around trying to tug it into position. I also starch the tablecloth so that the center line stays.

And this is the real reason this particular fabric print caught my eye; my tableware is all white and the blue and white print with patches of french toile makes each meal feel like a scene from a rural painting....

At least until the washing up...

Have a beautiful weekend

WOW: Quickest Tablecloth Ever

WOW = WIPS On Wednesdays

Time just flies when I'm working on LE, but I need to take frequent breaks from it, to give my eyes a rest - its incredible how much eye strain I've been having lately with all my hand sewing and intense focusing! I need a little break to keep my perception fresh about the colours and fabrics I'm working with too. I find that when I spend all day with the same fabrics, it's good to put is aside for a few days and then re-look at it with 'fresh eyes',  it's interesting how just a few days can really change your mind about colour choices. 

I'm lucky enough to have an extra large table that serves as our dining table (officially) but is really just an excuse for me to design and create in the middle of the house. It needs a daily tablecloth so I can distinguish my creative time (hardwood) from our eating time (tablecloth). I have one tablecloth for special occasions, but I need a daily one and making one is long overdue. I just never have the time. I was considering making a patchworky HST tablecloth from the thousands of fabrics in my stash - but I don't actually want to invest that much time in it right now (although the idea definitely appeals). Yesterday I stumbled across this wide-back fabric which I've had in my stash for years. There's enough of it to make a tablecloth and napkins so that's what I'm doing. Today I'm measuring up the napkin sizes and later in the afternoon I will simply turn the edge of the fabric and call it another finished WIP!

Does anyone bother with tablecloths anymore? Do you?

I like the ceremony of setting a table for family time. Maybe it's an old fashioned idea, but I think some old fashioned ideas have merit and sitting down when you can, to spend time with family seems more precious the older I get. My DDs don't think a tablecloth is necessary at all. Perhaps my new blue one will change their minds... Personally, I can't wait to lighten my stash and set the table for dinner. 

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

WOW: Earliest Quilt WIP

WOW = WIPs on Wednesdays

Here's an early quilt of mine, made in my first year of quilting. I guess you could say it's my oldest WIP! It's 13 years old. That's a long time to have to wait to be basted and quilted!

Actually, I still like it and I definitely will quilt it..

eventually...

What's Your Oldest WIP?

Love Entwined Part 13 is Launched

It's time for the willow motif to take it's place

It's interested me that so many of you mentioned in your BOM Group sign up, that you'd always wanted to make the 'willow' quilt from the Averil Colby book.

Hmmmm, I thought, what willow quilt are they all talking about?!

In the original, I always 'saw' this motif as a palm tree and never questioned what I saw until so many of you duly informed me that it was willow. I think I was influenced by the angels turning throughout border 3 and assumed a palm tree was a kind of natural allegorical progression. However, upon looking more closely, it was obvious that you were all right! So this month it's time to put into place that design element which has spoken and reached out to so many of you over the years through the pages of a book: the willow.

The willow motif is applied diagonally over all of the four fabric corners of Border 3 and each willow motif slightly overlaps the side applique of Parts 11 & 12 on each side.

Cut the pattern out of paper first and make any adjustments  for each direction as required so that it will perfectly fit your own quilt.

On the original, it appears that there might be broderie perse cut outs scattered around the willow. The spaces around the willow are all perfect spots for embellishing. I suggest you add any suitably sized shapes or embellishments all around and between the willow as suitable, according to your fabric and embellishing style so far.

Which brings us this far

which leaves me somewhat speechless... has this BOM really come this far? already?

Can't wait to see the progress pics this month...

‘Love Entwined 1790 Marriage Coverlet’ is a Free 18 Month Historic BOM

Each ‘block’ of the month is released monthly, on the 15th of each month. 

All ‘blocks’ are available for download via my Yahoo BOM Group only

WOW: Prioritizing WIPs

WOW = WIPs On Wednesday 

I'd actually forgotten I ever made this quilt top, until I found it last night in a cupboard. This is the risk of having so many WIPs, you might actually forget some of them exist! This quilt needs to be basted and quilted. I'm in a real dilemma with it because I have several quilts to be basted and don't have the time to do it myself (on the floor, using the wooden plank method) and my quilting time is so precious nowadays. 

I'm not sure what I'll do with it at the moment. I have some more sorting to get through this week. I have been downsizing for about 3 years (attempting to downsize might be a more accurate description) but whenever I decide to straighten things out, I find hidden gems and get distracted all over again. 

The plan today is to uncover all these put aside my WIPs and come up with a basting plan for them so I can finally have them finished!

What's Your WOW ?