All posts in category Fabric

Stitching Santa

So.. this year I managed to remember to sign up to Sewchet’s Stitching Santa swap. I took part in the sewing one a couple years ago and loved it! Now that I was hooking up my yarn I was greedy and took part in both sewing and yarn. When they arrived they were slotted under the tree and patiently waiting until the big day.

Apologising in advance for the photos mixture of cluttered chaos and weather not behaving!

I did feel a bit guilty as both my secret santas stalked me via my blog and like a lot of people due to time most of my daily social media is over on Instagram. That said both gifts were amazing and perfect.

Yarn Santa.

The lovely Jo of Through the Keyhole was my secret santa. The chocolate has long gone! (Apparently I inhale it…) but I had a lovely Shawl which I can’t do justice or model appropriately to pop on over to Jo’s blog for a much prettier look! Really love the colour and style of this and can’t wait to take it on it’s first outing when back at work later in the week. Am really envious of your skill Jo!

Some really pretty yarn- the blue is sock yarn and the pinky colourway is 4 ply which I’m guessing for socks? It is on my list to try and get some socks done and so these will go into my yarn mountain. I’ve only cracked crochet a few months ago after years on/off trying so determined to get that and my knitting skills up to scratch this year. Have in my list the winwick sock pattern but any others to recommend please shout! I genuinely would appreciate it!

Sewchet Stitching Santa Sewing Yarn Swap Liberty Fabric (2)

Sewchet Stitching Santa Sewing Yarn Swap Liberty Fabric (3)

Also included in my parcel was a couple of little kits and a mountain of tea (avid tea lover) so really looking forward to try these! Now every one by now knows I live to read so was so happy to find this in my parcel too! Not had a chance yet but promise soon with some healthy hot cocoa to sit down and nosy my way through this.

20180101_124458

Sewing Santa:

My secret santa was another blog I hadn’t had the pleasure of coming across before- Lynn of thetialys. Lots of pretties here! Somehow Lynn has worked out that I love Liberty so had some gorgeous pieces and then my love of sea creatures (except the evil dolphins) isn’t the whale the cutest? Pretty coasters, needlebook case, drawstring bag and lots of extras. I think the clasp frame I may do something yarn related with it (we’ll see).

Sewchet Stitching Santa Sewing Yarn Swap Liberty Fabric (4)

Sewchet Stitching Santa Sewing Yarn Swap Liberty Fabric (5)

Sewchet Stitching Santa Sewing Yarn Swap Liberty Fabric (6)

Sewchet Stitching Santa Sewing Yarn Swap Liberty Fabric (7)

Sewchet Stitching Santa Sewing Yarn Swap Liberty Fabric (8)

Thank you so much Jo and Lynn for taking the time to stalk my interests and craft the perfect gifts for me. Am looking forward to what you get up to this year now I’ve discovered your blogs!

6 Comments

by quirkyhannah on January 1, 2018 • Permalink

Posted in Christmas, Fabric, Knitting, Swaps, Uncategorized

Posted by quirkyhannah on January 1, 2018

https://quirkyhannah.co.uk/2018/01/01/stitching-santa/

2017 Finish A Long Q4 List

Ok I wasn’t going to join in… I’ve held out since Q1 but since my life is jumping into the “I have no time for anything” as of next week I thought well why not.. I need something to prod me in the rare moments I’m going to get to create. If you don’t follow me on Instagram (and why not….?) I’m starting my MSc. Next week in fact and the day job remains full time and just as busy!

Anyway……… I may just qualify for #ridiculouslylongfallist I have a lot of other stuff I want to get done that isn’t mentioned here too.

1.An old favourite.. maybe 2 years old? My intended Christmas tablecloth- I did start handquilting it back in January then shoved it in a cupboard.

2. Beachhut Cushion- new entry and one I stupidly said yes to.. Nuff said.

3. Spiderman Quilt.. was mean’t to be a birthday present in June. Let’s go for Christmas!

4. Wonky Stars quilt- embarrassingly too long a WIP.

5. Mini Totes- Trick or Treat and Christmassy ones. Deadlines there.

6. Wonderland Maker’s Tote. Been dreaming about this.. and meant to be a gift. When you say? Oh back in March….

7. Boxy Pouch- swap for #SWStitchers meeting in November

8. Star Blankets- may take awhile as middle of one I started another in a different colourway!

9. Hobbycraft Tea on the Green CAL Blanket- got distracted by the star blanket pattern…

10. Seal Pup Scarf. Need need need and I have the wool! Now all I need to do is learn to knit proficiently.

11. Crochet Henry the Hedgehog.

12. Kitty Rucksack- fell in love with this pattern- got the yarn just need to get cracking and by end of November….

13. Animal hat. Winter. Cute. Nature inspired enough said…

14. Jet Set Sewing Station. Loved this pattern the moment I saw it and perfect for all my sewing groups. Now where’s that mythical selfish sewing time?

15. Stitchsperation stitches- for gifts… but how pretty is that linen?!

16. Finish M6-12 of the Sew and Quilt Lucy EPP BOM especially since the add on kit arrived today!

17. Heather Ross Cushion… to be gifted.

18. Piece of Me Pouches.. More gifts

19. Dinosaur Cushion… for the husband. So at some point….

20. 30s repros log cabin quilt.

21. Noah’s Ark Embroidery

22.Knitted Hedgehogs

23. Sewcial Sampler Quilt- need finish piecing rest of the blocks, then sew and quilt

Sighs. That’s probably too much for me to squeeze in especially since I have a million other things itching to do. Linking up with the Finish A Long. Is anyone else joining in with a stupidly insane list?

Hannah.x

3 Comments

by quirkyhannah on October 7, 2017 • Permalink

Posted in Christmas, Crochet, Fabric, Knitting, Sewing, Uncategorized

Posted by quirkyhannah on October 7, 2017

https://quirkyhannah.co.uk/2017/10/07/2017-finish-a-long-q4-list/

Le Challenge – Blossom

*Waves* anyone still around? It’s been while I know I’m sorry! Today I’m popping in to share something new…

Yes I’ve actually finished something! Using crochet if you can believe it…. A Daisy Bookmark which took me an entire AFTERNOON to do but worth it as I’m always losing bookmarks and I needed to brush up on my skills for some commissions I need to get my ass into gear to work on!

It is almost too pretty to use! The book props are a bit random… but they are 2 I’ve just finished reading and 2 that are being started imminently and do you want to know a funny thing? For my birthday this week… I now have a Kindle which almost negates the need for a bookmark…

Linking up this baby to Le Challenge as the theme is Blossom and linking inwith the daisy blossom and my blossoming skills (ha ha). Le Challenge if you are not aware of it is run by the lovely Lucy and Nat where on a monthly basis there is chance for any crafter to link up to a theme, show off your makes and possibly win a gift certificate.

I’m going to try and be around a bit more often as I keep meaning to catch up on the books I’m reading and look another piece of shocking news for you………….. I’m SEWING!!! It has been awhile since I’ve had some enthusiasm and energy but I think it’s coming back…

Can a clever monkey guess what this might be?? I just need to find a cute owl button to finish it off…

4 Comments

by quirkyhannah on May 15, 2016 • Permalink

Posted in Crochet, Fabric, Sewing

Tagged blossom, booklover, books, crochet, daisy, le challenge, sewing

Posted by quirkyhannah on May 15, 2016

https://quirkyhannah.co.uk/2016/05/15/le-challenge-blossom/

Decisions… decisions… and a finish!

Just whirling in quickly to sneak in another finish from my FAL 2016 Q1 List!

A Cheer bear! And just in time for my niece 2nd birthday on Monday! This is actually a kit meant for a five year but that tummy… let’s just say a lot of rude words was said and not entirely sure it’s going to last…

I also got to get a quilt finish to gift but am completely stuck…. do I go with any of the below or something completely new??

This beast is 84″ quilted, backed with fleece and only awaiting binding. But it’s HUGE and a little heavy. I was luckily enough to test Alyce of Blossom Heart Quilts design for this.

Then there’s this! A starry winnie the pooh but it’s only approx 38″ square at the moment and perhaps a little boyish? Not sure what else to add it to it…

Lastly.. it’s the Harper quilt! Measuring approx 44″ square, it needs a kinda another border but maybe to lengthen it out top and bottom 2 rows of squares.

Argh whatever I got to crack on soon…. (apologies for photos, early morning not much room!)

3 Comments

by quirkyhannah on April 7, 2016 • Permalink

Posted in Fabric

Tagged FAL2016, finishalong, kids, quilting, sewing, winnie the pooh

Posted by quirkyhannah on April 7, 2016

https://quirkyhannah.co.uk/2016/04/07/decisions-decisions-and-a-finish/

I’ve actually sewn something….

Yeah I’m still in shock! Me sewing… what is the world coming to! It’s definitely been a struggle past few months and not sure why.. too many projects or should I say too many commitment sewing and not enough for me? Whatever… let’s hope it’s getting over now 🙂

So what have I been doing….. I’ve had this book Fifty Fat Quarter Makes for Christmas and been dying to try the crochet hook case for ages. Especially since I keep misplacing my hooks.. just when I want to pick up a yarn project. This is for Tara as part of my #bigdamnheroesswap package. I’m not quite happy with the front it doesn’t mesh as well as I wanted it too but I messed up when cutting a couple of weeks ago. I’m blaming the sugar withdrawalness thing going through at the time… headaches, nausea and tiredness and not me okay!

Really want to do one for me soon! Also as part of the swap I did a cross stitch and some embroidery- Tara loves Jayne so can you see the theme….

I’ve had my parcel this week from the lovely Jenny of Nerdymcstitcherson isn’t it lovely!

Hoping be back on track soon… I’ve got a few messages to reply to from last week so bear with me 🙂

Also this is one of my finishes from the FAL 2016 list.

1 Comment

by quirkyhannah on February 4, 2016 • Permalink

Posted in Fabric, Sewing, Swaps

Tagged cross stitching, embroidery, fiftyfatquartermakes, firefly, Jayne Cobb, serentiy

Posted by quirkyhannah on February 4, 2016

https://quirkyhannah.co.uk/2016/02/04/ive-actually-sewn-something/

Farmer’s Wife QAL: Golda

Hello! So.. it’s my week in the Farmer’s Wife QAL bloghop (hosted by Kerry) and I’m here to show you block 38 Golda!

As soon as I saw this block I loved it! There are a lot of pieces but surprisingly it came together really quickly and almost perfect. It took me a long time to decide on fabric and in the end I steered away from the 30s pastels as in my other blocks and went for DS (Denyse Schmidt). Here’s hoping it will fit in the overall quilt 🙂 Although my choices later have been a bit bolder from my collection…

The letter for this block is “So Quiet and Peaceful”, basically it’s a story about a family who moved from their farm to the city. Day to day life become easier, they had money and playtime. Then the depression hit, jobs were cut, wages went down, city life became unsupportable so they went back home- to the farm and wondered why they ever let. The simplest of messages conveyed.

With everything that’s been happening I’m not completely up to date with the QAL but when I work on the blocks I find pairs are best! Choose fabrics in pairs, prep in pairs and sew in pairs. The majority of mine are machine sewn as foundation piecing is not my favourite! A couple are in pieces as attempting hand piecing but not finished those yet…. oops!

I rotary cut all my pieces and I guess my main tip to those is a 28mm rotary cutter- it’s so much more easier on those little pieces! I tend to cut the fabric slightly bigger than the pattern and stack in 4s, then I add a bit of double sided tape to the back of the pattern and lay it on top of the fabric to cut. I find it’s minimalises cutting errors for me 🙂

As I work in pairs- block 37 Georgia is keeping Golda company. I couldn’t resist using the red DS print again- hoping this might lead to a more cohesive quilt.

And… here we go a choice offering of some of my blocks and the style.. I’m finding that the fabric choices are like picking out my mood at the time. The pastelly ones are from when all I wanted is to be left alone and some quiet 🙂 Now it’s bright, bold and raring to go.

How is everyone getting on with theirs?

Farmer’s Wife QAL: Week 16 Eva and Fanny

The Farmer’s Wife Quilt-A-Long hosted by Kerry of Verykerryberry is back after Christmas break and it’s week 16. I’m going to apologise for my photos, every time I went to try it literally poured down.

Here’s Block 31. Eva

I quite like this block and soft colours, I tried so hard to ensure it all blends in with the background pattern. The squares were tiny but manageable.

Block 22. Fanny

I liked the style of this but not sure on my combination, when I was pulling choices it seemed to work but now I wished I switched combinations around in a few places.

Both blocks I machined pieced but this week I’m actually going to try handpiecing Block 34… scary. It be interesting to see how long it takes and what it looks like!

How is everyone getting on with their blocks?

Hannah.x

Farmer’s Wife QAL Week 10: Carrie and Cat

So…. a few posts back you might remember that I’m going to be a guest blogger in the Farmer’s Wife 1930s QAL hosted by Kerry of verykerryberry.

It was my intention to do the blocks each week but unfortunately I fell behind… however instead of manically trying to catch up I’m going to do the blocks allocated that week and try to do one (or two) that I have missed!

This week it’s Carrie and Cat (Blocks 21 and 22). When pulling fabric choices I definitely had a bit of a red/yellow theme going on.

Block 21: Carrie

Block 22: Cat

Cat is my favourite fabric combination out of the two it’s just a shame I had trouble with those pesky triangles! I should not try to sew without having my morning cup of tea first…..

I’m a little worried about how I’m going to sash my blocks when finished (random middle of the night thought) as I’m just picking combos suited to the block as/when do them. But thinking might either a grey or a dotty low volume print… as long as I stay away from using fabrics with a mainly white background in. Hmm.

How is everyone else getting on with their blocks? Most of the fabrics featured above came from Jessie’s shop Sew and Quilt in a specially curated bundle for the QAL.

Hannah.x

My Sewing Space

So… I think finally my sewing space is a bit more organised to show you…. You might have seen this on my Instagram feed but it’s taken me awhile (most of the bank holiday weekend) to sort my quilting cottons…… I ran out of cards and space. In fact I dragged Matthew to Argos early on the sunday morning just to get another bookcase. Stupidly I thought all of my quilt stuff would fit on one…. (let’s not mention the box full I have hidden)My cutting desk which I *try* to keep clear and inspirational 🙂 The cross stitch was done by my amazing friend Donna of the characters from Firefly complete with quotes! I keep some of the magazines/books I’m working from on it complete with pens, notebook and my Paperchase planner.

Next where I sew! My little baby the Brother Innovis 350SE still settling in 🙂 Next to her is a to do list, more pens, a slightly overworked turtle pincushion, lots of thread and most importantly a place for a cup of tea.

On my walls are lots of mini quilts, as well as a Jane Austen quote calendar (from Jen of Miss Bohemia) and a wall planner. Despite what you see I’m not the most organised person in the world… (unless you think organised chaos) but I’m trying! Hopefully I can sew a bit more regularly especially before work. I have so many ideas it’s starting to be a struggle converting them from my head…

Hannah.x

6 Comments

by quirkyhannah on September 6, 2015 • Permalink

Posted in Fabric

Tagged creative, fabric organisation, firefly, sewing, sewing space

Posted by quirkyhannah on September 6, 2015

https://quirkyhannah.co.uk/2015/09/06/my-sewing-space/

Making the most of… triangles!

Happy wednesday! I am definitely enjoying these lighter evenings- combined with the machine last week it has had a definite effect on my productivity levels.

This little beauty (sneaky peek) was finished late last night- dedication for you staying up way past my bedtime til gone midnight to finish the binding. It’s not completely me… but I’ll go into that and show it off in it’s entirety once my partner has received it 🙂

In the meantime though….. a new nephew Zachary arrived in the wee hours of sunday morning. Prompting this….

I had promised a pram quilt so frantic pulling of various fabrics then a little while later I had this…

Close up….

Now the next question is can I get this finished in time to gift on Friday and I have this pesky thing called “work” in the way too! Hey ho so tonight I’m piecing those triangles and rows together ready to baste and quilt on the morrow!