some sewing and the ones that got away!

I haven't been sewing much recently - or at least not as much as I usually do. Let me show you what I've made.

First of all, I made a topper for Debbie's sewing box. I used bits of all (or most of) the sewing-related fabrics I had. I'm really chuffed with the way it turned out. Here's the front:

And the back:

My next project was a laptop bag for Debbie. She'd seen the one I made for Joanna - in 2014! - and wanted one like it. She asked me to use denim on the outside and chose the lining fabric from my stash of fat quarters. I made it the same size as Jo's one even though it'll be bigger than Deb's laptop but she told me she'll probably put other stuff in it too so better to be bigger. I put pockets on one side only:

Quilted the whole thing:

This is the inside:

I'm really pleased with how it turned out. Just have to say that sewing a zip around corners is hard when you're sewing quilted denim!!

Jo asked me if I'd make a runner for her new hall table. This is what I came up with. I LOVE it! The top:

And the bottom:

Debbie facetimed me one day last week while Emily and Isla were painting. Emily already has a painting pinny but Isla was wearing an old tee-shirt and, boy, she was messy. She didn't quite get that she was supposed to keep the paintbrush on the paper - she is only 15 months, after all! Needless to say, she now has a new painting pinny the same as Emily's except it's a wee bit smaller and has different coloured straps.

I decided to top up my Christmas fabric squares which I use to make the patchwork stockings I sell in the tartan bee. (No direct link to them as there are none loaded at the moment.) I need 45 different squares for each stocking so this has helped to fill the Christmas squares box considerably!

Lastly, I found the ones that got away! Isn't there always something that you miss when you clear away the Christmas decorations?

In fairness to myself, these were underneath this quilt so they weren't exactly visible. If I hadn't decided to tidy the quilt, they'd probably still be there! LOL

filling in the blanks and other things

Happy New Year! I'm not sure it's going to be much better than last year but, at least there's a vaccine now which gives us hope for better days. Soon. Fingers crossed! 🤞

Time to fill in the "blanks" which I had made before Christmas but couldn't show on here as the recipients read my blog.

First of all, Joanna asked me if I could make a round patchwork mat to fit a basket she was giving Debbie for her Christmas. We discussed measurements and fabric choices and this is what I came up with.

Front:

And back:

Thankfully, both girls loved it so we were all happy!

Next I made a cover for Joanna's diary. This is something I do every year and sometimes struggle to get the size right. This year I bought the same kind of diary as I had used a couple of years ago when the cover fit well. I used those measurements again and, yes, it fitted beautifully. I hope I remember to do that next year!

This is the front:

And this is the back:

A few days before Christmas, Debbie said to me " Mum, you know what I don't have? Christmas oven gloves!". Needless to say, that was remedied very easily!

After Christmas, Debbie asked me if I'd make a few pencil cases and pouches for Emily's new felt pens and other wee things. I first of all made a prototype of a pencils pencil case. I wasn't entirely happy with it - I know! I am way too critical of my own work! It wasn't a problem, though, as Joanna kindly offered to take it off my hands! 🤣

I re-made it changing a few things here and there. I am much happier with this version.

Then I made another 3 which I hope will store all sorts of wee things for the wee girlies!

This next one is the last of the fabric I got from Jo's blog giveaway. Thanks again, Jo.

The best thing about all of these pencil cases is that they're all made from scraps. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to have reduced said scraps! Honestly, when I'm not paying attention, I'm positive that fabric scraps breed! 🤣

Take care out there. Stay safe. Wear a mask.