Saturday, July 12, 2008

A request and a first


Sewing and I do not go together, we are not like peaches and cream or love and marriage, we are most definitely not a match made in heaven. Every time I approach the sewing machine it is more like trouble and strife in big bold flashing letters, sirens blaring and everyone running for cover.
That said I continue to dream of being in harmony with my machine and of unleashing undreamt of creativity in the production of as yet unknown thingies.
So despite my untoward relationship with the sewing machine I am drawn to fabric like Pooh Bear to honey, and I have found the most utterly delightful fabrics.



Only one problem. What the heck am I going to do with them? This is the request part. I thought I could spend the next few million hours trawling the WWW which I believe is at least three time bigger that the real world, or I could ask the wealth of experience that I already know exists because I have seen your blogs and evidence of your own brilliant talents. What could I do with this fabric? What would you do with it?
Bear in mind a couple of points, sewing vocabulary is a new language to me, I know my ssk and Sk2tog but bias binding and mitre corners, they still need to be carefully explained.



It needs to be simple and I mean simple, almost foolproof, no, make that completely fool proof shall we say, easy to follow and quick. So ideas welcome. Thanks very much to Lisa for the crochet hook roll project. Hers is fabulous. I really like it and am keen to have a go at that when I can sew in a straight line.



Now for the first. I got my first award from
Sal. I am so excited and pleased. I started a blog as part of my role in the navy but then realised that I really enjoyed the online community and so began Born to read. I have always kept a journal but this is slightly different as there has always been the possibility of an audience. I still blog for me but it's a good feeling to know that others are getting something out of it too. An added bonus. So thank you.

Passing it on is tricky. I mean every blog I visit deserves one, but I do have to live a real life as well as the virtual one, so I will limit it to a few who never fail to delight, entertain and uplift.
Kitty
Posy
Kim
April
Elizabeth

23 comments:

Kitty said...

Awwww, thanks for that Alison - mwah! x

I think that fabric is calling out to be a mini-quilt. Or maybe you could make yourself a little pincushion and/or needlecase? Or even a little bag to keep things in? You'll find tutorials for all these things out there on the interweb - you just have to choose one you like.

Take care. x

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

Congrats on the award - well deserved too!! As to the fabric - I LOVE all those cupcakes! They would look good as a recipe book cover or a simple drawstring bag to store your latest knitting project.

Marlene McGarrity said...

I'm newer to sewing so I am not an expert in any way, but some foolproof things to make...

- a pillow
- a quilt
- an apron

(lots of patterns are here: http://tipnut.com/56-free-apron-
patterns-you-can-make/


I'd make an apron because I am apron obsessed lately.

Traci said...

i like the quilt or apron ideas too. i'm not an avid sewer, though i dream to be some day...i can't wait to see what you make!

thanks for stopping by my blog, and yes, he was a very cheeky turtle indeed! ;)

Alaina said...

I know exactly what you mean when it comes to sewing...every time I go near my machine, something is wrong...some "tension" is off or some sort of nonsense...It frustrates the bejeevers out of me!

I have managed to make simple quilts...

Good luck and keep us posted ;)

Leanne said...

Congrats on the award.... Perhaps an apron for a first go they can be a as simple as you like. Love the fabric. When ????? is made we would like a picture so we can mark it LOL.

LizzieJane said...

Congratulations on your award, it is very well deserved.
The fabric is very beautiful and it would make some wonderful things.
I like the idea of a quilt, maybe a small lap quilt made just of squares, that way it wouldn't be to difficult. Instead of lining and backing it, just use some fleece sewn on the back for warmth and softness.

Thimbleanna said...

Oh. Be Still My Heart! I LOVE that cupcake fabric. And wouldn't a crochet hook or dpn roll be cute??? Or and apron would be just perfect too!

Ally Jay said...

I fell in love with the cupcake fabric. It is so lovely. I like the drawstring bag idea, and thanks for the links to go and find other ideas. I will keep you posted when I've decided what to make

Rachel said...

Well done on your award! Ooh, I LOVE all those fabrics! Such delicious colours, I'm sure anything you make with them will be lovely!
X

Posy said...

Alison, you're so sweet. Thank you! xx

April said...

Alison, thank you so much! That's my first award!!

You are so sweet.

I Love the fabric too!

April xx

periwinkle said...

congrats on your award - I know what you mean about sewing machine fear, I'm gradually getting there , I found doing bunting was an excellent start as it really is sew easy :-)
lisa x

At Home Mommy Knits said...

Congratulations on your reward. I look forward to reading your blog.

dottycookie said...

Congratulations on your award! I'm afraid I'm no help on the fabric front as I have fat quarters of the very same fabric waiting upstairs for me to decide what to do with it!

Sue said...

All those fabrics look wonderful. I am sure that you will find something great to make out of them, perhaps browse some sewing blogs to gain some inspiration.

Jane said...

Hi Alison, well done with your award. As to sewing i agree with queen of the click choose something easy to start with. Good luck Jane x

raining sheep said...

Those fabrics are so cute!!! You could just make a drawstring laundry bag. I need to delve into sewing too at some point...but I just started a huge knitting project and my photography keeps me busy, and work, and life.... ;)

Elizabeth said...

Thank you, Alison!
And congrats to you, too.
I must have missed you yesterday.

All good suggestions for the cupcake fabric. I can't think of anything else to add at the moment. Sometimes you just have to live with them for a bit until inspiration really strikes.

Mrs.Kwitty said...

What fun!! How about making yourself a cute (and simple) tote or drawstring bag to hold your knitting project-in-the-making?? Sewing is such fun!

Congrats on the blog award--you deserve it!

Smiles, Karen

Twiggy said...

Oh lovely fabric, I agree with Kitty a quilt or a patchwork bag or apron - yummy :)
Twiggy

Ragged Roses said...

What lovely fabric! I often get cold feet before starting to sew but really enjoy it once I get going. Thanks for passing on the award to me Alison and congrats to you too!
Kimx

Louise said...

I remember being so pleased to receive my first award. Well done to you. x