I woke up to a beautiful morning yesterday, stunning clouds and bright shinny greens as far as I could see.
Some times we see some thing that inspires us were others will discard it, my cousin Jeanette is great at this and inspired me to look at things twice before walking on or throwing away from when I was a teenager.
Last week it was a lace cotton top that came in to the shop, the top part was badly soiled but the lace was great so I said tot he girls I would turn the lace in to a bag!!!!!! Blank looks but I will show them on Tuesday what I did over the week with that lace and I hope I can show you also so you can follow me in photos.
Sunday 23rd August 2016. Where it all started the top that was badly stained but the lace was OK just needed a wee trim to tidy it up.
Ive unpicked the lace from the top .
Now I have unpicked the backing from the lace they used to give it support and strength.
I have cut my bag shape out of heavily woven silk from a old kimono sleeve.
Lace lying on silk contrasting bag shape .
My backing fabric, wool batting, and silk shape pinned ready to baste.
Basted ready for me to quilt. I hate quilting with pins as my thread constantly gets tangled. so I prefer to baste and then relax quilting by hand.
Ive Sashiko quilted the bag shape Now I need to appliqué the lace on. Next to make the back of the bag?
I started the back of this bag on Sunday 28th August 2016
I start my logcabins with a pile of fabrics cut at 1inch that are in harmony with each other.
A backing shape cut out and wadding in cotton, Ive made 14, 4 inch log-cabins
I strip pieced my logcabin blocks by machine and ironed every seam this helps them lye so flat when Im adding them to the bag shape. It is truly worth the extra time spent doing this.
I choose a logcabin I like the most and anchor it by machine in the centre of my shape.
I choose a logcabin I like the most and anchor it by machine in the centre of my shape.
Place your first log cabin of set, yes you will waste some fabric and your logcabin doing this but it is the only way to get that finished look?
again off set the next block and keep doing this till the shape is covered.
My first 3 blocks in place.
Added another and keep going LOL. Now this is where it gets tricky as in some places you can not sew the edges and these have to be turned by hand and hand sewn in place when it is completely covered. Be carful that you sew blocks first that will look better under other blocks. I pin a few at this stage and fold back and check before sewing them down.
slowly covering up the shape
Look closely where there are pins this is were I will need to hand sew those seams.
Almost completed but I have run our of log-cabin blocks and time it is nearly midnight. I have trimmed the bag from behind and it is looking good.
Taken in the day light this morning Monday 29th August 2016 Remember were the pins are showing I have to hand sew these seams down.
Front and back of the bag Im working on. Today I found two ties I may be able to use for the gusset.
In the garden today splashes of colour every where you look.
We had a very heavy shower this morning early and the place looks like it has been scrubbed clean by the fairies and their friends, how I love these mornings so fresh and clear.
Even the hanging dried usually dusty air-roots of the fig-tree look clean this morning?
Another stink fungus has bloomed and spoilt the whole garden with its terrible stench LOL I will have to go out and remove it so we can all breath what we call fresh air LOL
Dainty ferns grow were they shouldn’t.
Another type of orchis that cheers the garden.
Broms are also adding bright splashes of colour.
Orchids are blooming again in the garden they add such exotic colour to all the greens.
On Monday Esther Aliu released another lovely quilting design called Dorothea and Im in love with it. I downloaded the pattern straight away and printed it off.
http://estheraliu.blogspot.com.au/2016/08/meet-my-gorgeous-new-quilt-dorothea.html
Im off now to join up with Esther’s WOW or WIP’s http://estheraliu.blogspot.com.au/2016/08/wow-stash-busting-stars-quilt.html
Thank you for visiting it is always nice to hear from another quilter or reader.
Cheers Glenda
Your bag is looking fabulous – so creative. Looking forward to seeing it completed.
Your bag is sooooo cute! The ladies at the shop will be amazed when they see her. The stink fungus may smell for you but since I can’t smell it, I think it looks very dainty and lacy. The orchids are so beautiful and to think they grow wild! I so enjoy my visits to your home via the internet. Blessings, Gretchen
Dear Gretchen, My bag is now at the hand sewing stage so it goes slowly but I enjoy making them so much and there is always some one waiting for me to make them one LOL Yes you are right the lace fungus is incredibly beautiful, when they bloom first thing at dawn they are just like a Ballerina in a long lace gown, by evening they have shrivelled up and gone leaving a yucky stinky sludge????? So I remove them as soon as I find them. Thanks for visiting I do love it when you drop in. Hugs Glenda
I would never have thought to use the lace as you did – what a great idea. I love how you do the side with the log cabin blocks too. As always I love the flowers and exotic things you show from your side of the world.
Hi Karen; Some times I see a use for some thing old straight away and another time I put it away in a draw and forget about it LOL. Playing around with an idea to use up some of my Mums and grandmothers dressing table doilies at present I just have to fine time to put it in to practice LOL. Have been working on my bag most of this week as I have a bung leg at present so have to keep it up a lot. Hugs Glenda
Great ideas with the lace! And wonderful photography!
Dear Linda, thank you for dropping in to visit and leave a comment. I live in such a lovely place; it is full of lovely flowers, butterflies, exotic birds and beaches. Cheers Glenda