A Handmade Christmas Part 1: LeMoyne Star Tree Ornaments

 

Growing up we had an artificial tree most years. I remember one Christmas we had a live one and it shed horribly. I was given leg warmers that year (it was the 80s) and I still remember putting them on after leaving them on the floor and being pricked by what seemed like hundreds of tiny needles. It took forever to get the pine needles out. 

My mum dressed the tree every year and the process was always the same. Lights were first and had to be tested. Ours were coloured with spikey lanterns covering the bulbs. Invariably there would be a loose bulb which caused the whole string to not work, thus began the tedious task of twisting every bulb to find the offending one. After that was tinsel. Tinsel first then the lights, so the lights didn't cover the gaudy sparkly garlands. This seemed to take a while because my mum was a real stickler for making sure there were no gaps. Then came the fun bit, adding the ornaments, but there was a system to this as well. Larger ornaments at the bottom, smaller at the top.

I decided to rebel at little when dressing my tree and put the ornaments on before the lights. I could almost see my mum sighing and shaking her head as I awkwardly pulled the string of lights around the tree, knocking off my carefully placed baubles. There was obvious method in her madness!

In years past our tree was inspired by peacock colours which meant deep teal, magenta and I even added peacock feathers. But this year we decided on a mainly red and white colour scheme. I have to say I prefer it. Concerned I wouldn't have enough ornaments in the right colours, I decided to make some and chose the lovely traditional LeMoyne star patchwork design. I made this using my favourite paper piecing method since they are quite small and they really don't take long at all to make this way. 

You will need

LeMoyne star template (to be added!)

Fabric in two patterns

Stiff cotton canvas or heavyweight stabilizer

Matching ribbon cut to 4 inches

Card stock

Scrap paper

Glue stick

Pins

Multi-purpose thread in a contrasting color to the patterned fabric

Sewing thread in a color to match the patterned fabric

Needle

Pinking shears or regular scissors

1. Cut out the template and glue onto card stock to make a re-usable template
2. Draw 8 shapes onto scrap paper and cut out
3. Pin 4 of these slanting to the LEFT to the wrong side of ONE of the patterned fabrics allowing about 1/2 inch between each shape and the edge of the fabric
4. Cut around the shapes with a 1/4 inch seam allowance
5. Repeat steps 3 & 4 with the remaining 4 shapes point to the RIGHT with the other patterned fabric
6. Fold seam allowance over the paper shape and tack stitch the seam all the way round with the contrasting thread
7. Do this for all eight
8. Take one each of the shapes in different patterns
9. Put the front sides together (so if you flip them either way you can see the seam allowance and paper underneath) and sew a long edge with matching thread using whip stitch
10. When done, take another shape and sew it to one of the of the short edges of the two shapes, ensuring the pattern is alternating (see the photos above)
11. Do this for FOUR shapes so that you have half a star with a straight edge
12. Repeat steps 8 - 11
13. Sew the long edges of the two halves together with the right sides facing each other, using the matching thread and whip stitch
14. Remove the tacking stitches ad papers (save them for your next star!)
15. Pin the wrong side to the canvas or stabilizer, with the seam folded under and sandwiched betweed the canvas and star
16. Fold your ribbon into a loop
17. Pin between the star and canvas (see photos)
18. Sew with running stitch in matching thread, I intentionally made the stitches long to give the stars a primitive look
19. Trim the excess canvas or stabilizer with pinking shears or normal scissors
20. Hang on your tree or wreath!

Book Review - Zakka Sewing: 25 Japanese Projects for the Household

If I remember correctly, this was one of the first books to come out in English about Zakka.
Often with sewing books, you tend to find some obvious projects (totes, etc.) some ingenius ones and some odd ones that seem to be about doing a project for the sake of it. This book definitely has, what seems on the surface to be a mix of these. However when I read about the projects in more detail I was charmed by the snippets of Japanese culture and how it influenced the projects. For example, there's a piece about how people in Japan like to cover their paperback books with a sleeve to keep them clean and private. True it has a tote project but I think the real beauty of this book is that in presenting these ideas, it also teaches the reader about the ethos behind Zakka. I am fascinated by Japanese culture so find it really interesting.
I also loved the esthetic, so fresh and contemporary. It's well organized and I found the directions clear, with useful illustrations.

Creating a Handmade Childhood: Log Cabin Pillow

I am so pleased to get another nursery project finished! It's getting harder and harder to get on the floor to measure and cut fabric these days. I actually did the design for this pillow over a year and a half ago then stuffed it in a draw.  It's funny to think that one day it was to end up as an accessory for a nursery. 

Log cabin is the pattern and it's a lovely one to try, especially if you are new to quilting. You don't need a template or even a rotary cutter. Here are some good resources on doing log cabin from about.com. The pink fabric with cocktail olives is one of my own designs, and you can by the fabric at Spoonflower.com, it's called 'Cocktail'

New Ebook of Nursery Sewing Projects Planned

Pablo, one of my assistants

Winne, another assistant

It was interesting when we announced to the world that the baby I am carrying is a girl. Suddenly it seemed more real to everyone, and our friends and family started to muse over what she would be like. What she be girly? Would she be a tomboy? In the words of Doris Day, Que Sera. Honestly, we have no idea who this little sprout will become. we can't control that directly. What we can do is decide who we want to be as parents and what sort of an example we want to set. My husband is generous and warm, so we have that covered! I on the other hand, looked at my life and thought. What I am doing is fine, it's enjoyable enough and pays the bills, but it's not much more than that.  I look at all those creative people on sites like The Selby or Freunde von Freunden and think how much I would like to be one of them.

Which leads me to the evolution of the nursery and how for me it's not just about making a pretty room. When I was born I didn't have a nursery, I was the youngest of four and didn't get my own room until I was seven. So to me, having a room that we are designing just for our baby is a big deal. And given my love of crafts and sewing why not fill it with things I have made especially for her? It has become a way of preparing myself as well as the space for the arrival of our first child. I love the notion that she will be surrounded by things that were handcrafted not mass-produced and essentially disposable. While doing this, I realized that maybe this would be the start of something more. A book of projects that I can share with other expectant parents (or friends and family of) so that they too can enjoy the unique ritual of making something with love.

And that's what I plan to do in the coming months. I already have a list of projects to create and I will use this blog to post updates on how its going. It will  be an ebook of nursery projects including throw pillows to more functional items such as laundry bags and changing table accessories.

Updates

This weekend I had big plans. My husband was going to be away for two nights and I thought this would be a great time to do some crafting. But after running errands on Saturday morning and cleaning the house, it was time for a nap. Then on Sunday I had to do some homework for my day job. So, no crafts. I am getting pretty big now, or so people LOVE to tell me. Actually I don't mind because I can finally wear stuff and not worry about my belly!

I have plans for more projects to post soon (one every Monday) but in the meantime, do check out my Pinterest boards for tutorials I have found and my Tumblr site for advice on sewing and crafting.

Creating a Handmade Childhood: Patchwork Baby Quilt

The first baby project to be completed! It's a crib 'quilt'. Technically it's not a quilt because I didn't quilt it. It's a good feeling to create something for the little sprout, it's as if we are building a welcome for her.

The pattern is from Joann Fabrics. I will warn you that the instructions are a bit vague so if you're new to quilting, it may be difficult to follow. I used a natural grey linen to incorporate the zakka aesthetic I want for the nursery. I will be using the same linen for throw pillows and other accents which I hope will give the nursery some feeling of unity while allowing for me to play around with prints and patterns.

The fabric came from all over the place, Etsy or Fabric.com are good places to find some that may either be similar or indeed the same. The design of multicolored Spirographs is from Ikea. Once the quilt was assembled, I backed it with a type of quilting batting that doesn't need to be covered, you can get it here. It's beautifully soft and makes for a lightweight quilt.

Conscious Design when Crafting

Here's the problem I have encountered. I love to craft, I love sewing and making things. BUT, my taste does not lend itself to filling my house with loads of fabrics and I don't like a look that is 'homemade'. So how does a person indulge their love of crafting while still making things that will fit into a contemporary aesthetic?
Some things to consider:
- Choose a base color and/or fabric that will add cohesion. For me it was natural colored linen. It is beautifully neutral and I have not found a color that doesn't work well with it. The linen looks clean and minimalist and blends well. Consider some other fabrics: ecru muslin, indigo dyed cotton, white cotton, burlap. When you have chosen, stick to that choice.

While the maple leaf blocks in this quilt are made from quite old-fashioned floral designs, the white cotton gives it a contemporary twist. This quilt could be put in many a modern home and it wouldn't fight with the established decor.

- Complement the base color and/or fabric with carefully added patterns and colors. Not only does this result in a less loud and homemade look, it is very economical. You don't have to go crazy buying yards of gorgeous prints. A fat quarter will go a long way. In fact scour thrift stores for cool fabrics that you can use from old clothes, then use it sparingly to add emphasis.

With these book covers, I added just a few squares of patterned fabric for emphasis. These fabrics came from all over the place, one is an old bed sheet.

- Don't be afraid of blank space. This is common advice in graphic design. You don't have to fill every blank piece of fabric with applique, embroidery and patchwork designs. Sometimes a trim of squares in patterned fabric is all you need or a button or two. Less is more because it doesn't get lost in an assault of busy-ness.

The white background really enhances the origami crane.

- Play with texture. Using different textures is very fashionable right now and is a fun way to incorporate different crafting techniques. Pair chunk knit with a cotton panel in a pillow. Mix different fabrics, but remember go easy.

The two materials here are burlap and cotton. There is no intricate design, the interest comes from the contrasting textures.

- Stick with basic designs if you want to play with colors, sewing techniques etc. Tote bag designs are everywhere these days. They're popular because the designs are simple and therefore easy to execute, but the simplicity gives you a blank canvas on which to experiment with patterns or embellishments. I see a lot of patchwork blocks that are beautifully intricate but I don't enjoy the look because so many different patterns and colors have been used. The more intricate the project the more conscious you need to be of not going crazy with materials.

This messenger back was extremely easy to do and a very simple design which meant I could be bold with fabric. Both fabrics are from old bed sheets.

Making Peace with my Sewing Machine

Ugh Monday. I know. But, I hope you all had a great weekend. Mine was pretty fun as I finally got to work on a project for the baby, a quilt. I have to admit that I have been dragging my feet a little on this one because I have a love-hate relationship with my sewing machine. For years I was convinced that it had screwy tension, when really it was user error. You see the blessed thing is old and was passed to me after going through various owners. The model isn't made anymore and I didn't have a manual. Turns out I have been threading it all wrong, how did I find out? I checked online. Now it works like a dream!

So off I went sewing patches and amazing myself at how little time it took - I admit I have hand-sewn a lot of projects because, well, I was afraid of the sewing machine. It was wonderful to have a fall chill in the air, listening to the young kids next door play their drums and think about my mum and all the sewing tricks she taught me. My first driving and sewing lesson came together when she explained that using the pedal on the sewing machine is like using a gas pedal.  Sewing for me is more than making things, it connects me with my mum and my life growing up in the UK. Maybe one day I will teach my own little sprout. Hopefully I will have some pictures of the quilt soon as I want to finish next weekend and move on to the next thing for the nursery.

Baby Crafts

At 35 (almost 36) I am pregnant with my first child. We recently found out we're having a girl which is exciting and terrifying at the same time. My husband and I definitely dragged our feet about starting a family because we were too busy living in Zambia or moving to Asheville and having a wonderful time as a couple. A few friends that had become parents tried to convince me that it was an amazing thing to do that would change your life. "You'll never experience such joy and love" yeah, yeah.  "It's so fulfilling" great but I feel pretty fulfilled already thank you very much. Nope none of this was convincing. There was one thing they should've said that would've got me on the procreating bandwagon in a heartbeat. "You will have endless opportunities to do crafts!" What??? "You get to design a nursery." SOLD. OMG the crafts! There are quilts to be made and pillows and little baby things. AND there's the chance to make maternity clothes. Consequently I pretty much live on Pinterest which is my new favorite thing.  In the next few months I'll be posting what I make.  Then when the baby's born I imagine there will be a long silence while we navigate the chaos. I've decided on a zakka themed nursery which makes me very happy. On the board below a lot of the fabric or color choices aren't my taste, but the projects are great.

Infinity Scarf

There are so many tutorials for infinity scarves or loops - just add Google. I designed the fabric using Spoonflower, it's cotton jersey. Cutting it with the rotary cutter was tricky because of the elasticity, I would use scissors next time.

I sewed this by hand because it can get a bit tricky and I could do it while watching this amazing documentary on Candy Darling. 

New Adventures in Free Motion

Sometimes the practice is a pleasing surprise. Free motion embroidery or quilting is NOT supposed to look like this, but still - interesting!

For more on free motion sewing go to this really amazing website: The Free Motion Quilting Project. She has all you will ever need.

The De-Stash Project

It's time. Time for what? A massive de-stash.  I am terrible for holding onto fabrics for some future time. Well it's time.  I am going to be bold and try and use up as much of my stash as I can with different projects - pillows, table runners, throws etc.  Watch out for new items, tutorials and a new Etsy shop.  Yes, ANOTHER one!

TV Project 1: Kimono Coasters

Kimono silk is just something I can't resist, it's sexy makes me think of geisha.  It's also awkward to work with, since it is so sheer and thin.  I like to always have a project on the go that I can do while watching TV. So this is my TV project du jour.   

NOTE: The instructions for the rosettes can also be used to make the ones you saw on the boudoir pillow.  Imagine a pillow with kimono silks! Ooh la la, get your Valentine's horny on!

Level: Beginner
Time: 2 hours per coaster
Cost: $2 (approximately
Materials and Tools:
Hexagon template, size: 1 inch per side
Kimono silk scraps (or scraps of cotton quilt weight fabric) in three different patterns in similar colors.
1/2 yard of grey felt
Thread in contrasting color and matching color
Pins
Scrap paper
Needle
Iron
Scissors for fabric
Scissors for paper

- First cut seven hexagons out of scrap paper
- You are going to need one hexagon from one patterned fabric then three each from two additional patterns
- Place your paper hexagon onto the wrong side of your chosen fabric and pin in place
- Cut around the hexagon with a quarter inch seam allowance
- Fold the fabric seam over the paper and tack all the way round with the contrasting thread
- Remove pin
- Do this with all seven hexagons
- The one hexagon cut from a different fabric to the other six is the center of the rosette
- Take this hexagon and a hexagon of another pattern place them with right sides facing each other and sew the seams together with whip stitch
- Continue doing this until you have all six hexagons of alternating pattern sewn to the center one
- Iron your rosette so the seams are nice and sharp
- Remove the paper from the center hexagon and pin to the felt
- Cut out the felt so that the rosette is pinned to smaller piece of felt with some excess fabric around it.
- Remover one paper from an outer hexagon and pin to the fabric with the seam folded under
- Sew the edge with a running stitch
- Do this hexagon by hexagon until all edges are sewn to the felt
- Trim off the excess felt
- Press with iron
- DONE

Pimping My Boudoir 2: Throw Pillow

It's true, throw pillows are probably the cheapest and most effective way of giving your decor a facelift!  My sister-in-law is obsessed with them and has passed that obsession on to me.  I don't have a zipper foot for my sewing machine yet so decided to do a sleeve instead.  It worked well enough, but in the future I would make the overlap larger as the pillow is a little visible at the back.  Anyway, this is all good practice for making items to sell. 

The Easiest Dress - Ever!

I am really a dressmaking novice so I wanted to make the simplest dress that would require no zips (my achilles heel) and no darts (haven't learned how to do them yet). I am also lax at measuring so this is a one size fits all. I gave it shape with a belt made from the same fabric. Without the belt it kind of looks like a night dress and I could easily make one with appropriate fabric. I didn't really have a pattern I just made a basic dress outline that I used for the front and back. My sister-in-law and mother-in-law both asked me where I bought it, which is a very good litmus test of how successful it is. The worst thing is if a dress looks 'homemade', this is where your careful seaming and trimming of threads becomes crucial.

Minnie Mouse Skirt

I am practicing some clothes designs for my new fabrics. However the fabric is quite expensive so don't want to do trials using them in case I make mistakes. This piece of fabric I bought as a stash and loved the pattern. I also notice it was already cut and hemmed into a semi-circle so used it to practice making a elasticated waistband for a skirt. The result is fun, with a great asymmetric ruffle. I added a bow to the top to cover the join of the elastic. I remember Minnie mouse had a bow in her hair and wore polka dots, so here you are!

A 'room' of one's own

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I have become quite the little space Genie! Remember all those weeks ago when I complained that sewing was a pain because I had to pull out and put away my stuff? Well I would like to present you with my solution. This closet was designed for a washer and dryer, but we don't have one so it has been a linen stroke, junk storage closet since we moved in. I had been putting off tackling it for a while but after constantly lugging my heavy sewing machine around, plus its voltage converter (my sewing machine is from the UK), vacuuming because threads are getting everywhere, I decided enough is enough.

As you can see I have started to use the walls for more storage but can't add extra shelves because this is a rental space. Instead I have used hooks to hang up things like scissors and rulers, the things that I need to hand the most. Supposedly the hooks can be removed when you are done, without leaving marks. The plastic drawers are actually full of food (the closet is also our pantry!) but I am going to add more open free standing shelves eventually to the left of the table once I have sorted out the box. The sewing machine is on a table I got from a rather famous American cheap store, and the light has a 'daylight' bulb, essential for looking at colours.

One day I will have a wonderful studio, but until then, this will do nicely!

Cushion Cover

New cover, the rosettes are paper pieced and hand appliqued, the top will be machine sewn as soon as the voltage converter comes for my UK machine!

New Projects

These are going to look awesome as cushion covers once I get the colours right ...

kimono Silk Patchwork

I love kimono silks and my love of paper piecing works great with them because they are so thin and floppy to work with. The paper templates are a great way of stabilizing the material.

As you can see I am using them for a fan block, the completed one is a Dresden plate block which I made years ago. These are good blocks for kimono silk pieces which I buy and are not always all that big.