Samples, Samples, Samples...

This week and next, I'm busy making samples for The Quilt Shop in Tuam.   They're simple little projects to show what can be done with certain items in the shop. 

Last week, I showed you the little cushion made with a Moda Mini Charm pack and Perle Cotton.



This week, we got a gorgeous bunting panel in and I was so taken with it that I bought one for myself along with taking one to make as a sample!  I think the patterns and colours are very similar to Orla Kielys patterns...I've a little obsession with her bags so that's probably why I like this so much. 

Bunting is very satisfying to make.  It's probably one of the easiest items to sew up and sometimes it's great to have a start to finish project done nice and fast!  

So once I had that panel made up, I pulled out another one I had bought a couple of months ago.  This one is super cute too but it has presented a bigger problem.  I think I'm going to have to redecorate my little boys room because I'm dying to hang it and it doesn't currently match at all!!  I'm easing my husband into the idea! 



So for this week, I have two small samples to make using 2 x 10" square pack each with 10 different colours.  Should be fun! 

 

                                                  

3 Years, 4 whole cushions

When I was younger and didn't know how to sew, I was envious of people who could make their own cushion covers.  To me, it was so complicated and I couldn't understand when they said it was "sooooooo easy" and "easiest thing in the world to make".  Nope, cushion covers were definitely complicated!

Fast forward to almost exactly 3 years ago and I took my first sewing class called "Getting to know your machine" with Pippablue in Galway.  I had taken a notion to buy an Argos Value Machine for a whopping €50 but didn't even know how to thread it, much less make it go!  I was reminded of this a couple of months ago when chatting with my good buddy Heather (who blogs here).  She said she remembered my excitement at that first class.  I went on a hunt to find the picture we took when we finished up.  Oh I was so nervous and delighted with myself that day.  Check out my first ever, teeny tiny cushion......... I'll admit, it's still on a chair in my bedroom, even more dwarfed by the size of the chair!




After that class, I didn't sew for months.  I was a little daunted by the thought of ruining beautiful fabric by actually cutting it up!  When I joined my quilting class a few months later though, I got over that and when I finished my first quilt, I made this cushion from the gorgeous nautical range by Sarah Jane called Out to Sea.  I made it for my son but eventually I "borrowed" it and it's sitting on the top shelf in my sewing room because........ well, it makes me happy!

                                                  

After this a whole 2 years went by before I made another cushion.  To be honest, I was procrastinating.  A soft green velvet cushion on my couch had worn out/shredded/wasted away and it needed a new cover.  I just couldn't get the motivation to use a dull fabric.  When you're used to the beautiful quilting fabrics we use, upholstery fabric is just BORING!  But finally, last week, I got it done.  It's the one in the center......... blends in pretty ok, doesn't it?

Excuse my poor tatty couch!

So that was it, I got my mojo back with that boring cushion out of the way so today, I grabbed a bunch of scraps from a gorgeous range of fabric from The Quilt Shop and sewed them up and finally, FINALLY I have a proper girlie cushion in my house!  It took less than an hour to make this 18" cushion. 

Feel free to squeal at the girlishness........I did!

When you live with a hubby and 3 male children, you don't get many girlish things in the house.  My small boys are happy for me - well, they were after they exclaimed in disgust "what is that girlie thing doing in our house?" while pointing and screwing up their faces.  I explained mummies need for pretty and they're ok with it.  I might even manage a few more!