Hexie Pin Cushion

I wasn't feeling the greatest today, but had enough energy and brain power to make this Pretty By Hand-inspired pin cushion.  (Happiness is being too sick to work but not too sick to stitch hexies!)

It is a bit crazy to stitch such teeny tiny hexies together, but as any hexie addict knows, it's so satisfying!  And, Kristyne is the champion for anything handmade that's tiny!

I used this PDF Hexagon Generator to print off my 1/2" hexagon template onto card stock.  It's a handy site - you can print any size hexagon you wish simply by changing the hexagon size.  Or, you can always purchase precut paper pieces from Paper Pieces.

Stitching the sides was a bit fiddly (not sure how Kristyne managed to do such a perfect job on hers...), but it was worth the effort.  The side band is 1" wide (plus seam allowances).

The linen-looking fabric is a piece of yardage I found in my Great Aunt's attic when we cleaned out her house over 20 years ago.  It looks like it could have been used for interlining in suiting??  It definitely was used in some kind of garment construction based one the shapes that were cut out of it; my guess is that it was used in the garment factory where my Great Aunt worked.  It's a bit heavy, especially for such tiny hexies, but I really like the vintage feel it gives to the cushion.  (This yardage has served a number of purposes for me over the years, including a Christmas tree skirt and a backdrop for photos.  It would also make a great table runner on a long table for an outdoor dinner!)   :)  I'll probably use Essex Linen or Essex Yarn-Dyed Linen in the future for a similar project, but I didn't have any on hand in the right shade.

After stitching everything together, I filled it with ground walnut shells (same thing I used for these pin cushions) using a funnel, then whipstitched the edges together.   (I did however, at Kristyne's suggestion, pick up a 10-lb. bag of walnut shells in the reptile aisle at the pet store for way cheaper to have on hand for future projects.)  I really like the weight and shape the walnut shells provide. 

The yellow buttons are from my collection of vintage buttons I've picked up at the thrift shop over the years.  :)

And, as much as I HATE using anything polyester, I am a Superior Threads "The Bottom Line" thread convert when it comes to English Paper Piecing.  It's strong enough to withstand the abrasive edges of the EPP templates, it doesn't tangle, and it's so fine that my stitches almost disappear into the fabric.

Thanks, Kristyne, for your inspiration!

Liberty-Inspired Draw String Bag

I stitched up this little drawstring bag today.

It was inspired by this dear little Liberty bag that my friend Denise had brought back from London for me years ago; I believe it may have contained a sewing kit at the time, but I can't remember for sure.

I've always loved it, especially the fabric....  And, this was long before I knew anything about the wonderful fabric Liberty is known for.  The bag was too special to use for just anything, so I simply kept it as a sweet reminder of Denise's kindness and our shared love of fabric.

Then, yesterday one of these bobbin holders arrived in the mail.  I quickly filled it with bobbins of my Aurafil thread collection (I still don't have very many colors yet!) so that it's handy to grab for applique or paper piecing.  Then, I discovered that the sweet Liberty bag that has been waiting for a purpose all these years is the perfect size for storing the bobbin holder.

But, that left my two "Frosted Donuts" that I had purchased before Christmas in need of a bag to protect them as well!  So, I stitched up a Liberty-inspired bag for them.

I machine quilted a diagonal grid of lines 3/4" apart with my walking foot, just like the Liberty bag.  For the batting, I used some scraps of Warm & White batting that were left over from covering my design wall.

Instead of this elaborate bottom on the base of the Liberty bag, 

I stitched a very simple boxed bottom (not sure if that's what you call it....).

I used some grosgrain ribbon I had on had for the drawstring.  I should have made the casing a bit wider, but it will do for now.

I used a silky lining fabric for the inside lining, just like the Liberty bag, so that the bobbin holders will easily slide in and out of the bag.

Don't these threads look happy in their new home?

:)

Today's Goodies

 

These lovely threads arrived in the mail today (this year's Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas to me gifts!) - I was so excited!  I've been working on various applique projects here and there, and more recently, this hexagon quilt.  I struggled to find thread that matched the various colors.  I broke my 100%-cotton-thread rule when working with cotton quilt fabrics and used some poly or poly/cotton blends from my garment sewing thread supply, but was frustrated....  I hate working with polyester thread (even though it is necessary for garment sewing), and all of the threads I was using were a little too heavy; I was having trouble hiding the stitches as a result.  I needed to come up with another solution!  My 50-wt. Aurafil thread (LOVE that thread!!) worked perfectly, but I only have a few basic colors in my supply at the moment.  Then, I remembered reading a post from Sherri McConnell at A Quilting Life re: these thread sets from Superior Threads, so thought I'd give it a try.  

 

 

Each bobbin contains 80 yards (I think?) of their Masterpiece thread - a 50-weight 100% cotton thread.  I ordered both sets (Frosted Donut I & II) so I would have plenty of shades to choose from.   It's handles just like that dreamy Aurafil thread, so I'm thrilled.

 

The "donuts" are so handy - they are made out of a flexible rubbery plastic, so they hold the bobbins snugly, but allow you to easily remove a bobbin as you need it. 

 

 

The other nice thing is that the thread color number is clearly printed on the bobbin, so you can easily order another bobbin or spool of that color when you run out.  

 

 

Or if you want to use the Masterpiece thread for machine quilting (my guess is that you would only want to use it on your domestic machine, and that it wouldn't be strong enough for longarm use, but don't quote me on that), you can find the thread that matches best and avoid ordering a huge spool of the wrong color! 

 

 

The other goody that arrived in the mail today was this lovely bundle of 12 fat quarters of Lecien Flower Sugar fabric from Simply Sweet Fabric Etsy shop.  I fell in love with the Flower Sugar lines of fabric ever since I saw  the "Farmer's Wife Quilt" that Kristyne Czepuryk made out of her collection of Flower Sugar fabrics over a year ago.  I can't wait to make my own!

 

Today's arrival will play well with my current stash!

 

Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday to you too!