Monday 30 April 2012

Show and Tell

As you had two tutorials last week, I thought you might like a bit of a rest this week, so instead I am going to share a couple of completed projects from this week together with some bits and pieces that I acquired over the past couple of weeks.


This weekend, I made a smaller tea cosy using a number of different techniques - machine embroidery, free hand embroidery, ribbon flowers, applique and chinese ball buttons.  Having battled with the cord for the chinese ball buttons... there was a degree of language involved and a deep regret that I failed to get past the reef knot and the clove hitch in the brownies... however I did crack it.  Just love the technique you use to cover the cord!  There will be a tutorial...
Argh... cropping tool will not work...
Do you remember when we did some basic embroidery back in January and I told you about the book that I learnt from... well I managed to track one down on E-Bay... it is just as I remembered and my fingers are itching to get hold of some embroidery cottons.   It has lovely simple line drawings and you feel that the Bayeux Tapestry is well within your reach!  Actually the book and its reminds me of the Catholic catechism, I was one of the lucky ones who just missed out on having to use it but my brothers and sister had to endure learning it.  Although my sister did admit that she used to pray that she would not get called to be a nun... that is until one of the nuns at the Convent mentioned that was what she used to do... Annette abandoned that course of action pretty quickly!


So, you remember the little dress which I made last weekend, it now has a matching pair of ruffled panties to match it.  I used a french seam inside the panties and the elastic around the legs goes through a bias binding casement... more of bias binding later!


I have finally capitulated and bought myself a bias binding maker... no not the electrical one that you see on Create and Craft but the old fashioned variety that looks like a whistle and is used in conjunction with your iron... I feel a bias binding tutorial coming on... you have been warned!
Hmmm... I know it looks like nothing but it does make great bias binding!
And finally I found two great ribbon tapes, cheap enough to use to wrap up a handmade gift and robust enough to cut up and sew onto hand crafted knits and sewing projects.
Well a little later than usual, I think it's about time to head over to Wendy's Handmade Monday, brilliant inspiration from the best of the nation's crafts people!

15 comments:

Cheryl said...

I love my binding tool. So simple, but so effective. It works. Your embroidery book reminds me of the Janet and John books I learnt to read with. I think it is the font. Lovely tea cosy.

Carolee Crafts said...

Wonderful makes and I too love to use french seams on kids clothes makes them so much stronger and neater. Love the tea cosy

Wendy said...

Love the tea cosy. The knot button tutorial will be interesting - I could never tie a knot in the brownies either - those diagrams were just impossible! I think I have a condensed version of that embroidery book - it's been in my possession since I was quite little (somewhere in the mid-sixties I think!).

KC'sCourt! said...

I love that tea cosy.
I collect those little embroidery book, and have my mothers which is a war time one.
Looking forward to a knit tutorial.
Julie xxxxxxx

Jennifer Lou said...

Lovely tea cosy. Alot of work went into that. Well done :) x

Sarah said...

That's a really beautiful tea cosy. I have one of those bias binding tools too - simple but brilliant!

I can't wait for the button tutorial. I'm a bit of a button addict.

Lyn said...

Lovely tea cosy - not only useful but it'll 'pretty up' the kitchen (and I'm looking forward to the knot button tutorial).

Have you seen http://www.picmonkey.com/
It's got a very easy-to-use cropping tool.

The old sewing and embroidery books are good. They're clear and unfussy. I'm always on the lookout at boot-sales for them, but not much chance this year so far with the all the rain!

Bertie's Bows ribbon looks wonderful and I work with a manic hobby knitter who will love it. I looked on the website and their photos don't do the ribbon any favours - if I hadn't seen your photo, I wouldn't have looked twice at it.

Christmas Pie Crafts said...

The tea cosy is really pretty - makes such a change from some of the weird and wonderful (Crinoline dress?)of days gone by. Well done with the bias binding maker - saves so much time. Hope you have a good week.

Dawn Ruth said...

love the tea cosy its exquisite si much nicer than the one I made, Mine looks plain in comparison. Will have to try some embroidery or applique next time
http://dawntheconstantcrafter.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

I remember my red catechism very well. It went with me everywhere as I was going to be a nun - until I discovered boys! The tea cosy is gorgeous & can't wait for more of your tutorials.

Fiddly Fingers said...

I love the tea cosy, lots of different skills used there! What a neat little gadget for making binding. Makes me want to bind something now!!!!

Nicola Ellen said...

Hi Ros, thank you for your comment on my blog about my knitting. Godwits really are great aren't they?! heehee Lovely work again this week - I love the matching panties that go with last weeks tutorial! The Bias Binding tool looks interesting - looking forward to seeing how you use that! :) xx

CatkinJane said...

The tea cosy really is lovely :)
I have one of those little books too - came from my grandmother with her collection of silks and buttons etc.
Something I treasure as she made some wonderful things.

Made By Ewe said...

so pretty teacosy; I have a whole box of 'tools' for my hand sewing machine and I now know what one of them is for! x

Susie said...

I love the tea cosy, so pretty.
I am quite interested to see what the bias binding tool does.