Wednesday 21 July 2010

Patchwork

So what started out as a craft blog rapidly turned into anything but. I lost my craft room to the teenagers, and it became a drag to lug out the sewing machine and all the paraphernalia, only to have to clear it all away again soon. I also seem to have run out of patience too (that might have something to do with the teenagers as well!) so anything I make needs to be "quick". I used to do a lot of patchwork when I was younger, and got all fired up about it again after receiving a lovely patchwork notebook from Claire over at Summerfete. I started collecting fabric, but it was all moving too slow for me, and so that's how I found myself on Abbeydale Road in Sheffield in the Patchwork Garden. However, this just bamboozled me - far too much choice. And that's how I ended up being seduced by a Moda "Jelly Roll". A delightful confection of co-ordinated fabric, already cut into accurate strips for you (but at a price!!!).

So out came my old friend - we have been together since I was 16 years old.


And I sewed all the strips together.




And then with the help of Newton Faulkner (on the CD player and using the CD case for a template) I cut the strips into further strips, and sewed them back together again.

So I have ended up with a lovely big piece of patchworked fabric - and it took 30 minutes to do!!


I just have to decide what I am going to make with it now!

31 comments:

Gilly said...

Clever! And lovely colours!

Anonymous said...

What a great way to patchwork!

Unknown said...

30 minutes!!!!!!!!
OMG - you're a whizz on that there sewing machine. It'd take me that long to get it out of the cupboard and thread it all up.
The patchwork is lovely - are you gonna keep it or is it a Xmas present you can tick off your list?

BTW - regarding inlaws. When I divorced my first husband, his mum and dad were doing their nuts in about me reverting back to my maiden name. Imagine how P*ssed off they were when I told them I was keeping the name. I like it you see, nice and short. There's no way on this planet I'd go back to my maiden name, which was Duckworth - far too many Coronation Street jokes, which get very tiresome after a while.
x

Beki said...

Love your choice of fabrics, not yet used the jelly rolls but have picked them up many times.
30 mins.............wow!

B xxx

menopausalmusing said...

That sewing machine took me back.... I had one as my first machine too!!!!!!!

Lovely patchwork. Just lovely.

Lyn said...

Arh Patchwork, it's on my list of stuff to do!
I am likeing this idea though....30 minutes you say?
mmmmmm now theres a thought!
love
Lyn
xxx

Rowan said...

I love those fabrics, so fresh and summery looking. I had no idea that Heart Shaped had started out as a craft blog! You're cleverer than I am, I've never quite got to grips with sewing machines. Odd really as my mother and both grandmothers were extremely good dressmakers.

Jennyff said...

So smart, I can't believe that only took 30 minutes. My patchwork is into its second year and I haven't made that much progress. Bottom of the class for me.

The Girl said...

Wowza. That looks am.az.ing.

Patchwork is a realm I can't even contemplate, it makes my head do hurting things whenever I even think about it. Definitely one to be put at the bottom of the pile for a while longer me thinks!

Selfsewn said...

Great!!!!

Petit Filoux said...

That is such a clever idea! Can't believe it only took you 30min though, that's crazy!
Thanks very much for your comment, not sure about being anywhere close to becoming Martha Steward (although I wouldn't mind having her business flair that's for sure!!) x

Rosie said...

Wow, Diane, you are so clever - I'd never heard of a jelly roll before but all the fabrics look so pretty and work well together - looking forward to seeing what you make with the final piece:)

elsy said...

had to read that several times diane to get how you did that....only thirty minutes!.... a new little business in the making in case that letter arrives on your desk(only joking am sure it will never happen!) x

Mandy said...

Very pretty, have fun quilting it.

Lalabibaby @ Dreaming of The Simple Life said...

Ahh Frister Rostmann that was my first machine too .... those jelly rolls look great and I can't believe it only took half an hour ... wow!

Jackie, Erik, Jake, Drew said...

Dear Cus, you are just full of surprises. You are such an allrounder. BTW I think that sewing machine might be worth a few dollars by now! Confession time, way back when I once made a patchwork cushion. It didn't make it over the Atlantic Ocean but I did love it, it was special because of the time and effort I had put into it. Believe me it was much more than 30min. I was as proud as a peacok. Still enjoying your blog. Our family blog is a bit slow at the moment, for which I am also to blame. But...I'm busy with the entertaining, feeding, playing, swimming, biking, reading etc.. hurray...1 more month and then Jake starts Elementary! Whoohooo!! Then I will be able to give my precious baby(?)some one-on-one time. Although I'm sure he will miss Jake terribly. xx

Ray+Joan said...

great work Diane with the patchwork, you must make something to wear out of it & show off your talant

Colette said...

Brilliant. Can't you get a shed in the garden? A craft shed - just your space?

Can't wait to see what you do with your quilt top.

Colours are really lovely.

Colette

andamento said...

Ah, so that's how the jelly rolls work. 30 mins is very impressive. It looks lovely.
I've been saving fabric for having a go at patchwork at some future date, will be far in the future I think.

Young at Heart said...

that is so beautiful, i remember doing patchwork covers with my best friend for our bean bags when I was a teenager...by hand!!

periwinkle said...

I used to do a lot of patchwork too with the machine I've had since I was 13 :-).. I think if you follow this link http://www.blogger.com/follow-blog.g?blogID=8141517094194659148 it might work to follow my blog .. thank you

The Curious Cat said...

How did it only take 30 mins? How do you arrange it all and then sew it together on the machine? I am in awe...I so want to be able to do this! xxx

The Curious Cat said...

How did it only take 30 mins? How do you arrange it all and then sew it together on the machine? I am in awe...I so want to be able to do this! xxx

BadPenny said...

Thats lovely Diane...now you are going to hate me - just booked a few days in St Ives for Jess & me and hopefully will meet Carolyn too !

Julia said...

Diane you are a whizz! That looks absolutely amazing! I love your colour choice too, oooh Im off for another peek!

Sending love, have a good weekend!

Julia x x x

ps - all your camping advice paid off, thank you so much, especially for mentioning nice warm blankets underneath ourselves, we were toasty! x x x

Lisa said...

You must be a demon at the machine to have created such loveliness in 30 minutes. Lovely colours.
Lisa x

Carol said...

That looks really lovely - 30 mins! - amazing. Would make a very attractive cushion cover or a shopping bag?
Not a lot of fabric shops around nowadays, read today that a lady in Selby is closing down her fabric shop because she can't get anyone to run it. Advertised the position but didn't get a single reply, applicants didn't need to be experienced as training would be given. How sad, hopefully publicity will result in someone coming forwards.

Lazylol said...

Oh the things we could make it we had lots of time!

i am really impressed with what you achieved in 30 mins!

harmony and rosie said...

30 mins has to be a record surely, that's incredible. Love the fabrics, so much so in fact I've already bought a couple myself - for dressmaking.

x

Zannah said...

Yum - I love jelly rolls. I was in Patchwork Garden yesterday myself.
If you're feeling a bit bewildered, they do run classes, as do most patchwork shops - a great way to meet other people as well....

The Patchwork Heart said...

Gorgeous patchwork ... mmm you could make a cushion cover, table mats, hearts, table cloth or even a quilt! H x