Friday, May 29, 2009

I'm in the market......

...... for a sewing machine. Well I figured I've done the hard slog and completed one quilt completely by hand, and I'm halfway through hand piecing quilt numero dos, but I think it's high time I invested in a sewing machine. Told DH that I need to make some darker curtains for Possum's nursery, so under this pretence I have had the go ahead to make a purchase (but we all now the real reason - QUILTING!)

Possum has accompanied me in her HotSling on my quest, trawling around the shops in Singapore and the main brand I can find is Brother. I don't want to spend toooo much on said sewing machine, as I want to make sure I will definitely use it lots and won't lose interest in a few months (my usual style with hobbies). There are two models I've seen in Best Denki, the XL2220 (reasonable price) and the XL5700 (more expensive).

So here's where I need some advice; the more expensive model has a lever for lowering the feed dogs to allow me to machine quilt, and according to the lady in the shop the cheaper model has a thingy-mag-ig which fits over the feed dogs to allow me to quilt. So the upshot, do I go for it and buy the more expensive which I know I can quilt on, or save my pennies (sensible in the current economic climate) and get the cheaper one.


Answers on a postcard if you please (or alternatively just leave me a comment!)


(and here's a pic on Possum in her sling, outside Orchard MRT station)


x

Monday, May 25, 2009

Whirlygig Quilt

Here's how my latest project is shaping up.

I only had enough of the cream fabric to make 20 blocks, so at the moment it's going to be 5 x 4, the blocks are 7" at the moment but will be 6.5" after seam allowance, so I'm not sure if it will be large enough - we'll just have to wait and see.

The little possum and I have had rotten colds last week, and we're just getting over them, we had to cancel all baby rendezvous so as not to spread the germ love, so it was quite a boring week! On top of this our whole "nap regime"was thrown completely off kilter - hence very little crafting was done!

I'm super duper looking forward to Wednesday, Sew Mama Sew is organising another Giveaway Day. I was going to try and make something and take part - but rubbish week = no time = didn't make anything. So I'm just going to enter as many as I can!

Have a nice Monday

x

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Bargain find!

I've read a couple of times of people using fleece as batting, or even as batting and backing in quilts, thinking this was a good idea, I thought I'd keep my eyes peeled for any fleece bargains to be had- and what should I stumble across in Carrefour yesterday but these babies - and reduced to Sing$2.50 each! Think I'll be going back for some more!

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

New Project

Quilt number two has been in my head for a while now. I have some left over fabrics from this quilt and I've bought a couple of other fat quarters to go with them, so I'm going to work on a "whirlygigg"quilt. Hopefully it will be a present for my neice, her birthday is September but I hope to have it finished way before then! But remember people - all by hand no sewing machine!


Here's the fabrics


Now I just need to decide what size to make it - I want it to be for her to play on the floor on so Sophia and I will have to do some research into the optimal size!


x

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Buiding a stash - slowly but surely!

I'm sooooo jealous of all the wonderful fabrics which everyone seems to have in their huge stashes. I don't really have a stash, but I intend to work on that - I started yesterday with a trip to a little quilting shop in Grandlink Square recommended to me by Yvette from Midnight Crafts. They stock lots of lovely Japanese fabrics.


I bought a cute little retro 50s print, and a quaint little patchwork-esque print.

The retro print is from the Sweet Life collection by Atuko Mtsuyama Design, printed by Yuwa

And the other is by Lecien, I love the little baskets, and watering cans. There's a little puppy and a buzzing bumble bee, all very cute!


No great plans for these babies, in fact I have no other fabric which would go with either of them, but the can sit and look at me until they have some more friends to play with. So next week I'm going to venture out to find more fabric stores in Singapore - until then I'm going to enter as many giveaways as I can!


Here starts the stash - wish me luck!


There's a fab giveway here, a pillow of your choice, even a custom made one! I love the bird silhouette pillow in the etsy shop. Check it out.


x