Step 2 - Cover designs

The next step after the initial samples, was to get some designs on paper - the first is below.

Checking on the fabric sizes, I was unsure if there were sufficient pieces that would allow me to complete some of the longer length strips either side of the central panel (above). Another design was then worked:

This appeared to fit the fabric pieces better & could also assist with assembling individual squares. With this in mind & working with the first 2 fabric samples, I decided to 'mount' the pieces in a fabric surround as below:

This would also enable me to use some leftover plain batik fabric as the outer square strips - these ultimately being stitched like log cabin.

Step 1 - Organise fabrics

The first part to the bed cover was sorting the many cotton fabric leftover pieces into some semblance of order & to ensure there was sufficient fabric. As the main colours ranged generally into pinks, blues & purples, it was decided to use this as a start with a backing lining chosen as being lilac (this was purchased as a flat double sheet in 200 count cotton).

After organising the fabrics, their sizing was next to be reviewed & at this point to start with (because of their varied shapes & sizes), try & join them into a radiating type of square - below are the first ones.

A "Summer Garden" is finished

Covid has meant that I've finally been able to finalise some projects that have been waiting to get completed. One of these was a way of using up a rather large pile of small cotton remnants that I thought would be a perfect "thank you" gift for one of my long-standing customers who I thought needed cheering up. Over the years, she has had many blouses & kimonos made - it seemed a pity to not use them up in some way. So armed with my recent Janome sewing machine, I asked the customer if she would like to have a single quilted throw made. She did - but not a quilted one .... just a cotton throw & here's the result (on a king size bed for the image) - all pieces have been stitched together using different pre-programmed machine embroidered stitches.

Full details will follow in due course as I've only just finished it!

Covid Lockdown = TIDY UP !!

Here I am at the start of 2020 getting slowly organised ... Cover lockdown has given me an excuse to do this!! Above image (from one end of the studio) doesn't look very roomy .. but once things are fully away in cupboards & on shelves, I hope it will be!! Some curtains are ready for stitching on the island unit - it's an excellent height for doing this & with its stainless steel top, means it will be perfect for any paints or similar.

However, I doubt if I will be using this as a main studio blog anymore ... unless I have something related to its use as a 'working studio' (i.e. for use & equipment only). The reason is I'm trying to co-ordinate things better so that certain blogs become "more specific & dedicated" ... so if you want to read more of what I'm actually doing, please click here so that you can "follow my journey".

New Studio for 2019 ..

Above is the new studio ready for painting last year ... it's since been decorated & now has cabinets & equipment in ... BUT it's now in the process of STREAMLINING inside !!