Thursday 19 May 2016

Something new, something old

A new sewing bag


made using a new pattern (designed by L'Uccello  and bought on my April visit to Melbourne)
...and old fabric from the stash. The large floral is 'Bon Voyage' from French General - not that old really as it is still available online.

pattern from L'Uccello 

It was not a quick project but the trouble taken was well worth it in the detail and the finish. 

First there was the sandwiching and individual quilting of the panels - just using the machine walking foot. It's been a while since I've done any machine quilting but not difficult with these relatively small pieces.

Then preparing piping and binding

Something old - recycled belt loops for handle hardware. I didn't have four the same but two different pairs did the job fine:



Binding the seams for a neat finish - just like the edges of a quilt:

The pattern called for some ribbon to decorate internal pockets. I had nothing suitable, but I did have something that might do - something very old lurking in the sewing cabinet:

...so I finally put them to good use (it had to happen one day didn't it? ) - an old technique but a good one



I love the detail in this pattern - reminds me of the old days of dress making in my heady youth! 


The base is stiffened with template plastic so the whole thing is washable. That's if it ever gets dirty - and I'd have to use it first to get it dirty wouldn't I? At the moment it's far too 'good' to use haha! Give it a week or two and no doubt I'll have forgotten the pain of labour and be dragging it around like my old sewing bags...

Something else that is new and my most favourite book of the moment - 'Meanderings of a Quilt Collector' by Jane Lury. She had some of her collection on display at Pour L'Amour du Fil in Nantes this year - how wonderful it must have been to view them. But the book does not disappoint - so many superb quilts. In fact I'm convinced she had my taste in mind when she collected. 

I ordered the book from Quiltmania online and it arrived virtually overnight. How is that even possible to Australia? It is a large book and fairly pricey but is superb quality, includes three patterns, and is well worth it IMHO. 
  
And this is my favourite quilt in the whole book - and has inspired a quilt of my own. As you can see by the graph paper and sketches the planning has started.

What do I love about the quilt? 
  • the sense of movement in the wreaths and baskets
  • the rather random placement of lengths of vine and applique stars
  • the surprising element of a patched plaid border amongst a delicate design, and it works so well
  • the massive amount of applique (as you might know, I do love applique!)
The quilt in the planning won't be a copy or reproduction of this lovely 1840's English coverlet, but it will be inspired by it and borrow major elements. It needs a name so I'm going for Posies and Plaid since it is all about flowers and has that plaid border. 

And for something 'old' I am trying to use fabrics from my stash - some desperately need to be used before they reach antique status. Here's an idea I'm toying with -  cream background and green plaids with an old English-looking blowsy floral in the middle. And there's clearly room for some purple in there - not a colour I commonly use but doesn't it look lush in this old floral line by Windham (Remember Me by Mary Koval) ? 

On this quilt I'd like challenge myself to mix some modern fabric lines in with the reproductions but not sure how I'll go with that...hard to teach an old girl new tricks!
OK, back to the drawing board...

27 comments:

  1. It will be fun to watch your process.

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  2. It is a lovely book. And the bag looks very good. Greetings

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  3. Love your fabrics and colours you have chosen for your new quilt :) thanks for enabling, I have just ordered the book - can never resist a Quiltmania publication!

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  4. Cannot wait to see the beginning what is gone be a gorgeous quilt.

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  5. I love your new sewingbag, although it seems quite intricate making it; you did a great job on it and can enjoy it now. I saw this wonderful book last week, and was sure to put it on my wish-list, for it is great! The colors you picked for your new project are beautiful!

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  6. "You do love appliqué" ??? Oh yes, no doubt about that !! Your quilt will be awesome and i can't wait to admire your work...
    Pretty bag ! You can put lots of fabrics into it !!

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  7. That's a lovely bag. The fabrics you've chosen are perfect and the covered buttons top it off beautifully. Thanks for sharing.

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  8. I swear if you didn't look so young I would think we had been separated at birth! I absolutely adore everything you come up with. One difference of course is that I am far too lazy to actually assemble that beautiful bag, but oh how I love it. Thank you for the book review. I will most assuredly order this one. I am still waiting to pick up my Linda Collins book, but then what is money for if not for quilt related goodies. I love that Mary Koval fabric and I had not seen it in that colorway. I know you will do something fantastic with it. I truly look forward to seeing your Posies and Plaid progress.

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  9. Oh your sewing bag is fantastic! I would be reluctant to use it for a while too. I know this sounds silly in the great scheme of things, but that zipper pull - I love it!!! Something to actually grab a hold of. Your new quilt is going to be fabulous. I love your focus fabric with the purple. It is going to be lovely! I am looking forward to seeing your progress.

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  10. I look forward to watching your progress on your new quilt! It will be beautiful I'm sure.

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  11. I like your bag - and love the pattern. Your are correct the movement is great
    Very unique.

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  12. Another wonderful creation by you. Thanks for all the details about construction.

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  13. I'm so excited for your new project! I saw the woven basket start on Instagram :0) Your sewing bag is gorgeous! The details are beautiful and with such lovely fabrics - it will be a joy to use once you can bring yourself to use it - lol! I think the covered buttons are very cool - the words on the packaging made me smile too :0)

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  14. I love the palette of fabrics you have chosen for this project. I'm really going to enjoy watching it all come together--it's going to lovely! Your bag is great too--so much work!

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  15. Making bags is an art form in its self. Yours is lovely. It takes so much patience to do all those separate parts. Your new project is again over the top and looks like you. Wonderful colors and fabrics.

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  16. The more pockets there are in a bag, the more complex the pattern gets. You did and excellent job. Even the zipper tag is quilted!! Wow! It's seriously gorgeous and yes, I understand the reference of the old days of dress making.
    Your next project is so you. Can't wait to see it in green with your beautiful personal touches. Enjoy the process. ;^)

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  17. Beautiful colors. I like the idea of using plaids. You're got some wonderful fabrics. You are an inspiration.

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  18. Love the detail in your new bag, I'm sure it will become a favourite. Those buttons are divine! Thank you for the book review, I have been considering this one myself, but would like to have a flick through first. I like everything you do so your humble opinion certainly counts for me! Enjoy your new design, something new for us to look forward to.

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  19. Gorgeous new bag! Love the detail(buttons, piping). TFS.

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  20. I love the way you take on such challenging projects! Never any hesitation :) The bag is beautiful and those buttons bring back lots of memories! I'm a big fan of Mary Koval fabrics and that purple is stunning. Looking forward to another fantastic quilt. You are amazing!

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  21. That's a great new bag and how satisfying to use up old stuff from your stash. Loving the ideas for your new quilt and so looking forward to seeing its progress.

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  22. Love the new applique project you are planning. I can't wait to see what you come up with, especially using that fabulous green and purple floral!

    The covered buttons on your bag are just too cute to be in the inside. Such a great idea!

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  23. Wonderful sewing bag, lovely details, a dream to put to use.
    Greetings,
    Sylvia

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  24. You will do great mixing old and new fabrics. Most fabrics are inspired by what came before anyway. I mixed all fabric genres in my latest hexy stars quilt. Thanks for sharing your talents with us!

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  25. Your bag is a real beauty! Love all the details and special touches.
    Looks like a wonderful new project is on its way.

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  26. I love that you used what you had and recycled them into your lovely bag!
    I look forward to watching your quilt come to life!!

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  27. Am a little late, but your bag has been wonderful and so helpful with all those boxes. Nicely done though.
    Greetings,
    Floor

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