Sunday, June 14, 2020

Chop, chop, chop.....


My scrappy batik strippy blocks are all trimmed and laid out ready to sew together.... there are 25 x 12 1/2" blocks so it will make a useful size quilt....


I did use foundation for these... chopped up an old sheet... that gorgeous old real cotton but it was pretty thin in a lot of places.... I did want those central pieces to be as exact as possible so thought foundations would be easier....

The batik scrap basket has less in it,  but there is still quite a lot to be used up... (since I did buy some to add to the colour mix)  mostly short strips of different widths now 


Been trying to clean up my 'storage' boxes and found these vintage gingham curtains.... lovely quality cotton, almost linen thickness..... 

chop, chop, chop, out with the overlocker and I have a dozen new kitchen towels...  nothing fancy, I just left the edges overlocked but they work like a charm and my old holey ones have been binned....


One of my storage boxes has a variety of dressmaking scraps passed on to me, this pretty blue is like a very light cotton blend... I am not knowledgeable but it irons well like cotton but it is much softer and loose weave....

I have lost a bit of weight, not lots but enough to warrant a smaller size bondi top so I cut out new patterns and used this donated piece of fabric for my practice one....


... the neck is too wide so I have added a little pleat to the front and it is a better fit..... next time I will add to the pattern at the shoulders...


This old cotton tablecloth will be used for the next top...... 


Once I get a good fit I will make some out of lovely pretty fabric that jumped into my bag when I was at The Quilters Angel ....

Meanwhile we watched a couple of movies last night and another Field Journal embroidery got finished... the thread in this one is called Aster...  pretty.... 


There is rain around, I even hear some thunder...... at the moment it's dripping gently which I am not complaining about at all.... so today will be indoors... 

Righto, Gotto Go..... a mountain of ironing so the audio book will be listened to (What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty) and then I can go and chop up that tablecloth....

Have a lovely day.....xx


21 comments:

Karen's Korner said...

It is amazing how much we can recycle old sheets and curtains. Pretty blue top. Love the fabric on the cutting table.

WoolenSails said...

The quilt is beautiful, love using scraps in different ways for quilts.
I never use dish towels, except when camping, great way to recycle.

Debbie

Helen said...

Lovely blue top, beautiful block the colours are great.

loulee said...

Very productive. Your batik scrap blocks are bigger than mine. Looking forward to seeing how you use them.
Your top looks good and the table cloth one will be beautiful.
It's great to see things being re used and re purposed.

Jane said...

That flash of yellow in the batick blocks really sets them off. That's going to be a gorgeous quilt

Jennifer said...

That's a pretty top, I love the fabric! I have a similar tablecloth that may become a top one day. Your embroidery is very pretty it's such a relaxing way of passing the time these days......and I lurve those batiks, but then I just lurve batiks anyway.

Jeanette said...

Your blocks are gorgeous & the blue top looks great. Hugs,xx

Ondrea said...

That table cloth fabric will look awesome made into a top. You are quite adept at dressmaking I see. Your batik strippy is looking lovely and great idea making tea towels with that fabric.

Michelle Ridgway said...

Beautiful work....you are the best upcycler! The rain has been lovely for the garden x

Narelle said...

You've been keeping yourself very busy Fiona ... making use of older fabrics with lovely results xx

Pink Rose said...

Hi Fiona oh I love your new top such a pretty colour and it will look lovely on you. Your blocks are coming along nicely and I love your pretty stitchery ,well done my friend with all your beautiful work xx

Lin said...

Lots of productive chopping going on. The batiks are looking gorgeous. Great recycling going on too. The tablecloth is gorgeous and is going to make a great top. xx

Annette S said...

Awesome batik quilt Fiona. And cute top. Looks like a nice pattern to sew up.
Happy stitching
In stitches
And hugs too
Annette

KaHolly said...

You’ve been a busy girl! How smart to use what you have to practice on a new top.

Cheryll said...

Keeping busy I see... good on you using up "old" sheets & fabrics. I used a lot of my mothers new sheets as lining for bags or internal backing for quilted cushions. Love the new practise top so enjoy making it for real... xox

kiwikid said...

You are very productive and creative with fabrics Fiona. Love love love your batiks blocks. Your top is beautiful, as is the stitchery.

Louise said...

Oh, that purple fabric is gorgeous! That will make a truly unique Bondi top. I hope you'll model it for us :)

Jenny said...

You have been busy, love the way you reused the gingham. Its good to see recycling and sewing going together.

Karen S said...

The strippy blocks look great. That has turned into a decent sized quilt. Lovely.
More gorgeous embroideries. The colours are pretty.
Smart move to make the dish towels. You are very good at finding ways to re-use.
And lovely work with your new top as well!

Maria said...

No sure how I missed this post...
Great recycling going on at your place... nice new kitchen towels and lovely new top. The old tablecloth will make another good one..
be good to see the new ones made from the pretty fabrics that jumped into our bag.
Sweet stitched flower..
Hope you got all that ironing done..

Susan said...

You are doing a great job using up "stuff" - looking forward to seeing the balls strips face on.

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