Espritpatch

The month, and the year are almost over. December has been very very busy but there hasn't been much time for sewing unfortunately. Let's hope there will be more in the New Year. Thankfully I managed to squeeze a few finishes :-) Hoping for finish 1.  Lander trousers (green) - One buttonhole, buttons and hems are needed - finished 2. Dance bag for A - have gone as far as cutting the fabric, will it be finished before Christmas?    - no progress 3. Dance bag for C - not started but it would be good to finish it at the same time as the other one more or less....    - no progress 4. Long Time Gone - quilting is finished and the binding is nearly finished! This was my  One monthly goal  again -  finished 5. Colour Companions cushions - I have all I need to finish these ones, just need some time!    - no progress 6. Christmas pillows for the 3 kids - done WIP 1.  Farmer's wife- - this one will not be touched this month I am sure - n

True Bias has released a lovely wide legs trousers pattern in September, and I knew straght away that I needed it, of course! There was also a sew-along in September for it, that I diligently started but then I got lost! Partly because we were away, partly because I got badly sick for a few days, partly because I have so much work at the minute.... anyway, I got to the point of making a toile in September and I used my final fabric for it. It fitted quite well, just a little on the bigger side on my hips but that's easier to manage that if it was too small! Once I got to this point, I unpicked everything and started again but this time, following the instructions correctly and making the pockets etc. I found a gorgeous fabric in my stash for the pocket lining. Once the pockets were on, next step was all about the fly. I bought some buttons for it as I couldn't find anything suitable in my stash. And then next step was to assemble the trousers together before adding

One quilt entirely made in 2017, and not for a gift, this is quite a rare event. I started the QAL for Long Time Gone (pattern by Jen Kingwell) in the Spring (I even started a little ahead of the game to try and keep it up) and managed to finish the top just by the deadline of end of July. I used fabric from my stash and from my scrap bins to make it. The top had to wait until November to finally get quilted when the frame was out and this probably one of the slowest quilting I have done. It took me a whole week to finish it, probably because I used lots of different free-motion quilting patterns. For the backing I used Score Cards from the Lucky Strike collection of Cotton&Steel. And I used the same fabric for the binding too. Now I am so happy this lovely quilt is finished and I am to keep it. I am sure I will thoroughly enjoy it. Quilt stats: started February 2017, finished December 2017 Fabric: all from my stash Backing and binding: Lucky Strike

Happy Chirstmas everyone. I hope you have a lovely peaceful time with your family. Love Celine

My youngest daughter's teacher is off on maternity leave so of course, that called for a little token of appreciation. And although I had known for a while, I only finally got started on Monday night (present was needed for Tuesday morning!). I made her a little open wide pouch with fabric I had in my stash and I must admit, I love how it turned out. I should definitely use that fabric again for something for me! I had also planned a while ago to make some make-up pouches for my niece and cousin for Christmas and I must say, I had given the hope last week. So when I cut the teacher's one out on Monday I decided that the only way I would get the others done as well would be to cut all 3 and make them all at the same time, which is exactly what I did. I am so happy I finally managed to make all 3 in time to be gifted away. All 3 were made with the tried and tested great tutorial from Anna for the Open Wide Pouch and with fabric from my stash! 3 more

How long does it take to make a pillowcase? I know, I know.... very little time... but in reality it took me over 2 weeks. Time just keep disappearing. I had bought some festive fabric in November to make the children some Christmassy pillow cases to use in December. Well I cut all the panels early in December and had very good intention but I never sat down to sew them until last Sunday. And it only took about 1 hour to hem the sides and assemble them with my overlocker. I left them in the kids' bedroom overnight and they were really pleased to have them. They have been sleeping on them since Sunday and love them as the fabric is so soft (it is a cotton lawn). I am so pleased to have finished them. A satisfying quick finish and some OPAM for December. Linking to Whoop Whoop Friday . Celine

I started this cross-stitch sew along in January 2016 (well I started 2 at the time, which of course was over-ambitious.... well no surprise there!) and after I finished the Pumpkin Passport one earlier in the year, I finally went back to the Postcards of the World. I was really hoping to get back into a routine of stitching one a month and finishing this one this year but, well the year is nearly finished and I still have 4 months to do. Anyway, I had a long train journey to and from Glasgow last week which allowed me to finish Sydney, finally! I am not sure if it is because Sydney is so far from me but I really felt it has taken me forever to stitch this postcard. Anyway, the next stop will be Tokyo now. Celine

There is hardly any sewing happening here at the moment, with work, Christmas preparations and also some business travel, my machine is sadly gathering dust. I had lots of plans and plenty of good intentions but it has really gone any further than that so far. Anyway, at the beginning of the month, I did something a little different and new to me, I went to a wreath making workshop. And I must say it was really enjoyable! plus I came home with a lovely hand made wreath. We worked with a base and started building from there. First with pine branches and then with ivy and other greeneries before adding a few other bits like cinnamon sticks, dried hydrangea flowers etc. It was a nice way to start getting into the Christmas spirit! Celine