I scattered and layered my stars in little constellations on the fabric, a bit strategically placed for effect, but quite relaxed. I mixed and matched grey and white and used several different sizes of templates. As I started to hand appliqué them on, I had so much fun, making each one different. Using a variety of stitches, beads and sequins, I soon had a stellar array before me.
Read MoreWe were lucky enough to live in Stockholm for 3 years from 2011. It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been and Sweden generally is a country of absolutely sweeping landscapes, peppered with sparkling waters and rocky islands. My husband bought me this cushion kit 3 years ago as a birthday present, just before we left to return to England. As is often the case with hand sewing projects like this, I have picked it up and put it down a hundred times and it has been lurking in our sitting room in a basket for quite some time. I am not really sure why it has taken me so long, but I guess that is a familiar story to most of you who sew.
Read MoreI am rather charmed by this one. I love the soft colours, which is unusual for me as I am one for bright colour pops. Perhaps it is just that I am taken back to another time, when needlework was crafted with precision and used and loved and worn. I love that.
Read MoreI fully plan to make some more of the projects in this book. I am a little bit taken by the author's quest for simplicity, not just in making things but in life. I was impressed that towards the end of the book, she talks about how she doesn't really buy clothes anymore for either herself or her daughter, she makes them.
Read MoreI have never been to Nantucket. It is a long way from Yorkshire. Would I like to go? You bet - it looks like a heavenly place and who doesn't love the seaside and quaint streets and little boats and beautiful houses. I have been lucky enough to visit Newport, Rhode Island, so I guess I have had a taste of what it might be like, but since working on this project, it is definitely on my bucket list. For now though, this quilt will have to suffice and it is not hard to be happy when you see it. Camille Roskelley of ' Thimbleblossoms' designed this quilt pattern after a visit to the island and it is every bit as lovely, as I imagine Nantucket to be.
Read MoreHey Folks, I have an exciting new embroidery pattern to tell you about and it is absolutely my favourite so far. 'The Palm House' has a little story behind it.
Read MoreSo.. the tuffet. Well, this is a project that has been on the back burner, or rather on the top of my cupboard for quite some time. It all started when I was visiting my dear friend Sylvi in Houston last year. She was making tuffets and teaching tuffet making and I went along with her to one of her classes. Of course, I came home with the pattern.
Read MoreApril brings another chance to get back to my 'Vintage Linen Revival Quilt Project'. It is rapidly becoming one of those deliciously theraputic projects.... no rules....no pattern....no specified fabrics.....just a box of old vintage linens that are falling apart and desperately in need of a new and exciting life.Block 4 has turned out way different to how I imagined when I started out.
Read MoreYorkshire folk are renowned for their plain speaking, no nonsense way of doing things. I am not so good at this! Probably because I like writing and creating and all sorts of chattery nonsense really. But....being a 'recycling' kinda gal who believes 100% in using up and making everything pretty ... AND in order to not feel too bad about the amount of fabric in my sewing room...I decided today, to dig deep and have a go.
Read MoreTime for another foray into the world of vintage textiles and I must say, I am happy to get back to this project as it is proving rather interesting to me. I love the idea of reusing, recycling and reinventing these fabrics, but am also unsure as to whether I can successfully combine beautiful old hand work, with more modern fabrics and sewing ideas. If you need to catch up with the previous blocks, you can find the postings in the Categories section, under 2017 Vintage Linen Revival Quilt.
Read MoreJust interrupting the usual sewing chit chat, to say that there are some pretty new things in the shop this week to tempt you into Spring thoughts.
First up, 'On the Garden Fence' Kits are now available. They come in Ruby's very own lovely little boxes and there is everything you need in there except, the cushion pad, of course. Even the wool for the tassels is in there!. The pattern is for a standard 16" cushion pad and is fun to do, with some fabric weaving and some simple embroidery.
Read MoreSo on this dark and chilly winter's evening, when I was thinking about what to make, red stars were in my mind and very soon on the sewing table.
Read MoreMaking Embroidery Modern
