Friday 14th June

Well - how can it be Friday already.

Had a great day on Tuesday with a visit from Beverley who camped out in a corner of the studio to work on her rag rug while I worked on an order for a book bag and notebook.  Thought I'd try and get a little production line going for the notebooks so I didn't have to keep changing the foot on the machine.

While we were 'working' the post arrived and my lovely hubby brought it down to me - only because he was being nosy as there was a rather large parcel.  Didn't tell him what was in it.

Yippeee... it was my order from DayStyleDesigns in America.  I love to follow the machine quilting instruction from Leah Day on YouTube.  I have learned so much from watching her lessons and it has given me more ideas and confidence.  If you want to see her try out the following link to lesson number 1.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=quilt+along+%231&oq=quilt+along&gs_l=youtube.1.1.0l10.4445042.4447279.0.4449060.11.9.0.2.2.0.230.1004.4j4j1.9.0...0.0...1ac.1.11.youtube.fuRh9l1hPpU

She uses the same sewing machine as me for most of her lessons so I can't say "well she's got a much better machine than me".  Basically if she can achieve it, then with practice I should be able to too.  I have already seen an improvement.

She uses a tool called a Supreme Slider - a teflon sheet with a hole in it for the needle that goes over the feed dog and creates a flatter slidey surface for machine quilting.  By not dropping the feed dog the stitch tension for free motion quilting is much better and the finish on the back is better.

I tried to buy a Supreme Slider at Malvern and only found one stall selling it.  Cotton Patch had one for £67.95 and it wasn't even the big queen sized one.  On Leah's website she does an Ultimate Quilting Kit which has the Queen sized slider, a pair of Machingers Quilting Gloves and a pack of Genie Bobbin washers (teflon washers to go under the bobbin to make it turn more smoothly) all for $87.00 plus postage.  Which means that the lot including postage was under £55.00.  Bargain.

The sticky side of the slider basically STINKS.  But when adhered to the machine base/acrylic table the smell disappears.

Well - the work now glides without effort under the needle making the movement of the fabric for free machine quilting a dream.  Think I'm going to love it.  As it blocks the view of the bobbin it can be a bit of a surprise when it runs out but then the quilt itself will block it anyway so what the heck...lol

Got the bookbag finished while Bev was here and the fronts of four notebooks.  These were all finished off on Wednesday with just the buttons to stitch on which I did Thurday.

Thursday I drove over to Hobbycraft to get some more felt as the stuff I bought from the range was very thin and wasn't cut to size properly, it will be fine for the embellishments but not for the main body of the book.

When I got back I put the fabric away and while I was down there I had an idea for the cover of an A5 book.  At the moment the pieces of felt I have been buying are not big enough to cover a larger book so I though I'd try colour blocking it.  I am sooooo pleased with the result. 

 

I also made a ribbon page marker with a tab at the bottom and this is on an A5 book with  plain paper inside.

Red shoe with satin bow

Black silhoutte lady with hat

Black Cat

Upside down Batman book for Abi

 



 

Really pleased with these but think I need to be a bit more adventurous.  I might try an A6 colour block as it worked really well.

 

 

Will be working on a larger tote style bag as and when I get back down to the studio.

 

 

Took the three bags and books to Slimming World last night and got paid.... yeah.... so nice to see some money coming in instead of going out.  I have posted the new pics on the Facebook page with the prices and I've already had an enquiry as to the cost so need to get my finger out and try and do a little bit of marketing - get the word out and make sure my pricing covers my costs.

 

 

Daves got his interview today and we spent last night and this morning working on the presentation.  Hope it goes well - I could do with more money to spend on my hobbies - but I admit I am enjoying making and selling things - just need to hone my ideas.

 

All ideas greatfully accepted.