Tis the season for giving

Another wonderful catchup with the Cassilis quilters today, last time for 2015. It was definitely like Christmas!

I made selvedge zipper pouches for Raelee, Julie, Kylie and Bev.......and a few spares.

And a new pin cushion for Lea, provider of the 1930's scraps.

Before......

And after. 

Beautiful gifts made by my talented friends, thank you so much. X

Susan x

New routine and some help please

So my working days have changed and I'm trying to get used to a new routine where I work four days one week, then have six days off and work for two days, weekend, repeat. I really liked working Monday to Wednesday every week, I guess I'll have to get used to the change.

This week I've used my days to plough through some Christmas sewing, which is all secretive so I can't show you, and put the binding on this little fellow I started at the Middlebrook retreat. The Dresden is 5 1/2", and I am in love with the look of the echo hand quilting.

I need some help sourcing these. I don't know what they're called, but they are the BEST way to attach a charm to a zipper pull. I got these ones from Studio Mio, but they only have silver left. Does anyone know where I could get them, or have some they want to sell? I just crimp it with pliers and the charm stays put, it's about 3/8" open.

I surprised myself at the weekend by making quite a decent start on my Christmas shopping, and even wrapped it all up yesterday.........but the tree isn't up to put them under yet.......a job for the weekend. But not on Sunday because I'm having lunch with the Cassilis quilters! Looking forward to another stitchy catchup. 

Susan x

What a week

I won't bore you with the details, we all have those weeks we'd rather forget! No sewing done at all, but no housework done either, so I guess that's an upside!

I've been having a little play with selvedges, which will soon become Christmas gifts. Many of them are just too cute to throw away.

The week improved on Friday night when my eldest son and his girlfriend had their Year 12 formal. Despite the 40 degree heat,  it was a great night.

Nice to get a dressed up photo with Mr Thimblestitch too..........the pink is very bright for my usual taste.

And my SSCS gifts will be on the sleigh tomorrow to who knows where! I love being part of Chookyblue's international swap, it just wouldn't be Christmas without it.

Happy stitching,

Susan x

Lea's 1930's Leaves

I was very happy to finish the quilting on this mini last weekend, and the binding was quick to do today. It's so different to my usual colour palette, but I love it. It measures 15" X 13". Thank you to Lea for the scraps, and Judy Day for the inspiration.

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Making mini quilts feels a bit indulgent. As beautiful as they are, they aren't very useful, but I do subscribe to the William Morris quote "Have nothing in your home that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful." I sew for the sheer pleasure in every stitch.

I'm having some quiet stitching time today, reflecting on world events and hoping for peace in France.

Susan x

Retreat weekend

Home from a FNWF that lasted two nights and three days. Our retreat at Middlebrook was fun, inspiring and rejuvenating. We gathered on Friday and stitched the weekend away. I didn't take many photos because I was too busy being in the moment.

I finished quilting this little darling, and now just need to bind it. Almost had a disaster when I dropped cut passion fruit on it yesterday, but thankfully it didn't stain.

These three rascals snuggled under Raelee's first whole cloth quilt. I am so impressed by how quickly Raelee is mastering the technique, but it hasn't tempted me to try........yet.

Raelee also showed us her Violet all finished and bound. Such a beautiful (and huge) quilt.

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I'm still dabbling with 1930's, this Dresden is 5 1/2" diameter.

Thanks for a great weekend girls, I think next time we should go for a week!

In other news, I can now be found on Instagram @thimblestitch1, but I won't be abandoning my blog anytime soon :)
Happy stitching.

Susan x

FNWF - Extended version

I have joined up for FNWF, and will be sewing with friends all weekend. I'm off on retreat to Middlebrook in the Hunter Valley with the Cassilis Quilters and friends. I can't decide what to sew so I'm taking everything! 

Have a great weekend, I know I will!

Susan x