Thursday 21 July 2011

Sew Pretty

I have loved these flower sugar print fabrics ever since I first set eyes on them and I know lots of other crafters and stitchers love them too. I made a hexagon pincushion with my paper pieced hexies which I showed you on my blog around easter time....but I had to wait until the magazine came out to show the finished object....and now here it is...
 I often fall in love with fabrics and they inspire my crafting in many ways, but it's rare to fall in love with a whole range..usually I pick and choose from lots of different ranges and mix them together....
....but I loved all of these and I loved all of these together...so I bought lots and made them into a nine patch quilt!!! Only the top is done so far, and I've just sandwiched it together ready for some nice peaceful hand quilting during those movie watching times.... 
 ...I discovered the use of basting pins instead of basting stitches a few years ago (from my two sisters who went to a Canadian lady's quilt class!) and I much prefer the pinning method now...
....and on the back of the quilt I have used more flower sugar fabric in this delicious shade of yellow with rosy sprays scattered all over it...this is a very bright and cheerful quilt and a bit of a new style for me by being so bold, but the fabrics inspired it really.... 
                                                       ...just a few more sweet things...
The weekend is almost here again and I hope it brings the sunshine with it as there are lots of things to do in the garden, flowers to tend and grass to cut, weeds to pull and things to plant... Thank you for popping in to see me here and for your sweet comments which I so enjoy! I hope you have a happy weekend...see you next week xxxxxx
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48 comments:

  1. my4lilgirls21 July 2011 at 19:51

    Oh my sweet, beautiful fabrics, I'm in love :D
    Karen x

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  2. Marigold Jam21 July 2011 at 19:58

    How pretty - I'd recognise you work now even if it wasn't on your blog with your name on it I think!

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  3. Madelief21 July 2011 at 20:01

    Dear Helen,

    Your pincushion looks so sweet and that quilt....! You chose some beautiful fabric. I wish I had more time. There is so much I want to do and make, but alas. I am still working on my blanket made of granny squares :-). It really is addictive!

    Enjoy your evening!

    Lieve groet, Madelief x

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  4. Annie21 July 2011 at 20:09

    Those fabrics are gorgeous! And the pincushion is a great showcase for them :) I really hope Ineed to work on getting my sewing mojo back ... so much of what you post is so inspiring :)

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  5. susanhal21 July 2011 at 20:13

    Love that pincushion in yummy flower sugar fabric.
    it' so hard to get hold of now and I would love to have some more. Instead I am eking out my little stash and using a bit here and there, maybe that little pincushion is a possible, I can only sigh over your luscious quilt!
    Susan x

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  6. The Little Forest, handmade21 July 2011 at 20:19

    Gorgeous! That fabric is so pretty it makes me greedy.

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  7. Jane21 July 2011 at 20:21

    What a gorgeous quilt you made Helen, it is so summery, I love the fabric. I hope the weather allows you to get out into your garden over the weekend. Mine will have to wait until we return from Paris...on Sunday we have tickets to visit Versailles..so exciting. See you next week when I get back.
    Jane x

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  8. millefeuilles21 July 2011 at 20:29

    Helen, what a beautiful post... mind you I think everybody would agree ALL your posts are beautiful.

    You are right this fabric range is so morish - infact I recall the first post I read here was on these flower sugar prints. It was love at first sight. The second thing which caught my eye were your rabbits so I bought your book and this summer I shall be making one or two...

    Happy thoughts thanks to you.

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  9. Rubyred21 July 2011 at 20:30

    Let's hope for some sunshine at the weekend! Love the gorgeous quilt Helen and the pretty pincushion!
    Fabulous fabric choices!
    Rachel x

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  10. Thedarkerside7321 July 2011 at 20:33

    Oh such a treat for the eyes! I can see why you have fallen for these fabrics they are just so pretty and really work well together!

    Love that pincushion and the little stitchery in the centre that really is a pretty thing!

    Sweet little cupcakes in the background too!


    Hope you get out into your gorgeous garden its been raining to long here now! We need some sunshine.


    MBB x

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  11. Crafts @ Home21 July 2011 at 21:10

    What a beautiful pincushion, with a gorgeous rose in the middle... I too, fell in love with these fabrics when I saw them on your blog, and I am now in the process of making a beautiful hexie quilt for myself...
    Thank you for the wonderful inspiration :)
    Sue Xxx

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  12. Mia21 July 2011 at 21:19

    Loving the colors you have chosen, Helen! I am interested yet a bit scared of hexagons, I think it's the idea of hand sewing? I think I'll just keep admiring them in blogland?

    Happiest weekend soon from sunny and hot Finland!

    Yours,
    Mia

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  13. Julie Whitmore Pottery21 July 2011 at 21:27

    Your workmanship is amazing.
    That yellow with the rosy sprays, oh I'd like to cover my bedroom walls with that happiness!
    xx
    julie

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  14. Unknown21 July 2011 at 21:44

    It is so wonderful to see someone else hand sew a patchwork quilt ;-)) And yours is really beautiful, i adore your fabrics they are just so pretty and the colours are a joy. Enjoy the quilting stage, and have a lovely weekend, dee x

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  15. debbie @ happy little cottage21 July 2011 at 21:48

    So cute! The fabrics are perfect for a pin cushion! Have a great weekend and don't work to hard in the garden :)

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  16. Helen21 July 2011 at 22:26

    Love, love, love! Such pretty fabrics!

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  17. greenrabbitdesigns21 July 2011 at 23:18

    That little pincushion is so sweet Helen. :)
    I love your quilt and I particulary love that yellow fabric with the roses!
    Fingers crossed for a sunny weekend for all of us.
    Vivienne x

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  18. mynestofyarnandbuttons22 July 2011 at 00:05

    Hi Helen, Love your hexi pincushion! The fabric is so beautiful, wasn't aware of that name of fabric. I love all of them! I can see why you wanted to make a quilt with this pretty fabric. Hope you do have some good weather this weekend. Take care, xoRobin❤

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  19. Sandies' Patch22 July 2011 at 00:17

    Love the fabrics and the hexies!
    and of course the cross stitch, it's a rose, adore roses!

    Thanks for sharing.

    Sandie xx

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  20. My Little Home and Garden22 July 2011 at 00:27

    Helen, you make me want to dig out my sister-in-law's ex-sewing machine and create something! Not sure what, no particular talent, but your pretty colours are getting to me! -Karen

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  21. Kathryn D. Duke22 July 2011 at 02:00

    oh my....I Love the pin cushion!!!

    Hope your weekend is nice...it is 100 here in the south USA!!!

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  22. Teresa Kasner22 July 2011 at 03:39

    Dear Helen, I adore those feminine and pretty fabrics and adore the pin cushion. I need to make one for myself. It's raining cats and dogs here in Oregon, USA. They keep saying good weather is coming and it never does. We'll see!
    ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  23. Susan Freeman22 July 2011 at 06:35

    Hi Helen! I love those fabrics too and that sweet pin cushion you made. Today I went over to visit my Mom. Her house is on a small lake and we sat on her porch swing enjoying the lake and looking at your "Simple Sewn Gifts". We both love your work!

    Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

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  24. salty pebble22 July 2011 at 07:33

    oh my- you never fail to attract me to your beautiful postings- i love your patchwork- how lovely! the colours of the fabric ring out summer- beautifully bright and soooo yummy!...i missed the lavender post too- that looks a perfectly dreamy kinda day xxxx

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  25. Jenny22 July 2011 at 07:47

    Ooh you know I'm a big fan of the Flower Sugar fabrics too... though they are seemingly more and more hard to come by nowadays, wish I'd bought more of some colours when I first saw them! Your pin cushion is really lovely, and as for your quilt... absolutely gorgoeus! I have added a hexie quilt (or maybe a cushion depending on how I get on) to my long list of future projects!! Have a wonderful weekend, weather is looking dismal here but hope it will brightne up! x

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  26. carrad22 July 2011 at 07:50

    Such lovely things and the magazine pic is great! xxx

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  27. KC'sCourt!22 July 2011 at 07:56

    Pretty pin cushion and quilt.
    I wouldn't want to use the pincushion I would just want to admire it
    Julie xxxxxxx

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  28. Simone22 July 2011 at 08:20

    The pin cushion is lovely. I may be inspired to make one myself!!! The fabric is scrumptious and very summery. Have a great weekend Helen. x

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  29. Anonymous22 July 2011 at 08:31

    Lovely quilt Helen. I found out about safety pin basting after I used regular pins. I managed to quilt it but my hands were like pin cushions after wards. Have a lovely weekend - fancy sorting my garden after yours!

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  30. Naturally Carol22 July 2011 at 09:59

    Hi Helen..last time I ordered 'flower sugar' I got the pink stripey one. This time I have just ordered some green and blue..and I think a bit of yellow. I am looking forward to it coming and working out how to make it up. Your pincushion and quilt are just the sweetest.

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  31. Teje Karjalainen22 July 2011 at 10:39

    Dear Jane, you have made so cute pincushion and that quilt is going to be sweet, romantic and has a lovely summer feeling! All your flower fabrics are beautiful!
    Hopefully you can enjoy your weekend in the garden - perhaps stitching!
    xxx Teje

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  32. mIzZ (hONeY) bEe aka Marlene22 July 2011 at 14:28

    Hi Jane, Love all the colors & patterns and I especially LOVE your mini pin cushion it's to stinkin cute...your quilt is beeautiful.. thank you for sharing the eye candy of all the colors and patterns.. have a honey of a day ~ may sweet things come your way! ;O)

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  33. Gill22 July 2011 at 14:39

    Once again, beautiful pictures, you are so inspiring!! I must go and sort out my hexagons...may just have enough to do your pincushion! Enjoy your weekend...I also must see to the garden! Oh for more hours in the day'
    Gill x

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  34. Hippywitch22 July 2011 at 16:08

    The pincushion and the quilt are beautiful, I love the fabrics too! Maybe I should have another bash at patchwork, never really done much more than a couple of cushions.

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  35. ♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM22 July 2011 at 18:16

    Beautiful work Helen and such pretty fabrics...
    I am hoping to spend some time sewing and getting to know my (very technical....well for me anyway!) machine a little better over the next couple of weeks while I have a short break,
    Hope you have a lovely weekend,
    Susan x

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  36. flowers on my table22 July 2011 at 23:05

    Beautiful quilt Helen. I'm not surprised you fell in love with that range of fabrics, they are lovely and look so good together. I have been catching up with your posts. I am glad you had a lovely relaxing time at the seaside, your photos are so atmospheric! The lavender farm looks like a wonderful place to visit, and I love the lavender egg boxes! Have a relaxing weekend, love Linda x

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  37. sew23 July 2011 at 09:57

    I have a subscription to CB mag so spotted your very distinctive work immediately. I've made a little patchwork quilt and a crocheted blanket for my new granddaughter - you keep me so busy! Rain overnight here and sunny this morning - perfect combination but no doubt unlikely to last.
    Take it easy.

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  38. Brenda Pruitt23 July 2011 at 23:08

    Everything I see on your blog is exactly my style!
    Brenda

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  39. angelasweby24 July 2011 at 00:41

    Helen, if we don't get that promised sunshine this weekend, we can always come inside and look at the glorious warm sunny colours of your quilt :-)

    I love the fabric range. The nine patch quilt is just yummy especially the backing fabric and the little rose stitched inside the hexagon pincushion is delightful. I will definitely be looking out for this magazine.
    Love that pretty little cupcake plaque.
    Warm wishes Angela
    www.picturetrail.com/angelasweby

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  40. millefeuilles24 July 2011 at 09:04

    Hello Helen,

    If you could give me some advice on DK wool/merino yarn which comes in a good range of colours and you enjoy knitting with I would be really grateful.

    I have a project in mind.... ;-)

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  41. Pomona24 July 2011 at 16:33

    I love the fabric - no wonder you found the range inspiring!

    Pomona x

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  42. Coco Rose Diaries25 July 2011 at 13:07

    Gosh Helen, I am completely in love! The fabric combinations are stunning, just so, so beautiful.........I could stare at this post all day!!!!!

    I hope the sun is shining for you today!

    Much love

    Vanessa xxxxxxxxxx

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  43. camp and cottage living25 July 2011 at 14:28

    Hi
    I just popped over from Lemon Lane Cottage to visit your site.
    I love it. It is so cheery and fun.
    I have a grandmother's garden quilt I started over 30 years ago. Your blog inspired me to get back to it. That is if I can find it!!
    Please drop by my blog and say "hi" when you have time!

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  44. ...Nina Nixon...25 July 2011 at 18:34

    Such gorgeousness - I could just sit all day and gaze at your work.

    Happy holidays,

    Nina x

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  45. Anonymous25 July 2011 at 20:32

    Hello Helen,
    I have only recently learned how essential a decent pin cushion is and yours is fab, the fabric is very pretty and cleverly designed to make the whole range fit together so well.
    I am not a natural at needlework but it is because I just love fabrics that I persevere! x

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  46. K @ Aurora Blythe27 July 2011 at 14:42

    I have found one can never have too many cheery polka dots scattered about. Makes life happier somehow. Your post certainly made me happier today. Thanks for sharing!

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  47. harmony and rosie29 July 2011 at 11:25

    This is so pretty, the fabrics look gorgeous together and the single rose in the centre is inspired. So fresh.

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  48. Lynne30 July 2011 at 12:16

    Ohhh, I love dotty and stripey fabric. You have some lovely creations here.

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Thank you for your lovely words...I so enjoy your comments and read them all.