A boxer dog themed quilt

I have thoroughly enjoyed my day with Kian.   It is great fun to teach a very polite and enthusiastic 14 year old. The day has flown by.

After weeks of planning/designing we were ready to start the quilt so this morning saw us at Coast and Country armed with our hand drawn pattern buying fabric.

Kian went for bright and zingy for his boxer dog themed quilt.

We returned to Trewoon and after lunch made a start. Kian cut out sixteen 8.5" squares for his centre, traced out 16 boxer dogs in various fabrics and fused them with HeatnBond. 

They will be appliquéd onto the squares using blanket stitch.

This project will take a day a week throughout his school holidays so watch this space for regular updates.

The sun is here

It seems to have taken ages to stitch the sun there are zillion small stitches (well it feels like a zillion). In reality I have been spending less time with my needle and more time in my sewing studio quilting and sewing.

We have just returned from visiting family in Wales and on the way home stopped at The Cowslip Studios and bought a copy of Jo Colvill's new book

There are two quilts in the book that I want to stitch and have just kitted up this one.

Whilst we were there there was an exhibition of quilts, there were many beautiful ones.

In Wales we met up with my sister and her daughters for a family meal and our daughter and grandchildren for a theatre trip and Sunday lunch with them and other family members - happy times.

The boys are growing up and are a delight.

Another cushion !!!!

I am on a roll with cushions. I used fabric purchased last week from The Cowslip Studios in Launceston. The toile linen is beautiful. The lace trim is vintage and I used an old laundered bed pillow folded in half for the filling.

This is turning out to be a busy week socially. Today was the monthly W.I. Lunch. Only five of us as summer brings other calls on time in Cornwall but still a very enjoyable time was had.

We visited Birdies which has an enviable position on the edge of Hayle's RSPB Bird Sanctuary. Not many restaurants have such views. The food was delicious and locally sourced. I will be returning here to sample more of their menu.

Trebah Gardens

A second visit to Trebah this month, this time to enjoy the magnificent Hydrangea display with a dear friend Penny.

Woof Woof

Had great fun playing around with fabrics and my sewing machine this afternoon. I couldn't resist embroidering "Woof woof" onto the cushion.

How did I do that?

I have been busy making another cushion this afternoon and as I promised a friend to explain how I make my cushions here is an online tutorial.

I pulled some fabrics and trim together and raided my scrap bag for some quilt wadding and calico for lining. Cushions are a great way to use up scraps.

Earlier in the morning whilst walking Poppy and Blue with my beloved Ray I decided the theme for the day was hearts as my own heart was so full of love for my husband and fur babies.

I am using a 14" square cushion so I cut my front fabric 16" square.

I drew some hearts of varying sizes onto double sided interfacing. I then placed the hearts onto the the wrong side of the fabric and using the iron fused it into place.

A link to a video showing how to do this and stitch them into place can be found here 

I then cut out two pieces for my cushion back.

13" x 16" and 9" x 16". With my sewing machine I overcast along one 16" edge on each piece. Using an iron I pressed a 3" single hem along the overcast 16" side on both pieces.

Placing the two pieces overlapping

They will measure 16" square.

Next I cut three pieces of quilt wadding and three pieces of calico 16" square, 10" x 16" and 6" x 16". The calico is optional, however, I like a high finish on my work and I think cushions look much nicer lined.

I fused the hearts into place on the back piece.

Place only the quilt wadding behind the front piece and the larger back piece and applique the hearts.

I used a blanket stitch with variegated thread. I then attached the trim buttons.

Place the calico (if opted for) behind the fabric and quilt wadding on all three pieces.

Stitch buttonholes into place on the smaller back piece. I used my sewing machine and buttonhole foot . A how to video tutorial can be found here.

Next make your binding. I used strips of 2.5". Here is a good video tutorial on binding.

Make your buttons. I am using 5 x 23mm self covering metal buttons. Here is a how to video tutorial. When cutting your fabric for buttons try to centre the pattern design to show to best effect.

We are ready to assemble our cushion. I have tried to show all the tools I am using.

Place the front piece face down and the bottom back piece face up.

Lay the top back piece face up overlapping the bottom back. I have matched up the pattern in the fabric.

Pin into place.  Use lots of pins - it is important to secure your fabric well as without pinning the layers will move as you stitch.

Using a quarter inch foot stitch around the four sides. Remove pins and add the binding as shown in the earlier video tutorial.

Slit open your buttonholes and sew on your buttons.

 Check your work for loose threads and then pop in your cushion filler.

When I gave this cushion to my husband he said - "but I haven't got a wooden heart" !!!!!