Tuesday 26 September 2017

Welcome to my blog and I thought I'd start the Finish-a-long tutorial week with a very quick seasonal make.

A tiny pumpkin pin cushion or two...


Please read through all the instructions before you start.

You will need:

Pumpkin coloured fabric - I used quilting cotton but any similar weight of fabric would do if it doesn't fray too much.

A round shape to trace around - I used a roll of tape for the larger sized pumpkin and a jam pot lid for the small one.  The size of your circle will determine the size of the piece of fabric required.

A pencil to draw with or marker or your choice

Stuffing - I used some kapok I've had for years but polyester toy stuffing is a good alternative

Matching thread and needle

Small scraps of green and brown felt

Green and brown cotton perle 



Step one:  Draw circle on pumpkin fabric


Step two: Cut out your circle with a rough quarter inch allowance.  Thread your needle with a long thread, doubled over, placing the cut ends in your needle.  Do a running stitch around the outside of your marked circle.  Thread your needle through the loop at the beginning.




Step three:  Gather your fabric by pulling your stitches to begin the pumpkin shape.



Step four: Once you start the shaping you can begin stuffing.  When sufficiently stuffed to hold a good rounded but still squishy shape pull the gather threads tight and tie - but do not cut your threads yet.



Step five :  Cut a leaf shape from green felt and make a running stitch in green cotton perle around the edge and also mark the veins.  It doesn't need to be that precise.  Cut a square of brown felt about 2 1/2 inches for the stem.



Step six:  Tightly roll the brown felt and stitch along the length with a running stitch in brown cotton perle to hold the roll together.  You only need to stitch through the top layer and into the one below.   

Keep your cotton perle attached as this will be used to attach the stem to the pumpkin.  Make sure you have a good length of thread as in the photo.



Step seven: Use the pencil to open up a hole in the top of your pumpkin.  Place your stem in the hole, thread end downwards in the hole.  If necessary help that stem make its way through the stuffing using the pencil or similar.  

Rethread your needle with the brown cotton perle attached to the stem.  Now make a stitch through the top of the pumpkin and out through the base.  This attaches the stem to the pumpkin and adds a dimpled bottom to your pumpkin. 

Make a stitch back up through the centre of the pumpkin and into the base of the stem.   Repeat several times until the stem is secured.  See photo below for dimpled base.  Finish off your cotton perle thread.

Use gather thread to neaten up the top of pumpkin and stitch to stem.

Attach leaf with a few stitches covering any untidiness around the stem.  Finish off thread.



All done - it's that quick and easy but if you have any questions - just ask....





I will be using mine as tiny pincushions or maybe just autumnal decoration....what about you?  


Instructions on making the toadstools can be found on Instagram using the hashtag/link:    #toadstooltute  (Hmm maybe I should write that one up on my blog too)



Hope you have fun with this quick seasonal make.



Monday 25 September 2017



It might be hard to believe but we have made it to the end of the third quarter of the 2017 FAL and it's time to link up your Q3 finishes!

The 2017 FAL has a community of bloggers across the world jointly hosting the FAL. Our hosts are:
  • Sarah - Sew me - Northern Ireland
  Before you link up, let's give a huge thank you to our fantastic sponsors:  

For the 2017 FAL, we continue tutorial week. Here is the schedule of fantastic tutorials, so you can visit them all:

The 2017 Q3 link for your finishes is now open below on my blog and on each of the hosting blogs - you only need to link on one blog for your finish to appear on each blog. Link-up "rules":


  • Add one link for each finish. If you want to link a round up post of all your finishes, use that link to enter one of your finishes and then link the rest of your finishes separately. Please, only one link per finish, as your link is an entry into the randomly drawn prize draws.

  • Please ensure that the photo or blog post you link up contains a link or reference back to your original list so that we can verify your entry (make sure it is from the appropriate quarter). Feel free to and tag your photos #2017FALQ3yourname (substitute your name), this makes it easier for us to match your finishes with your lists.

  • Please become part of the FAL community. Please check out the links of others and comment. We all need encouragement so let's applaud each other. The 2017 FAL Facebook page is here and follow us on Instagram @finishalong. 

  • Our hosts will also link their finishes to share in the community, but they are not eligible for any of the prizes.

The Q3 Finishes link will stay open from now thru September 30 at 11 pm EST - link up your finishes early and if you have a last minute one, add that one later so you don't miss out. The prizes will be awarded as soon as we can verify all the entries and do the drawings. We will post the winners on each hosts' blog.

And don't forget to start making your Q4 lists as the Q4 list link opens on October 1.

Tuesday 19 September 2017




Today is the day we are privileged to announce the winners for Q1 and Q2 of the 2017 Finish-Along.


If you are low on inspiration or maybe your sewing mojo has been missing lately, we highly recommend you visit some of the finishes from the first half of the year. There are a lot of beauties linked up and ready to inspire you!


Thank you again to our generous sponsors. Without further ado, the winners - each picked by the random number generator - of the Q1 and Q2 FAL prizes are:
RANDOM.ORG - True Random Number Service www.random.org RANDOM.ORG offers true random numbers to anyone on the Internet. The randomness comes from atmospheric noise, which for many purposes is better than the pseudo-random ...


The Q1 Winner of the 2 PDF patterns from Just Jude Designs goes to Laura who blogs at Scraps of Life for finishing this beautiful quilt:
International Bubbles lauravscraps.blogspot.ca Another finish for this quarter! Here is my International Bubbles Quilt! These blocks were created by ladies all ... Shop - Just Jude Designs - Quilting, Patchwork & Sewing ... justjude-designs.com creating modern quilting patterns you will love to sew. Shop. Fabric



The Q2 Winner of the 2 PDF patterns from Just Jude Designs goes to Vicki who blogs at Vicki's Crafts and Quilting and made this lovely quilt:
Vicki's Crafts and Quilting: My tenth H2H finish! knitbug2.blogspot.com I am so happy to report this is my tenth finish of a H2H quilt!! Sarah gave me the inspiration to get busy and finish up a bunch of quilts I had started, thanks Sarah ... Shop - Just Jude Designs - Quilting, Patchwork & Sewing ... justjude-designs.com creating modern quilting patterns you will love to sew. Shop. Fabric

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The Q1 Winner of the $25 gift certificate from Sew Sisters Quilt Shop goes to Kirsten who blogs at Gemini Stitches who made this lovely dress:





The Q2 Winner of the $25 gift certificate from Sew Sisters Quilt Shop goes to Julie (@julieschloemer) who made this cheery quilt:


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The Q1 Winner of the 2 PDF patterns from Charm About You goes to Shandy on instagram (@shandylynnb) who made this pretty quilt:




The Q2 Winner of the 2 PDF patterns from Charm About You goes to Karen who blogs at Weekend Textiles who made this gorgeous quilt:


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The Q1 Winner of the $50 gift certificate from Fat Quarter Shop goes to Mandy on instagram (@burbankquilts) for finishing this lovely quilt:



The Q2 Winner of the $50 gift certificate from Fat Quarter Shop goes to Pippa (@pippaspatch) who made this fantastic Amethyst project bag:



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The Q1 Winner of the 3 PDF patterns from Elven Garden Quilts goes to Sue who blogs at Sue W Sews for knitting this cute doll:


The Q2 Winner of the 3 PDF patterns from Elven Garden Quilts goes to Anita who blogs at Quilts in a Not-Shell and she made this lovely quilt runner:


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The Q1 Winner of the $25 gift certificate from Tartankiwi goes to Aimee on instagram (@aimeeturd) for this fun quilt:




The Q2 Winner of the $25 gift certificate from Tartankiwi goes to Karin (@kpud) who made this adorable quilt (don't you just love the little car on the bottom left!):


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The Q1 Winner of 3 PDF patterns from Blossom Heart Quilts goes to Pamela on instagram (@pamelajoyce84) for making this wonderful wallet:


The Q2 Winner of 3 PDF patterns from Blossom Heart Quilts goes to Heather who blogs at Quilting and Beyond and made this great baby quilt:


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The Q1 Winner of the $50 gift certificate from Mad About Patchwork goes to Jennie at Jennie's Threads for finishing this special quilt:




The Q2 Winner of the $50 gift certificate from Mad About Patchwork goes to Amy who blogs at Swimming in a Sea of Estrogen and she made this super cute knit shirt:



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The Q1 Winner of 3 PDF patterns from During Quiet Time goes to Said with Love for finishing this beauty:




The Q2 Winner of 3 PDF patterns from During Quiet Time goes to Kirsten who blogs at Gemini Stitches and made this pretty crochet shawl:



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The Q1 Winner of your choice of 3 individual patterns from Happy Quilting goes to Diane who blogs at Random Thoughts,... do or di for finishing this faux cactus:



The Q2 Winner of your choice of 3 individual patterns from Happy Quilting goes to Katy (@pudgypenguincrafts) who made this fantastic sewing date traveler bag:


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The Q1 Winner of 2 PDF patterns from Cooking Up Quilts goes to Audrey who blogs at Hot Pink Quilts for making this stunning pillow:



The Q2 Winner of 2 PDF patterns from Cooking Up Quilts goes to Laura (@drlbennett) who made this cute quilt and has an even cuter helper:



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The Q1 Winner of 3 PDF patterns from Sew Sweetness goes to Ann who blogs at Brown Paws Quilting for finishing this bright quilt:




The Q2 Winner of 3 PDF patterns from Sew Sweetness goes to Pondering It All who made this pretty quilt:


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The Q1 Winner of a $30 gift certificate from Knotted Thread goes to Heather who blogs at Quilting and Beyond for finishing this fun present for her nephew:



The Q2 Winner of a $30 gift certificate from Knotted Thread goes to Kristin who blogs at Gumdrops and she made this super sweet triangle baby quilt:



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The Q1 Winner of the Camp Bag Pattern Pack from The Littlest Thistle goes to Magdalena, on instagram (@magdalenadetz) for finishing this beauty:


The Q2 Winner of the Camp Bag Pattern Pack from The Littlest Thistle goes to Jennifer (@crimsonconfection) who made this adorable dress for her Niece:


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The Q1 Winner of the $15 gift certificate from Green Fairy Quilts goes to Judy who blogs at Sew Some Sunshine for making this bold quilt:



The Q2 Winner of the $15 gift certificate from Green Fairy Quilts goes to Katie Mae Quilts who made this lovely log cabin quilt:


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The Q1 Winner of the 2 PDF patterns from Quilting Jet Girl goes to Helen, (@archiewonderdog) on Instagram for making this beautiful cushion:



The Q2 Winner of the 2 PDF patterns from Quilting Jet Girl goes to Linda who blogs at The Pieceful Kingdom and she made this lovely winter themed quilt:



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The Q1 Winner of the $30 gift certificate from Sunny Day Supply goes to Swooze who blogs at Swooze's Quilts and Tall Tales for making this lovely charity quilt:



The Q2 Winner of the $30 gift certificate from Sunny Day Supply goes to Jenna who blogs at The Thorned Rose Sews and she made this holiday Marcelle Medallion pillow cover:



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The Q1 Winners (3) of a six month subscription each to Make Modern Magazine goes to

1. Veronica, (@vdizzledazzle) on Instagram, for finishing this lovely mini quilt:



2. Teresa who blogs at Aurea's Kitchen for finishing this adorable mini quilt:



3. Saskia, on Instagram (@saskia253) for this finishing this amazing blanket:


The Q2 Winners (3) of a six month subscription each to Make Modern Magazine goes to:

1. Teresa who blogs at Aurea's Kitchen and she made this lovely (with cute details) pouch:



2. Christina who blogs at Christina's Handicrafts and she made this great table runner:



3. Audrey who blogs at Hot Pink Quilts and she made this precious knit Geranium dress:



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The Q1 Winner of a $30 gift certificate from Clover & Violet goes to Ellyn who blogs at Ellyn's Place for making this lovely shirt:



The Q2 Winner of a $30 gift certificate from Clover & Violet goes to Beth who blogs at The Anonymous Blueberry Muffin Thief Sews and she knitted this amazing shawl:



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The Q1 Winner of the $20 gift certificate from Sew Me A Song goes to The Running Hare for finishing this beautiful quilt:



The Q2 Winner of the $20 gift certificate from Sew Me A Song goes to Beth (@blue_dragonfly5) and she finished this lovely seat cushion:


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The Q1 Winner of the $40 gift certificate from Imagine Gnats goes to Melinda, on Instagram (@mamasan_gerber) for finishing this stunning quilt:



The Q2 Winner of the $40 gift certificate from Imagine Gnats goes to Rachel (@intelligenceatplay) and she made this unique baby quilt:


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The Q1 Winner of a $25 gift certificate from Studio 39 Fabrics goes to Staci who blogs at The Confused Quilter for finishing this amazing quilt:



The Q2 Winner of a $25 gift certificate from Studio 39 Fabrics goes to Brown Paws Quilting who made this great quilt and honestly you should look it up because the back is just as fantastic as the front:


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The Q1 Winner of two pin bowls from Laurel Bee Designs goes to Cathy who blogs at Sane, Crazy, Crumby Quilting for finishing this beauty:



The Q2 Winner of two pin bowls from Laurel Bee Designs goes to Terry who blogs at On Going Projects and she made all of these fabric stars for her retreat mates (how nice):


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The Q1 Winner of $25 gift card from Frangipani Fabrics goes to Crystal who blogs at Crystal's Creations for making this cute baby quilt:




The Q2 Winner of $25 gift card from Frangipani Fabrics goes to Dianne (@quiltova) who made this beautiful quilt:


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Congratulations to the winners and thank you to the sponsors!! I hope you are having a successful Q3, be prepared to start linking up those finishes starting September 24, 2017. 

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