Friday, August 7, 2009

Blossom designs too....and what a response to the challenge!!

What an amazing response I have had to the sewing machine cover challenge for August!!!
I had no idea there were so many of you out there in Crafty Blogdom who shared my sorrow at having an undressed machine. You've made me feel so much better now! ;-)

I am also thrilled that some of you are wanting to join the challenge so you can update your sewing machine cover, but there are others among us who would like to stitch up a more extensive wardrobe of covers for their machines! What a great idea! One for every season perhaps??

So have you begun? Are the fabrics chosen?

I have finished my first cover, but I won't show you the finished project just yet. These are the sweet charm squares I began with, Whisper, from Sentimental Studios out of Moda. I bought 3 sets from Fiona (I think she may have some more if you check her online shop!) and mixed and matched the squares until I had what I wanted - lots of pink, a touch of blue, and a smattering of green.

I used 20 x 5 inch squares, and after stitching them in 5 rows of 4, I added the wadding and the backing fabric and did something I have never done before!
Like most quilters I can stitch in-the-ditch to quilt something, but that is as far as I have gone. On Wednesday I decided to try something different as this was only a small piece and not difficult to manoeuvre through my machine.

It's not perfect (as you can see from the back) BUT, I did it better than I thought I would and now there is the distinct possibility that I am going to machine quilt everything I can get my hands on - it's addictive!

When I'd finished the quilting I just knew the cover needed something 'more', something sweet and pretty.
Who came to my rescue?
Blossom!!

She had designed, stitched and coloured this delicate garden angel a little while back and added it to my 50th birthday presents earlier this year. I had been waiting for just the right project to use it, and what lovelier way to display her talent than to have it looking at me each day from my sewing machine table.

Isn't she talented!!?
I showed it to the editor of one of our Australian stitching magazines and it looks as though they are going to publish it. :-) I'm so proud of her!
~~~~
Today I'm starting on another sewing machine cover...yes, I am definitely addicted! I also need a cover for my bread machine, my toaster, my mix-master.....wow, all these excuses to machine quilt. ;-)

I may start a Flickr group so we can showcase our sewing machine covers at the end of August - what do you think? Let me know in the comments.
Have a wonderful day (or evening if you're in northern hemisphere!)...I'm off to sew!

Hugs
Jenny
xxxx

PS: There are a couple of lovely giveaways at Faithful Quilter, and Bluebird Quilts ! Run on over and leave a comment for your chance at winning some beautiful gifts!

20 comments:

Unknown said...

I love Blossom's design! Congrats on getting it published! She must be very happy about that! I really like the dress she is wearing!
hugz
Pam

Terry said...

Your sewing machine cover is lovely! Great job on the quilting! And Blossom's stitchery is a fabulous addition to it! :0)

I'm having a giveaway to celebrate my first year of blogging. Hope you'll stop by and sign up for it! Enjoy your day!

Sew Useful Designs said...

What a team you make Jen! :-) Those fabrics are just adorable, especially when seen together and quilted, it is as if they started off as just one piece! And as for Blossom's design.... WOW!!!! She is a very talented girl in her own right! Congratulations to you both and especially Blossom - on her first publicised design!!! :-)

Blossom is gorgeous isn't she? And she looks beautiful in that dress! So feminine!

A flickr group sounds like a great idea!!

Lots of love to you sweetness,
Vikki xxxxxxxx

Vickie said...

way too go Blossom so talented just like your Ma..well done-wow love the charms in that cover Jenny so pretty-but not too pretty LOL.congrats on the quilty -see it really isn't hard but yeah uh huh I hear you on the addictive part.Oh yes knock yourself out and make covers for all items..most of my kitchen items have covers and even the toaster boasts a wonky house cover...cheers Vickie

Joy McD said...

Oh dear, another challenge! Mind you, just at the right time since I was looking at my poor machine thinking she really does need some protection from all the dust in my house. I think I will try to join in.... :)
Your cover looks lovely! Better go and hunt up some fabrics and turn today into a sewing day :)
lv,
Joy

Loralynn said...

Bossom did a fantastic job! You must be so proud of her! How lovely that you will be able to see it every morning when you walk into your sewing room!

Crispy said...

What a wonderful sewing machine cover...be careful you may not want to take it off the machine...

Congrats to Blossom for such a pretty design AND maybe getting published!!

Crispy

Allie said...

I love the fabrics you chose, I love your wonky quilting, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE Blossom's design! And look how pretty she looks in that dress - what a picture.

Vicki ♥ said...

Jen I know how addictive it is this machine quilting and was having a ball with it before I broke my wrist, but I am slowly able to do a bit and cant wait to get right back into it. Its great fun. Blossom you are such a talent and your sweet stitchery deserves to be published :) Looks fabulous. :) hugs hugs Vicki..Oh Jen I wont go in the machine cover challenge as not sure if I can manouver it just yet but I do need one tho as mine is like yours..the white plastic cover.....Boring!!

CottageBliss said...

I LOVE her design! And she did a lovely job, I hope she is chosen to be published! She must be delighted and what a pretty design for your machine cover.

I'll be adding my machine cover soon.

Melissa

Jo in TAS said...

Cover is looking gorgeous and how lucky to have an original "Blossom" design to embellish it. You must be one proud mum!! Congrats on getting published Blossom, what a great start to a designing future!

Cattinka said...

Of course Blossom can design, she is your daughter!
Your quilting looks very nice, I´ll have to try that someday.
KATRIN W.

Anne-Lise at Rag, Tag, Bobtail said...

Beautiful sewing machine cover! And Blossom's design is lovely. Would love to join the challenge, but have so much going on now I don't know if I can do it. The machine quilting looks fun - I might dare one day!

Isabella said...

Congrats to blossom that sounds great, does Blossom still need that lovely dress I have an idea for the fabric :-)

Bec said...

It all looks lovely! The cover and the stitchery! Looking forward to seeing it on your machine!

Abby and Stephanie said...

Quilted covered for everything! Remember quilted tea cozies can also be used for hats. :o) Sweet angel by Blossom.

rockgranny said...

I envy you a little for the time you and Blossom spend together and miss the time when my daughter was at home but now she has her own family.
My cover is finished, you can see it at http://krpeizakrpe.blogspot.com

I'm also having a giveaway to celebrate my retirement.Hope you'll stop by and sign up for it

Leslie said...

Your quilt is beautiful and what a wonderful way to personalize it with something so special to you! Blossom did a wonderful job! I can tell she gets her talent from her Mama! :)

Have a great weekend :)

Leslie

Myra said...

Blossem's design is delightful! 8-)
Cute dress she has on there too!

Love the quilting you've done on that piece! I shall have to try that sometime. 8-)

Come to think of it I should make a machine cover for my machines... Don't have any covers! hmmmm?

Jeannett said...

Thank you Jenny for your gorgeous free designs,I love them. You have a very talented an beautiful daughter, congratulations for both of you.