Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Tutorials - an oldie, a newbie and rearranging...

 After my post last week with the free Jam Jar pot holder pattern I received a number of requests to show how I made the little hanging loop, so yesterday as I was beginning work on a UFO finish for November it occurred to me that I could photograph the steps to make those loops for you, because they'd be appearing again in my UFO anyhow.

Back in 2016 I released twelve 'gentle domesticity' applique and stitchery designs, but up until now I have only used three of the blocks in actual projects, so browsing through them yesterday I got to thinking about various ways they could be displayed in our home. I also decided that these blocks would become part of my monthly UFO challenge for the rest of this year and into 2022. Will you be joining me? Originally I wrote that this would kick off in November, but after a heavy morning of cleaning and rearranging the living/dining room I retreated to the sewing room to go through my UFOs and choose one to start on immediately.


I barely have any of the fabrics used in the applique left, so I'll be mixing and matching what remains from that year with what's on my shelf now. 

Beginning with the "Take Time to Breathe" block, my idea was to finish it as a mini quilt for the sewing room or a pillow for the bedroom. A few borders later and it was ready for hand quilting...


This was also the perfect time to make some hanging loops like the one I made for 'Jam Jar'. 

Hanging loops like this can also be used to secure button closures so whether my UFO is completed as a cushion or mini quilt, I will use the loops.


You can make these loops any width you like, simply double the width + 1/4" when cutting the fabric. Choose how long you'd like the loop to be and add 1" in length - you can trim it to the right length after the loop is made.

My loops yesterday finished at 3/4" wide, so I began with 1 3/4" wide fabric strips. 

Fold the length/s of fabric in half across their width, right sides together, and sew an 1/8" seam along the bare edge. Gently press the seam open before turning right side out and pressing flat so that the seam lies along the middle.


With the right side of the hanging loop facing you, fold the top to create a point...



...and press the point flat.


You need to secure the little point section with some hand stitching, or you can machine a line across the edge of the back fold instead.


I hand stitched mine, though looking at the photo now I think I'll unpick the front and do it again with ladder stitch instead. A girl can get sloppy when she's tired! 





This is how the hanging loops will be positioned if I choose to finish "Take Time to Breathe" as a mini quilt...



...but if I decide on a pillow they will be used to secure two large buttons at the back opening.

If you'd like to stitch this design it's HERE in my shop and includes detailed applique and embroidery instructions, as all my patterns do. 

THIS WEEK'S "OLD" TUTORIAL...

I also wrote last week that I'd be (slowly) going through my old tutorials to update the pattern sheets and then re-sharing one every Wednesday till the end of the year. I'm choosing those which might be excellent projects for gift giving, and in my mind these Farmhouse Produce Bags stand out as a favourite.



Made from tea towels and scraps of lace, a few buttons and cotton twill for ties, they are not just pretty but very functional. 

The tutorial is HERE along with the pattern sheet to download the words for tracing. 


Yesterday, as I mentioned earlier, began with a big morning of rearranging the living/dining area. Due to our east facing home being hit with the scorching morning sun I always change the layout of furniture to suit the season. 
From late autumn to early spring I have the dining table at the window so we can enjoy a warm sunshine-y breakfast together, but from mid spring (now) till the middle of next autumn the table is moved to the opposite side of the room as breakfasting in front of the window is no longer pleasant and the curtains need to be closed for a few hours until the sun has moved over.

You'll notice in these photos just how bright this area is even in the afternoon, but I'm very happy with the layout now and also thrilled to have my computer desk right where the cool air of the air conditioner can find me.









 Once everything was done, and my short tutorial photographed, I sat down with a nice cup of tea and two Marie biscuits to stitch and begin watching the new season of All Creatures Great and Small (on Britbox). I love this show, and must admit not as much stitching got done as I'd planned...but the afternoon rest was lovely, and I really did 'take time to breathe'. 



I shall leave you today with this photo of Cully May. She starts school next year (in Australia our school year runs from late January to mid December) and is already preparing by attending a local kindy each Monday until Christmas. Her teachers cannot commend her highly enough - "what beautiful manners" - "she's so clever" - "her handwriting is beautiful" - "she's so kind to others". That's the fruit of all Blossom's mothering, and I'm so happy our 5yo is already showing this fruit in her life.



Bless you lovely friends, and I pray we shall all live by the good fruit of the Spirit day by day, giving others the opportunity to see how living for Jesus smooths our rough edges, tames our thoughtless tongues, and grows deep abiding kindness and grace in our hearts.

hugs




17 comments:

gracie said...

So happy you will be blogging again. You are a lovely lady and very generous sharing patterns. Thank you for being you!

Warriorlady@yahoo.co.uk said...

Thank you so much for being you, and for sharing your precious lovely embroidery with us all. May our God bless you and keep you. Your are stronger than you think.i am pleased you are back with us all again. So sorry to read about your sad email, people can be so uncaring and hurtful with there words. I prayer you with put this behind you, and carry on with what you are best at doing by encouraging us all with your blogging. I have been so encouraged and have made many of your embroidery given them as gifts. I did the embroidery of "peace" and sent it to a pastor who know very well. He replied and said since he had received it he has felt the please of God in his home. So thank you for your gift, your a lovely lady, I am doing my best to not rush my embroidery I am getting better every time I do some. God bless you and keep you safe x x x x

Fran said...

I’m so happy that you have recovered your equilibrium enough to resume the regular blogging you enjoy. It is good to have you back and thank you so much for the tutorial for those cute little tabs.

Lin said...

Your sitting room is looking lovely Jennifer - always good to have a change around. The new series of All Creatures is brilliant - we have thoroughly enjoyed it. Finished now so already looking forward to the next series. xx

Joanne said...

Hi Jennifer,
Gentle Domesticity was 5 years ago ! A lot has happened since then ! I really really enjoy Elefantz :)
We have enjoyed the first season of All Creatures Great and Small on BBC First. Looking forward to the new shows...don't know when that will be aired.
Love your bright and airy comfy cozy living space ! Thanks for sharing all the photos !
hugs, take care,
Joanne

LyndaTreen said...

Thank you SO much for coming back to blogging and especially for the directions for the hanging loop. I have held off finishing my potholder in hopes you would give us the directions for the loop. I kind of thought how to do it and figured it out to a point but then you gave the directions and it helped SO much. Thank you for your kindness and thank you for being the wonderful Christian that you are. You are doing the right thing in not letting someone dictate your love and kindness just because they do not have it in them. So thank you again and continue to know that you are loved, appreciated, and really would be missed. So continue to be you and thank you again. I cannot thank you enough!!

Allie said...

Oh girl your home is as lovely as you are. It truly reflects your joyful spirit! What a darling picture of Cully May, I can't believe she's 5 already!!!!!!!!!!!

Tammy said...

Good morning Dear Jennifer. What a wonderful tutorial to share today. I remember those vegetable bags from before when you posted them. They are lovely. And It is so hard to believe that Cully May is already in kindergarten. Where have the years flown to? Love how your home always looks so bright and welcoming . Have a beautiful Day my friend

Winifred said...

Good evening Jennifer lovely to hear you sounding yourself again. Crumbs Cully May going to school after Christmas. So hard to believe how fast they are growing. She is gorgeous!
Your home always looks lovely so fresh and light. Love the tutorial so handy to have this for mini quilts, thank you. I didn't think I would like the new version of ALl Creatures Great & Small as the first one was so brilliant but have to admit it's very good.
Take care & God bless
xxx

MargaretP said...

Hi Jennifer, such a lovely pattern today.
You might like to amend the line of text under the loop measurements 😊

Stay safe, stay cool.

Jenny of Elefantz said...

Hi Margaret :-)
I wrote length/s to mean one or more. :-)

MargaretP said...

Wrong sides together?

Susan said...

Your home always looks so light and refreshing and cheerful. Thank you for the tutorial. I like these hanging loops better than plain loops. We don't have year long school here in the U.S. which is really unfortunate as the kids tend to forget a lot of what they have learned during the 3 months they are out of school. When they go back a lot of time is used to review and refresh what they forgot. Kudos to Blossom and Cully May for the great comments she has received from the teacher and to you too for modeling what Jesus taught.

Jenny of Elefantz said...

Oh dear! Margaret - thank you!!

Susan said...

What a wonderful tribute to Cully May, Blossom and YOU! Thank you for the peek inside your home and seeing how beautiful you've made it.

Just Creative said...

Hi Jennifer just found your site..love your designs..i am from South Africa..how do i join your clubs..please use this email address...mariannejustdarling@gmail.com

jude3944 said...

JENNIFER CULLY HAS ALWAYS BEEN SUCH A BEAUTIFUL CHILD..ALL OF THEM ARE BUT THERE IS SOMETHING WE ALL SEE DIFFERENT IN OUR CHILDREN.. BUT BLOSSOM IS BEAUTIFUL
LOVE YOUR DESERT ROSE....HAVE WONDEFUL CHRISTMAS LOVE FROM CA USA