Tuesday, March 30, 2010

It's me again

It seems like I have a lot to say for myself this week. I just have to show off my latest pillowcases. I used the tutorial from you go girl for her on the edge pillowcase tutorial.  When I made the last lot of pillowcases I used this tutorial I'd found and made up the crochet myself. I was happy to follow Cassies great instructions this time as she had some great step by step photos. The fabric I used is French Hatbox from Tanya Whelan, one of her older lines.
 
I used  Heirloom 100% bamboo wool, double knit and was a little disapointed in how it washed up a little fluffy. I'll try cotton next time and expect a little shrinkage. These have been gifted to a lovely blogger who kindly gave me permission to tell you about them before they hit the post.
I have to say that I nearly had a nervous breakdown trying to sew blanket stitch with doubled thread that was 15 times the width of the pillowcase. I just could not stop the twisting and tangling. I tried doing half that length thinking I could secure the ends on both sides of the flap. Better but still driving me nuts. Finally I had the bright idea to use single thread and just sew two rows of blanket stitch. Ah, that was the answer for me, it worked a treat. I'll definitely be dressing up my pillows from now on, I love them.
A couple of purchases were made from the trip I told you about last time. This is my latest book aquisition which is very good in my opinion.
I love step by step instructions.
It even explains how to draw and make templates for the designs. I've seen a few Sashiko books but this one stood out.
How about this flower fairy fabric? I don't have a clue what to make with it but I though the spots and sparke on it were lovely. No doubt it'll end up in some project for the grandkids.
 I have a couple of links for you.  I had a lovely comment on this post about the fusibles from Beth Ferrier.  I consider her an expert and it was her technique of applying the fusible and glue sticking the seam allowances that I followed. Scroll down the comments and have a read if you're interested to know what she has to say about the Wash Away applique sheets.

I also happen to think that blogger friends are the best and I'd like to say thank you for the offers of help I recieved for painting the bunny faces. I do feel challenged by them but I want to have another go.

Thanks Kaaren, my folk art hero and thanks also to Cath who happens to be the designer and also offered to help with the painting. Go check out these bunnies and bears and you'll see what I'm aiming for.
Cath along with Colleen and Julie have a business called Angels in Disguise and they have some beautiful stitchery patterns as well as prim dolls and all sorts of other goodies.

And I'm waving out to Pamina who has started some klosjes this last week. Woo hoo!
Happy stitching my friends, Janet

42 comments:

Janet said...

I just saw these pillow cases tonight. Yours are beautiful!!! I like the idea about using the single thread and going around twice. I can't imagine using the 15 xs amount. Wow. I love the fairy material. I probably would have bought some too---just because.

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh the edges on those pillowcases is just awesome. Every time I see you finish one like that I say - I'm going to try it. And then I forget! But I love these!

Unknown said...

where did you get the fairy fabric? i love it!

wishes, true and kind said...

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the link to the tutorial for those pillowcases. That is one of my goals this year -- to learn to make crocheted edging like that for pillowcases! And I'm off to a pretty slow start! And that Sashiko book looks great. That is another new interest of mine. So many things to learn!

joan

Jeanette said...

Hi Janet, well i got 2 bunnies done so far & yes the paiting has got me to. I struggled on with it & the bunnies have faces. Now to finish the other 2. Hopefully will have them to blog about tomorrow. Can't wait to see the front of your bunnies. Hugs, Jeanette

gloria g. said...

Yes, your pillow cases are lovely. Thanks for the tip on the blanket stitch. Keep up the good work. I have got to get my cases finished! I love crochet.

Jess @ Scrappy n Happy said...

The pillows are beautiful! How I wish I could crochet!

Lurline said...

You are a Darling, but please don't tempt me with such wonderful things at the moment!
Hugs - Lurline♥

PatchCreationen said...

Hello,
this pillows are great ! The fabrics are wunderful und your handwork also !
Greetings from germany
Carola

antique quilter said...

wow those pillowcases are just beautiful
sooo sweet with the edges like that.
you are one busy lady this week
and yes thats a GREAT book!
Kathie

Crispy said...

Nice pillow case Janet. The book looks to be a great resource, I wonder what you will make using this technique???

Crispy

Teresa Rawson said...

Gorgeous pillowcases!!! I can't wait to see more of the bunny project (I enjoyed the link to craft fail...).

Nedra said...

What beautiful pillowcases! I remember getting pillowcases that had crocheted edges when we were married. It's nice to see the tradition coming back into style with the new fabrics.

Abby and Stephanie said...

I'm on a crochet sabbatical due to tendonitis. Oh how I want a bed piled high with beautiful pillowcases. Yours are just gorgeous. I do have the tutorial bookmarked. I have several sashiko books. Love it. I even gave it a practice run knowing that one day I want to use it on something bigger...perhaps on my gorgeous indigo I brought back from Japan.

Meredith said...

Very cute pillow cases, my first thought was about the blanket stitch. Yours turned out well. The fairy's are sweet.

Lori said...

the shashiko book looks like a great source of inspiration.
The pillowcases are so beautiful! I love this extra treatment to make a simple pillow special!!

Terry said...

Love your pillow cases! I need to make some as I can never find anything I like at the store! Thanks for the idea! :0)

Carrie P. said...

So that is how you get the crochet on. I don't crochet but I would like to learn one day and your pillow cases make me want to learn now.

Stina Blomgren said...

They are so so lovely!!!! ;o))
Great tip with the length of the yarn... will try that when I go ahead and try the pillowcases one day!!
Just need to look first..;o)
HUGS

imquilternity said...

Janet, you are taking me back in time! My mother used to crochet beautiful edgings on her pillowcases while I sat at her feet and watched. They were gorgeous, as are yours! Thanks so much for sharing.

Unknown said...

I bought the same Fairy fabric and I too do not know what to do with it, but I love it! :)

Quilting Queen said...

You must get tired of hearing these words.."I love it". The edged pillow cases are so pretty and feminine. Makes me feel all 'girly'.

Janet said...

Thank you for that Sashiko book. Thankfully our local store has it. I have recently started playing with Sashiko and the books I have give only a general description. Pictures are so helpful!

Those pillow cases are so pretty.

Janet

Cyndi loves to stitch said...

Very chic pillowcases, so feminine and pretty. Somebody is getting a lovely present.

just a side note.......why not stitch your bunny faces? less chance for painting errors. I'm sorry that they mis-behaved, but you know how bunnies are... fidgeting and fidgeting because they've got someplace to go, and are probably late!

Cyndi loves to stitch said...

p.s. that was an excellent idea to do 2 rows of blanket stitch!

Anonymous said...

Awesome pillowcases. I love the little pink dots on the inside. You do great work!

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

Your dressed up pillowcases are divine, I love seeing all the different things you get up to, so inspirational xo

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

Your dressed up pillowcases are divine, I love seeing all the different things you get up to, so inspirational xo

Dolly said...

I love the idea of doing the blanket stitch twice, to solve your problem with the doubled thread.......I NEVER would have come up with that !

That edging is beautifully done, and the cases themselves are exquisite......blessed blogger getting those !

Vickie E said...

those pillowcases remind me of my grandma..love them

Dixie Howard said...

The pillowcases are beautiful - love the closeup shot of the double blanket stitch. I'm always learning something from you! Thanks so much!

QuiltedSimple said...

i LOVE these pillowcases - thanks so much for the link to the tutorial.
kris

quilterfaye said...

Hi Janet, just saw this and my heart skipped a beat. Have a pair of pillow cases my 900 year old Mom finished for me several years ago using a very similar pattern. I will certainly have to treasure them more now!! Thank you.

Cath Ü said...

Fantastic pillow cases with the crocheted edges.... like some of the other commentators I am planing to do that too. it makes them look so pretty...

The fairy fabric is gorgeous too.... can I call you Nana...?????

Cath's Blog

Cath Ü

Miriam said...

The sashiko book looks great. I looove the rose fabric on your pillow cases! Gorgeous crochet!

Oops-Lah said...

Love your pillow cases. Beautiful!!! Thanks also for the link about the Wash Away sheets. It's good to know that they really work as I'm using them in my Joseph's Coat Quilt. Cheers from Singapore. Vreni

quilterfaye said...

Hi Janet, Question about the quilt your blog opens with. what is the pattern? I love it and would like to attempt it sometime. Is it your own pattern? Thanks .

Robin said...

Okay. That's it. I need to learn how to crochet now. Those pillowcases are just too lovely!!! It's amazing how just that little bit of extra trim makes all the difference.

Kim Brackett said...

The pillowcases are beautiful, Janet! I have a set of antique pillow cases with tatting on the edges, and I'm afraid to use them. I may have to make a set like yours. The crocheted edging is a nice touch.

I've seen some of the Klosjes projects, and I'm itching to make some of these little cuties!

Rose Marie said...

Lovely pillowcases and the crochet edge really gives a nice touch. Great tip about going around twice for the buttonhole stitch.

Eileen said...

I swear-you must have more hours in your day than I do! lol

The pillowcases are oh so luscious, but I'm neither an embroiderer nor a crocheter(is this even a real word?). I'll enjoy yours vicariously.

Did you enjoy doing the applique with the Floriana? Do you think you'll use it again?
I think your work is so beautiful; you are an artist.

Nanette Merrill said...

The pillow cases are ooooh soooo lovely. Beautiful and appealing. The bunnies are darling. You've been up to some cute cute stuff.