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Sunday, May 16, 2010

From the weekend.

I'm a day late posting the latest number of klosjes but here's the next twenty which brings the total to 149. I have to repeat fabrics but that doesn't bother me, it'll still look scrappy. 
It was a gorgeous sunny day yesterday so we headed off down south for a drive. I went to a shop called Japanache which sells antique homewares, furniture and Kimono's. They also have a small collection of patchwork fabrics and I came home with these. Don't ask me what they're for because even I don't know. They have texture in the weave and the red one is my favourite.
Another stop at the patchwork shop and these were picked to come home with me. There was a sign on the door which said absolutely no photography allowed so sadly I think that spells the end of showing off any shops here.

You might have seen the purses and needle keepers I sent to Kathie on her blog. These are the items I made for myself awhile ago that came with a pattern. The scissor case was too big so I made a smaller one but it's not practical since the scissors fall out.
This is the inside of the needle keeper. You put your thumb on the reel of thread and take out the last threaded needle to quilt or hand sew with. Then you take the next one and so on. If your eyes aren't good, you can get someone to thread them for you ready for a stitching session. The pattern for this item apparently dates back to 1849. I recieved one similar about twelve years ago in a secret Santa swap.
The accessories came with the pattern for the giant mother of all pincushions. You can get the pattern here.
Thank you to all who take the time to leave me a comment, they make my day. I reply to all of them unless you are set as no reply blogger. If you don't hear from me that's the reason. Some ask questions that I can't reply to and I'd feel bad if you thought I was ignoring you.

The links to my tutorials, including my applique techniques are on the side bar. If you click on them it'll take you to the post. This is for those who've asked.

59 comments:

  1. Realy lovely needle case and pin cushion. Thanks for sharing.

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  2. You are so kind Janet. I won't get into yay or nay because I made one of those needle and thread keeper for myself years ago. When I'm next in Sydney I will have to visit Japanache - it looks like it has every Japanese there - Hugs Nat

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  3. This looks like the perfect take-along for binding on the go. I vote YAY!, but it doesn't look difficult to figure out. I trust your judgment.

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  4. What a neat idea for the needle keeper. I really like that. Love all your blocks, too.

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  5. You made a lot of klosjes this week. They look so nice! You also bought some some lovely quilt fabrics. It's always a great feeling so have enough fabrics in your stash, doesn't it? ;-)

    I really love the pincushion!!

    Best wishes,
    Joke.

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  6. I love the little needle keeper. What a clever way to prepare needles for use in the car when it's often impossible to thread a needle.

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  7. Love seeing your spools. And what a terrific thread/needle keeper. Very pretty Japanese fabrics.

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  8. Hi Janet,
    Love all your klosjes...the fabric is wonderful. That needle keep is the best idea for sewing my hexagons in the car. Thanks for sharing it with us.
    Take care,
    ~Karen~

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  9. again thank you! I love that the needles are threaded and I don't have to stop and do that, this little thread holder and needle case will be treasured forever!
    thanks
    Kathie
    ps, nice new fabrics :)

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  10. Beautiful klosjes, you've made. Ik just love the grey-blue with little flowers on the sides! And it looks like you had a great drive, with al those patchshops!

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  11. Too bad you couldn't take pictures at the shops. But the fabric you brought back are lovely. Love the needle, thread, and scissors case!

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  12. Lovely Fabric you Purchased...sounds like a Nice way to spend the day...
    cheers

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  13. Love the thread case and the idea with the needles!
    With the scissor case, would it be practical to wind the scissor keep string around the button. If it isn't too thick that should hold the scissors in place, just like the file folders that close by winding a string around a button.

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  14. I did see those little treasures on Kathie's blog. They're adorable! Nice work on the klosjes, too.

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  15. Wow! You are moving right along with the spool blocks.
    Your new fabrics are terrific. I really love the thread case and so practical!!
    I would think that quilt stores would like FREE advertisement they get from photo taking and sharing....bummer.

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  16. Your klosjes are moving right along -- what a fun array of fabrics. That little spool/needle keeper is adorable. What a handy item! Sounds like you had a fun weekend drive!!

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  17. Love your purchased fabrics.

    I did see the lovelies on Kathie's blog - very sweet. The thread holder/needle case is perfect for someone a handquilter. Love it.

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  18. That little thread holder/needle keeper is adorable. Great for portable hand sewing projects!

    The no reply comment bloggers always make me feel bad, especially when they ask a question. A few times I have tried to track people down to respond, but that is just not realistic. I always feel so rude not to respond :(

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  19. Love the thread/needle case and tell the shop owners we in the USA want to see their shops.. We love it. Can you tell me what klosjes means?
    Maggey

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  20. You always come up with the most wonderful ideas. Love the thread keeper.

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  21. the little thread holder is fabulous. how clever! lot's of fun fabrics!!

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  22. I want to come through the screen and grab that fabric....soooo wonderful....

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  23. The little thread holder is what interests me! Looks like it might be hard to make.

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  24. ROFL @ the mother of all pincushions! That's what I was thinking about the last one I made! And your scissors holders are so sweet! Just add a bit of ribbon on it so you can tie in your scissors when they're not in use! :0)

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  25. I love seeing your klosjes. Such beautiful fabrics you're using.
    Like so many others have said..that little thread keep is wonderful! The bag is so nice too and it was so generous of you to make them for Jo and Kathie. The scissors keep is pretty, so I hope you work out a way for them to stay put.
    Your new fabrics are yummy! It doesn't matter what you'll do with them. For now you can just enjoy looking at them and petting them. :)
    That sure is a big pin cushion!

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  26. Thanks for sharing the information about the needle roll! Really interesting!

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  27. Such beautiful things - love the pincushion ;-)

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  28. Nice klosjes and pincushion ,lovely needleroll.

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  29. Thank you so much for sharing this needle and thread keeper it is so cute. I purchased a sewing kit on etsy made by Flossie Blossoms and she added a strip of fabric with a snap to secure the scissors when on the move and it really was a nice addition. Then you just leave it unsnapped when in use.
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/41853426/sewing-organizer-travel-caddy-sofa

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  30. Love that needle keeper, Janet. It would be perfect for one color projects.

    Those Japanese fabrics are to die for.

    I wonder why the shops don't allow photos? After all, it is good advertising for them.

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  31. The needle keeper is so clever - just goes to show they knew a thing or two in the 'olden days'.

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  32. What a clever design for a thread & needle keeper, is there a pattern available somewhere? Why on earth would shops not allow photos, surely they would benefit from the free advertising......oh well, their loss.
    Have a good week :)

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  33. Your klosjes are SO darn pretty! I'm enjoying seeing then in their beautiful fabrics. :o)

    I love, love, love your sewing accessories. What a wonderful idea is that needle keeper.

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  34. Great fabric purchases and isn't the thread case gorgeous, I made one quite a while ago and I use it for my handquilting thread.

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  35. What lovely fabrics. I'm betting those Kaffes came from Berrima. What a lovely selection you chose. I really like your needle keeper - what a great idea to run the thread through all the needles!

    Lovely Klosjes Janet. Can we have a photo of all 149 together? How big is that now?
    Cheers
    Munaiba

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  36. I don't leave comments usually but read your blog everyday. Your work is so lovely and the tutorials are so clear. I don't have a blog myself, email address is kneedanurse@yahoo.com .
    Pam C.

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  37. The fabrics in your klosjes are all so pretty! Love the stash additions. The needle keeper is a fabulous idea!

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  38. Klosjes look great janet...nice to see your making more..
    Love the threaded needles idea..
    Thanks for sharing..
    Julia ♥

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  39. Love your versions of the pattern. I too have made various versions of the needlekeep and the scissor keeper. Have yet to make the pincushion too.
    I also added beads to my Japanese versions.
    Cheers
    Lynne

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  40. Love your Klosjes. I have 78 done as of today. They are so fun to work on. Love the sewing accessories too. Need to get busy and make some.

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  41. Your klosjes are beautiful! - wonderful scrappiness :0) The needle case with the threaded needles is a great idea!!

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  42. Great fabrics, sweet spools, adorable quilting tools (pincushion, scissors holder, needle case) etc.
    Your posts are always a wealth of info and inspiration.

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  43. Oh I love the red dotty fabric too, but all of them are pretty.

    Very nice sewing accessories...love, love, love the giant pincushion :o)

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  44. What sweet little sewing minders.
    I love the fabrics --
    have a great week

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  45. I love those sewing goodies! What a heartfelt gift for a bff! Thanks for sharing with us. Oh, I am having a giveaway of some felted wool kits I have made up, International entries are very welcome. Thank you, Elaine

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  46. Your cases are so neat!! love the way the hand quilting looks. The Klosjes are looking great!! It must be exciting to see them growing.

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  47. I really love those cases. The thread keeper is such a smart idea!

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  48. Dear Janet, I don't know if you realize what you mean to all of us. You are a teacher and a mentor, and your comments on our little blogs spark courage, confidence and a desire to try harder and do better. Your generosity is true and I feel so very blessed to have a quilt master like yourself as my teacher. Thank You, Janet, for being YOU, and sharing of yourself with us. And ofourse I think your Klosjes are ADORABLE!
    sincerely,
    Valentina

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  49. Mmmm, I'm loving your fabric and your klosjes and goodness but that needle keeper is the neatest thing EVER! Thanks for sharing this interesting new-to-me item. You're a delight to visit.

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  50. Thank you so much for the detail of the threadkeeper- I did look at the pattern, and realized it was not in the states! I will try to fashion something similar and intend to attach a thread cutter from dental floss...if it works, I'll send pictures of the process-anyway- this will be neat for Christmas presents ;) Sandy

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  51. I am so close to jumping on the Klosje bandwagon! :o)
    Yours are beautiful!

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  52. That is such a cute needle/thread case. I have never thought of storing a line of needles pre-threaded. Great idea.

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  53. Hi Janet
    I saw some "faux klosje" fabric at Penrith Patchwork in two colourways (pastel). It might make a fun backing for your klosje quilt. They have 20% off at the moment but if I remember correctly I think it was $12.95 a metre.
    Anyway just a thought.
    Cheers
    Munaiba

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  54. I really like the thread and needle keeper. The little accessory bag is cute too. What are the patterns for these? I looked on the link that you provided but couldn't find them. Can you let us know what the patterns are called? Thanks!!

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  55. Yes I saw that stuff you sent Kathie! I loved those colors and you know I love the bags. But that little thread holder is way too cute too!

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  56. I love your thread keeper!!! And the fabric used for it!
    I've tried to find the pattern of this beauty via the link you mentionned but unfortunately I couldn't find it.
    Could be nice for hand appliqué;)))

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  57. Me to; love the thread keeper. I never thought of doing that. Goes to show, you learn something new everyday. As a novice appliquer, I enjoy reading about your applique techniques.

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