I've made another pincushion, it's Anna Maria Horner's pincushion caddy from her book Seams To Me. Before I started, I did a google search on it and just lucky I did.
I read that it was a curse to make and that the pattern pieces in the book didn't fit together. Darn! I really wanted to make it but all's not lost thanks to a blogger who did all the figuring out stuff.
Yes it was a curse to make, there was unpicking but it's finished with all it's pleaty imperfections. If I ever make another one which is doubtful, I'd hand sew the inner tube to the outer part to try and avoid the pleats.
Click here if you'd like the information for the tips and tricks.
I'm still on the search for suitable fabrics for Broderie perse and found this one over here, not much of a swatch to tell what it was like but it's good, the flowers aren't too small or too large.
Lisa from Stray Threads and I are doing a bit of bartering and swapping of fabrics as she's doing the Morrell quilt too. Go have a look at her blog, she loves antique quilts and dolls.
I have some very important people coming next week to stay and some fun things to do so I thought I'd make a divine chocolate desert to go in the freezer. Call it chocolate fondant, lava cake or whatever. I call it delicious. I cooked two of them to test and they have my thumbs up. Cut into it and the melted chocolate filling oozes out. I can post the recipe if anyone wants it and it's an easy one. The uncooked ones are in the freezer all ready to go. It's definitely in the special treat category.
Just take a look at my poor injured fingers, I know, it's gross, lol.
I've nearly sewn them to the bone and that thumb nail keeps getting the tip of the needle. I'm going to try a trick I heard which was to put some super glue on them. The gel not the runny stuff, I've glued my fingers together before because the runny one is like water. Edit: I'll stay clear of the super glue after some warnings I got, thanks bloggers!
I've tried putting other things to protect the fingers but they all get in my way. Does anyone else have the same problem?
Trot on over to Glorious Applique if you'd like to see why my fingers are so worn out.
Oh my gosh -- that's so funny -- that's just what my fingers look like when I'm hand quilting. Especially your thumb -- after a day or so I basically have no thumbnail left. Thanks for the superglue tip -- that's a great idea. I can see putting it on the thumbnail, but do you apply it directly onto your finger skin? The only thing that I've ever tried is a band-aid and it certainly doesn't work very well. That chocolate dessert looks divine -- I'd love the recipe!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pincushion, what a shame its a pain to make. Your cake looks gorgeous wish I was coming! I'm not suprised your finger is like that after seeing all that stunning applique of yours over at Glorious Colour! I just use Thimble-its, have you tried them, they are reusable and one will last for ages. http://www.punchwithjudy.com.au/shop/thimble-it.html
ReplyDeleteMy fingers look like that...and I agree, thimbles, and leather finger covers just don't do the trick. But I'd be wary of superglue--isn't it toxic? I love the pincusion, but with your warning, I think I'll pass and just admire yours from afar! Good job...
ReplyDeleteAbusing your fingers while your producing beautiful things. LOL
ReplyDeleteMine did that when I used to hand quilt. They can hurt and ofter take awhile to heal up.
ReplyDeleteI love the look of that pincushion. Well done!!
ReplyDeleteI hope you can find some great broderie perse fabrics.
The dessert sounds devine!!!! Recipe please!!!!!
Ouch with the fingers!!!! I hope they heal fast.
I can't see any pleaty imperfections :-) The pincushion looks lovely, but probably, as you say, the sort of thing you only make once.
ReplyDeleteI love that little pin cushion caddy, but am not good with tricky patterns
ReplyDeletethe pin cushion caddy is adorable but wow sorry it caused you so much stress! have you tried NuSkin? thats what I use all the time its wonderful.
ReplyDeleteIts a liquid bandaid
forms a great little pad for the needle to hit while it helps heal your skin.
beautiful piece of fabric you found...
Kathie
Oh your poor fingers! I hope that yummy chocolate fondant makes it all better (if only!)
ReplyDeleteDoctors use a simular product to hold woulds together, so I think it is worth a try....perhaps nail glue may be a better option thatnsupa-glue however! There is also a stretch bandage type stuff you can get that my nail tech uses to stop her filing her fingers when doing acrylic nails!
ReplyDeleteThimble its are great - but I think you can use clear nail polish instead of superglue with the same effect.
ReplyDeleteLove the caddy as well... might have to try and make one myself.
Jane
Watch that supa glue.My nails rotted away when I got some on it. Just like the gel nails did to them.Took me 6 months to grow them back.
ReplyDeleteI saw a Morrell with broderie perse done with patterned upholstery fabrics and another with pictured fabric of china pieces. Teapots,plates,vases. It doesn't have to be flowers.
Ahh.. wish I had a tip to give.. but not!!! And super glue do sound dangerous!! Dont!! :o)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely new pincushion caddy.. too bad it was a hard one to make.. its so cute..
And those chocolat lavas.. please do give us the recipe... sounds like I will enjoy it a lot!!! :o))
Hope the fingers recover soon...yummy desserts & a cute caddy...some of those "little" projects are so tricky...I will stay away from that one!
ReplyDeleteI hate trying to work with thimbles too - what I've been doing is cutting a section of leather of suede from a pair of old (or cheap) gardening gloves - cut the piece to the shape that suits you - then just stick it onto your finger tip (or whatever area of your hand that needs protection) using double sided tape - when the patch wears out you've got more 'glove' to replace it.
ReplyDeleteAnother tip a friend uses is to actually use the finger or thumb end of the glove, find a pair that are just right for the job and cut the end off and slip it over your finger tip or thumb - if the fabric isn't hugging your finger sew in a bit of elastic to keep it fitting tight.
If you try any of these let us know how you get on.
Your pincushion caddy is as cute as it can be...sorry it was such a bear to put together...oh your poor fingers...I've used NuSkin and it does help. Yummy dessert!
ReplyDeleteHere's another vote for NuSkin- (NO to superglue)... I love your pincushion (I love all pincushions I think LOL) and of course I go back to Glorious Applique and look at your Ta Da work ;) The dessert looks yummy and I hope you do post the recipe- good winter dish... I love it when you post! Sandy
ReplyDeleteLove the pincushion caddy! I have no desire to make one though as it looks like a bugger! LOL Your chocolate dessert looks yummy! :0)
ReplyDeleteOn your finger nails you can also use clear nail polish. Some have Nylon in them. Eventually you will be able to do a post on pin cushins!
ReplyDeleteLove the pincushion/caddy. I would never be able to figure a bad pattern out LOL.
ReplyDeleteYour poor fingers....when hand quilting I put Neutrogena hand gel on the bad spots when I go to bed. They are usually ready for more abuse the next morning.
Crispy
Thanks for the pincushion tips and link! I have been planning to make that one. Your poor fingers...
ReplyDeleteDear Janet, i am so sorry to see your fingers like that! Those are hard-workers! Hoping someone can offer relief. My trick is to never let mine get calloused. I made the caddy pin-cushion for a friend a year ago, and yes, it was a headache to make. But seeing yours I might attempt it again!
ReplyDeleteSending love to your sore fingers!
... can't wait to see your broderie prese!
Poor fingers...they hurt just to look at, but your wonderful work is worth it :o)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your special visitors and the yummy chocolate cake.
my fingers look like that when i hand quilt, i use the sticky part of a bandaid. I cut each end into two pieces, it seems to work good and i can still feel the needle hit my finger but it doesn't break skin
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw the pic I thought, hey, who took a pictures of my fingers? Poor you, yours are even worse then mine, as I have no thumb issue. However my middle finger of the right hand looks exactly as your pointing finger. The only way to really cure is to rest and take care of them: A peeling twice a week, remove any callosity as soon as you've finished sewing and cream cream cream!
ReplyDeleteYour pincusion is really neat and the chocolate pie made me run to my fridge aaaarrrrgggghhhhh
OMG the dessert looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteYour poor fingers.
Janet
Yes Janet, the beautiful work seems worth the beaten fingers, but you have to let them heal to continue!!
ReplyDeleteNummy dessert for guests. Yes, please share the recipe!
As always, your work is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI would love the receipe!
Thanks, T
Sorry you had trouble with the pincushion, but it turned out adorable.
ReplyDeleteYour cake looks really yummy. I didn't know you could freeze them before cooking.
I use a tiny little circle of moleskin on my bottom finger when I quilt.
My fingers could not live without, "New-skin". It is a liquid Bandage found easily in the bandage area of your local store. Sometimes, for my thumb, I use those "Rubber Finger Tips". They are used by banktellers for counting lots of bills or other people that need to flip a lot of pages. I find them in office supply stores and they come in different sizes. Cheap too, about $3 for 12. Sometimes I just need a little protection for the end of my thumb and they do the trick. The Choc. dessert looks yummy!
ReplyDeleteWhat a super neat pincushion. Sorry it was so painful to make but darn lovely. As for the fingers... is this what one might have to look forward to if one were to strive to reach your level of achievement? Oh my! hee. Big hugs.
ReplyDeleteTry gluing a false nail on - I once did a class on handquilting and that is what the teacher did (I seem to recall she bought cheap ones from Walmart!!)
ReplyDeleteFound a new tool to try. It is held under your work to protect the fingers underneath.
ReplyDelete"Aunt Becky's finger protector"
I found mine at the Woolen Willow.
www.woolenwillow.com
Ouch about the fingers...been there and know what it can feel like. But your blocks are just spectacular.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great caddy - it looks so very useful! Your poor fingers!!
ReplyDelete:0( Right now I am trying alternating - one evening applique the next evening hand quilting. I'd sure like to find and try Kathie's suggested NuSkin. You are making great progress with those blocks - they're beautiful!!
Oh wants a few fingers when you do such beautiful applique!
ReplyDeleteI just love your work! I might sacrifice a few fingers if I could do as well.
I was thinking of making the pincushion, so thanks for the heads up on the frustrations in the pattern.
ReplyDeleteYour poor fingers! The scars of a proficient appliquer.
I'll take your word for it as to how fiddly the pincushion is to make. No thanks! I'll just admire yours from a distance and it is a beauty.
ReplyDeleteMy fingers always look like yours, even when I just do plain, old stitcheries. I bought some salve called, "Bag Balm" when I was at the Vermont Quilt Festival and I rub it into my fingers when I go to bed (when I remember). Evidently it was made originally to apply to cow's udders whenever they became blistered. etc. I don;t know whether it's my imagination but it does seem to help heal the holes in my fingers but not my dented fingernail. When my fingers do become too sore and raw, I do use a Thimble It. You don't even realize it's there and they can be reused time and again.
And what time did you say you were serving dessert? I'll be right over. Do you have lemon for my tea or shall I bring my own? Oh how I wish!
The pincushion definitely looks worth all the tribulations you wen through to make it Janet. IT's really cute. I'd love to have the recipe for cake as I have Very Special guests at the moment too.
ReplyDeleteYou did a beautiful job on an awkward pattern. I had seen where that blogger posted her improvements and tips on making that caddy......how very generous of her, huh ! ? !
ReplyDeletemight have been a pain to make, but looks great!!! cant help with the finger thing as I use thimbles..
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain with your fingers. You have been working hard and I think the cold weather doesn't help. I read somewhere to put nail polish on your fingers to coat them but I haven't tried it myself.
ReplyDeleteI definately want the fondant recipe so I can have a go. Masterchef makes it sound like they are so hard to make!!! It looks divine!
Gorgeous pincushion, what a shame its a pain to make. Your cake looks gorgeous..I LOVE cake!
ReplyDeleteOh your poor fingers, mine are bad but not that bad..Julia ♥
You have been busy!! I've just gotten AMH book and love that little pin cushion. Yours is beautiful in the Kaffe fabrics. Poor fingers! I get hand quilting fingertips like that and my florist hands are usually dry and scratched with in ground dirt but I've been told they're hands with character! The lava puddings look delicious. It's great to know they freeze well.
ReplyDeleteYour poor fingers - mine use to look like that and then I started trying out different thimbles and most of the time I now use Thimble-Its. It was seeking out different thimbles that first started my thimble collection and it is now an addiction.
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love that pincushion! You make the cutest sewing accessories! I use superglue all the time for cracked fingers in the winter, but just a touch. If you use too much it won't hold. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteHi Janet,
ReplyDeletePoor fingers - I use a product called " Thimble -It", they are flexible plastic patches that you put on your fingers where the needle hits. I cut each pad in half and use the half on the finger. Its too long if you use the full patch. Cheers, Kim McLean
Gorgeous pin cushion caddy in your colour. Not surprised you sewn your finger to the bone Janet. You have done a lot of sewing lately. Have you try udder cream? It supposed to toughen your finger.
ReplyDeleteSorry about your poor fingers! Have you tried something called "Liquid Bandage"? (I get it at Target). Liquid, protects the skin and SAFE!
ReplyDeleteI also use Floriani, without the glue stick and just needle turn over it. It's a cinch. I've also figured out how to print on it. Iron freezer paper lightly on the NON GLUE side, print on GLUE side, peel off freezer paper. Wah-lah. (my last post has the details: http://weelittlequilts.blogspot.com)I like the accuracy and speed of not tracing a pattern.
Love this, such a great pattern and I love the colorful fabric that you have used. Thanks for the inspiration. Hug from Moia
ReplyDeleteWell, it may have been a curse to make but it sure is cute!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you posted about your fingers, I got some good tips from reading the comments! I use clear nail polish, it really helps. I also sometimes use bandaids as someone else mentioned, sometimes I put a Thimble-it underneath a bandaid and another bandaid around the finger to hold it on instead of a thimble for light quilting. Thimbles are so clumsy!
ReplyDeleteThis is just about your fingers. Is Bag Balm available to you. If you are dedicated to rubbing it on your hands several times a day, it should help to heal them. If you can get them cleared it should help them stay that way.
ReplyDeleteKay
I made that pincushion and I absolutely LOVE how it sits on any old irregular arm of any old chair and holds the stuff you need at hand.
ReplyDeleteI have to say, tho, that mine does NOT have the nice crisp interior surface that yours and Horner's do. Can I ask how you got the sides to stay upright? As I filled mine up, the sides began to cave into the interior. Still works, I'm happy to say. But I love the plump, crisp appearance yours has.
Thanks in advance,
Rainey
Actually, I guess I should add that the reason mine will sit securely on irregular surfaces is because I filled mine with a mixture of crushed walnut shells, emory and fiberfill. I guess that same heavy grainy quality that allows it to relax into curves and defy gravity is part of the problem of the collapsing interior.
ReplyDeleteBut if you could suggest anything, I'm ready to make another one trying out Melanie's suggestions.
Thanks again,
Rainey
Ouch! Ouch ouch ouch. But the caddy is darling.
ReplyDeleteJanet,
ReplyDeleteTry the Aunt Becky's Finger Protector that was mentioned earlier. You may want to look at this link with Jean Brown,http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeSSyueipPw . She is using the Aunt Becky in the video. The lap frame is not one of mine - but is similar.
The bag balm and the Nu-skin are both excellent products. In another life I was a drug store manager for about 20 years. They will definitely help those sore fingers.
-Harry