Sunday 30 June 2013

Chevron Quilt

I have finally finished my chevron quilt with 5 days to go before my best friends birthday. I hope she is pleased with it! After debating what to do for the backing I decided to give her a sneaky text asking what her favourite colour is. She said red or turquoise so I have included both in the finished item, I am hoping she hasn't put two and two together and realised why I was asking!


For the quilt top I used the back to black bundle from M is for Make. The backing and binding are Better Value Plain Cottons from Seamstar in Cyan and Red. These fabrics are extra wide and definitely good value for money.



I chose to keep the quilting fairly simple and sewed half an inch either side of the chevron. I bought a walking foot a few months back and this was the first time I have properly used it. I can't believe what a big difference it made, I don't know how I managed without it before! 


This is only the second quilt that I have finished and it's certainly not perfect. Hopefully my friend won't be looking too closely at some of the wonky seams, after all it's the thought that counts, right? 

Friday 21 June 2013

Etsy Customers are the Best!

I think one of my favourite things about selling items on Etsy is hearing back from happy customers, and it's even better to see pictures of items in their new homes. I was really excited when one of my customers, Jen, sent me a picture of her lovely pyrex collection including a lemon daisy print space saver from Minnie Vintage...


Doesn't it look cute? I can't resist pastel colours so these are perfection! I also love the idea of using pyrex mixing bowls as planters and will definitely be stealing this idea for my home. Jen also has an Etsy shop of her own called Thrifting Treasures which is full of lovely pyrex and other vintage collectibles, definitely worth checking out! 

Sunday 16 June 2013

Chevron Quilt Top

Today I finally finished my chevron quilt top. It has to be completed in time for my best friends birthday in July, so I really need to hurry up and start quilting. I think I am going to use Moda extra wide dottie quilt backing in either aqua or red. I just hope that she likes it! 



I also went to a few car boot sales this weekend and picked up some new to me items. My favourite has to be this bundle of fabric scraps from the 1950s to the 1970s. My personal favourite has to be the pink fabric with the turquoise houses or the painted dancers. The whole bundle cost me £2 which I think is a bit of a bargain. I just need to decide what I want to do with them. 



I also picked up this large JAJ pyrex casserole dish. I have never seen this particular pattern before and I can't seem to find much information about it online, do you know what it's called? 


And finally, my wonderful sister bought this stunning 1970s maxi dress for my Etsy shop. It is beautifully made and the colours are amazing, I tried it on in the hope that I might be able to keep it for myself but unfortunately it doesn't fit me. It will be listed just as soon as I find my missing tape measure!

Saturday 1 June 2013

Today's Thrifty Finds

It has been a lovely sunny day here in Sheffield, the perfect weather to drag your boyfriend round jumble sales, charity shops and car boot sales and I am pleased to say that I managed all three. The jumble sale and charity shops weren't a huge success but I managed to buy some new (to me) things at the car boot. 

I bought this bag of vintage Coats threads for £2. Aren't they the cutest colours? I know these will come in handy for future quilts. I particularly love the old wooden spools and labels. 


I also bought this mismatched set of 1960s melaware. I was a bit of an eager beaver with the photography and haven't yet had chance to give them a good wash as you can see, so apologies for that. I was attracted to them because of the bright colours and somehow I have visions of these becoming the start of a new collection.

From the same stallholder I also bought this set of three nesting containers. Who can resist bright orange with a daisy pattern? Certainly not me.

 Next up I bought a couple more vintage sheets which will soon be cut up and making their way in to the fabric shop

And finally, I actually bought this a few weeks ago but had completely forgotten to share. It is an old baby blue hairdryer with it's original box in full working condition. It only cost me £1! What I haven't picture here is the fact that it comes with a long plastic tube attached to what looks like a shower cap so you can put your rollers in and dry your hair around it. Fantastic!