Sunday 16 November 2014

T'was The Night...Bloghop

Many thanks to Marlene at Stitchin by the Lake and Madame Samm for organising another lovely hop. This one is different as it involves a present! The idea was to make something that would only take an hour or two but I suspect from what I've seen so far most people took somewhat longer to make something gift-worthy. I know my gifter did - amazing!
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Isn't it beautiful! It makes me think of something a knitting professor would carry into their lecture hall and put on the desk before beginning today's lecture on advanced cabling.
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It is also huge - tonnes of pockets for my vast collection of straight needles and notions.
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It has this lovely big pocket for those notions. Sadly I only have one pair of straights with me in japan - the rest are safely stored at my Mum's. However, they are now the most secure and snuggly pair of straights in the world! And they will be joined by their brethren next month.
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Thank you so much to the lovely Lakeshore Stitches for such a wonderful gift!

I was sending to Cucki Stitching Cove and as soon as I started reading her blog I could see that embroidery was a big part of her life. I knew what I was going to make her - a Travelling Embroidery Wallet from the book Patchwork Please. I have already made two of these - one for me (left) and one for my Mum (right) - and I use mine constantly.
Two Embroidery Cases
I could see Cucki favoured a delicate colour scheme so I got out some pieces of pastelish flowers and some linen. I also wanted to personalise it so I added a stitched quote from Cucki's blog.
Twas the Night Bloghop Gift
I also kept with my signature could-not-make-points-meet-if-her-life-depended-on-it style of construction. Plus I avoided right angles apparently on purpose judging by my success.
Twas the Night Bloghop Gift
So not exactly a gift that can be made in an hour or two - but one I recommend for an embroiderer.

I did make another little gift for someone else, and this is a good present for any kind of needle user (up to a point anyway) ("point" ha! it's the way I tell'em).
Finished Bottle Top Pin Cushion
I got given the one on the right by a Japanese stitcher and had been meaning to make one for a friend for ages. This is also a recycling project AND a great way to use up scraps. That's ticking a lot of boxes! You just need the top from a plastic bottle, three circles of fabric roughly 15cm across, some scrap paper the same size and something round to draw around. Those of you who are regular readers will no I have no shame and frequently show dud projects. This one isn't that bad but I will point out my deliberate errors - made so that you don't have to.

Gather your materials.
Bottle Top Pin Cushion In Progress
The thing you draw around needs to be the width of your bottle top plus the height. For me this came out at about 6cm (the Japanese only use metric units) but my cup was a bit bigger than this. So I drew around it and then sketched a smaller circle inside. Then I added a larger circle outside for the distance I wanted my petals to stick out plus a bit of seam allowance. The clever among you will be using a compass for this. However, I was too busy deciding my petals should be bigger than I should have gone for. I'll discuss this more at the end.

I cut out the circle and folded it into six segments.
Bottle Top Pin Cushion In Progress
I also drew the outline of my petal on it and then cut this out while it was still folded up.
Bottle Top Pin Cushion In Progress
I then forgot to take any more photos for a while. But...

  • Use the paper template to cut two of these shapes from two fabrics.
  • Sew them together, right sides facing, ALL the way around the outside, using your own seam allowance. 
  • Now cut a line in the centre of the fabric that will be on the inside of your petals and turn the whole shape inside out through this hole. You do not need to sew it closed as it will be glued to the underneath of the bottle top. 
  • Press and, if you want to, sew a line of stitching around the edge of the flower shape. 
  • Using doubled thread, sew a line of running stitch where the top of the bottle top will be once this is gathered. 
  • Gather the thread until your bottle top fits snugly inside the flower. 
At this point I remembered this was supposed to be a tutorial. 
Bottle Top Pin Cushion In Progress
Do not tie off your gathered stitches. First apply a thin layer of glue to the outer edge of the bottle top, where your gathered fabric will meet it. Then sit your bottle top inside the flower, finish gathering your stitches, tie the thread off and ensure the gathers are evenly spread around the top. 
Bottle Top Pin Cushion In Progress
Kind of. 

Now the final step - you need another circle the same size as your original one. Sew another row of gather stitches around the edge and gather, adding a ball of stuffing to the middle. 
Bottle Top Pin Cushion In Progress
Tie off the gather and add a thin layer of glue to the inner rim of your bottle top. Pop the stuffed ball you've just made inside and leave to one side for the glue to dry. 
Finished Bottle Top Pin Cushion
Ta da!

Now for the mistakes:
1. My petals were too big. More modest ones reduce the amount of ruffle. I know Madame Samm likes it but you just want a ripple here, not full on ruffle. 
2. My stitches for the gather of the flower piece were possibly too small. Larger stitches make the ruffling into a subtler affair. 
3. My gathering of the flower shape and adding of the centre left the rim of the bottle top exposed. 
Finished Bottle Top Pin Cushion
It could have been worse, but in retrospect if I had moved those gathering stitches up a few mm it would have gathered just above the rim and hidden it from view. 

Despite these points I am very happy with my pin cushion!

I hope you are enjoying the blog hop. You can find the full schedule here but please make sure you visit my fellow hoppers from today:


Monday, Nov. 17




57 comments:

Createology said...

I adore your little petals pincushion. It is sew sweet. Great knitting and stitching journals both received and given. Thank you sew very much for participating and swappping/hopping. Creative T'Was the Night Bliss...

Anita said...

Love the tiny pincushions, and the sewing journal is sew sweet!

Judy B said...

Those tiny pincushions are darling! Thank you for sharing and Happy Holidays!!!

Baa. xxx said...

Great travelling wallet and cute as pincushions. You also received a lovely folder.

Anonymous said...

You received a great gift, so many space for needles and threads, ideal for a stitching bee like you :-)
The journal is sooo sweet, I love it, and your pincushions are just the cutest! I always like to read your post from Japan.

Michelle said...

Oh my, those pincushions are just too cute! The needle bag you received is lovely.

Sparky said...

such lovely ideas....and your gift was perfect..your pincushions so sweet....happy days ahead my sweet

charlotte said...

I love your sweet little pinnie! I think it looks very cute. The sewing book is a great idea.

Elizabeth Coughlin said...

Thanks so much for the pincushion instructions; they are just so adorable! Your gift for Cucki is so thoughtful, and the knitting organizer you received is as well!

Kate said...

I love those pincushions!! I fear they're too tiny for my clumsy hands to make but I admire them and thank you for sharing your how-to.

Shari said...

What a perfect gift...a beautiful home for your needles! Your stitcher's book is very cute and that bottle cap pincushion is just adorable! Great tut...thank you.

Dorian said...

Lovely gifts! Thanks for the tute on the cute pincushion.

Vickie said...

Cute little pinnies and love the journal !

BarbCarol said...

Love your pincushion and the traveling embroidery wallet is something I need.
Enjoy your needle portfolio. It would have taken half the time to make if I had chosen a different fabric...every side of the upholstery had to be painted with Fray Check. I had that sticky stuff all over my cutting board, hands, clothes, etc.

Thearica said...

That little petals flower pincushion is so dainty and sweet! and the sewing journal is fabulous! She will love it!

Jeanie said...

Lovely folder/holder from your swap buddy. When your needles are gathered, you'll really enjoy using this.

tink's mom said...

Love the gift you received. Your needles will feel so loved. Also love all of the thought you put into the gift you gave. Lovely job. Thanks for the mini tut on the mini pin cushion. Sweet.

Joyce Carter said...

Your pin cushions are waay too cute. Thanks for the tutorial. I would really love to make some of these for gift giving. I adore the embroidery wallet, too. Thank you for sharing. You received a wonderful gift.

StitchinByTheLake said...

What a wonderful gift - I made a knitting needle holder for my granddaughter and she loves it so I know you're going to enjoy this! I'm so sorry Cucki wasn't able to post today to show your sweet embroiderer's case but we're saying a prayer for her, hoping she won't have to be in the hospital long. blessings, marlene

sew.darn.quilt said...

Cute pincushions and a lovely embroidery wallet to keep things organized!

Jennifer Dewing said...

The case that Carol sent you is so beautiful! I don't knit, but I know from others who do that your case is going to be very well used (and loved!). :) I love pincushions and your little flower one is adorable! Even with the flaws (for which of us don't make mistakes?), it turned out very nicely. Merry Christmas!

Carla said...

You were spoiled so nicely with that "professor of knitting storage" book. You'll arrive to any class in style. wink.. Love those little pin cushions. Thank you for taking the time to show how to make them.

Anonymous said...

Those little pincushions are too cute! Nice work!
-Brittany

Carol Swift said...

Your gift was beautiful and amazing in that upholstery fabrics! I love the idea of the pincushion using the bottle cap...sweet looking with those petals!

Margie said...

You will enjoy the needle case for sure!! Thanks for the pincushion idea.

Lovelli Quilts said...

Darling pincushions!! What a wonderful idea! Thank you for the tutorial.

Calicojoan said...

That is a gorgeous knitting folder you received. I love your little tutorial on the pin cushions. I for one appreciate showing the mistakes. After all, we learn from each others mistakes! That's what it's all about! :-)

krislovesfabric said...

Nice gift received and I will add your pretty pinnie to my list of to-dos!

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

Your pincushions are so sweet, but then so is your needle book. Makes me want to make one.

Needled Mom said...

Those are so cute. Thanks for the tutorial.

Jane's Quilting said...

Everything looks looks beautiful. I like your pincushion, thank you for the tutorial, I am going to try making them.

Quilting Tangent said...

Cute projects.

Mary Ann said...

What a lovely gift for a knitter and a lovely gift for a stitcher. You have a fun writing style and I enjoyed reading your post. Thanks for sharing the pincushion project. I think it's darling. Enjoy your holidays.

Wendy said...

Lixie you are such a joy!! I enjoyed your post and love your gifts... great job!

Nancy said...

Oh those little Pincushions are the sweetest!! I Love the Traveling Wallet you made, so very special!! Thanks so much for sharing!!
Huggs, Nancy

LJ said...

You made two really sweet gifts. The needle keeper is lovely and your giftee will surely be impressed. The little pincushion is adorable - thanks for sharing the tut with us. Very clearly done!

JuliaP said...

Love the recycle project! Thanks for sharing.

evelyn said...

What a wonderful needle case you received-room for everything in one place. Your embroidery wallet is beautiful with its soft colours. Thanks for the pattern for the mini flower pin cushions. Merry Christmas

Kathy @ Kwilty Pleasures said...

I like to call "mistakes" my "creative license". Thnx for sharing.

Kwilt Krazy said...

Oh you did a wonderful job! The pincushions are adorable!

Brandy said...

Thank you for the tutorial, and for sharing your learning experiences from it. I really appreciate the insight on such things. Have a happy day!
~Brandy

carla said...

Hi!!!! I love your little pincushion and the tutorial is great!!!! Thank You

gpc said...

Very cute, and I love the larger petals! :)

sandra said...

Your projects were all lovely,especially liked the pin cushions and tutorial.

Mary said...

You did a fine job on your present. The embroidery case turned out wonderfully.
Your little pincushion is adorable. Good Job. Happy Holidays.

Cindy said...

Sweet little pincushion. Showing the oopsies we make helps others not make them. :)
The knitting needle holder you received is beautiful.

Deonn said...

Ooh, the knitting needle caddy is just beautiful in the tapestry fabric. Sweet pincushions and sewing kit - thanks for showing us how to make the little flower pincushions, they're just adorable. Such great ideas - love your little stitched message that stitching mends the soul. Amen.

CeLynn said...

Your little flower pincushion is just adorable! Thank you so much for the tutorial.

The gift you received is just gorgeous!

Doris Rice, The Quilting Queen said...

what a neat holder for your needles and the embroidery case you made is lovely. Those petal pincushions are just too cute.

Bente-I like to QuiltBlog said...

Wonderful gift you got and very useful too.
I love the little pincushions, thanks for sharing the pictures and your ideas!

Leanne Parsons said...

What a beautiful needle roll. I smiled at your image of a knitting professor! The little flower pincushion is adorable. I've bookmarked this post for future reference...I just might have to make a few of those.

Mary Pat Callihan said...

Hey Lixie! Thanks for the tutorial! In the picture it seems large but when you see the little cap it was made from, I was amazed. It is ADORABLE!!

Leah said...

What a clever little pincushion! Love your little sewing carrier too. Great gifts ready for giving!

Katherine said...

Lovely gift ideas, Lixie. Thanks too for sharing the tutorial. I love gifts that are pretty and practical!

Enjoy that lovely knitting needle case. :o)

Amy said...

Your pincushions are just the cutest! The stitchers book is quite beautiful and handy. Thanks for all the great gift ideas. Have a joyous holiday season!

Patty said...

what creative pin cushions! So cute

Quilt n Queen said...

A beautiful knitting needle case you received!! Thanks for the pincushion tutorial...they are as sweet as can be!! Happy Holidays!!