teaching sewing confidence, tip by tip

Monday 13 May 2013

What A Girl Wants ... She Usually Gets!

In this instance, the girl in question is my daughter, Flicky, and regular readers can be forgiven for thinking, 'Isn't it always?' and this time, it's pillowcases!!!
University of St Andrews, Scotland
 and then in March, the two of us did a recce* and loved the place so much that Flicky immediately accepted her offer.
Screen Shot of Flicky's UCAS Offer Page

Anyway, to get back to this post and a bit of sewing content, on a trip to our Manhattan LQS, Flicky had picked out some fabrics and requested a couple of pillowcases for her room at uni. So, with the clock fast ticking now on the countdown to 7 September 2013, I've duly obliged.
Here's my Instagram photo of the fabrics - there are two Avalon JAY-CYN designs for birch fabrics and a piece of Kona Solid 'Red'

I used a straightforward 'burrito method' of making the pillowcases - I'm writing up a tutorial for some eye mask covers I've made recently in the same way, so I'll be sharing that with you soon.

 One happy young lady and another sewing job ticked off a long list.

This weekend, I also started work on a quilt that Flicky requested (see previous post, 'An Unexpected Trip To Mood'). The top and back are done, but I'm waiting for the batting to arrive - she's asked for a puffy quilt, so I will use 2 layers of Quilter's Dream Puff batting.
Instagram photo of my cut selvedge edges for quilt top - Kaufman Essex Linen - La Femme

 I also altered Flicky's prom dress - it needed taking in; she must have lost a few pounds since we bought it. I was terrified I'd ruin it, but it went okay, and Flicky's delighted with the fit now.
Instagram photo of the altered prom dress seam

On a bit of a roll, I decided to bind my first ever fmq sampler that's been in my 'to do' pile for 18 months.

My 'to do' pile is diminishing - I even sewed the handle back on my doorstep last week that the removal men pulled off two years ago when we were packing to emigrate to the States!
I also grabbed myself a great bargain last week - check out all these 40/2 and 50/2 spools of Aurifil thread and packs of sharps - total cost $132.90. Yes, you read that right, $132.90 - Sue at Sue's Sew EZ Designs is having a fantastic closing-down sale; head over and check it out :)
Instagram photo of my sale bargain

I am still deciding what to tackle next today. Maybe I'll look at my Queen Bee Bear's Paw quilt blocks.
What do you have planned for your week?




* old English word: If you recce an area, you visit that place to become familiar with it. People usually recce an area when they are going to return at a later time to do something there - Collins Dictionary 


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41 comments:

  1. I love the pillow cases, they are beautiful. Am sure your daughter will love it in St Andrews although (as a Leeds girl born and bred) she would have had a wonderful time there too. xxx

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    1. I'm originally from St Helens and know Leeds well - Flicky was crazy for Leeds, she wanted to go there so much and then she got the offer from St Andrews. I thought we'd better do a quick visit to check it out as St Andrews is nothing like Leeds and hey, she fell in love with there too! :)

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  2. Well you have been busy! Great fabric and colours in the pillowcases x

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  3. The colours you have chosen (or flicky has chosen) are lovely. Really, really cheery and bright.

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  4. Oh my goodness what a busy week! I just love those pillow cases, the fabrics are amazing and work so well together. Do we get a full shot of the prom dress or do we have to wait until the big night? Lucky Flicky going to the Prom! Oh how I'd love to get dressed up and go to the ball! And well done on completing so many UFO's. I wonder what's next? You really are on a roll :-)

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    1. No photos allowed until the big reveal on Friday but I'll be sure to share!!! :)

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  5. I love the pillow cases. Wow she is going where the Royals rubbed shoulders. What a shame Prince William was not there now. you could have been the mother of the princess!!!!!! What vaulted circles you run in. Well done to her to get an unconditional offer.

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    1. Kate Middleton's grandfather lived in the next village to us in England and she went to school in our home town, Marlborough. We've joked that Flicky is following in Kate's footsteps but I don't think St Andrews has quite the nightlife Prince Harry likes to enjoy!!! We've never had the pleasure of crossing paths with Kate but my eldest son was in the same group of friends as Princess Eugenie when she was at Marlborough College - can that be our claim to fame?!!! :)

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  6. Nice pillow covers, Flicky will have the best-dressed student room in the Halls!

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    1. I'm wondering when her 'I want' list will end - I think I should buy a small machine to have over there ready for when I visit - it'll be curtains next and today there was mention of a duvet cover - mmmmm, I think you can buy them ready made much cheaper than I can buy the fabric! :)

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    2. My mum said to tell you that the "I want" list will go on as long as you can thread a needle! ;-) She has stitched for years for my little sister who cross-stitches, no sewing.I just taught her how to quilt a couple of weekends ago. No telling what will come out next. Well done on the pillowcases. Love the blue one more. Tell Flicky if it's missing, I took it. LOL

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  7. The pillow covers are so bright and fresh! You have been busy and oh my, what a deal with all that thread. Yes, I am jealous - lol!

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  8. I love those pillow cases! Such fun bright colors.

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  9. Love the combination of fabrics in the pillowcases!!!

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  10. I just love those pillow cases. I like the way you have used the stemmed flowers in different positions on each pillow case.

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    1. Thanks Val - Flicky was a bit surprised when she saw that I'd turned the fabric on each pillowcase but then decided she liked it, you'd have completely lost the design if I'd used it the same direction on both, particularly if I'd turned the narrower cuff section the opposite way round. :)

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  11. Drool! So much Aurifil! Love the pillowcases too :o)

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  12. Congrats on your daughters' university acceptance, you must be so proud. I bet she is really excited! Well done on all your finishes, I like the pillowcases, the fabrics are gorgeous! Your fmq sampler looks great, something I still want to do as well...

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  13. Your daughter will have a great time at St. Andrews. It is where I studied a long time ago. It is a very unique and special place.

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    1. That's wonderful to hear, especially from someone who actually attended the university. The moment we visited back in March Flicky just knew instantly that it was the place for her :)

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  14. Congratulations to Flicky! And wonderful bright stylish pillowcases! I love the way you've combined those fabrics, and the red just pops. Those fabrics are fabulous for a college kid. I actually don't know what you mean by "burrito" method.

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    1. Oh it's such an easy way of creating a 3 fabric pillow - I'm in the process of writing a tute for it, you wouldn't believe how easy it is - watch this space! Oh and I think they call it burrito because of the way you roll the fabrics together before you sew them - same as when making a burrito though I think some people call it the sausage method. :)

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  15. Congratulations to your daughter on her uni place. I'm loving the pillowcases the fabric is great x

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  16. You have been busy! I love those pillow cases you made for your daughter. The fabric is so fun.

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  17. Gorgeous pillows and your fmq is great!

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  18. Beautiful pillowcases that are just perfect for your daughter and wow.....you have really been busy! Love the Aurifill thread you also bought.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Freemotion by the River Linky Party Tuesday

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  19. Super pillows Chrissie - I hope Flicky enjoys St Andrews!

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  20. Your pillowcases really kick it up a notch! They are fabulous!!

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  21. Gorgeous pillowcases! And yes, that is an amazing bargain on the Aurifil! Lucky you :)

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  22. Lovely as usual. Well done.

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  23. Very lovely pillowcases, gorgeous fabric:)

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  24. Love the fabrics!

    Thanks so much for sharing at A Peek Into Paradise TGIF Link Party.

    I hope you will come party with us next week and see if you were featured! http://apeekintomyparadise.blogspot.com/

    Have a great week!

    Hugs! Cathy

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  25. What a selection of projects and fabrics - I love the pillowcase fabric especially! Congrats to your daughter as well - very exciting to be headed off to University!

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  26. I love these pillow cases! I really like the purple fabric!


    Navy Wifey Peters @ Submarine Sunday Link Party

    http://usscrafty.blogspot.com/2013/05/submarine-sunday-32.html

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  27. I love these cases. (Seems everyone does!) It's so wonderful to have something fun like that when you go to bed.

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  28. I love the colours of your pillowcases they will certainly brighten up your daughter's bedroom and remind her of you.

    Fab project.

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  29. I love the bright colours and the patchwork design - I'm sure they will look great in her room.

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  30. Great pillowcases! Have you considered using wool batting for the quilt? It's also puffy and people say it's very temperature adaptable.

    Thanks for the news about Sue closing! I bought wool Aurifil from her awhile back so better go see if there is anything else I can stock up on.

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Chris Dodsley


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