teaching sewing confidence, tip by tip

Saturday 2 March 2013

Coffins And More Coffins

Remember this?


and I did say at the time 

Well two weekends ago when we visited Washington DC I didn't take my crochet, I took my coffins instead.


There you go, that's me on the train from NYC to DC, maybe somewhere around Philadelphia, and just look at the concentration on my face!  That'll be the concentration on my face before my shocked expression at the public display of affection by a couple in the seats diagonally opposite from us that caused the whole carriage to take action against them and the guards to have them removed - and all this in the quiet carriage!!! 

There wasn't much time for sewing on the trip but I did manage some and here's where I'm at now:


I started with one design in mind but as you can see I've decided to extend each line of coffins out a little.  The other fabrics are Kaufman Essex Linens - Med Aqua and Sand - haven't decided what to make yet - maybe a cushion or a bag, we'll see but I do know I want to applique the coffins on to these linens. 

I guess you could say I've been converted (again!) and guess what I'll be taking to Scotland with me?



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24 comments:

  1. Yaaay! I'm so happy you got the hang of it! It's addicting, isn't it??? It looks great already and I'm sure anything you make out of it will be gorgeous! X

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    1. You must be getting to know me by now Kati, I end up loving everything I have a go at. I realised while we were away that having the coffins with me stopped me being homesick for my machine and not quite so desperate to get back to her. I'm looking forward to trying out sewing the coffins on the plane - wondering if it'll beat the time we were flying out of Paris and my ball of wool rolled down the length of the plane during take off, Simon was frantically trying to pull it back and only making the situation worse while I sat giggling - oh what damage can I do with a needle and threader? :)

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  2. This post makes me want to try coffins for sure! I am finding the shape very intriguing. Love your chicopee - whatever you choose, bag or pillow - will be lovely. I am giggling over your wool on the airplane story - possible new story to share after your next adventure!

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    1. Oh it was a riot Lisa, the more Simon tugged the wool the further it rolled - it made it's way out into the aisle and went the full length, the more Simon got mad the more I giggled. I guess it could have been really dangerous but fortunately it wasn't. It's never happened since - the problem was that it was a ball I'd wound myself so it rolled just like a real ball, a machine wound ball or skein wouldn't be nearly as much fun!

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  3. In Germany we call this work "lieseln", because Liesel Niesner wrote a book of how to do this. How do you name it in English?

    Nana

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    1. Hi Nana, it's English Paper Piecing (EPP) as opposed to Foundation Paper Piecing (FPP) where you sew the fabric directly onto a lined image printed on paper. I believe it's earliest known origins are in England during the 1700s. :)

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  4. Sounds like you had an interesting journey! I can see why you're stuck into these - and your choice of fabric is lovely. Calling them coffins makes them sound very Goth:-)

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    1. It really was Catherine, initially entertaining, then uncomfortable and then totally unacceptable. We've laughed about it since though! :)

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  5. Oh I love those! Makes a nice hange from hexies!

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    1. Don't they Nat? Initially I bought hexies for the project and then spotted these and exchanged them :)

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  6. It is addicting... but ill take my crochet to the kid's volleyball gym before EPP. It just seems to be more portable. I like to watch tv and do EPP. I'm glad you are enjoying it. I find it relaxing.

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    1. Totally agree now that there's a different time/place for each. I can crochet without looking and, as long as my wool doesn't run away from me, it's all pretty contained. I do like to have a bit of a table, sofa or something around me to do this EPP, so I can lay out my thread, threader, fabric, paper shapes, etc. :)

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  7. I love your Chicopee! I would never have seen them as coffins but now you've said it I think the name has stuck!

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    1. These coffins have had such a reaction Gertie, the shape and the name. They are actually called coffins on the packet so unfortunately I can't take credit for naming them! :)

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  8. Like your fabric choice and the way they are working together. Definitely addictive!

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    1. Just a bit Lin. That fabric was a freebie at the Quilters Take Manhattan event last year - Denyse Schmidt, the designer, was a guest speaker. Wasn't sure what to do with it as there were just 4 large squares but not enough for a whole project but this is working out really well :)

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  9. Lovely bright combination of fabrics Chrissie!

    Just stopped by to let you know that I featured your chef's hat and apron on my round tuit post this week!
    Round Tuit 143
    Thanks again for linking up! Hope you have a great week!
    Jill @ Creating my way to Success

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    1. Thanks Jill for being so kind about my blog in your post. I've added your button to my side bar and posted about it on my Facebook wall, I'll blog about the feature too in the next day or so.

      C :)

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  10. Sounds like an interesting journey Chrissie, glad you were able to concentrate enough on the coffins with all that going on around you!

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    1. Sooo 'interesting' and not at all what you expect at 8am on a Saturday morning in a Quiet Carriage! Several people had already complained and then when I complained (well the woman was fastening her trousers back up on her way TO the bathroom after her feet had been sticking out over the high backed seats while they were both loudly making very amorous noises - but I'm bordering now on TMI!) all hell let loose. They refused to leave as they said all the complainers were lying, there was a terrible scene, the chief guard was brought and they argued with him and then everyone in the carriage behind me started to shout out and back me up (all the other 'complainers' had left the train at the previous stop) for which I thanked them. It was all quite some journey!!! :)

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  11. Oh my! That'll make your morning a little more interesting. They've got some major chutzpah, both for the initial act and the accusations of lying! Hope you enjoyed DC and that the rest of the trip was less R-rated. :)

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    1. Hadn't they just!

      DC was incredible - we did everything you suggested and more, Arlington Cemetery, the White House, all the monuments/memorials, museums: Holocaust Museum, Hope Diamond, Dorothy's shoes, Lincoln's top hat, Stars & Stripes flag, First Lady exhibition, President exhibition - Simon did the Air & Space on his own, Library of Congress, Capitol and we visited Georgetown too. We loved it and want to go back when the weather's much, much warmer! :)

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Chris Dodsley


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