9 Patch Perfection

We've been talking about the attractions and problems of hoarding on At A Kitchen Table (the lovely parenting forum where I hang out).  I'm not really a hoarder because I really don't like clutter, but you wouldn't know it if you saw my house!  It's overflowing with fabric, yarn, craft books, magazines, buttons, and all sorts of crafting ephemera.  Partly it's because our storage is really limited, but it's also because I really can't bear to throw away anything that is bigger than absolutely tiny!  So I am hugely keen to get going with some patchwork to use up some of the masses amounts of scraps that I have 'stored' in carrier bags...  I'd quite like to make some 9 patch and log cabin pin cushions, and maybe, if I have some bigger pieces, I could try some proper-sized cushions...

I've been browsing on Flickr for some 9 patch inspiration...  Look at these beauties!

1. 1930's 9-patch quilt, 2. Nine-Patch Quilt, 3. crazy9patch11, 4. Hugs & Kisses, 5. 9 errrr.....10 Patch Baby Quilt, 6. 9 A Day Quilt Along, 7. scrap 9 patch close, 8. crazy nine patch quilt

So, what are you guilty of hoarding?  Tell me all about it!  I was actually thinking of doing a hoard-busting challenge (with a prize of course - maybe I could declutter some of my craft books!) - if you're interested in playing along, please do say (you're not committing yourself - just expressing an interest!), and I'll try and think of some rules...

What I made today...

I've been catching up with all the blogs I follow and popped round to Handmade at Home - a lovely blog written by Kelly in West Sussex. First I was drawn to the lovely heathery colours of the Noro shawl that she's recently completed, and then I spotted a lovely bag she'd made too... To make her fab bag Kelly had used a tutorial and pattern from the VeryPurplePerson blog. It's a brilliant blog and a very wonderful pattern - quick to do, and the has a lovely shape. Here's my first attempt - I actually made it a little bit wider because I need to get a fair bit of stuff in it! It still looks good, but I think in future I'll stick to the pattern! I'm looking forward to making lots more. A good excuse to stock up on yet more fabric! The fabric I've used for this one is some vintageLaura Ashley fabric that I remember mum buying at a sale back in the mid-80s! I really love it... The buttons are Oxfam finds - I think they are glass and they are utterly fabulous. This one is definitely a me me me project! Novita the blogger from VeryPurplePerson, has some lovely patterns and tutorials, it's definitely worth popping round to take a look - there's lots of inspiration there. I'll be getting lots more inspiration tomorrow because I am off to London... partly I am catching up with old friends, but I'm also taking the opportunity to go to the Victoria and Albert Museum to see Quilts: 1700-2010 - a major exhibition that they have on at the moment. Can't wait!

Vintage cushion covers become placemats

Originally uploaded by Craft Matters

I've finally got round to creating something just for us to use. I found some fabby cushion covers in one of my regular trawls round Oxfam just after Christmas and fell on them straight away. I have a particular fondness for bright orange, bold & bright prints. They have such a 70s feel - they really remind me of my childhood, especially our great caravan holidays - the 'van had a fab orange interior. These were right up my street, but absolutely rotten as cushion covers - with atrocious white frondy trim - yuk.

Originally uploaded by Craft Matters

I've been wondering what to do with them for some time now, and suddenly had an inspiration that they would make great placemats - and as I had 3 cushion covers, I had just enough fabric to make 6 mats - a full set! I also wanted to try a little bit of quilting, so this seemed like an ideal opportunity to have a go and to further emphasise the graphic print with a bit of extra stitching.

So I chopped up the covers (disposing of the unpleasant fringing I'm afraid), found some suitable backing fabric and sandwiched a layer of fusible fleece between the 2 layers, sewed round then started up with some quilting. Even more exciting than that - I used the embroidery foot on my machine to do it. So lots of new skills there.

I am delighted by the result! Unfortunately I've only done 1, but hopefully next week, after the bunnies are done, and the Tea Swap gift is posted off, I'll have a chance to finish the other five.