Lloyd Loom Linen Basket

Hello

In my last post, I promised photos of the tatty Linen basket and its makeover.

This is what it looked like when I bought it from the Auction House.  As you can see, it was in a sorry state and not something you would want to have on display.

Had a look in my fabric cupboard and found some lovely leafy fabric and got my Laura Ashley eggshell paint out.  Had to give it a couple of coats of paint to cover the silver spray paint.  I threw out the plaited edging on the lid as it was really tatty and starting to snap but found some super girly braid to replace it at my local fabric shop.  Its a bit mad but I love it.  So here is is the finished basket.

It now sits next to my sewing table and it now stores all the off cuts of wadding that I use in my patchwork quilts, its surprising how much it holds.

Cheers

Sharon

Lloyd Loom Chair = En Suite Van!

At the start of summer (before I knew about all the rain!), I was on the look out for a Lloyd Loom Chair that I could use as a garden chair, I had visions of 1930's Poirot scene, they are so more elegant than plastic chairs.  I found one at a local auction but I couldn't get to view or attend the sale.  So I left an online bid, to my joy I got it for £15 and it came with a tatty linen basket which was ripe for restoration as well.  Bargain, I thought!

BUT when I went to collect it, the chap picked it up and sticking out the bottom was a potty, I had only gone and bought a commode!  I really went off it at this stage and didn't want to bring it home but a bid is a legally binding contract so off in the van it went.  This is what it looked like

I got my Laura Ashley eggshell paint out, covered a new seat pad, threw the offending potty in the bin (I might regret this rash act in later life!) and hey presto, a finished garden chair but I have had to wait until this week for the sunshine. (PS.  I made the cushion as well)

When I told our friends in the pub about my purchase, there was much leg pulling that I could leave it in my work van and I would have a en-suite van!!  Least it made everyone laugh.

I will share photos of the restored linen bin in my next blog.

Cheers

Sharon

Crazy Heart

Had a fab weekend at Blair Castle International Horse Trials - all things horsey but I did manage to take my crazy patchwork with me and do some sewing on the journey there and back.  I now have a large pincushion for my sewing room.

My normally calm quiet collie turned into an idiot wanting to round up all the horses!  He has never seen so many at the same time.  He fancied a quick run around these but when they got close he changed his mind.  Gosh they were big - ridden Clydesdale class.

Blair Castle was lovely and the sun even shone for a while.

Cheers
Sharon

Crazy Patchwork

Hello

It rained on Sunday afternoon so I couldn't garden soooooo I got my lovely sewing machine out.  I was going to have a go at crazy patchwork (never done it before).  This is what you do with all the tiny bits of fabric left over from making a quilt that you can't bear to throw out cos they are pretty!  First I had to make an ironing pad to save on space (ironing boards take up so much room) so I came up with this to match my tiny sewing machine and dinky travel iron (I put it on top of a chopping board for safety - didn't want to scorch my cutting mat or table)

The sewing began, I must say at this stage not quite sure what it is going to be, possibly some sort of lavender sachet thingy???!!!

The next stage is to embroider the seams to make it fancy - then make something with it - I will keep you posted.

If you are wondering - this is what the quilt looked like, I made it last winter when it snowed!  Its my first machine made quilt (pre Singer machine) but I did do the quilting by hand.

See you later

Sharon  

First Blog - Singer Featherweight 221

Hello

Thought that I would start my Blog with my new Sewing Machine.  I was so excited when the Postman arrived with it, I had wanted one for ages after missing a few on EBay, I finally got one. Buzz helped me unwrap it (notice all the dogs toys - well you have to keep a collie busy)

Singer Featherweights are vintage machines, this one is from 1957 (older than me) and they are one of the best quilting machines ever! according to our American quilting friends, they go mad over them, there are websites, blogs dedicated to them so it's easy to find out how to operate them.

They come in a very sturdy oak box which is covered in fake leather so they are ideal for taking to sewing/quilting classes.

Isn't this the prettiest sewing machine ever,  its soooooo cute

Notice the tiny oil can, these machines need regular oiling, the motor is quiet and the machine sews smoothly but it let you know when it needs its oil fix, it talks to you (well makes more noise).  This one is in super condition, I replaced the rubber feet and had to get a set of feed dogs, thank goodness for the internet.  I have given it a good clean and service including adjusting the belt.  Its brill.

More later.

Cheers

Sharon