Silly cats

I had always thought the cats didn't really like each other. Everyone always said cats are independent creatures.

Maybe it's the cold weather then? But I've caught them on a couple of occasions unusually close to each other....

So funny! Silly cats.

xx cherry xx

How to make a simple up-cycled quilt!

So it's cold now and I felt my "lap" blanket was lacking some warmth and size. Rather than feeling like I was being kept all snug and safe in my lap blanket I was feeling a little bit exposed and cold around the edges....

I really didn't want to buy a brand new lap blanket so I thought, aha! Surely you can use old sheets and blankets to make a new improved blanket? Turn to my friend google to see what I can find.

After a little bit of searching I found Craft Stylish Do check it out. The author of this tutorial, Diane does an amazing job to explain how to go about making this quilt!

It is actually super super easy to make - my crafternoon girls can vouch for this ;) I pretty much followed the craft stylish instructions - she sets it out so well with pictures and in plain english! So I give you only the summarised version below:- if you are keen on making one definitely check out craft stylish for help.

1. Get 3 layers for your quilt. The 2 outer layers and the warm bit which will be sandwiched between them.

As you can see, I have an old quilt cover (the white layer with embroidered bows on it), flannel sheet for warmth and a single sheet I picked up at the red cross store for $2.

After you've ironed them (it is very important to do this!) Place the two outer layers right sides together then the warm layer on top.

2. Now use safety pins and pin all three layers together. I put them close to the edges at regular intervals.

Now trim the edges to be the same size.

3. Sew all three layers together. Remember to leave a gap in the fourth side - kind of like a duvet cover, this will mean you can turn it the right way out.

4. Now clip the edges and trip your warm layer right back - if this is your thickest layer just to take bulk out of the edges. Because I'd used a flannel sheet there wasn't that much bulk so I just neatened the edges up, then ironed out the seam.

5. Turn the right way out and ladder stitch the opening shut. It was rather exciting at this stage as it began to look quite nice!!

6. So because you have 3 layers, you want to stop them from flapping about.

If you had quilting skills or this function on your sewing machine you could probably do a simple pattern to joint he layers together. But if you have never done any quilting or have this function on your machine like me then use the technique called "tie quilting".

Essentially you are using a thicker thread here I used 4 ply wool, threading it through the three layers and tying a knot. I left about 2cms of wool above the knot.

Lucky for me the white sheet had these embroidered bows in regular intervals so I used these as my configuration for the ties. You could use any pattern you like! If you have a plain side you will see the little indents of where you have placed them.

7. You're done! And now have a wonderfully warm and pretty up-cycled quilt made of old and lifeless sheets and blankets you may have considered chucking out. I am very happy with my new quilt! :)

Let me know what you think!

xx cherry xx

Making a hoodie - using Burda Pattern 7734

It was recently my husband's birthday and because he is not only very hard to buy for but because I don't have that many funds lately I decided to make him a hoodie with some grey fleece I had bought years ago!

Here is the pattern - how crazy and cool do the guys look on the cover? Hehehe

When I went to get a zip - I saw this awesome skulls material which I couldn't resist. Perfect for the inside of the hood and the pockets!!!

Now I have used this pattern once before to make myself a hoodie and I found how the ribbing edge quite complicated. For this hoodie, I instead increased the length of the ribbing and sewed it all the way to the front hood edge as below

The rest of the hoodie is pretty straight forward to construct. The one thing I will change for next time is not sew the bottom edge of the pockets onto the hoodie front before sewing the ribbing on. I don't think you can tell from the picture, but I think it makes the bottom edge of the hoodie look a bit messy!

Here is the finished product on my husband!!

xx cherry xx

How not to paint the front room...

I have spent a great deal of the last week painting the front room!

It started as a "I will just use the left over paint I have and brighten up the front room" to, painting the whole front room then running out of paint :o(

On the upside it looks a lot brighter. It was a sandy yellow - brown colour and now neutral and light. So now I need to buy a some more paint and it will be done and look fantastic - I hope!

I have done some sewing - making a hoodie for my husband at the moment so will show you how it progressed to the final product soon!

Excitingly too - the first skirt I made for Red Dusk has gone to a new home! How awesome is that?!?! I can't get over it, I know stupid right - but just that someone would want something I've made. It makes me feel very proud.

I also got to witness the skirt in a fashion parade at the recent Red Dusk launch at the Voodoo Lounge.

Here is a photo kindly passed on by David Chong of me working on the Red Dusk stall!

Will blog soon with more sewing projects that I have been doing. Including the fifties inspired wool felt skirt.

xx cherry xx