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:faints: Yep, its that time again, when I
suck draw you all in :grouphug: to collectively encourage each other, to get our sewing planned and completed in time, so we aren't panicking at the end of the year.
So lets get it over with ..... CHRISTMAS ! XMAS ! FELIZ NAVIDAD! the season for giving! :scream:
Now, for the uninitiated ..... I do this every year, encourage all to start planning, start sewing early, and enjoy the process. As usual I started planning in February, but don't mess with you all that early.
I only have a small number to sew for this year, so am keeping it fairly simple, with embroidered table napkins, and probably some fudge, rum balls and gingernuts. I may sew for family this year, but I have no idea what I will make.
Now .... your turn.
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Believe it or not, I’ve just saved a free pattern for crocheted robins to my Pinterest and I thought I was a bit ahead of myself ! My sister runs a charity shop and I thought I’d make some for her to sell. Still working away on soap savers and wash cloths at the moment . :D
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Well @datcat23 it's about time. I thought July was going to slip by without the ubiquitous C'mas in July thread. All is still right with the world. :meditation:
I must admit that I, who was referred to as "Martha West" years ago after a Martha Stewart Christmas crafting special where she showed numerous items I had recently taught in a class, I, who could make 3 batches of microwave candy in the morning while getting ready for work, I who used to make hundreds upon hundreds of Christmas cookies each year, I..., well you get the point, do almost nothing Christmas related now. I have put up a 4 foot tall prelit tree and decorated it with candy canes and chocolate ornaments from Aldi the last few years.
Haven't worked for years so no coworker gifts. No kids so no grands either to make gifts for. Relatives who either never gave a #%÷@ or never acknowledged gifts let alone say thank you. All friends sew.
OH was pre-diabetic and obese so I quit baking and candy making. We both ate too much of it. Now I have stopped eating sugar and wheat and he's lost 150 pounds which he needs to keep off.
Maybe I could make a few toys for the kitties? If I got really ambitious I could make some for the shelter cats.
I always enjoy seeing what you and others do. So keep them coming. :)
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@Renegade Sewist A lady at our local shelter makes toys stuffed with catnip ;)
BB
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Now, for the uninitiated ..... I do this every year,
July - read Datcat's thread and think, "I'm going to start early this year."
mid December - start projects
late on Christmas Eve evening/early Christmas morning - frantically quilting and sewing on binding. Resolve to start earlier next year.
I have a head start this year as the placemats I was making last year only need quilting and binding, like so many things in my life, and would have been finished last year if I hadn't contracted that wretched virus. I'm also planning to make some fabric gift bags. Do you have deja vu? I may have said this before. I saw a lovely fabric gift box on one of the crafting channels last week so might give that a go.
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Have given a thought about a table runner and place mat set as a gift Have a pattern but just so much on my list at the moment
Found out some Cmas fabric toady in the clear out - may use it this year
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Christmas :faints:
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After reading this with shock-horror, I realised that if I want to make DD and myself a gown each, then I need to start thinking about it now.
By the time I've sourced the pattern, fabric and notions, cut out relevant sizes and sewn together - we will be well on the way to winter.
Thanks for the heads up @datcat23 - I think! :S
Jessie
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I might feel more in the mood for this once I've moved and got my sewing room set up.
I have planned some gingerbread people ornaments made from a wool skirt that shrank in the wash.
They could be gifts or just for my own decorations.
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Arghhhhhh!! :faints:
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Yesterday I made a start on the Christmas stockings I wanted to make last year.
Maybe they'll get finished this year!
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I started last month making potholders and have 5 of the 6 done. Had to buy fabric to finish the 6th one and to finish the remaining items. Some of the items are for DD's Xmas gift.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QTC7vKFQlx4/YQkQsPSVptI/AAAAAAAAuS0/M-tEbMr2ljQYi768_kbk93QAeE0FlYN_wCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_9085.JPG)
Left to make are square and rectangular hot pads which will be quilted and bound and the cat fabric will be gone from this house.
On the cutting table is a quilt for DD's cat.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CKpjhvx5su4/YQcLp-zqAFI/AAAAAAAAuSg/datzUn_hKkIRirRzg6FsZc6ICYEv1KOswCLcBGAsYHQ/w225-h400/IMG_9078.JPG)
As it is for a cat, the quilting will be very simple -- stitch in the ditch.
After that, I'm not sure what I will be making other than pj bottoms for DGS and a knitting bag for DDIL.
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I'm moving along with the hot pads and have 6 rows left to quilt on the 3rd square one. The one shown is ready for the binding.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4WHrOt1ZAsw/YR95Pj1GggI/AAAAAAAAubU/d3F8-LhFcYIboINoz9KWiXmwi54eXWVEACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h400/IMG_9159.JPG)
When done I have two rectangular ones to quilt and then I can do the binding. DD gets 3 potholders, one square and one rectangular hot pads for Christmas from our cat.
After I sew some piping, I will start on the cat's quilt and if there is enough of the yellow/gray fabric (5 meters) I will buy a bit of paw print fabric and make a dog quilt so the pets have quilts for their Christmas gifts this year. I am keeping them simple as they are for the pets.
I have to make DDIL a new bag out of linen as she fell in love with a piece in the stash. After that, I'm still thinking about what else I need to make.
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When done I have two rectangular ones to quilt and then I can do the binding. DD gets 3 potholders, one square and one rectangular hot pads for Christmas from our cat.
After I sew some piping, I will start on the cat's quilt and if there is enough of the yellow/gray fabric (5 meters) I will buy a bit of paw print fabric and make a dog quilt so the pets have quilts for their Christmas gifts this year. I am keeping them simple as they are for the pets.
@Ann it's good to see how thoughtful your cat is. No sibling rivalry with your daughter. Also thinking of little projects to keep you busy. Now that is a good cat!
I'm sure the cat and dog will be ecstatic about the quilts they receive. The cat will probably feint indifference but will be secretly purring.
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@Renegade Sewist, our cat is a task master. He will come up with a project for me to make for DD and then go off and sleep while I make it.
Both the cat and dog will like their quilts. The cat will be purring secretly when he gets his as he loves blankets. And the dog loves blankets also. I may have to make an extra quilt if they win the puppy lottery. Right now they don't know if they get a puppy or not from a breeder. They are in the top 7 to get one. If they do, I will have to make one out of scraps for him/her.
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The first Christmas gift is done. I finished hemming the hot pads this afternoon and DD's are folded and ready to be wrapped.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mx21_2A4fsU/YSlEjL0wRZI/AAAAAAAAue0/bxOsro1raBYhmO667WGU1uW9nB5jm011ACLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_9195.JPG)
The three pot holders shown a few posts above are included.
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I am working on Christmas gifts still. I knit DD a pair of socks to wear in her winter boots. I'm quite proud of them as I set about learning how to knit socks once again after stopping 2 years ago.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4ScNYCNblxg/YTShVXZogbI/AAAAAAAAuj8/tpFVbD4PoLUaXGaPfcCA3yXgJR0jdjABACLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_9236.JPG)
I have a dog's blanket ready to hand sew the binding down once I finish a test pattern for a doll designer. More on that later.
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I was thinking of making my mum a lap quilt for christmas with a dachshund theme along with a couple of mug rugs but i just know she won't appreciate them :rolleyes: Now, do i just make them anyway :thinking: I have all the fabric that i need to do them.
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Yes @Diane do it anyway because you will enjoy making it, that is the important bit :loveit: :loveit:
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Make them, @Diane
Make sure the quilt has a label!
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I’m a bit embarrassed to admit that my makes are well under way. Wall hangings - one for each of the grandchildren.
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@Stitchalot don't be embarrassed. Truth be told most of us either admire that, envy it or are downright jealous. Those are really cute. :perfect10:
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@Celia @fajita I think your right, i will make the quilt and mug rugs, i mean it's not as if she invites me up to her house so i won't see if she's using them or not. @fajita do you make your own labels or do you buy them? I've never added a label before to anything that i've made.
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To tell the truth, @Diane i don’t tend to label my quilts beyond a ‘made by hand with love’ tag when I remember. But - I do think it’s a good thing to do to label them. Memories fade, and it’s good to remember who made you a gift and when. Plus - you might end up with commissions from impressed randoms.
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To tell the truth, @Diane i don’t tend to label my quilts beyond a ‘made by hand with love’ tag when I remember. But - I do think it’s a good thing to do to label them. Memories fade, and it’s good to remember who made you a gift and when. Plus - you might end up with commissions from impressed randoms.
There is another good reason to tag things. I know we don't see our quilts as precious heirlooms, but there is a chance that a future generation might like to know where the quilt came from. One of my mother's most treasured possessions are two quilts which were made by her grandmother and great aunts over one hundred years ago. There are no labels on those, but we are lucky to know where they came from. One is a baby quilt and it has been used for all the grandchildren right up to my children, for nap time at grandma's. I doubt I will be able to do the same for my grandchildren, if I ever have them, as these quilts are now quite fragile.
So yes, I think adding a label is a nice gesture.
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@Stitchalot, those are gorgeous wall hangings. I'm sure your grandchildren will love them.
I finished the dog's blanket and I'm quite happy with it. I used up left over fabric a friend gave me and a meter of fleece from the stash. It was a remnant from a bolt when I worked at a fabric store so got it cheap. The fabric had to be pieced to get the blanket I wanted and I wasn't too worried about it matching perfectly as it's for a dog. I did quilt it in straight lines to have the front and back attached to each other.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CpGD883JSho/YTs6emTffjI/AAAAAAAAunA/1V-P4T4MX9sa5So85zqyce0DLml2UnUegCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_9263.JPG)
DD said se is going to steal it for herself.
I got the squares for the cat's quilt sewn together. I am really liking this combination of fabric.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lnZMabRq_J8/YT3XiUpshFI/AAAAAAAAuoA/KfPSIzEpXfwNzNoZJJZrOXhgJZ8MOSRrwCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_9274.JPG)
I will post more on it when it is done.
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I'm plugging away at Christmas gifts. I got the cat's quilt done and am pleased with it.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Q8iv6loPcQ/YVGRLOV7iyI/AAAAAAAAurw/vxMqTFDTM3sLnDG1WgDdi0hcsl55rZ2agCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_9332.JPG)
I'm also working on a 2nd pair of socks for DD. I'm nearly ready to do the heel flap.
Next up in the sewing room is a quilt/blanket for the new puppy. It will be bigger than the cat quilt as the puppy will grow into a good size dog like his half brother. Once it's done, I'm onto sewing for family who lives here.
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My mother has requested a pair of trousers. Whenever I have made her something she has never worn it. It has been noticed within months sat in a bag destined for a charity shop.
Not sure whether to make them for her with as little effort as possible, or forget all about it :laughing:
BB
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My mother has requested a pair of trousers. Whenever I have made her something she has never worn it. It has been noticed within months sat in a bag destined for a charity shop.
Not sure whether to make them for her with as little effort as possible, or forget all about it :laughing:
BB
You could always buy a reasonably(or cheaply) priced pair and take the label out? Why should you do all that work tome her a pair of trousers which aren't going to be used? Sounds like your mother doesn't know or appreciate how much time is involved in making them?
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@Lizzy777 You just about summed my mother up lol
I have decided to 'forget' unless she brings it up again ;)
BB
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@Bumblebuncher
Sorry. Was just trying to be a bit helpful ;)
I'd hate to be put into that position every year, to find something I had made was put into a charity bag.
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@Lizzy777 No need to apologise :D
I have had to deal with her all my life, your suggestion has previously happened :laughing:
BB
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I am still working on Xmas gifts and got DD another pair of socks done a bit ago and forgot to report on them.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoJbMWR7CF5fyp26BLpLtrX5bmlNgWHdZcvR4IehRC4C7SD5oNIYzTj3P_7Xtdv57cwNivFFzmfJ5JGxoSqf676mkQjVvH43cbxQRijhEb2zJPkTxFRHJweqtvctYJip9-IsRDhzHnWli793xO1kJLptg2Zm3vIDmDQGLpqb9TwCeCCYuVQw=w300-h400)
I have used up the Paton's Kroy yarn that is striping for her socks. I used a pattern called Snake River but followed Purl Together's Knit A Long. I am so happy with these socks that I bought the yarn to make her two more pairs for next Christmas. One pair will be in Seashell colors (cream and grey tweed) and the other is in Flax.
I will be picking up to finish the puppy's quilt now as I need to get it done. It is a fun thing to make. Will post pictures of it when it is done.
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I keep trucking on with Xmas gifts as I get free shipping on Tuesdays in October in Canada. I started off making a puppy quilt and it turned into a large lap quilt for an adult. It is for our DSIL. I am happy with the results of this quilt and I did make it in a bit of hurry giving myself goals every day I sewed.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjB8P9dWzRvzSk8-6E1xSZVJvDbmi7jQLOvmz3vjwxoOTDtQUC8aMRLTvCUuD8wtZmbx2eEp-JGnmYVdsb7126mXJFqPdtD1cvR6Fd1JLAXsOcHaBaySysLywPXbys7-BoO-R18uFgzGk-8JQ02JzJvkAcjmCKwqT9refpLQmXeVuJYCB4aFw=w300-h400)
With this done, I am now sewing DSIL a cloth bag for his electronics stuff and hope to have it done in a couple of days. I am also knitting DD a hat that she wanted. Then the west coast family is done and I start on gifts for family here.
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Just finished these 2 mini quilts. They are for the Littlies.
Getting the youngest to choose his fave colours was problematic but mostly he said sun shine colours.
The eldest has always liked turqupise to anything else right from when she was 2ish and I took her into a fabric shop and said choose a colour expecting pink.
(https://i.postimg.cc/s2Htkyh1/IMG-0041.jpg)
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I finished Christmas projects yesterday morning. Since last posting, I knit 2 pairs of socks.
Grandson's socks. They always look skinny as I rib them so they stay up on his skinny legs.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXS5YbZ0opOXX494MWNtQkazgE_qmFus_0SJ0bH5ThTjz3N0itGKAvVO2d1bQoKD0J90Zq3I7MYcCOyuxPLyPgC5jyVWPFf-77ee182vNMgUMPaqXRe6ERukr5EyDTFi4QRqzGI4i0zzPHNFVGbNJBxJrT2TI0krQaI09nP2tfFJjvx7E-Qw=w300-h400)
Daughter-in-law's socks.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8vS2XujBkXiXbsI7VOrocqkSE_GNb219PREmCeBaLf0RbvKyTz4tehioREVogT-1dPTpQJcbOPlJq_H2IcOrbO5spoyLBntVO92reOXRQZGUs-ngWcttldCxppSbiPhckZf_7ug1jhTn6iCihv7tsPnn6OzhcOS4XIoNwBkiSWB8uLEVMng=w300-h400)
I made Daughter-in-law a cover for her mix master. I cross hatched both the outer pieces and the lining before cutting out the pieces and sewing them together. A lot of work but I'm pleased with the results. She wanted plain and grey.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRtcHeEGUXwBzZ6FcVPFOMD5WOlTVsE22QqnllR_sRrgIx_foo3H30a3bwM9fP-HZ0JcdP8YFdt7paQyqRai7hQy-iGoOXvnIrBirITRBSRlGaqM97micUjA4kCv2uV5voqHmFu3437auPbcom8hDxkZTWODyyBZrU04F-ftiCKhD4s3iVwQ=w400-h300)
Yesterday Grandson's pyjama pants got finished.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhesbh17w5EXxtJ5QDXqJOiSIWN1SdUG8ObY3kSS675N43H165abxPIYcoderTKQWa2P0zBYepHUsNFnkgury2TJuYQC966jxE9rd_9ty6t1jKV36kIxgcnwirXXo_2Y0892ufdokpwmuTK1FuV1WKduuQ8uye3lA5El1yGsL8EUpurI1dMSA=w300-h400)
I'm happy that all the gifts are now made and am ready to have a wrapping the presents afternoon in the sewing room. Probably tomorrow afternoon so I can make a list of a few items I can get at the grocery store to put into stockings.