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The Emporia => Official Sewalong Voting! => Sewalongs and Competitions => Previous sewalong entries => Topic started by: Manuela on July 27, 2020, 06:27:06 AM

Title: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Manuela on July 27, 2020, 06:27:06 AM: Welcome to the House Beautiful Contest, as the name says, this all about sewing for the home – upholstery, slip covers, curtains, blinds, cushion covers…
Here are a few rules:

1. Sew something beautiful or useful (or both) for a home (yours or someone else's).

2. Home Decor is defined as anything used to decorate a home, indoor or out (e.g., curtains, cushions, quilts, tablecloths, bed linens, slipcovers, rag/patchwork/pom pom rugs, blinds, upholstery.....).

3. The items entered must include a significant sewn component. Remember this is a sewing competition, not a craft contest. (Eg: a sewn slipcover would qualify, but reupholstering a chair using only a staple gun would not qualify.)

4. You can enter multiple coordinating items as part of a single entry in the contest. (eg: a tablecloth and napkins, a duvet and pillow covers, etc).

5. You may enter multiple entries in the contest (but keep in mind you will be competing against yourself.)

6. Sewing starts on August 1st and finishes on August 31st - please submit pictures and a quick write up of your entries in this thread by September 7th.

7. Any Pattern can be used (commercial, self-drafted, combinations, downloaded , magazine patterns) or no pattern.

As usual, please use the template below to submit your entry:

(your name)'s Entry (indicate the number if you have more than one entry ;))

Pattern used (commercial or self-drafted, anything goes)

A short description on how you made it/problems overcome/etc.

Pictures (included in the text please)

(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ae/7e/22/ae7e22502d8af18fa38450971154d60b.gif)
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: wrenkins on July 27, 2020, 09:57:52 AM: Darnit! I've almost finished my two homey things. Shoulda, woulda, coulda read the contests list! :faints:
I love that room @Manuela but found myself saying stop as more and more things were added! 0_0
I'm looking forward to this one. :loveit:
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Bodgeitandscarper on July 27, 2020, 10:01:29 AM: I loved that room for about the first three shots, then I was saying "stop!" too.

I wonder if I should make some covers for my overlocker and coverstitcher - but maybe not in leatherette this time?
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Acorn on July 27, 2020, 10:02:15 AM: This may be just what I need to get those new bedroom curtains made. I've had the fabric since Christmas, but have been waiting to get the room wallpapered - the decorator delayed at the start of lockdown and hasn't come back to us yet. I would normally do the wallpapering myself, but I want the time we're out of the room to be as short as possible!

Anyhow... curtains. Maybe.
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Syrinx on July 27, 2020, 10:08:11 AM: Ooooh I need to make some practice wholecloth things - maybe I should bring them up and do them in August - they will end up as placemats, whether I keep them or gift them depends on how much I like them hahaha
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Starryfish on July 27, 2020, 10:43:56 AM: I'm going to make a Closet Case pouffe with a lot of green moleskin and drill leftovers. It won't really go with the decor in any of the rooms but will be handy for storing scrap fabric. We plan to redo the spare bedroom so could plan the colour round the pouffe?
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: BrendaP on July 27, 2020, 13:58:39 PM: Yesterday I ordered some stripy fabric to recover two garden reclining chairs. Would that count?
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: SewRuthieSews on July 27, 2020, 16:38:46 PM: Ah ha, I shall hold off on my storage box covers then, just for a few days.
I think I have worked out how to do it though.
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Flobear on July 27, 2020, 16:46:10 PM: Ooh, I've been planning for a while how to use my first-ever fat quarters and finally have an idea and the fabrics ready to go. What it ends up as remains to be seen ;)
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Manuela on July 28, 2020, 01:12:28 AM: Quote from: BrendaP on July 27, 2020, 13:58:39 PM
Yesterday I ordered some stripy fabric to recover two garden reclining chairs. Would that count?

As long as there is sewing involved, yes @BrendaP
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: BrendaP on August 05, 2020, 10:14:03 AM: I've stripped one of the loungers down - I need to keep the other one intact for now because Terry likes to snooze on it.

The fabric has arrived and I've cut it out using the the old one as the pattern and have salvaged for re-use the zips and the stuffing.
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Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: BrendaP on August 05, 2020, 10:16:59 AM: I've got the zips inserted into the first cover. Fabric is very stiff so not particularly easy to sew.

The 'cheating' ready made piping has arrived; it's a good match for the pink in the fabric and I can now get on with finishing the first cover.
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Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: elisep on August 08, 2020, 14:34:21 PM: I have 2 cushions I’d like to make but I’m not sure that they will qualify.
Number 1 is a piece of cotton drill that I screen printed on a screen printing day course last December. It’s been hanging around all that time and I just need to finish it!!
Number 2 is a piece of teal velvet that I painstakingly Canadian-smocked by hand in front of the tv in the evenings over the last few months!

I am hoping as none of the actual sewing has started (they are just squares of fabric not cut down to size) that it might be ok. However using that rationale number 1 will be ok, but number 2 is iffy! On the one hand, hand sewing is sewing, on the other, Canadian smocking is just an embellishment like the screen printing :thinking:

Need the official ruling, please 0_0
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: RJR_38 on August 08, 2020, 21:37:08 PM: I should have waited 3 days before finishing my tuffet lol.

I have just started making an etui box - would that count? They are designed to sit in a ladies sewing area and be decorative while containing their hand sewing tools. Here is an example of one from an Australian site [ You are not allowed to view attachments ] . There is some machine sewing involved but mostly hand stitching.

No worries if not - just thought it would be fun to enter a contest for once!
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Lilian on August 08, 2020, 22:38:49 PM: I might just have a cusion I want to make :thinking: :vintage:
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Manuela on August 09, 2020, 00:58:48 AM: @RJR_38 and @elisep, as long as you started sewing on August 1st, you can include your projects.
The list of contest a sticky thread in this section, it has been there for a long time...

ETA: ooops I put the wrong date in this post and corrected it.
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: RJR_38 on August 09, 2020, 08:41:49 AM: :D I only started a couple of days ago so will start documenting!
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: BrendaP on August 09, 2020, 10:28:22 AM: BrendaP's Entry
Two sunloungers re-covered, and the frames given a coat of Hammerite paint. We like the style of these loungers because there are three pairs of legs giving more stability. A lot of loungers will tip over if you put weight on the bottom end.

Pattern used
One of the old covers.

A short description on how you made it/problems overcome/etc.
These are really just two large cushion covers with piped edges, a couple of ties to hold them to the frame and two zips where the cushion to allow insertion of two separate cushion pads.
I re-used all the zips and the cushion inners but I bought ready made piping which turned out to be a very good colour match.

The hardest part of the job was the fabric (https://www.textileexpressfabrics.co.uk/catalog/product/view/id/93170589/s/tex-ex-pu-coated-polyester-grey-j8/category/103/), it is very stiff and I had to turn the top tension up to maximum to avoid getting birds's nesting underneath, but it's waterproof and looks bright and cheerful.

Pictures
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Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Manuela on August 09, 2020, 11:14:51 AM: Yay, we have the first entry :thumbsup:
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: SewRuthieSews on August 09, 2020, 15:54:48 PM: @BrendaP those are GREAT
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: annieeg on August 09, 2020, 16:45:59 PM: @BrendaP which machine did you use to sew those covers?
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: BrendaP on August 09, 2020, 21:13:14 PM: Quote from: annieeg on August 09, 2020, 16:45:59 PM
@BrendaP which machine did you use to sew those covers?

@annieeg I used a Singer 201K - the one I rescued from the scrap man during lockdown. 1952 model.
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: RJR_38 on August 10, 2020, 20:40:04 PM: I've spent the past couple of afternoons working on a Xmas prezzie for my niece and nephew.fle their bedrooms.

These are reading cushions and fairly quick makes. The fabrics are Lewis and Irene and are glow in the dark. As these are for children and was a quick, easy project I used pre-made binding.

I also used my cricut machine to cut their names from glow in the dark vinyl and used my heat press to fuse it on. I used all my fleece scraps for the stuffing and the cushions are small enough (14") that the whole thing can be thrown in the wash when needed.

Nearer Christmas I will 'fill it' with a suitable book and maybe a reading snack haha

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Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Lachica on August 10, 2020, 21:29:53 PM: @BrendaP nice work! I love that fabric. @RJR_38 could you post a bit of detail about the Cricut machine? (Auto correct wanted 'crucifixion' there). I do like a gadget, I wonder whether I need one?
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: RJR_38 on August 11, 2020, 18:18:05 PM: @Lachica

The best way I can describe a cricut machine is like a printer but with blades and pens.
You design your pattern or text in the software and then it cuts for you. Its most popular uses are:
to cut vinyl - either the type for clothing etc or for sticking onto mugs/bottles etc.
To cut card and paper for a whole range of card projects, it is good for cutting the card templates for EPP as well.
To cut fabric either the rotary cutter blade. This is why I originally bought it - but to be honest I have found that I am still quicker by hand.
You can put specific pens in it and it can draw your designs

The more advanced, maker machine (which I have) can also cut mountboard, chipboard, can engrave acrylic and whole load more - none of which I have done yet.

If you like varied crafts and are fairly computer literate I think it is a great machine that you will find uses for. I have lots of pics of the types of projects you can make if you are interested and I am only a beginner.
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Renegade Sewist on August 11, 2020, 19:54:40 PM: @Lachica they are a fun gadget /machine that works much like an embroidery machine in that suddenly you need all this additional stuff to play with. Before you know it you've spent a small fortune.

The big local sewing machine emporium supplements their Bernina and Babylock sales by selling Cricut machines and all the extras. They have classes using them, mostly for sewn projects.

You can do some amazing things with them. Lots of great uses on projects made for children.
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: RJR_38 on August 11, 2020, 20:24:01 PM: @Renegade Sewist I am very jealous of the amount of cheap cricut stuff you can get in the US. We can't even get half of it- let alone for the prices you do
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: RJR_38 on August 12, 2020, 21:06:43 PM: OK, so for my second project I have been making an etui sewing box. Originally in Victorian Times these would either be a small portable sewing case or a larger sewing box to sit in their bedroom and look decorative while housing essential tools.

I have decided to make one for my mum for Xmas - and being mainly handsewn (and some gluing) it has been ideal to work on in the heat as I can do it in cooler rooms than my sauna of a sewing room.

The first step was to cut all the pieces from mounting board with my cricut machine and then begin covering the internal lid pieces which were then stitched together EPP style before the outer was covered with wadding and fabric and also stitched on.

Next, I made the inside pieces. Each piece was covered with wadding and fabric was glued on with some extra sticking. On 3 pieces I made 3 elastic holders and on 3 pieces I made elasticated pockets. I also cut and machine stitched some fabric gussets.

Next, I covered the outside pieces (glued) and stitched them together.

I will add photos of the next stages as I get to them. I also hope to hand embroider a pincushion and scissor keeper that I have designed but not sure I will get that finished for this competition!
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Lilian on August 12, 2020, 22:18:17 PM: That's really lovely :)
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Iminei on August 20, 2020, 11:37:16 AM: How are doing for entries as the month winds down ???

@RJR_38 I need you to insert the pictures within the text of your post to enter you in the competition.
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Acorn on August 20, 2020, 12:02:10 PM: And PLEASE, not such big pictures as the cushions!!!
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Syrinx on August 20, 2020, 12:18:35 PM: I've got to dig out my wool batting then I'll be sewing up my table runners/mat things. If I find the pebble KF fabric that is somewhere I'll make a fresh hot hand.
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: RJR_38 on August 20, 2020, 14:59:33 PM: Here are the photos of my finished entry for my etui box. I managed to cross-stitch the biscornu pincushion in time as well but won't have time to do the matching scissor keeper as I have other projects to complete.

The pincushion has teeny tiny micro-buttons attached (4mm wide) which I thought were so sweet although tricky to attach

Apologies for the cushion photos being so big - I reduced them by 75% which I thought would be plenty! I have reduced these by 97% now which has made them smaller but also grainier - enough there for you to get the idea though

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Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Acorn on August 20, 2020, 18:13:03 PM: I think we have the answer to your problems with uploading then... If the above photo was reduced by 97% it must have started out 16,000 pixels wide. Anything above around 4,000px will not be accepted by the server, and we ask people to keep pictures below 900px, which is the widest the forum will display anyway.
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Iminei on August 20, 2020, 20:46:55 PM: Thank you @RJR_38 xxx
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: RJR_38 on August 20, 2020, 21:27:07 PM: Quote from: Acorn on August 20, 2020, 18:13:03 PM
I think we have the answer to your problems with uploading then... If the above photo was reduced by 97% it must have started out 16,000 pixels wide. Anything above around 4,000px will not be accepted by the server, and we ask people to keep pictures below 900px, which is the widest the forum will display anyway.

@Iminei It’s not that as I have been uploading lots of pics in the past (reduced obviously - I use a photo reducing app). I don’t normally insert them into text but attach them and there have been no issues. It is something to do with the android/website interaction. My Samsung did update yesterday and the website had issues on the same day so who knows. I will do it the long-winded way for now and hope it returns to normality soon. Other forums I use for non sewing linked things are still letting me upload fine. Another reason for me to add to the list of why I can’t wait to go back to an iPhone...
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: BrendaP on August 20, 2020, 21:33:55 PM: Quote from: RJR_38 on August 20, 2020, 14:59:33 PM

Apologies for the cushion photos being so big - I reduced them by 75% which I thought would be plenty! I have reduced these by 97% now which has made them smaller but also grainier - enough there for you to get the idea though

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I love that box, lots of fiddly detail in there.

The photos are appearing just fine, they son't loo grainy at all.
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: wrenkins on August 20, 2020, 21:43:36 PM: Something like that just boggles my mind. Where do you even start? And your fabric is perfect for the project. :loveit:
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Lowena on August 20, 2020, 21:45:28 PM: @wrenkins you're joking me! I thought all you clothing peeps could deal with anything....the fiddlier the better :P
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: wrenkins on August 20, 2020, 21:49:17 PM: With clothing you can stand funny or breathe funny and keep your arms down and you'll get away with it. With that lil work of art people would be peeeering closely at it's lovliness.
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Lowena on August 20, 2020, 21:52:32 PM: Hmmm....an answer for everything :thinking: :D
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Acorn on August 20, 2020, 21:53:16 PM: I had a book on making embroidered boxes for my birthday - @RJR_38 your pictures both encourage me to have a go, and make me convinced that I'll fail!! They are wonderful.
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: wrenkins on August 20, 2020, 21:53:53 PM: But it's true. Keep on the move and your wonky seams don't show. :laughing:
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Lowena on August 20, 2020, 21:54:25 PM: :D :D :D :D
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Manuela on August 20, 2020, 23:59:28 PM: @RJR_38 that is soooooooooo cute :loveit: Did you use a pattern or did you create it from scratch?
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: RJR_38 on August 21, 2020, 21:35:39 PM: @Acorn the book sounds fab - give it a go! I was surprised at how easy it was.
@wrenkins I can do small and fiddly - I think errors are less noticeable. Give me something big and 3-D like clothing and I am useless lol!

@Manuela. I followed a basic tutorial/set of instructions that were posted years ago from an American quilting forum I am on. It helps if you have done EPP before or at least know how to do ladder or whip stitch. If you are interested and it doesn’t break any rules I can always PM you the link.
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Syrinx on August 21, 2020, 22:22:57 PM: Well I've cut out my batting and some old cotton fabric that was going to be chucked (old white duvet cover) and I've pinned my bits together.

This is 100% recycled project. The second fabric is inherited and I'm using up the smaller bits first. Old duvet cover, spare bamboo batting from the stash. I have wool somewhere but couldn't find it. It's much better for this sort of thing than bamboo but heyho! The other bit of the duvet cover is pintucked and I'm contemplating cutting binding from it for a bit of interest.

Concept - FMQ samplers, placemats and table runners (very small ones
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Manuela on August 22, 2020, 00:32:28 AM: @RJR_38, yes please, I’d love you to have the link to the tutorial (either here in the thread or by pm). My hand sewing is most definitely up to par, I haven’t tried EPP yet - there is a first time for everything :)
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: RJR_38 on August 22, 2020, 11:35:22 AM: Quote from: Manuela on August 22, 2020, 00:32:28 AM
@RJR_38, yes please, I’d love you to have the link to the tutorial (either here in the thread or by pm). My hand sewing is most definitely up to par, I haven’t tried EPP yet - there is a first time for everything :)

@Manuela here you go

https://www.quiltingboard.com/tutorials-f10/fabric-covered-needlework-box-t28902.html

I just didn’t want to break any rules by ‘advertising’ another forum lol
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Syrinx on August 22, 2020, 21:50:55 PM: I've finished the first fmq sampler placemat. Yet to bind. Uncertain whether to use the pintucked part of the duvet for that or maybe a ribbon? Or just cotton.

Whole thing (https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZivmBUnWtmAGZeCc8)
Close up center (https://photos.app.goo.gl/67h2t8E2sd7RcpNQ8)
Close up right (https://photos.app.goo.gl/8w9o6WDNkias6za87)

I think the yellow, grey, and cream threads worked best. The red and blues a little too strong but my poor eyes were dead after all the cream sand. And a sampler should help me find the problems (my clamshell. I hate them so of course I thought how better to fix it than make it blue. I didn't even echo the insides so I could see how shoddy they were) and show me what to work on.

There's another one to do and then two longer ones.

Upside/downside my mother saw the back (upholstery fabric) and adores the look of the revers of the red echo quilting (it's a red leaf/flower thing in a black box with cream thread on show. So she now wants me to make her a piece that is frameable but just with that part of the fabric.

Eta bugger forgot to photograph the back
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Lachica on August 23, 2020, 07:00:10 AM: @RJR_38 @Renegade Sewist thanks for details of Cricut machines. I think I might put one on my Christmas list .....
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Renegade Sewist on August 23, 2020, 08:10:42 AM: @Lachica they are really neat. I don't have one but I've seen them in use. The big sewing machine dealer in town sells a lot of them, has a huge corner of the shop full of accessories and vinyls and such to use with them and has lots of classes that feature stuff cut with one.

I lack space and money. I also have too much sunk into other hobbies that languish in cupboards. If there were kids in my life it might be a different story. I hope you get one.
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: coffeeandcake on August 23, 2020, 16:13:11 PM: I WANT an Etui box :)
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Syrinx on August 24, 2020, 14:33:17 PM: Second mat done. I like this one better, chose more light/pastel colour threads this time around and changed a couple of the designs. The sand pebble did my eyes in again, I did trapunto for the circle this time too.

Pics (https://photos.app.goo.gl/6gEQmhSffPcUcVSy7)

Just waiting on some ribbon to arrive to bind them. Left to do - two longer mats. I need to plan out which designs to brush up on. These will end up being "outdoor" mats for office/summer house/annexe as they can go in the wash and are plent big enough to shove a plate of food on or a drink and will definitely protect paperwork/fabric/tables as well as look sort of nice!
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Syrinx on August 25, 2020, 18:44:31 PM: Finished my two fmq placemats.

Fronts (https://photos.app.goo.gl/NuY1avWj2KeCJzHe8)
Backs (https://photos.app.goo.gl/SNa6qiMWkHxExmWm7)
Close up (https://photos.app.goo.gl/KQDUgQAiH9Eg1YX66)
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: RJR_38 on August 26, 2020, 07:56:51 AM: Beautiful syrinx! Wish I could quilt like that!
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Iminei on August 26, 2020, 08:36:12 AM: C'mon then Girls, last few days of sewing ...

Needles down on the 31st and please get your entry's, with pics included within the text, into me as soon as you can ... Thank you xxx
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: StitchinTime on August 28, 2020, 14:45:32 PM: I’m late to this, but it’s a long weekend which could mean three days of sewing and I might get finished in time. The first part is complete - lots of little bonda-webbed pieces ready to fuse.
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Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: elisep on August 31, 2020, 12:52:03 PM: Ah! I took these photos last week but didn't like the way the colour turned out... was hoping for a sunny day to retake the photos and just didn't get one :(
So it's these photos or nothing!

EliseP's entry

Smocked teal velvet cushion

I bought the smocking pattern off Etsy, a pattern called "Mystery". Took me way too many hours of hand sewing to smock the thing! And I didn't think to take a photo of the back side unfortunately. The fabric is a really beautiful teal coloured upholstery velvet. Absolutely divine in person! The back is just plain velvet with a centre lapped zipper. As the smocking is a series of hand sewn knots, I decided to back the smocked side with cotton drill so there's no strain put on the knots.

(https://i.imgur.com/L0oNZzb.jpg?3) (https://i.imgur.com/Dm8gftC.jpg?3)
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Manuela on August 31, 2020, 12:56:41 PM: That cushion cover is utterly beautiful @elisep :loveit:
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Iminei on August 31, 2020, 13:13:17 PM: Do try and include pics of the back with your entry @elisep That cushion is divine ...
I didnt even know you could do that by hand.
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: elisep on August 31, 2020, 13:20:27 PM: Thanks Manuela! I’m really happy with it, so nice I just keep on stroking it :loveit: worth all the time I put into it!
I’ll take some photos tomorrow for you Hopefully if I’m lucky the sun will be out and give me better lighting, so you can see the colour better!
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: elisep on August 31, 2020, 13:31:45 PM: Oh and Iminei if it interests you to look into it further, it’s called Canadian Smocking, there’s heaps of tutorials on YouTube.
It’s worked on the back side by drawing out a grid for your design and then pleating the fabric and securing It with hand stitches. Very time consuming, though not so bad if I had made the pleats larger.
I’ve seen a really beautiful round cushion design that I’d like to try next!
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: StitchinTime on August 31, 2020, 13:49:37 PM: Finished - a write up and proper photos will follow later as I’m heading into a sunny garden to do some weeding.
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Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: RJR_38 on August 31, 2020, 22:03:39 PM: @elisep that cushion is beautiful. I can’t even begin to fathom how it is done so I am going to go and google now, to satisfy my curiosity. A real achievement though!
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Iminei on September 01, 2020, 15:01:41 PM: Can we have your entries in now, with pics included within the text please ... thank you Ladies
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Syrinx on September 01, 2020, 15:10:09 PM: I made a couple of FMQ sampler placemats out of some very old inherited fabric, old duvet cover for the top, and wool and bamboo battings for the innards.

There is some trapunto work in there, and FMQ design placements are my own. Some traditional FMQ in there and some more modern designs as well. The whole thing was a nice way to use up some stash and get back into the swing of FMQ pre present making and a couple of big wholecloth projects that are in the works.

It was a little tricky coming up with a design that didn't look too messy and made best use of the weird shaped offcuts. I was also using embroidery threads and struggled with the colours in the first one coming out too bright and brash; the second one I managed to work out the more pastel colours which work better.

They have both been bound with satin ribbon and I'm quite happy with them.

Unfortunately, only got pictures in artificial light.

(https://i.imgur.com/s9M18Wdl.jpg)
Here is a close up picture of the FMQ

(https://i.imgur.com/Rg3mLivl.jpg)
pre bound close up

(https://i.imgur.com/QpkQKWAl.jpg)
trapunto

(https://i.imgur.com/v6S2pX9l.jpg)
Finished fronts

(https://i.imgur.com/GSsyvIel.jpg)
and of the back which shows how the inherited fabric informed the design.
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Iminei on September 01, 2020, 16:11:01 PM: Is that your entry @Syrinx ????

If so Im afraid you're gonna have to redo it as I need the pics embedded within your entry ...

Sorry but thats the way its got to be.
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Syrinx on September 01, 2020, 18:00:27 PM: Sorry Imi, was a placeholder until I got to my computer! Should be all fixed now.
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Iminei on September 02, 2020, 08:22:08 AM: No problem @Syrinx all entered for you now...

So Ladies anymore for anymore ??????

I need your entrys as soon as possible Ladies/Germs ?? The Door to the Voting thread will snap shut at midnight on the 6th September so make sure you (and your hat) are inside when it does ...

(https://i.imgur.com/qWw49oa.gif)
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Efemera on September 02, 2020, 11:24:29 AM: I recovered a box cushion for the unit in the porch.

A simple box cushion... no zip just slip stitched after putting in the seat pad.
Fabric is linen by Baker from Stead Mcalpin mill shop in Carlisle.

(https://i.imgur.com/HTvr5Gm.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/ZiOzxyl.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/IqfWGke.jpg)
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: StitchinTime on September 02, 2020, 17:50:49 PM: StitchInTime’s entry – a “Zoom Quilt”

In normal times this would be more “office beautiful” than “house beautiful”, but these are not normal times. Like many others I have been working from home and am likely to do so for quite a bit longer. After months of camera-off Zoom meetings, I have some meetings coming up that have to be camera-on but unfortunately the bookcases are in the wrong place to act as the usual Zoom background. I needed something that could be put away when not in use and would hide my home (and occupants!) from view, so I bought a photography background stand and made a simple quilt with minimal piecing and minimal quilting to act as a background for these meetings.
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The four coloured blocks are the logos and colours of the four research groups of my work and have been positioned to one side of the quilt allowing me to sit on the other side. The white shapes were fused to the coloured squares and then machine appliqued using zigzag. The horizontal quilting to the top and bottom of each block is in the same colour as each block (though this does not show clearly on the photos) and the rest of the quilting is in a neutral colour matching the main fabric of the quilt.
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Below the blocks I quilted words associated with these times which explain why the quilt was made, (these will be out of camera shot during meetings).
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The binding and hanging sleeve were made out of the same fabric as the backing so I can use the back of the quilt if I need an “unbranded” background. Hanging the quilt was a bit of a challenge as it needed more clips than supplied and the design of the supporting bar meant a single hanging sleeve would not be suitable. However, splitting the hanging sleeve into two and leaving a gap in the middle allows the quilt to be hung from the T-bar.
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Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Iminei on September 03, 2020, 07:24:16 AM: Wow!! @StitchinTime ... You kept that quiet!!!!!
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Acorn on September 03, 2020, 09:42:10 AM: What an excellent idea! We spent a long time trying to find somewhere for Mr Acorn to sit for his Teams meetings that didn't have a background that we wanted to keep private! Not a problem for me because my laptop will put up a custom background for me, but his won't do it. He ended up in the guest room.
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: toileandtrouble on September 07, 2020, 10:49:12 AM: Just voted on these. I was going to enter with a recover of my tatty Poang chair. I have some lovely quilted fabric for a cover, but could not find it in time. In fact, I still can't find it. How can 2metres of nice thick quilted furnishing fabric hide?
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Greybird on September 07, 2020, 11:06:32 AM: Voted. Really difficult again.
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: wrenkins on September 07, 2020, 11:23:18 AM: @Efemera I have moved your pictures into your post but @Iminei seems to have missed you out of the poll. @Iminei could you include @Efemera's entry please? :)
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Lilian on September 07, 2020, 13:00:59 PM: I can't find the poll for this :facepalm:

Scrap that I found it and voted :)
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: wrenkins on September 14, 2020, 10:55:25 AM: Ladies and gents we have our winner!

@RJR_38 please make your way over to @Iminei with your address to pick up your award!

Many Congratulations!
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: snoozi soozi on September 14, 2020, 10:57:41 AM: @RJR_38 congratulations :dance:
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Iminei on September 14, 2020, 11:00:52 AM: Very well deserved RJR ... Congratulations!
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Manuela on September 14, 2020, 11:06:55 AM: Congratulations @RJR_38 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: fajita on September 14, 2020, 11:11:24 AM: Well done @RJR_38 :toast:
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Vezelay on September 14, 2020, 15:17:24 PM: Congratulations @RJR_38 - your box is quite amazing! Some fantastic entries for this comp which I totally missed until today. Lots of runner up stars deserved here :).

Covered boxes could be a Christmas gift idea this year...
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: wrenkins on September 14, 2020, 16:22:08 PM: @Vezelay missed it? MISSED IT?!?!?! :o How can this be? I'll have a word with the marketing department. I think that's me. :laughing:
To ensure you don't have that excuse let me just say that this month, and well under way, is Checks, Plaids and tartans...all things square and next month is
Spoiler: show
refashion, recycle, upcycle, redo, transform, updo...
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Lilian on September 14, 2020, 18:16:41 PM: Well done @RJR_38 your box is exquisite! :toast:
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Efemera on September 14, 2020, 18:44:02 PM: Well done... congratulations.
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: RJR_38 on September 15, 2020, 06:50:16 AM: ooh thanks everyone! I had a horrid day at work yesterday (12 hour stint plus 2.5 hours travelling) and it ended with a child being taken into care - never a great thing. So this has really cheered me up :)

Fabric boxes are a must to make! I think cartonnage is going to be the next popular thing as I have seen it a few places recently. Even Natasha Makes had it on her show last week!
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Puzzler on September 15, 2020, 06:52:58 AM: Your week sounds horrific. Glad the well-deserved win cheered you up. :flower:
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: wrenkins on September 15, 2020, 07:10:05 AM: Well done again @RJR_38. I'm so glad we brought a little happiness to your day. :dance:
You had some serious competition but your box is truly a box of delight. (See what I did there? :laughing:) :toast:
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Bodgeitandscarper on September 15, 2020, 10:26:30 AM: Congrats @RJR_38

I completey missed the voting for this, no idea why.
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Greybird on September 15, 2020, 11:28:29 AM: I missed it too! Congratulations @RJR_38 it was exquisite!
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: wrenkins on September 15, 2020, 13:47:39 PM: Note to marketing department...buck up your ideas! :laughing:
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Greybird on September 15, 2020, 14:03:55 PM: Sorry, @wrenkins it wasn't the voting I missed, it was the "We have a winner!"
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: wrenkins on September 15, 2020, 14:16:24 PM: Note from marketing department. Will y'all pay attention?! :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Catllar on September 15, 2020, 17:04:58 PM: Congrats to a worthy winner!
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: dolcevita on September 15, 2020, 17:31:46 PM: Congratulations - the etui box is a thing of great beauty.
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: Helen M on September 15, 2020, 17:45:48 PM: Congratulations @RJR_38 it was a work of art!
Title: Re: House Beautiful Contest - 01.08.-31.08.2020
Post by: RJR_38 on September 15, 2020, 21:27:36 PM: Thanks everyone!