Unique Gifts

How about a little something different today. Want to make a pincushion? Do you have any scraps laying around? How about some pretty fun fabric?





Quilting stores offer charm packets for sale. The package usually contain 5" squares of a collection of a fabric line. I enjoy picking up some of these and trying to come up with different ways to use the mini collections. I belong to a group on Ravelry that swaps pincushions. After checking out my secret partners collection I thought she needed something totally different. Something pieced with pretty fabric. Maybe even a monogram.



I got busy cutting strips. I cut strips in different widths. I wanted the finished piece to look like a pieced quilt but I wanted the process to be easy. I cut 1", 1 1/2" and 2" strips.



Start sewing the strips and mix up the widths. After you have your desired Width finished cut on last large strip about 2 1/2" X 5" to finish off you piece. For my project I made 2 sets of strips.



Sew your 2 sets together. Looks pretty good.




The possibilities are almost endless. This would also make a great scrap quilt block.



If you are able add a monogram for that extra special touch. Then you cut your piece to your desired finished shape.



Here is the first one. I love how it turned out. It's unique and sweet.






I made a few others for some quilting friends that have birthdays coming up. If you are looking for a special gift for a friend that sews give this a try.
Thank you for stopping by!

Rebel With a Cause

Have you ever done something that seems so wrong yet felt so good? I feel a little like a rebel. I was taught from a very young age to never put a wool item in the wash. I was also told that if you made the mistake of washing wool in the machine don't think about drying the wool clothing in the dryer. I have been guilty of shrinking beautiful sweaters down to toddler size by accident. Hmm, that was a long time ago. How things have changed. I have found that I adore shrinking old wool sweaters in the washing machine and then burning them in the dryer to felt the fabric even more. Here are a few of my creations. I had a pincushion swap last month and my mind went crazy with ideas. I was only suppose to make one pincushion. I can never seem to make just one of anything. If I'm going to go through the process I going play and let the creative juices flow.



You start out with some thrift store wool sweaters. Most of the sweaters I purchased were way out dated and already felted.




I found a few really nice wool sweaters from Ireland that I'm not sure I can cut up.






After the washing machine does it's job and felts the wool like magic start cutting.






To make the handle for your tea cup you need to make lots of i-cord. I found this cool tool that makes I-cording at Joannes. Remember to read the directions for the cording tool. You can only use a skinny 100% wool yarn.




You just use the colors that you like and create a cool tea cup or coffee mug. Here is a great video of the pattern here. I love the way this one turned out. I'm sure that if I hit some other thrift stores I could find better patterned sweaters.






I couldn't stop with the teacup. I had to create a sweater pincushion.




This one is made out of a cashmere sweater. I made sure to cut the sweater so I could put the cable to good use. Cashmere is a little harder to felt.
It's cute!
Thanks for stopping by and checking out my little pincushion parade!