Hello...ahhhhh glad it's Friday, are you? The weather here today is absolutely dire and the forecast for the weekend in my little patch is for continuing Heavy Rain, which to be perfectly honest, would suit me just fine. I'm envisaging some luxurious hours spent pyjama-clad and fluffy-socked, in front of the fire with Country Living magazine to the left, my crochet bag to the right, cushions and blankets to the back and tea and cake somewhere reachable in front. Yeah, that sounds mighty fine to me. I shall surround myself on all four sides with cosy, homey things. Bring it on.
Today though, I thought we might take a little diversion from the weather, and from yarn and crochet and talk fabric instead? More specifically, the business of cutting pieces of beautiful fabric into neat little squares and then attempting to stitch them together with precise, straight, unwobbly lines?
Ahhhh yes I've been busy in the Attic these past few days! Busy doing fabricky, cutty stuff! As you know, I had this idea for my Lloyd Loom chair that I would make a patchwork seat cover for it. Now despite being absolutely Passionate about Patchwork, and despite owning this wonderful book for the best part of ten years, I have never actually attempted to make Patchwork. Never. Well thats to say that when I was a weeny scrap of a girl I did have a go at making hexagonal patchwork, the old fashioned English sort where you hand stitch all the fabric pieces onto little paper templates, you know? But never tried my hand at grown-up sewing machine type patchwork before. Even though it greatly appeals to me and I adore the whole idea of it.
I think that has partly been down to the absence of a Stash. And anyone knows that you need a half decent stash in order to make a half decent stab at Patchwork.
But over recent months, a little itty-bitty stash has been accumulating in the Attic...see those yummy scrumptious fabrics up there, don't they make your heart flutter just a little?? Well that'll be the extent of my stash, and I am very, very fond of it. Its very strokable, very inspiring. Its a mixture of Kaffee Fassett fabrics, European fabrics, and some generously gifted fabrics. I think there are only twenty five fabrics in total there, so extremely limited really in the giddy world of stash-building. But they are mine-mine-mine and I love each and every one of them.
And oh! What fun!!!! To spend an afternoon ironing and gliding my rotary cutter up and down my magical transparent Omnigrid ruler (bought a while ago and never been used before) was just delightful! Delightful. I chatted away to the fabric, enjoyed playing with it enormously.
Want to see what happened?
Want to see what I built?
Ok, look..........
.......I built a fantabulous pile of neatly cut, perfect little 4-inch squares!
A whole stack of them look!!!!
Oh my, well let me explain...what I did was to make a calico template for the chair seat I'm covering, and from the size of that I reackoned on needing 25 patchwork squares to fit it. So any noodle can work out that if you have twenty five fabrics and need twenty five squares, then that's only one square needed from each fabric, right? But where's the fun in cutting just one lonely square??? Nah, much better to cut big strips of fabric, then slice the strips into squares, two at a time! yeah, that rotary cutter was made for cutting strips, it didn't like doing single squares at all!
So anyhow, the upshot is that I think I am about to embark on my first ever patchwork quilt!!!!!! Ooooooooooooo how very totally, utterly exciting! Cos even after I put aside my 25 squares for the seat cover, I think I must still have around a hundred squares left over (yes I really did cut that many, I lost the ability to let go of the rotary cutter).
Anyhow, I will most definitely keep you posted on progression with that.
I think the whole Patchwork thing must be really In Fashion at the moment as I've noticed it in several magazines recently. The above image is from the May issue of Homes & Antiques, its the London home of Kate McShane. See that chair, isn't it amazing?? I love love love it.
And these pages are from the May issue of Elle Decoration.....see the round crocheted cusions on the sofa??
Turn the page and there's a beautiful paper patchworked book shelf, and more of that amazing patchwork furniture too....take a closer look........
How fabulous are those?? Ooo makes me want to smooch that furniture and cover it in kisses, I adore it!!!! You may recognise it as the work of London based Squint Limited.
Want to see some more of their stuff??
(photo above borrowed from the Squint website)
That's the Chesterfield Sofa...
(photos above borrowed from the Squint website)
...and above are stools and chairs that've been given the Squint makeover.
I find this whole idea totally inspiring, fun, creative, imaginative, energetic and heart-skippy. It really inspires me to use fabrics and pattern more around the house, although not sure what husband would say.
Well my friends...just before I log off and return to stitching myself into a squared-up Patchwork Frenzy, can i just say a huge thank you to all your responses to yesterdays post. I've been working my way though all your links and have thoroughly enjoyed my Global Hooky tour, it's been quite wonderful. If you haven't already added your crochet link to the post, then please do, I'd love to come and pay you a visit and see what you've been up to. I will also consider making a Flickr group, if you think that'd be cool??
Enjoy your weekend, whatever the weather, make sure you have yourself some fun....
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I think you have to excuse my poor English, I am Swedish woman who have been reading your blogg for awhile. I have a lot of fun, and I am very inspired about the stuff you make and all wonderful photos.
The patchwork photos are gorgeous! I am sold (can you say it that way in English?) about the chair.
You have a great blogg!
Posted by: Charlotte | May 15, 2009 at 01:28 PM
Wow, your stash is looking great! I particularly love the floral fabric you've got. Such a vibrant design!
Posted by: Katrina | May 15, 2009 at 01:29 PM
Patchwork is similar to crochet in the way you can put together all of the lovely colours, I am sure you will love it.
Mind yourself with that rotary cutter! I have had some great injuries!
Posted by: The Antidote | May 15, 2009 at 01:38 PM
You have a most enviable fabric stash! I am glad to see that you are going to be doing some patchworking. I have never attempted this myself as I can't cut a straight line! I am really looking forward to seeing your finished chair.x
Posted by: simone | May 15, 2009 at 01:46 PM
Lucy, I do worry that you keep posting what is in my thoughts - I'm off to try a quilt as well. And I'm also inspired to try a ripple, once I've finished 115 motifs for the daughter's cardigan. By the time you've got a Flickr group, i might have started it!
Emma
Posted by: Emma | May 15, 2009 at 01:53 PM
I feel duty-bound to warn you: patchwork quilting can be every bit an obsession as crocheting!!! LOL But a wonderful obsession at that. Your fabrics are to die for and I can't wait to see your quilt all done up!
Posted by: Vera | May 15, 2009 at 01:54 PM
That sofa might actually be the coolest thing I have ever seen!
Posted by: Brianna | May 15, 2009 at 02:00 PM
Lucy,
I only just bought my first crochet hook today...and now you are giving me ideas about patchwork quilts!!!!!!! OMG.....you have so so so so many great ideas. Enjoy your weekend.
Posted by: karen | May 15, 2009 at 02:04 PM
Lucy - welcome to the the world of Patchwork!
That sofa is amazing I could just imagine lounging on that.
Have a lovely weekend I'm not sure what the weather will be doing here though I like your plan and hope all goes accordingly.
take care,
Nina x
Posted by: Nina - Tabiboo | May 15, 2009 at 02:10 PM
LUCY!!!!!!!!
I am so excited are taking up patchwork.
After many years break I have recently taken it up again too, Inspired by my friend Aneela http://comfortstitching.typepad.co.uk/comfortstitching/ who is doing some wonderful teaching-how-to over at her blog.
I patchworked one of those fab same swivel armchairs with a friend for our first flat back in the 7o's in those days we patchworked anything we could get our hands on. I even made a patchwork tent, it was impressive, but not waterproof! lol.
I put a little of my recent stuff on my blog a couple of weeks back, have been using up an old (very old) Laura Ashley stash.
Good Lucy with your seat cover Lucy, I predict it is going to be stunning!!
your fabrics are GORGEOUS!!!
Glad you've joined the club :o)
Sumea
Posted by: sumea | May 15, 2009 at 02:12 PM
Ohhhh yes please set up a Flickr group - I haven't got a blog (well I have but it's all about Summer Camp with the Guides and hardly the spot to start uploading pictures of my humble crochet attempts, although it does have a picture of Jeremy Clarkson driving a Rolls Royce into a swimming pool - work that out if you can!) so if you really are interested to see a wee pursey/handbag tidy sort of thing, or the thing I made to stop my red enamel teapot from marking the table or indeed my oversized and somewhat baggy Attic24 bag, then please set one up!
Posted by: Jules | May 15, 2009 at 02:16 PM
I love the fabric Lucy so lovely and vibrant. I've been looking through my patchwork books as well - looks like I need to get one of those cool rotary cutters.
Posted by: Lorraine | May 15, 2009 at 02:20 PM
Your fabric collection is gorgeous!! I can't wait to see what you do with all of that fun fabric!!!
Posted by: Tam | May 15, 2009 at 02:21 PM
Your Stash is looking fantastic, I can't wait to see the end results!
Posted by: Kelly | May 15, 2009 at 02:26 PM
I'm curious now. What craftswork CAN'T you do??? I really want to see your result. No surprise, it's going to be fabulous. :P
Take care and keep smiling.
Posted by: Kenia Cris | May 15, 2009 at 02:37 PM
Hello! Welcome to the patchwork world!!
I´m a patchwork girl but thanks to you I´m learning crochet. I will post my work in the Flick group as soon as I have something. I can recomend a great site is the www.allpeoplequilt.com It is the site of the patchwork magazine American Patchwork and Quilting, it has lots of videos where you can learn. I also recomend you to visit the blogs: film in the fridge, crazy mom quilts, fresh figs and the purl bee they have lots of lovely ideas. Jane Brocket yarnstorm)is also a great site, she is working on a new book of quilts.
I know you will do something lovely.
Have a great weekend! In Mexico is also raining but is very warm.
Posted by: Paty Z. from Mex. | May 15, 2009 at 02:40 PM
good luck with the patchwork - not quite patchwork but for great quilting have a look here http://dontlooknow.typepad.com/dont_look_now/
lisa x
Posted by: periwinkle | May 15, 2009 at 02:45 PM
Dear Lucy,
If you go on like this you're killing me :
- financially :broke from buying more stuff to make my own version of the goodies you come up with,
- mentally: exhausted from planning more projects and trying to find time to make them,
- physically: as I'm trying to stick to my diet and you keep talking bout cake and tea and cookies
But please keep going cause I absolutely LOVE it ; )
Have a nice weekend
PS pick of the finished blankie after the weekend, check my blog
Posted by: Nathalie | May 15, 2009 at 02:46 PM
oh fantastic - your beautiful stash is going to make one beautiful patchwork quilt!!!!
Don't you just LOVE the stuff from squint? I've been trying to convince my other half that I really do NEED a patchwork chesterfield sofa...he's not entirely convinced (but I think I'll wear him down eventually!)
Posted by: Katy | May 15, 2009 at 03:01 PM
Hello there!
Well I say! What a lovely stash you have, Im sure your patchwork is going to be just as vivid and vibrant and colourful and rainbow like as your delightful crochet - and it got me to thinking, about a recent habit of mine (that started after I got a sewing machine for Christmas) yes, I seem to be developing a little stash of my own, a little pile of fabric, for no real purpose in particular...I wonder if you are about to inspire me to make patchwork too??! :)
Time will tell, cant wait to see your finished chair.
Love Julia xxx
Posted by: Julia | May 15, 2009 at 03:02 PM
Yummy,Yummy what a fun bright way to start my day. We are also rainy and gray here in the Windy City of Chicago. Can't wait to work on my granny square blanket and finish it up would love to share when done. You already have me dreaming of getting out my fabrics and starting a fun quilt. Would love you to start a flickr group to all to sharing your projects. It would just feed my addiction to color. Have a great weekend. Already looking forward to your Monday blog.
Posted by: Kate - The Garden Bell | May 15, 2009 at 03:18 PM
Be very very very careful Lucy - take it from one who knows - Patchwork and Quilting are even more addictive than crochet. Before you know it you'll be quilting everything in sight!
Posted by: Anne Bebbington | May 15, 2009 at 03:19 PM
I really enjoyed making my little patchwork quilt, I made it up from my DDs baby and toddler dresses, now to me that is the best fabric in the world :)
Enjoy your making
X
Posted by: Mary Poppins | May 15, 2009 at 03:22 PM
Not so sure I like the chair, but the ottoman and the couch look amazing.
Actually I think my parents have an old chair shaped like that. It's made of vinyl. Is there a way to replace the vinyl with fabric?
I have a pair of jeans with a big hole at the knee (the hole got bigger after my husband stuck his fingers through it, to my annoyance). I had been planning on covering it up with some more plain blue denim, but maybe I should try a colorful fabric instead.
Posted by: Serena | May 15, 2009 at 03:36 PM
perfect looking 4inch blocks!!! hope you have fun!
xx
Posted by: wonderwoman | May 15, 2009 at 04:28 PM