Patchwork Stuff

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.

Whilst we're still talking Patchwork Inspiration, I came across a fabulous blog yesterday with a beautiful Patchy Post to drool over......ah I do like a good browse in Blogland for inspiration, it always comes up trumps.

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

Comments

[Cathy]

Wow, I've just discovered your blog through Aneela, and I've been hit in the face by the colour...what a riot, I love it. Your crochet is to die for. I can't wait to see what you come up with your first patchwork quilt...go for, I'm sure you will find quilting addictive. And Kaffe is the Master!!

[Stef]

Wouahhhh these fabrics are so beautiful!! When I come to visit you I feel in a good mood, thanks for that My Lucy!!!
I am so happy of your visit on my blog...
Have a nice and sweet weekend!
Kiss from Brussels

[Elaine]

That Chesterfield is AMAZING!!

Rain here too up in Scotland - perfect school Fete weather!!

[melanie]

Hi Lucy, I adore patchwork, and am definately going to take it up when I get a sewing machine. I have always wanted a ptachwork quilt, but have you seen the price of them! So I thought, I will just make one myself, might take a little longer than just going out and buying one, but at least it will not cost as much, plus it will be totally unique! xxxxxx

[sharon-nz]

Wow love your fabric stash the colours are just so awesome, watch out I have made my first quilt and its addictive - especially the fabric buying LOL

[Sarah T]

Go for it lucy, once you start pathcwork you will get hooked! Pardon the pun! I am sure you take it to a new level like you did the crochet. I am looking forward to seeing the first of what I think will be many quilts!

Have a great weekend x

[Ali]

Your stash may not be huge, but it is very very pretty. So much promise in those little squares.

Enjoy your rainy day.

[Sally]

Totally in love with your sense of colour! Making old traditions all new and yummy.

[Anna]

Hi Lucy,
Setting up a flickr group sounds like a great idea. The fabrics you have chosen for the patchwork quilt are so cheery, it will really complement your beautiful crocheted cushions and blankets

[Kelly]

Gorgeous fabric and that strip looks mighty fine! I can't wait to see your finished chair and then the quilt draped over it - ENJOY!!! :-)

[Leilani Bennett]

You are embarking on a project that is totally addictive! (Ask me how I know.)
You will be cozily quilting away by the fire and I will be cozily knitting with the air conditioner on because it's going to be one hot weekend here in the San Francisco Bay Area. Aren't we lucky we have fun ways to beat the weather?

[Melissa]

Wow! I have only just recently discovered your blog through another (forget which one sorry!) and you have already inspired me! I am also starting to have a go at patchwork and this post is fantastic eye candy!

Thank you very much :)

[Mrs Bun]

I get very excited by all the colours of yarn out there and completely inspired when I see a new shade. When I see other people's fabric stash I fall in love with all of it and wish it was mine. It might be a small stash, but it's a very very good one you've got there Lucy. The colours are just gorgeous.

Your cosy weekend sounds all wintery and just perfect. I might copy you and fit the same in around popping to the village hall for the jumble sale.

Have a good weekend.

Lisa x

[Sarah]

I've been putting off going to a patchwork shop as I know I will want to spend, spend, spend! But your fabrics are just sooo lovely. The chair will look so incredibly beautiful when you've finished with it!! Fabulous cushions and fabulous seat. Bet you don't use it for sitting in, you'll just want to look at it all day won't you?!!

[Oran]

Fabulous colours and thank you so much for visiting The Conservatory yesterday and commenting on my crochet. Love Oran xx

[trudette]

''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 , I so know what you mean , what more does one need :)

I love your Blog , and your work is fabulous. You are one of my very favorite Blogs

[michelle]

your stash is beautiful and the patchwork is gonna be fab

[kitschen pink]

Oh how I love the work of Lisa Whatmough. Have you seen her patchwork standard lamps? Oooh! I tried the patchwork upholstery in my class - it's very very ticksy to get the tension right! But your colours already look amazing - of course!! t.x (yes please flickr group - I don't do any crochet these days but I'd love to gaze upon everyone elses!)

[Izzy]

I think you are doing very well indeed, those fabrics are the colors version of your crochet and they will all orchestrate to a wonderful crocendo in your home..Make sure you leave some time for this website too if you dont already have it http://quiltinggallery.com/quilting-bloggers/
http://www.quilterstv.com/

..cheers Izzy

[bex]

ohh my days!! i need that sofa!!!
x

[jo]

Yummy scrummy pretty fabric! I too am glad that the weather in the Midlands is all rainy as I have spent the day sewing and got my first ever quilt finished! It is very addictive - be warned!

[alisonb2]

I tried the whole patchwork thing last autumn and enjoyed the day I had, making the top layer of the quilt. I treated myself to some special fabric to back it. tacked it all together and then proceeded to quilt it. (I logged it all carefully on my blog) That was when the corners of the mouth went down. My sewing machine just would not cope with it and it is now in a nicely folded heap on top of the machine waiting for me to have yet another attempt at quilting. The moral of the tale? Don't give up. If at first you don't succeed, try try again!!!!

[Anna]

I am hoping to finish my first ever patchwork quilt this weekend-have been sewing it by hand as my machine not working. It is SO addictive, I have already started collecting fabric for my next one..watch this space!x

[Louise]

I have just bought some fabric for a patchwork quilt (but haven't reached the cutting stage yet!) and I look forward to seeing how yours grows, too. Have a great weekend - your plans sound very nice!

[Shelley in SC]

Oh, my . . . it's a patchwork wonderland. Nothing would fit more beautifully in your home that patchwork out of these scrumptious colors. Go, Lucy!!