Almost done!!

Both fronts are now quilted and ready for backs! Yay!!

Side by side, one is visibly larger, for two reasons. Firstly, when I marked the vilene for number one, my accuracy wasn't that great and so the gaps were slightly bigger. Add to that a slightly larger seam allowance on number two, and you get a difference of about 2cm overall. It's not a big deal, 'cause once they are plumped up with cushions inside, you won't even notice... ;)

It's amazing how two items made from the same fabric can look so different!! The first one (right) looks fuller, but a little lopsided. The second (left) is finer and not so solid. I think they are both successful, though. I will definitely be trying these again!

I have given them a simple quilt in-the-ditch around the squares, although I haven't added a backing -  since I knew these will be cushions, I didn't see the point. Just need a couple of zips and they will be done! Good thing the shops are open Sundays! :)

Am I crazy??

I think I must be..... After starting the first colourwash cushion, I thought they would look better as a pair - so I'm doing another one!! ;)

In the middle of the night, I thought I would try a "X", but after many tries, it just didn't look right, so another heart it is! 

A couple of changes, though. The vilene that I used first time was far too heavy, although it was white. This time it's black and much, much lighter - not by choice, but it's what I had on hand. Time for a fabric shopping trip! YAY!!

Here's where I'm at after a whole weekend playing around with it. Trying not to overthink it is hard! I love puzzles, but this has no "solution", so it's hard to know when to stop. But I think I'm ready to stop now. My head hurts....

Cushion, maybe??

I have put a couple of borders on the base, and now it's cushion sized. Difficult decisions on colour, but I think this was the best option in the end. It's actually grey - I'll have to get a better pic once it's finished....

I think I might make a cushion cover, since it's a bit girly and I already have a cushion that it will fit. It's already pinned to the batting so I can quilt the front, just add a backing and a zip and that's it!

Distractions.....

I have wanted to do a colourwash quilt for ages, but never really found the right fabric. While cleaning up my sewing room, I found a piece of floral that looked like it had enough open space as well as dense flowers, so I took the plunge!! :)

I used 5cm squares cut randomly from strips of the floral, and so the fun began. Firstly, I put the squares into piles of similar type - low, medium and high, plus halves both diagonal and straight - to make it easier to start. I found the best shape for the top and bottom peak of the heart shape, and just went from there! I used the halves to shape the curves, the corners to fill the gaps. When I thought it looked ok, I took a photo. This gave a better idea of how it was going and allowed for adjustments to be made, rearranged again and again, until I was happy.

I then put it on some iron-on vilene, pressed it and stitched down the seams. And this is how it turned out :

Not sure what to do with it - maybe a doll quilt or table runner, or a bag? Current size - 36cm square

The faces of Oz

So, I have been deliberating on how to do the faces on Dorothy and her friends, and discovered something that might work! I was reluctant to paint straight on, in case I made a mistake, so glueing on the features would be the easiest way to go. But how???

I found a pic on Google where the eyes were painted on a linen or tight woven fabric, then cut out and attached to the face. I didn't want them to fray, so I tried painting on some heavily pressed vilene, and it worked great!! I drew the design on paper, then copied it onto some vilene, painted it, waited for it to dry, then simply cut it out!! 

The hole on the lip is where I put a pin while testing - probably should have put it closer to the line, but it worked really well, so I will just have to live with it ;)

Tin man also got a heart and an axe....

Scarecrow got a diploma (braaaiiiins... LOL!)

And Cowardly Lion got a bravery medal (that will most likely be replaced, but it's what I had)

I think they turned out pretty good? I will definitely be trying this technique again... In fact, Toto is waiting for his face to be done. I'm not totally happy with it, so will live with it for a while and see how I feel before it's attached permanently....