rug update

All my sewn strips, waiting to be used.... Our living room looks like a green fabric store...

I've got my sewing machine fixed and home, so I have been making some progress on my project! Its looking really cute, and I am so excited! Of course, after I get the rug done my next task is to switch the baby room and computer room, paint and redecorate, so I have a long way to go! :o) Anyway, the rug is coming a long. At first I was just going to make a really long braid and then coil afterwards, but I wanted to see what it would look like, so I've done a bit of each. Here is how I am making the braid... I sewed five strands of different colors together, then began braiding. The five braid is really a cross between the braid and the fishbone that I used to do on my sisters hair...
I am taking the our side strand (light green below) and then weaving an over/under pattern until it becomes the middle piece.

Then switch to the other side (checkered below) and repeat. Over/under until its the middle strand.

Here's my pile of braid...

And here's the coil I started. My next post I will show in more detail how I am attaching the braid around the oval. Its a little misshapen, but I am pleased with the start and think it will even out.

Baby shower sign

Here's a sign I made for my friend Christines baby shower today. I had a lot of fun making it, although it took longer than I originally thought it would. I took light 1/4 inch foam board, cut out letter shapes and then covered them with paper. All the curved edges were tricky and took awhile. I should have used the hot glue gun, looking back I think that would have been better than craft glue. After I had all the letters covered, I took needle and thread and sewed each one onto a ribbon. Turned out cute!

5 braid rug

Braided rug project: I have been wanted to make a rug for a few years now, and just haven't had a place to put one. Bryans grandma made MANY of these rugs over the years, and has passed her knowledge onto me. She really is a talented and creative person! She made hers mostly out of old corduroy pants that someone had given her. This led to a very eclectic color pallet. I decided to go for a more coordinated look and went out and bought fabric. Unfortunately, here in Hong Kong we are greatly lacking in craft stores, okay there are NONE! So, on a trip into China a few weeks ago I went to the fabric market there to see what I could find. The selection is great for clothes making, not so great for crafting :o) I was able to find a few different textures and colors though to suit my need.

I made approx. 4 inch strips out of all the fabric, some just ripped and others I had to cut. A rotary cutter would have been handy for this.

Here is one strip....

I then sewed each piece over on itself on both sides, leaving a finished edge, that hopefully won't fray. Some of the fabric didn't sew very easily in this way, I think because of the way it was cut/ripped. But, I'm thinking that when its all braided in, it won't matter if there are a few puckers.

I left about 3/4 inches un- sewn at the start and end of each piece. This is to attach the pieces as I am braiding.

Some finished strips...

At this point in my project, my sewing machine stopped working, so it's now in the shop. I can't start, or work on the rest until its back... Its okay, we are off to Malaysia for a week. When we get back my machine should be ready to go! Will add the next step when I get back.

Happy Year of the Tiger!

first post

Okay, here it is my first post! I'm currently working on a braided rug for Jack's room, but will post that later. Last week, or maybe even two now, I helped my friend Christine make a easy flannel quilt for her coming baby girl. It's a fun, and super easy pattern, and looks so great when finished! It took us two mornings working around, and with, the two little boys.

The basic idea is to make squares with three layers (flannel, batting-this is cut one inch less than flannel size, flannel). You can make whatever pattern you choose. You then sew an X through all the individual squares to "quilt" it. Then, after you have laid out the pattern, you sew the squares together leaving a 1 inch margin of flannel (make sure all the sticking out flannel is on the same side of the quilt. When you finish sewing together, you clip all the raw edges, wash and dry it, and the flannel frays beautifully!