A Table Runner to bribe the Boss!

Well, I have to admit that this is definitely one of my favourite Table Runners that I have made. It's also one of the simpler ones. Each half is identical to the other, which makes it look quite sophisticated I think.

It was made for Scudamore's Punting Company to be placed on a wedding fayre stall, mainly to brighten up the white table cloth! I was asked to make it in Scudamore's colours (Navy and white) and I had quite a fun time trying to find a simply patterned fabric that consisted of both these colours. I think I managed quite well if I do say so myself and everyone at the office loves the runner!

Another job well done! :)

More items up on my Etsy page

I know it has been a while but I've been busy with a new job and with creating so many new pieces that I can show you.

Most of the new pieces are going up on Etsy for sale so go check out the page if you would like to see more:

Link to my Etsy Page

Here are some of the newer pieces I have made, mostly placemats and coasters.

Aren't they pretty? Everytime I see some fabric that could work as a placemat or coaster design, I just can't help buying some. It's actually getting quite funny.

Keep an eye out for any more, or if you would like to commission me to make you some with a fabric of your choice, please contact me via my Facebook Page: Louise's Patchwork Patch

Leaf block quilt for Christmas

Merry Christmas Everyone! I hope you all had a splendid day. I know I did.

Now, I alluded in my last post that I had made more than one Christmas present for my friends and family and that is indeed true!

Now, every year my Grossmutter has made me something - a handbag, a sewing set holder. So this year, it was time that I made her something in return. And so we came up with the idea of a lap quilt for her to use of an evening. Now, if I do say so myself, the final piece looks sooo pretty. As per usual, I made a mock up of the design on the computer before I started so that I knew what I was making, but as usual, something changed! 

So, this is the original design:

Sorry about the small nature of the picture, but you can get the general gist can't you. I had found a block that would make a leaf shape. And I wanted to make 16 of these to make the front of the quilt. Cute, relatively easy and makes a really pretty design. In fact, the actual block is basically the same as that from the Bear Paws.

This, however, is the final piece:

Gorgeous isn't it?

I originally planned to make it in a month, but it was so much easier than I thought. It was only buying the fabric and the border that took so long!

Anyway, I liked making the leaves, and I think my piecing is some of the best I've done. Maybe someone else would like me to make them something with leaves. I honestly wouldn't say no! :)

Homemade Christmas Presents

Well, I don't know about everyone else but I really love giving handmade presents for Christmas and birthdays instead of buying something from a shop. And that is what I did for one of my good friends this year!

If any of you remember the cushions that I made with geckos on (Gecko 2 and Geckos are awesome!), well this piece originated from my inability to choose the colours for those properly! The centre gecko here (black and white fabric) has been cut out for nearly 10 months! I originally cut him (her?) out just in case I didn't like the final piece of the cushion!

But, my friend mentioned at the time that she really liked the black and white gecko! So, what better to do than make her a lovely small wall hanging with said black and white gecko!

The problem I had, however, was finding some more black and white fabric to match - it was IMPOSSIBLE! So I had to settle for a patterned grey. Which, to be honest, looks quite good anyway.

Here is the final piece:

The actual piece has a white border around it (see picture below) to make all the colours fit together that little bit better and I sewed some small hoops onto the back so that my friend could put string through and hang it! All in all, although I was rushing to finish it before I met up with her, it still worked out perfectly!

Once again - I think this is one happy 'customer' don't you? 

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Christmas lies around the tree - Literally

Hey guys! I hope you're all getting excited for Christmas! I know I am. There was no way I couldn't while making this awesome Christmas tree skirt. My friend commissioned me to make her one, giving me a budget and asking me to come up with a series of different designs that I could make within said budget.

I did so, and we both came up with this design - a mix of all the different ideas I had produced. You can never design it right the first time round - you have to play around to see what looks the best. My friend knew she wanted the cream fabric and also green and red. Thus, the colours were set.

We added the applique holly leaves to just give it that little bit extra and I think it works really well.

I'd never made a patchwork piece that was circular before, so this was certainly something new to me! But I never say no to trying something new.

I found it quite easy once I had worked out the pattern pieces and how much of a seam I would need. Then I just cut the same shape from the backing and sewed together with a normal seam. I also did a top stitch all around the edge to catch the opening. All in all it looks pretty fabulous (if I do say so myself!)

My friend certainly looks like a happy customer doesn't she!? :D

Beautiful placemats

So, by now you all know what my coasters look like. The placemats just came as an extension to the coasters. Bigger (obviously) but matching to a set of coasters so that I could sell them as a whole set.

And guess what? They turned out great:

Each set has 4 coasters and 4 placemats. I only used a strip of the fabric for the mats as they would have looked a bit gaudy if I made it completely from the cotton. As it is, I used calico for the majority of the mats as it looked really good.

The really amazing thing is that both of these sets, which are the only two I have made so far, have already sold! Clearly they are wanted by lots of people. I'll definitely have to make more in the near future.

Christmas Coasters

I know that I've already blogged about my coasters (see my post:Do you need a coaster for your drink?), but I really love them! Which is why I made more and took more photos.

These are only my Christmas themed coasters, I have plenty others that can be used throughout the year.

The holly coasters below are really some of my favourites. I bought the fabric for a commission, but ended up with a little bit extra which I have used for these coasters.
They sold well at the last Christmas fair that I did, lets see if they'll do the same at the next one!

Who else wants a set!?