Small stitches

Yesterday was mostly a sewing day for me, finishing off cushion fronts ready for making into cushion covers to put into my Etsy shop. These I made a while ago from some pretty 1930's repro fabrics and white cotton, and have been waiting to have simple hearts embroidered in the white patches.

I have also finished constructing the little bunch of fabric flowers cushion front entirely by hand using some beautiful vintage white linen, so this will be a cushion for our home. I often make things completely by hand, it makes me feel in touch with the history of sewing, with women in the past who had no choice but to construct everything by hand, when all seams would have been hand sewn with tiny neat stitches before the advent of the sewing machine.

When I was in my 20's I made several pretty cotton nightdresses, full length ones with lace trimmed bodices and narrow straps, completely by hand. It didn't take as long as you might think, and there is something very peaceful, simple and so very satisfying to the soul (to mine anyway) to see a garment take shape in your hands, held together by your own small stitches. My stitches aren't as tiny and neat as those that would have been sewn in the past, but they are small stitches that do the job. 

Those nightdresses are as good as the day they were made, after many years of washing and wearing.

I did a lot of sewing in of ends for the back of the crochet blanket yesterday too, which is now nearing the point where I can crochet the edge and it will be finished.

Also on the yarny front, I was a very lucky giveaway winner of some hand dyed yarn! 

The gorgeous multi-coloured yarn you have seen photos of in this post was hand coloured by the very talented Bev at Dinkyflowerpots 

Do go and visit her blog as she is currently experimenting with dying and colouring yarn, and as well as using acrylic paints (yes, that is how she did this!) she is also experimenting with natural plant dyes.

This gorgeous yarn came wrapped and tied with yarn she had dyed with turmeric.

 It is the most lovely rich golden yellow colour. I'm pretty sure she won't stop there, so keep an eye on what else Bev does!

I can't wait to try it out, but first I must finish "the blanket" and also make up the cushions, and then I'm free to make something with the multi-coloured yarn.

But what?  What shall I make? Any ideas?

There is a generous 100g there I think although it looks and feels more. I kind of have a hankering for a simple, one large granny square cushion front, as it would show off the different colours.

Or a small basket. They are always useful for carrying around bits and bobs for sewing projects. Yes, similar to this one that I made a few years ago from string. That might look good, maybe with a contrast colour top, and it would show off the yarn.

Hmm, what do you think?

But I would love to hear your ideas!

Many thanks for all your comments in my last few posts, and welcome to my new followers!

The sun is out today, the pink camellia has lots of open flowers on it now and looks lovely, so a long walk through the orchards and fields first with the dog ( a good 3 mile round trip), then a spell working in the greenhouse and garden, and in between that and the chores, I will sew in a few more ends on "the blanket".

Hope you have a great day wherever you are.