What I made, by Sharon

  I've been steadily working on by Bad Tie Patchwork cushion. It is undoubtedly, the most fun I have ever had with the sewing machine. I loved the paper template technique, it's really supportive of the fact that I struggle with seam allowances and can't usually cut or sew in a straight line. I have learnt so much doing this project, most of it probably glaringly obvious to everyone else. Learning highlights included: it's better not to hold the fabric in a death grip. That makes the threads in the back go funny. It's not a fault with the machine, but I guess I learnt a whole lot about it while investigating what I thought had to be  an issue with the machine, but turned out to be an issue with me. I also learnt to cut pieces bigger, something that will definitely improve the quality of future patched pillows. And on that note, I'm off to sort through the Bad Ties, I have the next two cushion designs chosen, printed and ready to go. That's Tarragon snea...

On Sunday I got out the sewing machine to take up a dress that I bought last December. Whole I had the sewing machine out, I thought I would look up some ideas for sewing some of the Bad Ties we have collected over the three years Leon had been doing bad tie Monday's, into cushion covers. We have two huge bags full of ties that range from simply ugly to utterly ridiculous I found  a tutorial by Martha Stewart on how to use a  paper template to sew log cabin squares - which means, I don't have to be able to cut in a straight line, which is usually my biggest issue with sewing. (as an aside, I didn't realise Martha Stewart was such a tripper. the video is here , if you want to see what I mean.) So I started cutting up the ties. I've only sewn four squares so far, but this is the most fun I have ever had with my sewing machine.