Self binding

For my little cat's quilt, I decided not to use bias binding, but the system of self binding instead. Quilt back must be at least 2,5 cm/1 inch wider at each edge than quilt top to use this system. First of all, you have to trim quilt top and padding evenly.

On the wrong side of quilt back, mark a line 2,5cm/1 inch away from trimmed quilt top all around, then cut along line.

At each corner, fold quilt back so corner point of back touches corner point of quilt top and padding. Cut off corner as shown.

Fold trimmed corner onto quilt top diagonally.

Now fold raw edges of quilt back 6mm/o,25inch in to wrong side. Fold quilt back onto quilt top along one side, pin to secure. Fold adjacent corner onto quilt top, forming a diagonal mitre at the corner.
Now sew folded edge of binding to quilt top using a matching thread. Remove pins as you go along. Slipstitch mitred edges together at corners (2).



And this is the result: a happy cat. I took this photo a few minutes after I finished the quilt.

Tutorial was taken from this book.

Red week

1. Illustration, 2. dress d-3 close up of fake tie, 3. Hearts, 4. you're just a click away..., 5. red arianie bag, 6. strawberries and mulberries, 7. Carl Larsson, 8. Junior Bazaar Cover 1954, 9. red, 10. silkie repaint- Bild Lilli imposter, 11. homegrown, 12. Yard sale - Betty Crocker Picture Cook Book, 13. red cottage, Oslo, Norway, 14. detail from the collar, 15. Strawberry, 16. Day dreaming.

How to make a mosaic:
1. Create a Flickr account.
2. Collect favorites (it's handy to choose from)
3. Go to Mosaic Maker.
First choose a layout, I always use square tiles, 4 columns x 4 rows.
4.Then I enter the URL's of the pictures I want to use: I open a picture in Flickr I like, then I copy its URL and paste it on the first line behind number 1. And I do this for 16 times, takes about half an hour.
I always do this with 2 windows open, one in Mosaic Maker and one in Flickr, and then I switch back and forth.
5.Then I click "create".
6.Now you see the result, sometimes it's necessary to move the pictures a bit. If you want to change something, click "Edit mosaic".
7. If you like the result, click on "Save".
8. Copy the HTML-code and post it on your blog (to give credit to all the photographers).
9. Upload the picture from your desktop (or wherever you have saved it).

This looks very complicated, but it's easy if you do it step-by-step.

The noble art of making dishcloths

I was always wondering what people were talking about on their blogs, when I saw the word "dishcloth". So I decided to find out, and look: I managed to make four of them in a few days! The green one is my favourite to use.
You can find free patterns here, here and here.


To make the little picot border (as you can see on the blue and pink dishcloth), you do the following:

1. Chain 3

2.Sc. (single crochet)in the 3d chain from hook.

3. Skip next chain, sl. st. (slip stitch) in next chain to attach picot.
I've seen other ways to make a picot, you can always experiment a bit and then see what gives the nicest effect.

Tablecloth

With the evenings getting longer, I'm already getting a bit in the winter mood, and red is the perfect winter colour to me. So I bought a cheap tablecloth to exercise my embroidery a bit.
For the eyes of the rabbit I tried my first french knots. If you want to try this, use this tutorial, it's great. It took me a bit of cursing and trying again and again, but here is the result. Not that bad for a first time.

And Ward was watching my progress with a lot of interest.
This afternoon, my dear husband found these wooden spools in an old cupboard in the garage. I think this box belonged to my grandmother.