I finally received my fancy new labels today. I wanted to make a little logo that I could sew onto things that I make. After searching around the web for ways that people make their own labels I came across a blog on how to make your own labels on Spoonflower.com.
I wasn't sure what to expect, so I ordered 8x8" test swatches of two different fabrics. I'm glad I did, because one came out not so great because it was printed on a stretchy jersey type of fabric. The other swatch was perfect. I highly recommend testing out your logos on different types of fabric before you make a larger order.
The swatches that I ordered had enough print to make 24 labels from each swatch. All I had to do was get my rotary blade and cut them out.
Last week I finished my very first quilt. I have done patchwork before and am still in the process of doing a traditional Hawaiian quilt. But, this is the first time trying some free motion machine quilting.
I am self teaching myself through the magic of Youtube and came up with this video of Jenny Doan from Missouri Star Quilt Co. doing a Lattice Quilt. If you want to start quilting or even if you do quilt already, she has a wonderful series of videos.
Last month I ordered a bunch of fabrics from Fabric.com that consisted of spiders, bats, bugs and all that creepy good stuff. Simple to do if you just browse the Halloween fabrics. Let me tell you I have come to hate the color orange. Either way, I ended up with a good assortment and voila! Gothic quilt.
The free motion quilting was a challenge to learn. After a few broken needles and some ripping of stitches I figured it out and made up a cobweb stitching. It turned out pretty good. It measures 50x60" and consists of 80 blocks. I originally planned for 156 blocks but after cutting and sewing the blocks together and realizing how big it would be, I figured it would be too ambitious for a first quilt. So, now I have enough blocks to make another quilt that would be similar.
As you can tell by the fabric I've used, it has also inspired my blog name. Majority of the items I make have a darker touch to it. I've decided that eventually I will open an Etsy shop and start selling things, haven't quite decided on what, but quilting is pretty fun for me.
Here on another adventure into blogland, this time for my passion to become Gothic Martha Stewart. I've decided to take a swing at staying at home and crafting and creating magical and wondrous items.
Since moving to the UK, I haven't used my sewing machine for fear that it will blow up due to the difference in voltages. So, I have purchased a lovely Pfaff Smarter 160 sewing machine. Nothing too fancy since my 12 year old daughter is interested in learning to sew. I know, I could have used a transformer, but, it's a sentimental machine and I don't feel like taking a chance on ruining it.
So, to begin my crafting adventure and also while shopping for a sewing machine, I threw together this needle book.
It's hand sewn with felt and embroidery threads. Here's some of the insides
