Extravagant and Restrained

I spotted these locally last weekend. I couldn't resist!

Well actually, I hardly tried... but I did limit myself to these.

 There were lots more, including some enormous empty wooden bobbins at which I drew the line (so to speak). We have limited space and in theory I try not to acquire too much stuff...

I suspect they come from India or somewhere. There weren't details available. I wonder if the ends on the slim ones are springs? Has anyone seen these elsewhere?

One day they will grace a sewing room I hope, but for now they look beautiful anywhere.

WiP Wednesday

I just have a couple of Works in Progress at the moment but a very long list in my head which I began to list in the New Year here. There's a bit of a time frame for the envelope clutch  I'm making for my daughter's school formal on Friday... but it's all under control...

The lining is in orange (more burnt than it looks here) like her dress. There's a small zippered pocket and we opted not to add the card slots, which are another pattern option. I hadn't done a pocket/zip this way before and it's very easy and neat. 

(pattern from Anna at Noodlehead)

The outside is a soft black silk with a subtle dot as part of the weave.

So now I just have to assemble it, tho' I didn't realise I still had black in the bobbin for the topstitching until I'd attached the flap to the bag and I'd already unpicked it once to place the magnetic snap (duh!), so I'm thinking i'll redo the topstitching if I can safely negotiate the snap...Should I do it?


The other work in progress is the straight-line quilting on this. Which is going  slo-ow-ly! Partly because it's large-ish, but mostly because I'm not having big chunks of time for it.

Still debating whether to continue across the whole quilt or turn 90 degrees for some sections?

Linking up with Lee at Freshly Pieced-Actually I was too late- I'll try again another time...

All in Place

I don't think my mum-in-law reads my blog, otherwise the surprise will be unsurprising. (Actually, I know my mum reads this, but if any other family members/ friends do, do let me know if you don't want any spoilers in the future...!)

I have made some reversible placemats for my Mum in Law's birthday. Late unfortunately but...they're moving at the moment to the other end of the country and I know they've bought a new table, so I thought these might be a cheery gift, to arrive soon after they do at their new place, hopefully in colours she likes. They're pretty bright! They certainly brighten up our rustic outdoor table made from reclaimed and drift wood.

I used AMH Field Study Mind's Eye in Jazz and Samba with Kona Pomegranate and either Orange, Carrot or Kumquat- I can't remember and it's remarkably hard to tell from matching against the colour card!

Originally I was going to use the print on one side, quilted to the batting and plain colour on the other, but I didn't have quite enough of the Kona, so ended up having to piece the Kona solid with the print and quilting that side instead. I used bamboo batting which isn't too thick. There are two in each colourway, so they can use a matching pair if they like.

I like it better in the end anyway!

I think there might be more (if perhaps slightly more toned down) placemats in my gifting future!
Now I just need to get to the post office...