Thursday 13 January 2011

Stitching in the Ditch (well, to the side of the ditch really)

I've finally finished something!  My first finish of the year on 12th January - that's a bit rubbish really!  It is also my first Craft Book Challenge finish of the year.

This project was taken from Sew Darn Cute (see details on my Craft Book Challenge tab) and was really good fun to make.  I love doing patchwork. This was my first time doing "stitching in the ditch" though and I am not very good at it! 

Here's the scarf:

All rolled up.  It was hard to get a shot of this scarf as it's not very bendy and I couldn't fit the whole thing in a picture.  The light is rubbish too, I need to try to just take pictures at the weekends of my projects as I'm never at home during the day light hours - but I wanted to show you!

Here it is fanned out (look at me trying to be artistic!):
They are all Moda fabrics from layer cakes I bought - one was Freebird and the other Boutique but I can't remember which the others were and don't know which range these fabrics were from! 

Here's a close up of my stitching in the ditch:
Can you see where I wander away from the ditch?  I didn't know if I should sort of stretch the materials apart (there is a layer of wadding in there) as I sewed, sometimes that seemed to work, other times it didn't.  Ah well, I suppose I just need to practice.  Any tips?

I'm planning on making two more, one in reds and browns and the other in dusky aquas (from the same Moda stash) to add to my present box.  I started cutting last night but then my husband saw the scarf and said it was weird.  He backtracked saying that it's only as he's never seen a scarf like that.  I wore it to work today anyway, tied like a tie as it looked strange and bulking in a knot and 2 men immediately poked fun at me.  :0(  I'm ignoring them.

Edit: I just want to say thanks to Rachel of Tiny Pink for her suggestion of where I can get some Bliss - Rachel, I couldn't email you back as you are a no reply blogger so I really hope you see this.  Thanks!




14 comments:

Allison {A Glimpse Inside} said...

I think it's cute! Congrats at finishing your first project! Thanks for linking up!

Shanti said...

That is a lovely scarf!!!

April said...

This is cute-love the fabric! And thanks for visiting my blog!

Nancy Lee said...

This is lovely. I have that book too. I did the square bear. Surprises await!

Anonymous said...

It is cute!!! I thought about making one when I 1st got the book but mixing patches of flannel with patches of hand embroidered fabric and not wadding or padding or whatever it is that goes inside ;-).
And girl... let me tell you that you crack me up when you said:
"look at me trying to be artistic"... You are so funny!!! LOL!!!

I can't see at all where it is that the stitching didn't go in the ditch.
However, if you were finding a bit difficult to stitch in the ditch ... where you using a "walking foot"? I believe with a walking foot the stitching in the ditch should be easier since it feeds better fabric with padding/wadding/etc. .

Joy McD said...

Well done for the first finish of the year!!! You'll get better and better at stitching in the ditch I know :)Anyhow, it looks great :)
lv,
Joy

Rubyred said...

Hello wendy! Thank you for your sweet comments! I did 3 rounds for the bunting, I think Jacquie does 5 on hers!
It only takes 10 mins per flag, you should definitely give it a go.!
the scarf is lovely! Well done you!
Have a creative weekend!
Rachel x

Jacey said...

Hi, thanks for visiting my little blog and leaving such lovely comments, I'm glad I've found yours.
I'm also from Nottingham, where abouts in notts are you from?
xx

Crafts a la Mode said...

Hi, Wendy,
The scarf looks great to me. That will look very cool, too. Do you guys still have snow? We here in Connecticut of the U.S. had 25 inches a few days ago. It's so fun! Of course, I don't have to go out to work so I just look at how wonderful it looks out there. Oh, and the temperature here? It was 8 degrees last night. What a winter!! but we're warm here in our little house that is settled in the snow.
The quilters in England are so so artistic! I believe there are lots of places to take classes also.
Stay warm. Linda

Rachael@Lovely Crafty Home said...

So pretty! Love all the fabrics! Thanks for linking up :)

lovestitch said...

Hi Wendy!
Thanks for your lovely words on my blog! I've followed you back and must say your blog is very beautiful! I really enjoy it and your words make me smile, so fun! You are so talented with crafty work! I love the patchwork you've just finished, lovely scarf!
Hope you have a nice weekend!
LS, xxx

AllieMakes! said...

Great job! You should try a "stitch in the ditch" foot for your machine. It can help you fake being a pro!
Thanks for linking up to Making It With Allie! I can't wait to see what you have for next week!
AllieMakes.Blogspot.com

Jillayne said...

Your scarf is very cute - I know what you mean about the picture taking! I have trouble getting them in daylight hours because of work too.
I use a walking foot (even feed foot) and as I stitch I pull slightly on each side of the seam - just a bit of a pull. It helps to open up the seam and make it easier to stay in the ditch! You're doing great!

Liz said...

I made one out of the same Hunky Dory fabrics! So cute! Here's mine: http://fastdaze.blogspot.com/2011/01/few-things-i-forgot-winner.html

I'd love for you to come link up to my party next Friday!