Showing posts with label pincushion swap. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pincushion swap. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

The Abbey Bag - Jen's way

You all know that I'm taking part in a pin cushion swap.  A "fancy" pin cushion swap to be exact.   The whole "fancy" part stressed me out for a long time as I don't know how to do beading, my hand embroidery skills are lacking and I had no clue what to do - but I signed up anyway!  HA!

Then I thought about it.  I had a pattern in my stash that I wanted to try so that's what I made.  The Abbey Bag.  I figured the whole thing in itself was "fancy".


See the pin cushion "flower" top? 

This....


Okay, that part STRESSED ME OUT something terrible!  I had the hardest time with the darn thing.  The way the pin cushion is constructed, the 8 petal fabric top piece is just that; a top or cover for the inner lining piece that actually holds the stuffing or walnut shells or whatever you're going to use for the pin cushion.  The first one I made... I couldn't get it around the lining all the way no matter what I did.  So I left it alone and kept going with the bag.  Got all the rest of the bits done and had to go back to the dreaded pin cushion.  Then I thought, maybe if I made the piece a bit bigger, I'll be okay. So again, I made the 8 petal fabric top just a bit bigger than the first.  Oh, I could get it around the inner lining piece no problem.  I couldn't get the fabric top smooth!!  It puckered and folded over itself and looked just AWFUL.  What am I going to do??!?!!  I really have no time to start all over with a new pin cushion project since the deadline to get into the mail is 8/31.  AND I had most of everything else constructed.  It would be such a waste with all this pretty fabric I'm using.

Nothing like being Last Minute Nelly.

I thought about it and I came up with my own solution. 
Do I love it?  No. 
Do I like it?  Yes. 
Does it do the job intended?  Sure does.





What do you think?  It was the only thing I could think of doing that didn't look half bad.  I tried to stuff the pin cushion as much as I could with the ground walnut shells so that the circle was nice and full looking.  I'm thinking now I could have made the circle pin cushion just a bit bigger.  Oh well.  It's done.  Now to pick up a few little extras and get it into the mail. 

I will make one for myself.  As frustrated as I was with this one, I really want one.  Maybe even 2.  LOL!

Enjoy your day!
Jen :)

Monday, August 16, 2010

Pin Cushion Swap Received

I'm participating in a pin cushion swap and I received mine from Melinda over the weekend.  I just love everything she created for me.  She even included a jumper pattern so that I can make one for Amelia.


And a close up of the pin cushion


Thank you Melinda!  I know I've told you a bunch of times, but I'm working on yours!  I'm #1 procrastinator extraordinaire!  But I DID post some sneak peeks out on the Flickr group so that you can see I am working on it!

One more thing - I'm swapped out.  I'm going to take a major swap break here as soon as this is done.  I have a bunch of other WIPs that I've put aside and I really want to get back to them!

Enjoy your day!
Jen :)
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