Wednesday 2 October 2013

I do like.....

...... to make and give presents.

I've been thinking of making 'thank you' gifts for two of our neighbours before we move on from our rental home.  They have gone out of their way to be welcoming and friendly and I wanted to show my appreciation to them.  

The first lady is in her late seventies and has traditional tastes so I delved into a box of vintage fabrics and put together an assortment of creamy florals.  I can't remember where most of them are from, just bits and pieces from here and there that I couldn't bear to part with because..... Well, because... they might be useful .... one day??   It was an interesting trip down fabric memory lane, not because the fabrics reminded me of something I'd made or worn years ago, but because they made me realise how my fabric tastes have changed over time. 

As they weren't fabrics from my 'precious stash' ..... hmm I think maybe I should be ashamed that I just said that?  So, moving on quickly and hoping nobody noticed what I said.... I decided that I'd try not to be fussing and faffing about placement and just wing it and see how the mini quilt evolved. Now, if you knew me well you'd be gasping at that statement!  Honestly, you would. If we wrote a family dictionary, the definition of fussing and faffing would be - Yvonne!!
 Why even my sewing machine is a Pfaff.  :-) Snap decisions and winging it just do not come easily to me. Actually, that's really quite an understatement. But I did it and I really enjoyed it and I like what I made, because I know she will like it too and that's what counts after all.

Disappearing nine patch blocks randomly placed
and framed by three different sized borders.
 
Excuse the light in the photo, as usual not sure how it happened!! 
 
Lavender bag to match.
 
Now that's a better photo isn't it? Sometimes I do get it right.  Although I probably have no more idea how I do than when I get it wrong!
 
She gave me some lavender to dry from her garden so that I could make lavender bags so it was only fair to make one for her too, wasn't it?  Actually, there was only enough for one bag but I didn't have the heart to say. :-)
 
The second gift was for a much younger lady and the fabric and cushion shows perfectly where my tastes and style are at right now. 
 
The front
 
You see, totally different.  I tell you, I had such a hard time handing this one over!  I think I remember she had to prise my fingers from around it.  Although, my brain has blanked the awful experience out of my mind! Self preservation I think. :-) 

The back
 
I love the back as much as the front. I even fussy cut the fabric for the buttons to match the centre hexie on the front.
 
Fabulous Pam Kitty fabrics, I think it's the Love selection by Lakehouse fabrics.  I still love florals and whimsy but the palette I choose is very much more diverse than previously. And thankfully, I still have fabric left to make myself another cushion!
 
I wonder have you noticed how your tastes have changed as you move through your quilting life? I'd love to know. :-)
 
Thank you so much for vising.
Take good care of yourselves and happy sewing. Xxx
  

9 comments:

  1. Lovely gifts Yvonne. Any of us that have been sewing or quilting for a while must surely notice a change in our tastes, I know I have.

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  2. Lovely thought, and rather good makes as well!

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  3. Oooh, very nice :o) I've only been quilting 2 years, so haven't had time to have much evolution yet!

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  4. your neighbours will both be delighted with these beautifully made gifts. Love disappearing nine patch blocks.

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  5. What a nice thing to do for your neighbours. I know what you mean about your taste changing in fabric. Mind you the choice of what you can buy has changed too. Di x

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  6. My taste has definitely changed. Part of it is there is more choice now I can buy online. I have never had a LQS so fabric was always bought when I could get to a store and even now a lot of QS's only stock the non-designer traditional fabrics. That said I like the look of the fabrics you used and would use them in projects myself now! The only thing that hasn't changed over the years is my love for Liberty!

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  7. I love your gifts, and I know exactly what you mean about having a special, precious stash!

    My taste hasn't changed, but there are more fabrics available that I need now ;)

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Lovely comments read with glee everyday.