Monday, November 7, 2011

Sew (Russian Japanese) Modern Monday

A while ago, I got this fabric in a custom bundle from Fabric Worm.
It's cotton, but heavier duty than quilting cotton. I love the pictures but was not in love with the canvas type weight.
The other thing that I find a little annoying about this fabric is that half the pictures are upside down, and there isn't enough space between them to not lose bits of blocks if you were to add a border to each with a 1/4 inch seam. But the Babushka dolls are VERY cute! So I put it in the stash and forgot about it.

My neighbour came around on the weekend and asked if I could 'put something on' some plain tea towels for the primary school Christmas Craft stall. Decided the babushkas would be perfect, and I had red decorative thread on the machine already from the advent calender I'm doing (more on that later this week, I think I'll aim to have it done for a TGIFF post).
What a way to jazz up a tea towel!
I then tried to add one to a friend's babies singlet, but the stretchy material made it go a bit funny. Any tips?

Oh and for those who were wondering what my mystery WIP was last Wednesday. It's a dragon, for Chinese year of the Dragon. It's a Chinese dragon (obviously) because it doesn't have wings (Welsh dragons have wings, everybody knows that right?!). Nic of DragonRambles in Wales got it right (amongst others), of course, dragon identification being officially part of the Welsh school curriculum. And quite a few others, including Julie in Japan who pointed out it is Water Dragon year next year. I'm a Fire Dragon, born in 76, and 'made in Hong Kong' so I really wanted to make a dragon quilt for next year!   

{Sew} Modern Monday at Canoe Ridge Creations
Linking up with Sew Modern Monday - thanks Megan!

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15 comments:

  1. LynneNovember 7, 2011 at 1:16 PM

    Those Babushkas are gorgeous.

    Would a piece of tear-away stabliliser under the singlet help?

    PS I've had a nap since sending my last email! Still tired, and still reading blogs!

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  2. Heather D.November 7, 2011 at 1:52 PM

    Cute fabric, and I love what you did with the towels!

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  3. Julie FukudaNovember 7, 2011 at 6:35 PM

    Funny how those blocks are facing different ways. I think that was a great way to use the fabric.
    Oh, and a dragon quilt will be the super touch!
    From a fire rat!

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  4. NicNovember 7, 2011 at 7:56 PM

    It's a good idea for using your upside down dolls. I wonder if the fabric was meant to cover sofas. You know, that way whether you are standing looking at the couch, or sitting on it looking down, there were always dolls the right side up :)

    As to the dragon, I thought you might have the wings in separate pieces. I've always felt sorry for chinese drsgons. Really, a dragon without wings is just a lizard ;). But maybe dragon identification is in the water, because I've been in wales just under 3.5 years.

    Looking forward to seeing your quilt. Have wanted to do a dragon quilt since I found Applicuts at the Brisbane quilting show years ago. They used to have kits in lots of colouways for a quilt based on Puff, and also one based on their mythical and infinity dragons. But I prefer needle turn applique, and theirs aren't aimed at that

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  5. GilesNovember 7, 2011 at 8:13 PM

    Oh I miss Wales! I lived there for about 10 years in all, before heading to the USA. I miss the daffodils, the leeks and the dragons alike! Love that comment, a dragon without wings is just a lizard!

    Like the Russian dolls fabric too - my mum would love something made out of that... hmmm, maybe coasters lol

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  6. M-R CharbonneauNovember 7, 2011 at 8:50 PM

    Love that Babushka fabric, Laura. That's a perfect project for them too. I hate when 'block' fabric comes without enough space between for seam allowances. Did you try using a fusible web to attach them to the knit? That might help. Also, using a knit stitch?

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  7. JeanetteNovember 7, 2011 at 9:16 PM

    Very Cute towels. I remember my Mom adding a strip of fabric to bath towels and then giving those as gifts for a set of twin girls. Maybe another use for the fabric?

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  8. Cindy SharpNovember 7, 2011 at 9:29 PM

    Stroke of brilliance putting those dolls on tea towels.

    To put one on a knit shirt I would spray baste some stableizer to the back of the shirt.

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  9. DebbieNovember 7, 2011 at 10:13 PM

    very cute - what a good idea!

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  10. colorchicNovember 7, 2011 at 11:44 PM

    How cute!Love those towels!

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  11. Sana SarotiNovember 8, 2011 at 5:49 AM

    Made in Hongkong (very funny!) Since I was made in the GDR I basically grew up with Babushkas (more corectly: Matrjoschka). I loved to play with mine and I am very upset that I dont have it anymore.

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  12. Janine @ Rainbow HareNovember 8, 2011 at 7:12 AM

    Lovely customised tea towels and a fascinating insight into dragonology :)

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  13. Lucy | Charm About YouNovember 8, 2011 at 6:50 PM

    The tea towels are so cute! I love dragons too and did not know that about the wings!! I'm a goat (or sheep) so earthy for me!!

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  14. MeganNovember 10, 2011 at 3:46 AM

    Adorable! Thanks for linking up to {Sew} Modern Monday and have a great week!

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  15. AnonymousNovember 13, 2011 at 12:53 PM

    This fabric is soooo cool! I love the tea towels!

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