UK Amazon Kindle Forum discussion

Finishing stuff is definitely a good resolution! I only got as far as May in last year's scrapbook but I do have the new little grandson as an excuse! (actually we call him The little sod, in honour of Simon Brett's book How To Be A Little Sodwhich we bought and he signed a few years back when he came to do a talk for us at Shropshire Libraries)
.. oooh, just noticed there is a sequel, so off to have another look

For a second I thought you meant the new grandson had signed the book ...

Lexie, I thought the same as well and had to re read it!

Too early in the morning, perhaps?! :-) Or perhaps it's simply that Karen's grandson is particularly precocious!

aah, well he is of course very advanced!

Wait till he's writing them, too!

Remember those lovely Ehrman tapestries I was working on last year? Well, the other five ladies have completed theirs, too, and now I have to straighten them and sew them together to form one banner. None of them is very crooked, I'm pleased to say. I have instructions, both in book form and from a very experienced Embroiderers' Guild member. I have masses of blotting paper, water, wood and pins. I have vestry members anxiously enquiring about progress. I just lack the nerve to start!

That's fabulous, Lexie! Must say, I never thought they'd be finished quite so soon!
If you get the chance, would love to see pics

Well, only one straightened so far as I needed different tacks and my mobility is a bit restricted at present, but hoping to solve that problem today! The straightening went all right on the first one (I did my own first in case it all went wrong and I had to do it again). They do look beautiful, even just heaped in the study learning to lie flat. Looking forward to seeing your Night Waking square!

Ha ha... just remembered I loaned my daughter the audio book of Night Waking tho to be fair I don't think she has time or energy to listen... the grandson is now 9 months, doesn't sleep... (actually, in honour of Simon Brett's book, we call him The Little Sod - ooh not the lovely Simon of course!)

Given Anna's problems with Moth, does your daughter really need to read Night Waking, though? ;-)

Two tapestries straightened, the third taking a bit longer. Number Two Cat thinks lying on it will help.

I'm planning an alphabet quilt for little grandson (yes I know I should be getting on with the Book quilt I haven't finished...) and the best I can come up with for 'X' is a treasure map, desert island with an X marks the spot. Any other bright ideas welcome!

Not sure what 'Y' is going to be either!

We did the conventional xylophone and yacht!

Hm, think it'll have to be a yacht - tho it's such a difficult word. Might just go for something Yellow. Still, plenty of time till I get that far!

I'm considering buying a sewing machine, I've made a couple of things recently by hand (a pin cushion, little pouch and sewing scissor pocket) and really enjoyed them. I've thought about a mini sewing machine but I've heard their better for children than proper projects. So I found a John Lewis own brand one that's £100 and comes in lots of different colours. Does anybody have any advice for getting one?

If it's John Lewis their demonstrators are pretty good and will make sure you get what you need and know how to use it. I have a Janome around the same price bracket, not too heavy, either, and it does all the basics plus a bit of embroidery. Make sure you get spare needles! and see if there's a servicer in your area, because they do get fluffed up (you can keep them fairly clean yourself but sometimes it's just beyond, or needs repair).
The colours these days are great, but sometimes it's easier to see things against the basic white! Oh, and an integral light is very useful.
There, that's my three halfpence worth! Happy sewing!

Thanks. I think I'll go along next week and have a look. I just want to do the basics, and maybe have a go at some patchwork and, if I'm brave, some clothes.

Fab. Go for it Claire. I gave my daughter my old Singer machine (it was my 21st birthday presie rather a long time ago) and never honestly thought she'd use it, but lo and behold, she has now just finished altering and making up 2 sets of curtains and tiebacks for little one's nursery. I am so pleased.

Oh, I learned on a manual Singer, as flowery as a narrowboat! It was lovely. My mother gave it away decades ago, but a friend bought one recently and couldn't wind the bobbin, and I found I could do it without even thinking about it (in fact, probably better than if I'd thought about it).

I bought the most basic Janone model from John Lewis more than 25 years ago. It is still works perfectly and has had LOTS of use! My MIL spent a lot on a fancy electronic machine that does all sorts of stitches and made the tea - she never used half of them and then it broke...!
My model does forward and reverse stitihing, zig zag and buttonholes and with that I've done all kinds of dressmaking, curtains, dressing up outfits and sofa covers with heavy twill. It's been a great machine.
My mum had one of those flowery Singers too Lexie, but my Grandpa had fitted a motor to it. I learnt on it :)

Claire depending on how much sewing you are going to do there are quite a lot of cheaper ones around ,Hobbycraft have a janome at £79 and I think a brother one at similiar or maybe cheaper price ,I think I paid around that price for mine either last year or year before and its been great . sorry can't remember where I got mine but very pleased with it as don't do to many fancy things . you will enjoy whatever one you buy ,good luck . Excuse any mistakes ,can't sleep so on computer at 1.40 in morning but must go now and see if I can get to sleep x

Thank you :) I've looked at the John Lewis one and didn't like it but I've found a nice looking Brother for £89 and I'm going to Hobbycraft today to have a look there.

My new toy turned up yesterday!! Had some help off a friend to put the bobbin in but I'm starting off by making a cover for it.

Enjoy!

So glad you've got your new toy, Claire. Have fun!

Been having a play with my Inktense colouring pencils on fabric...
https://www.goodreads.com/photo/group...
The ewe and lamb are white fabric - and I've shaded some of the stones in the wall, then done a bit of stitching for the ewe's horn and some grasses. Great fun!

It's looking good Karen

Thanks Jim - I've really enjoyed having a go. Shall definitely be trying a few more with the Inktense pencils

Elle wrote: ""

Wow, that is so pretty.

What's everyone up to? No one's posted for ages so I assume we're all knitting/sewing/metalworking/weaving, etc., away! I've very nearly finished putting together my huge church tapestry (well, it feels huge every time I look at it), but after poking the needle through my finger a few times I've now managed to cut my index finger on a wine glass (at church) and it's been stitched instead of the tapestry! However, after a few misgivings (and terror that I might ruin a panel stitched by one of the other contributors) I have to say the tapestry is coming together quite nicely. Then it's back to the knitting!

I invented a new pizza base. It's 4½ oz flour, 1½ oz butter and 1 egg. Combine in mixer, or do the old-fashioned way by rubbing in fat and flour, then adding beaten egg. Perfect pastry base to add your topping. May be kept in freezer until required.

Must try it!

Hope to see a photo of the tapestry when it's finished Lexie. Look after those fingers, we need you fit for writing;@) Good luck with the short stories I've just downloaded it after reading Kath's review.

I'll try your recipe Bernie. Thanks!

Hope to see a photo of the tapestry when it's finished Lexie. Look after those fingers, we need you fit for writing;@) Good luck with the short stories I've just downloaded it after reading Kath's review.

I'll try your recipe Bernie. Thanks!

Oh, thanks Sarah! I find I need my index finger for a surprising number of things, now that it's out of action ..

How do you upload photos to this thread again???

Sorry no idea Lexie!
I have been busy crafting but it's all been weddingy stuff (daughter's wedding) - invitations, order of service, glittering flower pots, making sugarpaste flowers (120 cupcakes) and 74 flowerpaste roses for the wedding cake, decorating a post box and guest book, making activity books for the kids, so it was good to get away post-wedding and just relax and not have a list to feverishly consult.
I've been practising some Zentangle doodles, which I'm hoping to translate into stitching for cushions. And have also started on a wedding scrapbook ready for the deluge of photos!

I love the idea of stitching Zentangles!

I think it's trickier than I anticipated! I'll keep practising though.

I got a sewing machine for my birthday!! I made some trousers for Kitty with jersey material and then my sewing machine decided to not operate the stretch stitches anymore so I haven't been able to do anything for ages. Really need to get it sorted.

Yay for the sewing machine Jud :) I've got one but I haven't had much chance to use it and can't get to it at the moment. When I get my new house though (if I get it!) I'm planning on setting my spare room up as a crafty/reading room so having my sewing machine on my desk instead of a load of rubbish so I should be able to do more crafts :)

That's my plan too!

Good plan! I also have an iron and made an ironing pad to keep just for craft stuff - lost count of the number of times I've ironed bits of wonderweb onto the ironing board...
Re the jersey material, I've always found it a b...er to sew! Hopefully you were using a special needle for jersey - its got a different tip. We had a really interesting (surprisingly!) talk from a lady at our quilt meeting all about using the right needle for the right job - and of course the needle the machine comes with is just the cheapest and basically rubbish. And most of us keep on using it for years! She said most of the problems with sewing come down to what needle you're using.

So now I know what to blame!

Yeah, I have the ballpoint needle for sewing knits. I've tried changing the needle a couple of times and it hasn't made a difference

Hmm. How frustrating is that.
Twidding with the tension knobs seems the only other option (in a lot of situations....!!)

Tension's the word!

I have a large pile of sewing building up on the dining room table at present, with the aim of DOING IT on Monday next. It ranges from converting a worn pair of jeans into a skirt to sewing up a jersey I've just finished to turning some shirt collars (Aberdeen is my spiritual home - never spend a penny you don't have to!). I'm not looking forward to it, but it has to be done!

I've finally posted on my blog the photographs of the finished church tapestries - of course they don't all fit in one photograph unless you lose the detail!

www.murrayofletho.blogspot.co.uk

Pushing on with various crochet, knitting and tapestry projects after beating down the heap of sewing. Anyone else come across Arne and Carlos, a couple of Norwegian woolworkers who seem to be creeping into UK shops?

Wow, Beautiful work!