Wednesday 15 May 2013

pin cushions

I have made a couple of patchwork pin cushions these last couple of days,   how relaxing it is to sew these little pieces.   The fabric was bits of left over batik from a jelly roll,   had to join two pieces for the triangle in the larger one.  This was from the"quilting on the go" book I recently purchased, all on English paper quilting and the smaller one I stumbled across the instructions on line on the abyquilt blog. Think I will be making more of this shape.  It says in the book to stuff with crushed walnut shells but have had looks of disbelief when I ask for them, apparently pet shops sell them, well not in Leeds. I also asked on a nut market stall and had a totally blank look from them so they are for now stuffed with stuffing,   Helen my daughter has a couple of joiner friends and have asked her to get me some sawdust shavings as they keep the pins from rusting.

I think I will do a few seam treatments on the larger one to give it a bit of a lift.



I am off to London tomorrow till sunday evening, staying with Cheryl a dear friend and on friday we are going to the Malvern quilt show, hope it warms up and dries up as part of the displays are in marques. On saturday we are having a play day and she is going to help me understand how to make quilts. Will take the fancy templates I have bought and we will have a play with those and see if they are really necessary or if it is easier cutting the shapes the traditional way.

No news on the stolen quilts,  a lady did post on my blog that one was her mother`s and another lady had lost 8 quilts. Hoping some photos will turn up so we will know what we are keeping our eyes open for.  Not sure how Angela found my blog, she is not a follower it shows what a small world it really is.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous little pin cushions, my favourite is the flower shape. I hope you have a lovely time with your friend in London. I have been to Malvern before it is a beautiful place but I haven't seen the quilt show, I am sure you both will enjoy it.

Judys Lace Creations said...

Have fun Margaret, and hope you see lots to inspire you.I love pincushions.Love making them too.Yours are sweet.
Judy x

Chyfey said...

Margaret love your pin cushions,Know you will have lots of fun in Malvern cheers

Nana said...

The piin cushions are lovely.

Hope you´ll have a nice time in London, bring some pictures home for us!!!

Nana

Mary Ellen said...

Margaret, here's a hint that may help you in finding crushed walnut shells. I got the same looks when I asked for them at a pet store. Tell the sales clerk that you are looking for the bedding that goes in reptile tanks. That's what the walnut shells are used for. The clerk found them for me right away then. Good luck.

Stitching Lady said...

It is lovely that you are going (you went already!) to meet a good friend and have fun with her, learning from her experience. I never heard of nutshel filling. Quite new to me. Interesting. Sorry still and definitely always for the stolen quilts . They are criminals who did it.

Anita said...

Lovely pincushions! I fill them with wool sometimes (it also prevents rusting)...Have fun this weekend!

Annet said...

You made the same pincushion I'm using for many years now! It's the one on the right side. I think batik is much better for a pincushion.

Gaia said...

These are lovely Margaret, I like the blue one a lot. Enjoy the quilt show !

Queeniepatch said...

I have never heard of walnut shells for pincushion filling and had to google it. Mary Ellen is right it is used as reptile bedding or pet bird litter and is supposed to be perfect for polishing metal. However, many people are allergic to nuts so it is not a good idea to sell or give away such pincushion without stating what the filling is.
Have a lovely quilty time with your friend at Malvern.

Createology said...

Lovely pincushions. I do hope the rain dries up for your play days of quilting discoveries. Blissful Stitching Dear...

Sparklyjools said...

The crushed shells were supposed to sharpen your pins - but I believe it's a very old fashioned idea! I hope you have a lovely time at Malvern - I'm going, but not until Sunday - what a shame I will miss you.

Anonymous said...

Lovely pincushions, and the stitching will really make that one stand out. Have fun in London! Maybe a pet shop that concentrates on birds? I know a lot of birders use the crushed nutshells in the bottom of cages.

Pippas quilts said...

Lovely pin cushions. Enjoy your trip to London.

J Honda said...

very pretty little pin cushions :) have a wonderful time in London!

Suztats said...

Cute little pin cushions! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Jillian said...

Love the shape and colour of the blue pincushion. Hope you've had a great weekend. Horrible about the stolen quilts.

Marjolein said...

The flower shaped pin cushion is my favorite.
I hope you had a wonderful time during your trip.

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Your Pincushions are very very pretty. Love them. Hugs Judy

Mosaic Magpie said...

Your pincushions are beautiful. There is a store that sell inexpensive tools here in the states. Harbour Freight is the name they sell bags of walnut shell bits for metal polishing. I have found wool is really nice to stuff pincushions with.
Deb