Monday 23 April 2012

I Had an Idea...

... for the FQ Retreat Sample Swap. Well, I have had several ideas really. The first one was the sqaure(ish) pouch with the zip going round three sides. I have another pouch idea, but I thought I would work on something entirely different.

It will either appeal as a swap item or people will think it is a total waste of space and wonder what on earth I was thinking. I drew my plan up on the computer and then used my handy dandy light box to trace it out on some linen. (aka: the window, some cellotape and some sunshine)


A rummage round showed me that I had a water soluble pen. Either my best friend bought me this - because she buys me some fab sewing notions - or I have no idea where on earth it appeared from. But it was useful when required.


I popped the linen in a hoop and I was ready to do some sewing.


So, honestly, what do you think? If you got a hoop instead of something 'useful' at the Retreat would you think it was a good idea or a waste of bloody space? (I like hoops but understand that others might not.)


If you do like it, would you prefer it as a hoop to hang as a memory of the weekend, or would like to see it as part of a zippy pouch? Or something else entirely?


And now the most important question. How do you feel about the satin stitch?


Because I am really regretting the decision to do the flag in French knots. It is taking forever!

Susan

33 comments:

  1. I would love this and I love satin stitch!

    ReplyDelete
  2. It looks great.

    I would be a bit confused by a hoop at a quilt retreat, but if you included a pattern for a label it ld make more sense.

    Have you tried "Russian" embroidery or Needle Punch? It would look a lot like French knots, but be quicker to do if you are doing more than one.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I think that's a fab idea, and a hoop would be a wonderful souvenir of the event! Satin stitch works for me too!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Well I'm not in the sample swap so I can be totally honest - I would be delighted to receive this but probably a bit embarrassed if I hadn't put as much work into what I was giving.

    As for the french knots - hate them, hate them, hate them! The only needlework project I did in school was to do a full sized leaf using them. It took nearly a year. Never again - stupid stupid things!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I would love it as a hoop - I have made pouches, ha ha!
    Actually definitely a hoop as it is different and looks great.

    Cindy - it is not a Quilt Retreat, but a Sewing retreat, including embroidery and purse-making classes - so there will be all sorts going on and being swapped x

    ReplyDelete
  6. Me me ME gimme gimme. You turned me into no-manners-Kat I want to "sample this" so much :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. And I like Hadley have also made pouches...

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love the hoops, and love the Frnech knots too (although I admit to thinking, French knots to fill all that in, is she insane?! That'll take forever!)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Be pragmatic - change to satin stitch. I so wish I had signed up for this swap as I'm turning a nasty shade of green! Di xo

    ReplyDelete
  10. Ha ha! I want the hoop!!!!! But blimey you'll be doing French knots until Christmas. I once used them to fill in something and was gobsmacked at how a lot of them go a very little way and used up a lot thread too. So if you don't get it finished before the retreat I'll take it off your hands afterwards as a reminder of what I've missed out on. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  11. It looks brilliant! I love french knots but I was reading through your post thinking "she's mental! Doing all those french knots!" I think satin stitch would be lovely :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. it looks great... HOWCOME you have sunshine? Have you got ours too?

    ReplyDelete
  13. Not in the swapsies... :-( It'd be perfect as a hoop I reckon. And do satin stitch, you've got enough to do already!!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'd be delighted to get this in a hoop! I would hang it up in my sewing room as a reminder of the w/e. Keep going, it's fab! Jxo

    ReplyDelete
  15. Well I'm not going but if I were, I'd think that it was a great swap pressie thing - but i would swap stitch, I HATE French knots!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Not in the swaps either, but you can make me one of these anyway. Thank you please.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh my that is gorgeous, I would have it in any shape or form!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I didn;t sign for the swap either, but if I had a hoop would be great as it would be such a good momento to keep. Good luck with the french knots......!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I would love it! I hope I am in your group, it would be nice to get something to decorate the sewing room with as opposed to another pouch (as much as I love them there is only so much I can organise into pouches!)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hehe Susan you are bonkers - I think you should find instructions on how to do French Knots, add some thread and a needle and pass on the hoop as a challenge - just do a sample of what it will be like when finished

    ReplyDelete
  21. Yep, I was thinking you had gone loopy doing French knots to fill in the flag too!! It will be great what ever you decide on!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'd have it in a heartbeat, if I was going..............

    ReplyDelete
  23. I'd love to get something like that as a memento of the retreat. Im sure the giftee will be amazed at your brilliance.

    I've never mastered french knots...

    ReplyDelete
  24. Love the idea of a hoop and with a new found appreciation of embroidery this looks great!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Cool FQ idea. I saw the french knots and thought "she went overboard" but it will look so cool and textural.
    On a small pouch or a big tote bag.
    Love the design.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Yep you're insane, french knots???????????
    I'm not going but I think it would be really nice to receive something like that.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I think french knots are the way to go ;-).
    Love the design Susan and I am now seriously peed off I didn't join the sample swap!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Love the hoop idea! You are bonkers, you'd never make 4 of those by June, hahaha!! Switch stitches and I agree give someone the challenge of finishing it (just not me, ok!! - although I do love French knots, not sure I'd fill all that space with them!) xx

    ReplyDelete
  29. This will make a great momento of the FQ Retreat

    ReplyDelete
  30. completely mad, but oh so worth it! Me, me, me swap with me! :) stain stitch or long and short tent stitch will do it :)

    ReplyDelete
  31. Love it - but were do you find the time? :-)

    ReplyDelete
  32. I was just thinking that you were mad to do all those knots when you're making more than one!! I love the hoop idea and think you should make dozens and sell them at the retreat! I think satin stitch or long/short stitch would work really well, as would seed stitch...I can't wait to see them finished!

    ReplyDelete
  33. I have sympathy with you for all those French Knots - great design though - also Frixion pens are good for drawing outlines and Mr Tesco sells them 3 for £5 ish - just iron....and the marks vanish!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for leaving a comment. I read them all and I love them all. I do my utmost to reply to comments as often as possible. If you comment and never receive a reply from me there is the possibility that you are a no-reply commenter.