Thursday 30 August 2012

School Supplies

Done it. Two pencil cases delivered to the recipients. Tick that box! And put away all scraps of the denim before my machine really spits its dummy out. I think the bent needle was the shot across the bows and its less than subtle way of telling me it has had enough. On the bright side, if you are ever looking for men's jeans - these M&S ones seem really well made and the denim is very thick!

First up, Emily's pencil case. She wanted a flower too. And for me to use the denim. I used some It's a Hoot and my last red zipper. The pencil case is very simple for a simple reason. She doesn't actually need it. For those who don't live in the UK it sometimes comes as a surprise that children in schools here, especially primary schools, do not have to bring in their own supplies.

All pencils, work books, rulers, paper - pretty well everything but the uniforms - is supplied by the school. So much so, that when Emily asked if she could bring in a particular pen she liked last year to use in class she was told no. It seems that the perceived wisdom was that her having her own pen might generate pen envy and suddenly all the Y5s would want to bring in their own as well. This pouch won't exactly be filled with pens and pencils, but I am sure it will come in handy anyway.


Helen's pouch is bigger and slightly more elaborate. She wanted it to match the book bag I made her yesterday. I wanted it to have a special pocket for her geometry set. In the false hope that this would prevent her from losing mislaying it. Only time will tell if the pocket does its job. Her pouch is lined with the same fabric as the book bag. It is a quilting cotton that I have a heap of. I think I entrusted himself to pick some backing fabric up for me once when we live on the IoW. I know! What was I thinking?!

The fabric is neither to my taste particularly, nor as soft as most quilting cottons despite being from Moda. Tell me, are backing fabrics sometimes made more robust? Anyway, it hangs about in the bottom of a storage box and comes in handy for projects like book bags and little else.


Finally, I got some happy post today. I won a prize from Alison at Little Island Quilting a little while back. I now have a fantastic supply of threads and some great Egyptian white cotton fabric. All from Empress Mills, right here in the UK. So a big thank you to Empress Mills and to Alison for this fabulous haul. Cotton threads, polyester threads and invisible threads. Brilliant! I've never tried invisible threads. That might require a bit of experimenting on my part. Always good fun.


Right, I have bits of black denim to pick up from all over the dining room. That stuff gets everywhere. I also have a poorly child. Not complaining, just stating the facts. In the scheme of things Emily has got the timing just right. After any exciting summer stuff has happened, and before school starts.

Susan

30 comments:

  1. I was a cowinner of that giveaway and got my goodies today too! Fab stuff!!!

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  2. ohhh Im looking at their site now, where do u buy your batting from ??? I'm looking at their machine quilting thread but do like aurifil for that, can u let me know how u get on with the threads ?
    love the pencil case and I like the backing fabric lol...

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  3. Oh very cool - I like the geometry pocket. I came back from Ireland with orders for two pencil cases and a makeup case, best get cracking I suppose!

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  4. Great pencil cases! Sorry Emilymis poorly, hope she's back on her feet soon! Does this mean you can do your own sewing? :)

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  5. I got my goodies today too - doesn't the fabric feel gorgeous?!

    I love the pencil cases! Is Em allowed to take in coloured pencils, rubbers, etc. but not a 'handwriting' pen?

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  6. Smart pencil cases. Sorry that Emily is feeling ill. I too have a poorly child. He has spent the day in bed, so he must be ill. Di x

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  7. Looks like the girls are ready for school and you are ready to see.

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  8. Great win and glam pencil cases! Can't believe they get all the pencil type stuff - they didn't at ours!

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  9. Those are awesome (and so is not having to buy school supplies!)

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  10. Well done on your win! I love the pencil cases, it doesn't feel like the start of term without a new pencil case - best get a new one myself soon!

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  11. love the pencil cases, Eloise doesn't need a pencil case for school either, but it probably won't stop me making one!

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  12. Great makes - sooooooooooooooo glad mine are a few years off needing me to make such things xxx

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  13. Lol I've been making a pencil case too... Except my charming daughter wanted one with two zips and two compartments! As a first attempt it worked quite well and she's happy but I think I'd like to have another go before I share it with the world.

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  14. Mine is past the age of wanting such pouches. So sad !! Sorry to hear my doll is poorly.

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  15. great pencil cases and a fabulous win with all those threads! Hope Emily feels better soon-are they back at school on Monday?

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  16. Interested to hear what you make of that thread as I was not that impressed aurifil despite all the rave blog posts. Hope Emily feels better soon!!!

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  17. Well done mum, now you can get to your own toys again :oD

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  18. Congrats on winning! An clove the pencil cases!

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  19. I do think that backing fabric tends to be more substantial. I have found that. I tend not to use it that much at all unless it lands in my lap from a thrift store find or something.

    Love the pencil cases. They are quite the thing as is the thread! Lucky you!

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  20. We have to send everything to school except exercise books and sometimes even those near the end of term when school runs out!! Beautiful pencil cases - hope Emily feels better very soon.

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  21. Fab pencil cases.
    I love the front zip on the second one. Now how did you do that?????
    Hope Emily feels better soon.
    Congrats on your win. I would love to hear how the threads are and what you use them for.
    xxxx

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  22. I think that bag might hold a geometry set? I hope Emily gets better in time for the weekend. And I love the thread.

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  23. fabulous pouches - your girls are well sorted

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  24. I bought some thread from Empress after reading Alison's blog post and I'm really impressed! It's great in my machine and really nice for hand sewing too.
    Pencil cases are fab! Hope Emily feels better soon x

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  25. wow you are well stocked up on thread now!! love the pencil cases and the little pocket for the geometry set is fab! hope Emily feels better soon x

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  26. I hope Emily feels better soon.
    Great pencil cases, cute with the flower embellishments.
    Now you can get back into your own projects, especially once the girls are back at school.

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  27. There may not be pen envy but there may be pencil pouch envy! I hope Emily is feeling tip top soon!

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  28. Lovely makes. Hope your sweet girl is feeling better soon.

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  29. Aw poor Em! Back to school nerves maybe? The pouches are fab, and aren't you lucky not having to buy loads of stationary every year! And as for using invisible thread - I advise a stiff drink before working with it! Good luck! Jxo

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