Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Hopping with Black Cat Crossing ~ Take Two

Woo Hoo! Good morning everyone. Welcome to those who are just joining me, and a great big thank you to those coming back (explanation post here)

Thank you again Mdm Samm and Wicked Wendy for organizing this wickedly fun hop. And a huge thank you to Maywood Studios.

I don't usually "do" Halloween anymore, no decorations here, but there was a time when I did. Working on the re-organization in my sewing studio over the summer, I found some old halloween fabric.



I bought it at Walmart (at least 3 metres, goodness knows why) back when my son was in daycare. It was the year he turned 4 (he just turned 17 this month) and he had a pillow for nap time and I decided to make him some "seasonal" pillowcases. He loved it, I was thrilled.

Now with so much fabric leftover, it has sat there stored away since. Well, some time ago a found a (fabulous to me) free pattern for a "Take-Along Place Mat" designed by Cinzia Alloca; that has sat there waiting for me to get over my phobia of zipper installation.

This pattern had easy to follow explanations and pictures...so what stumped me? The "hand sewn" binding. Guess there is a first time for everything. Can I just say that I have discovered...I DO NOT want to do it again for a while. I love this pattern and want to make many more, but I will figure out how to do a machine sewn binding or "horror of horrors" for you serious quilters who prefer hand binding, I will change up the backing fabric and turn it into a "faux" binding by pulling it around to the front.

Here is where I was when I wrote my "Take One" post...





Thanks to a very kind comment from a friend, I did not give up and leave you with the above photos. Her kindness spurred me on to complete what seemed insurmountable and overwhelming at that time. Thanks C! Look, no more clips! Though I must say that poor puppy dog has been wagging it's tail ALL NIGHT! (so much for being back quick lol)



Very proud to have persevered and love my finished mat. Unh unh...you don't get to see my horrid hand stitching...here, look instead at this...



I've already begun plans for a table runner for next year...a kitty in blackwork...now this kind of handstitching I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE *wink*

Well, people will be rising soon for breakfast so I'm gonna go check out all the lovlies who shared my day with me...oops coffee cup empty...another refill and then some hopping...

Wednesday, October 22

 
(you are here...) Living With Purpose


79 comments:

  1. Congratulations on your finish!, it is a good feeling especially when we don't love our project. Your embroidery is going to be something special.

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  2. Nicely done and your table runner will be fabulous when it is finished.

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  3. Fabulous placemat. Doesn't it feel good to overcome your fears of zippers? You did a great job.

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  4. Great job; I have a zipper installation phobia too lol. Your black work stitching is very nice!

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  5. I think I've conquered my fear of bindings Shari but it took practice - lots of practice! And I've even come to enjoy zippers - will wonders never cease. :) I love the idea of a take along place mat since I frequently end up eating in the car when we're traveling. This would sure save me some laundry since I end up spilling more often than I care to admit! blessings, marlene

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  6. you did very well on binding...the more you do the more you will realize how really easy it is....we all have been there...your stitching projects ....well done!

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  7. Such cute fabric! I have fabric that's been hanging around for years too. Great finish on the little quilt and I think the black cat will be darling. Great job!

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  8. I don't really like to bind so I get my friend Marie to do most of it. She always mitres and they look so pretty... Me, I have never mastered binding. You can certainly tell mine from hers. :)

    Your project is too cute!

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  9. That's a great place mat, a unique place for the silverware. And you did a great job. There is NOTHING wrong with machine binding! If you are more comfortable with it, DO IT! there is no such thing as right or wrong when it comes to that... unless of course you are putting your item in a judging contest, then maybe ;) lol

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  10. I have plans for a take-along-placemat, too. I like the idea of seasonal ones. We use our own placemats at quilty events. Your cross stitch is so interesting. I like the texture of the kitty and the way you achieved it.

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  11. Shari, I Love this Placemat! Such a Great idea!! I machine bind all the time, and if the machine doesn't catch the otherside I'll handstitch a few small areas. In time I am sure I'll have time to hand stitch a Quilt but right now, no way. I am too new and trying to schedule how much time I need for a project between Hops I am working on. Zippers, HA, No Way! Thanks for sharing your Great Project with us!!
    Huggs, Nancy

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  12. I always machine bind (gasp) my quilts. Cute little mat and cat!

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  13. A take along placemat is a wonderful idea. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  14. What a sweet kitty head in blackwork :) Your placemat looks like a great take-along!

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  15. Wonderful idea for your take along place mat. Love the blackwork in progress.

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  16. Good for you for never giving up! What a great placemats! It looks like a perfect thing for lunch away from home!

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  17. I love the zipper pocket for the silverware. The blackwork kitty is coming along beautifully.

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  18. Bless your friend for encouraging you ... you did a marvelous job and now that it is finished, you can sign with contented relief! Love your blackwork kitty ... beautiful!

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  19. Beautiful place mat. Great idea!! :) happy you're in e hop. :)

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  20. Way to finish!! Also, what a great idea for a project. Love the new kitty project, too. That will be striking!

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  21. Cute, cute cute Shari ! I'm not much of a hand binder either. I only do it if the quilt is going in a show. I consider myself a machine binder....sew much faster....blanket stitch. The kitty is going to be awesome....well it already is !

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  22. WhooooRay for perseverance!! I like this useful project...nicely done!
    Gmama Jane

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  23. Great finish! There is a certain sense of relief we all get when we conquer our fears over some projects isn't there? Love your stitchery. It is going to be gorgeous when its done.

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  24. Good for you for sticking with it and now you have a lovely place mat. I love your blackwork kitty, it's going to be gorgeous!

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  25. Perfect fabric for this hop, nice tutorial.

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  26. Great job on your mat. Enjoyed the little awalk down memory lane. Thank you for sharing.

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  27. We all have our Achilles heels. Mine would have been the zipper, yours the binding. But you did a good job and I'll wager your hand stitching is just fine. Very cute placemat and I love the "vintage" fabric. :)

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  28. Your mat is very cute. I don't blame you for not wanting to hand sew your binding on. I do on quilts and wall hangings, perhaps even some toppers. Bot most toppers, placemats, etc. (Things that will be used and washed a lot) I machine my binding on with monofilament thread.

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  29. Olá! Lindo e criativo trabalho, adorei. Feliz Halloween!

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  30. Glad you had a friend to encourage you, it is a great finish. Your kitty is a great start.

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  31. I hear you about hand sewing binding. That is my least favorite part but I can't seem to master a pretty way to do it by machine yet. Lovely mat, glad you were able to keep with it. It turned out great!

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  32. The mat turned out really cute!! I have the same problem with machine sewing (really of any kind, but binding is my least favorite!!). I keep telling my self, 'practice, practice, practice', but umm, yeah I still don't like it. :)

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  33. Adorable mat!! I'm with you - except for show quilts, everything is bound by machine!! I found a stitch I like on my sewing machine, put the info on a piece of blue painters tape so I can get the right stitch, the right length and width every time!!

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  34. The mat is great and the blackwork cat very nice.

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  35. love your blackwork cat! Thank you for sharing.

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  36. I think your mat is very cute. I really like that fabric. Thank you for sharing.

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  37. Great mat and the black work cat is amazing. I don't think I would try something that complicated looking. I love it.

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  38. Great way to use up the "old fabric" The black work cat is fabulous.

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  39. It always feels great to finish the binding! Great job on the finish and cute fabric!

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  40. Love your project & fabric used! You did Awesome job!!

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  41. You did a great job on your mat. Love your blackwork cat, too!

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  42. Very cute placemat, Shari!! I like the black-work cat, looking very nice.

    -Soma

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  43. Great job on the finish. The blackwork will be awesome when finished.

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  44. YAYAYAY!!!!! YOU DID IT!!! So glad you hung in there! Such a treat...and now you know how to do it for next time!!!! Your projects and stitching were definitely work a little wait!!!!! GREAT JOB!!!!

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  45. See, I knew it would be worth the wait. That is an awesome idea. You DID it! Now that kitty for next year is unbelievable. You can stitch, girl. Hope you had a nap today...

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  46. What a great idea for picnics and reunions. I love the whole idea and the zipper is perfect for silverware. Don't give up on the hand binding...if you can do cross-stitch, it seems only fair that hand binding should be just fine. The css cat is sweet - can't wait to see it finished.

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  47. Such a clever place mat, I love the idea of the silverware zipped up and ready to go.

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  48. This is such a clever idea for picnics and keeping track of silverware. Your Black Cat stitching is wonderful. Thank you sew very much for participating and hopping. Creative Black Cat Crossing Bliss...

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  49. Ugh, hand sewn binding. Ugh, zippers. I feel your pain. Great finished project, though.

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  50. Great idea! I know what you are saying about hand binding. Have you ever done self binding? It's where you cut the backing larger by an inch on all sides. Fold each side in twice, mitre corners, pin press and machine stitch down. The red clips work good for this. Your hand stitching is so gorgeous.

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  51. a clever placemat and glad you stuck it out and finished it. I do all my bindings by machine though. No hand bindings for me either.

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  52. Fun pattern. I like the zippered pocket for utensils.

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  53. Very cute! The zipper is such a great addition. I am all about machine binding. I have hand sewn down one.

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  54. Good for you, for perservering with your binding...it does get easier. Great job!! Call me crazy but hand stitching the binding is my favorite part of making a quilt. Love the take along mat!!

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  55. I dubbed this year--the year I will master binding. Ha! It's October already and my bindings are better, but not quite where I want them I guess next year will be binding 2. You did a beautiful job on your binding, congratulations.

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  56. what a fun project and such a cool idea. I love the placemat.

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  57. That is a seriously cute mat. What a great idea! I love to hand sew binding (or anything really). Then again, I break out in hyves when I have to use the sewing machine..... Good thing we get to choose!

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  58. What a cute mat and such a great idea! Thanks for sharing your creations with us.

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  59. So glad you preserved, it's such a cute idea. I find hand stitching more enjoyable if I put a favourite movie or audiobook on to enjoy while I stitch. ;o)
    Looks like you've got a good start on next years pretty hand stitched addition to your décor. Happy stitching!

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  60. nice idea for a mat - thanks for sharing.

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  61. Nice work. I like your functional ideas!

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  62. Lovely! I need to do that with some of my Christmas fabrics! Beth @ Words & Stitches

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  63. What a cute and useful idea -- love it! I could have used a few of those for picnics this summer. I love the black stitching. I've never tried it, in fact it's been years since I embroidered at all, but I am tempted more and more by the black/red/blue stitch idea. :)

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  64. Hi!!!! Love the fabric!!!! Love it all!!!!! Thanks for sharing!!!!

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  65. I love your take along placemat! And your black work is fantastic! (Hand stitching is not all created equally. Embroidery is far more enjoyable to me than hand sewn binding - though I did find that got a bit easier the more I pushed my way through it.)

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  66. Cute placemat .And your blackwork cat is very sweet. I also have some of that pretty cat/pumpin fabric in my stash (ssomewhere !!)

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  67. I am wicked late posting comments, but kiddies have birthday and we are organizing parties after parties, which means baking and cooking whole nights and days long.....
    I am in awe, blackwork, never ever tried this before, I have a stitching magazine from England and Blackwork is always present in the magazines, but somehow I did not have the ultimative kick to try it out..... I will keep my eyes on your cat and then decide, if I will have the nerves to stitch also....

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  68. Great mat...yey you for tackling the binding monster and winning....love the cat blackwork and can't wait to see where you go with that!

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  69. How very clever! I am fascinated by the cross-stitch, its so delightful!

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  70. What a clever take-along mat! And good for you for persevering!!! :D I used to absolutely DESPISE the binding part of making quilts. Funny thing is, now I love it! It means the finish is almost here and I get to watch a movie (or more, depending on the size) while I stitch it down. To be honest - the one time I did the pull-the-back-around-for-the-binding thing - I found that much harder to deal with than "real" binding for some reason.

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  71. Congratulations on sticking with it to the finish! Your stitching on the kitty is beautiful.

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  72. Kudos for perserving! (I, too, have issues with completing things a desired timeframe.)

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  73. You projects are precious!!! Thanks for sharing them with us. Could you please tell me where to find that that Blackwork Kitty? He would make for a special giftie to a kitty friend or two.

    Happy Halloween.
    Tricia

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  74. love your Blackwork Kitty is there a pattern for it?

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