Tova #3

I did it!!
I am not sure if I spent more time sewing or unsewing my third Tova top trying to get the fabric to behave and the print to line up, not to mention fretting over all the little details. But it's done and I am very pleased with it.

I took your advise on the whole grain vs. print issue and cut the pattern pieces so that the print best lined up. There are places where it just wouldn't, but I don't think it is too obvious when I am wearing the top. The grain issue shows most in the collar pieces but I wear the collar open anyway and like it best when it's a bit floppy.

I made a few adjustments to the pattern, first I followed Kerry's Tova Sew Along instructions for adjusting the collar width, and lengthening the sleeves. In the end I decided against the longer sleeve length and shortened them again ;) I reduced the length of the top quite a bit and took the side seams in a little for a more fitted look.

I am so pleased I persevered, I learned lots and gained more confidence in my dress making skills. I absolutely love wearing this silky soft voile, it is just so comfortable!

Pattern: Tova top by Wiksten
Fabric: Four Square Voile by Anna Maria Horner
I sewed along with Kerry who has some excellent tips and tricks! (click on the button below)

x Leila

A finished quilt...it's been a while

I finished my Anna Maria Horner flower quilt!

The design is simple patchwork squares mixed with a few pieced patchwork squares all hand quilted using paper templates. I hardly ever make large quilts, I did once when I first started quilting but never again since ;) This one is big enough to cover my bed nicely I didn't measure it exactly but it is about 185cm by 215cm or 74" x 86"

I used Hobbs Tuscany silk batting and Little Folks voile for backing which makes this quilt so luxuriously soft and light weight despite it's size - I absolutely love it!!

I decided to commit to a bed full of lush AMH prints and made a few folksy flannel pillow cases as well. I am thoroughly enjoying these warm and rich colours in my bedroom and all the different soft textures to snuggle up under at night.  

The only problem with my bed being all cozy and warm like this is I never want to leave!

Thank you all for your votes I came in third in the Sew Mama Sew true love contest :) Please check back here Monday as it is my birthday and I plan on doing a little give away to celebrate.

 Have a lovely weekend,

x Leila

Work In Progress ~ Wednesday~

I've finally made a decision what to do with my Anna Maria Horner stash.
A quilt for my bed, that's what I settled on a while back but the design.. I couldn't make my mind up about that. First I started ambitiously with some English paper piecing. I love this design, but I feared I would never ever get a full sized quilt finished this way!

Then I though I'd let my fellow Fresh Modern Bee2 members come up with some amazing blocks, and they did!
But all the while I wasn't sure which way to go with this quilt. Until finally I made up my mind and went for squares...genius right?! No, not really but I love simple patchwork squares and these fabrics are so pretty to look at why cut them up even more? I made big blocks 9" square with a few pieced ones scattered in to add a little interest and to use up some of the scraps I had left.

It's a big quilt 72" x 81" and will cover my bed up nicely. Basting wasn't fun, but I'm using this wonderfully soft silk batting and a voile backing. It's going to be such luxury to sleep under this!
I'm now figuring out how to quilt it. Because the design is so simple I want to make the quilting a bit more interesting so I'm experimenting with a flower design and perle cottons. I'll let you know how that goes!

x Leila

P.S. I've put some lovely Anna Maria Horner scrap bags in my shop they'd be perfect for some scrappy pillows or even some English paper piecing!

Fresh Sewing Day

We all love Lynne aka Lily's Quilts don't we?! She is hosting a fun link up over on her blog, Fresh Sewing Day.

Last month was all about small sewing projects for me. I made coasters and a potholder, and now I can not bare to actually use them and get them dirty :S And this little egg rug that I love!

I really enjoyed making this egg rug tutorial. It just makes my day when I see other people frying them up! here and here

Today I'm enjoying some self indulgent sewing. The weatherman predicted summer for tomorrow so when I found this lovely soft voile at the market this morning I could not resist a new summer dress.

Now lets hope that sun will shine tomorrow and that I actually manage to finish this in time to wear it.

Off to browse through some new blogs now. Don't forget to link up for Fresh Sewing Day!

My mother's dress...

...was blue with a large floral print. She often wore it with a blue leather belt and ankle boots. To me she was the most beautiful woman in the world in her blue flower dress. I wanted one just like mummy's and be pretty too! And although my mum sewed tons of pretty dresses for me, up till now I never had a dress that possessed the same magic as hers did.


But when I was trying on the new dress I sewed the other day, my little boy looked at me and said 'you're pretty mummy' and I recognized that look in his eyes... I finally have my own mother's dress!

I used Anna Maria Horner dobby dot voiles and her Museum Tunic Tutorial  
The decision to combine the two voiles was born out of necessity, I only had one panel instead of the
1 1/2 needed, but it worked out quite well this way I think.
The only thing I would perhaps change is to place the little squares a bit lower, now they're a bit bulky around the waist. The pastry line voile is quite flattering with it's vertical stripes, it works well on the areas you may not want to draw too much attention to (hips, waist). So if you're tempted to try this version for yourself that's something you may want to concider :-) 

Did your mother have a special dress too? I'm curious to know!

x Leila