Wednesday, 7 October 2009

No.1's Sewing Project

I must record here the bit of sewing I helped No.1 with over the school holidays. Her year were all given the homework of 'making a difference to the community'. They were asked to do something to make a positive difference to others. Various friends of hers did things like work in a charity shop, do odd jobs for neighbours, etc. No.1 said she wanted to do something for our local hospital - preferably the maternity unit.

We phoned them up and they invited us along. It was the first time I'd been there since I gave birth to No.2, and being back there reminded me of the embarrassment of a major contraction just as we got there, so I had to lean forward on the seat of the waiting area. How I got up those stairs at 9cm dilated, I'll never know. Anyway, the unit has just been redecorated and they wondered if No.1 fancied making some 'pictures' for the walls? Is the Pope a Catholic? She was thrilled to bits.

She knew she wanted to do something with fabric in bright colours and simple designs. She also knew I possessed a pattern by Kellie (whose work she has long since admired). An email was fired off to Kellie to ask for her permission to use her pattern for the project and she readily agreed (thanks Kellie - from both of us - x). No.1 was given free reign in my fabric stash (do you know how scary that is?!) and these three pictures are what she ended up with:-

She used a cream felt background, and quilting cottons for the appliquéd shapes. She didn't feel confident enough to blanket stitch round the edges of the shapes, so just used a straight stitch in complementary threads. I like the way she kept the leaves the same fabric to link all three pictures. She used black sequins for the ladybird's spots, some pink sequins on the butterfly, and a black seed bead for the bird's eye. She worked quite hard on those, and I think she did really well.

Each finished piece was put into plain wood Ikea frame, and delivered them to the hospital, who were very pleased to have them. They asked for a picture of No.1 holding the finished fabric creations ... apparently to put in their upcoming newsletter (cue major embarrassment from the almost teenager!)

© Author

46 comments:

K said...

She did a FAB job. I have to show my almost teen this :)

periwinkle said...

awesome , maybe she should go into business, they'd be great for nurseries -- well done

Tilly said...

Wow, those are fabulous! You have a very talented young lady there. Well done No 1.

Sew Create It - Jane said...

Give her a big high five...she did a brill job! ..must get her talent from her mom! :o)

Warped Mind of Ron said...

She did an awesome job! And loved her pick of where to volunteer. She's certainly taking after you artistically :-)

Janet said...

they are fabulous i bet they were so pleased to receive them, they look so professional :)

Great job No 1 :D

Leah said...

WOW! These are absolutely fabulous. She did a wonderful job and should be really proud of herself xx

Jules said...

They are gorgeous, I bet they loved them. Well done no 1 xx

andrea.procter said...

The pictures are wonderfull, you must be so proud of her. Well done No.1

TomboCheck said...

Kiddo has talent! :) Looks great.

Cath said...

How lovely, she's very talented, obviously takes after her mother! I bet you're really proud. PS I will write as soon as I can....been a bit of a week, what with busy weekends and an ill child in between.

xxx

Suburbia said...

You have such a clever daughter, I bet you are SO proud! Mind you, it is obvious where she gets all her talent from

Bx

Purple and Paisley said...

wow! well done, no. 1! they are fabulous! ☺♥

Thimbleanna said...

The acorn doesn't fall far from the tree! No. 1 has done a fabulous job -- I love the pretty bright colors. What a wonderful project that's sure to cheer up the maternity ward!

TopCat76 said...

those are gorgeous fabric pics - love them! Kudos to your daughter, they are not only beautiful but will make a difference!

Lucy Locket-Pocket said...

FANtastic!!!!!

Lucy x

Indigo Blue said...

These are very neatly made! Love the colour combinations too. No.1 should consider GCSE Textiles along with Art. She would be very welcome in any teaching group of mine with work like that, well done. I hope she got recognition at school too.

JuliaB said...

Wow Kitty! They are FABULOUS!! Lucky Hospital .. have you put in an order for the house yet? x

Farmyard Crafts said...

Wowsers! She's done a marvellous job! They look awesome. She should be so proud... as should you! What a lovely thing to go and do for someone else... :)

Josie said...

they are brilliant pictures! well done!
Josie x

Chris said...

oh, come ON!! So delicate and pretty and intricately done and lovely! She might oughta get used to attention!!

Malach the Merciless said...

That rocked!

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

Those are amazing!! I could never do that, way to go sweetie!!!

peskypixies said...

FABULOUS!!!!!
the apple doesn't fall far from the tree you know!!!

Ginny said...

what a lovely thing to do... the pictures look amazing, as does the neatest stitching... she is sure to get top marks for this project. brilliant!
love ginny x

wonderwoman said...

wow, tell her from me that they are gorgeous - you must be sooo proud of her - chip of the old block!!!!


xxx

Reluctant Blogger said...

Oh wow, those are wonderful. And is she only 12???? Amazing. My 12-year-old son wouldn't be able to produce anything like this - he takes about 30 mins to thread a needle!

Tracy said...

These are BEAUTIFUL!! Your daughter has a talent for crafting like her mmum--well done! What a sweet thing to cheer up a hospital--very happy pictures. Thanks for sharing. Oh, and thanks so much for stopping by to see me--great to see you! :o) Happy Weekend to you all ((HUGS))

Linda said...

They are gorgeous pictures.

Greedy Nan said...

She must have inherited her mummy's talents ...

picciolo said...

what a wonderful idea, they are perfect for a maternity unit I think
: )

Primrose Corner said...

She's made a beautiful, beautiful job of those. I wonder where she got the talent from .....

Primrose Corner said...

She's made a beautiful, beautiful job of those. I wonder where she got the talent from .....

elaine said...

I just stopped by and couldn't leave without remarking about how very pretty these pictures are. Hundreds of stitches made by hand and all in perfect order. Ihe choice of fabric is fun and interesting. They're just so sweet...I Love them. What a wonderful thing for your daughter to do. Please tell her for me. xox

twiggypeasticks said...

What a talented lady, they are fabulous.
Twiggy x

Country Bliss said...

They are beautiful, you must be really proud of her, such a lovely thing to do.
Yvonne x

Gina said...

Fantastic pictures! What a talented young lady she is! (Take after her mother by any chance???)

Heleen said...

Whauw!! so lovely, she's a talent!

Ali said...

Talented daughter you have there!

Moogsmum said...

Oh my word Kitty - they're gorgeous! Well done No.1 for such a beautifully made project :)

I should think they'll be loved in the maternity unit by staff and patients alike for many years to come.

xxx

sharon said...

What a wonderful idea and such beautiful work too No 1! You must be very proud of her Kitty.

Reasons said...

They really are very good! Well done daughter of yours.

Maxine said...

What fantastic pictures, well done!

Ally Johnston said...

Cue one talented teenaged. The pictures are delightful She should start a business now selling them.

Kaz said...

Wow wow and wow again!! Those are simply gorgeous. She is very talented and such lovely pieces for the hospital to have xxx

Michaela said...

I think number 1 has found her calling in life. Those pictures are beautiful - I would happily pay for them to hang on my wall (so if you're at all bored nuymber 1 and fancy doing a spot of sewing, just give me a shout)