Recycled charity shop finds

It's been quite a busy week, however I managed to get several more rows of hand quilting done,

pinks and greens

Found a vintage Rowan knitting book, 

first charity shop bargain



This is the cardigan I am knitting, in a rather bright pink, requested by the little girl who will be wearing it!

The cardigan I am knitting





My eyes lit up at the possibilities of a gorgeous piece of fabric,   with rows of tea cup style roses  on a black background. Sent to the charity shop and  hung up in the children's skirt rack,

as a child's skirt



I got my scissors and pins out, and an hour later the skirt became a lovely retro style tote bag.

retro style tote bag



I love it when something I'd pictured in my head  turns out  just the way I imagined it. I had seen the skirt a couple of times in the shop, and decided I could do something with it.

This week has also included my birthday, so the tote bag will go just fine with a pretty tea style dress from Fat Face, along with a rather fine pair of brown boots, The whole outfit will look ok I think with a brilliant charity shop  find of an above the knee coat in a pale mink brown colour.
I am now going to add this blog to Handmade Monday, where you will find lots of wonderful makes from some very busy people!   

Vintage quilt part two

The patchwork quilt I have been working on with the brick style pattern, in vintage greens, pinks and blues has now been pieced together. The backing is  made up using a white fabric printed with roses, and an outer border consists of a lovely pale blue with pink flowers pinned and ready to quilt.

backing fabrics

front of the quilt

hand stitching

Hand quilting in colours to match. Tomorrow I will have lots of stitching to do!

I went to the Harris Museum and Art gallery today, and unexpectedly came across a work shop in progress  entitled
4 The Love Of Cotton.

Various pieces of cotton fabrics were suspended in mid air, including shirts, hand painted intricate designs, tie dye,  cross stitch traditional dress, and a hand stitched quilt, with a cream background, and central motif. The backing was in a deep red colour.

Part of the workshop included using stamps of blue dye onto cotton fabric, in the tradition of  stamps depicting references to where the cotton design came from. Here's mine. Drop in events are also at Manchester and Burnley.
Please go to Twitter@Cotton_Exchange
I would love to read about any exhibitions and creative activities you have attended.
Take a look at some of the creative people on Handemade Monday  

retro rose quilt

Here are some photos of my finished retro roses quilt.

Patchwork roses

Showing border  and quilting details

Here is the rose sprig backing fabric

Front and reverse of the quilt

I am pleased with the way this quilt has come together. During September I will be selling this quilt on its' own, or in combination with the other roses quilt at a reduced price.

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Today I went to a vintage and craft fair  in Preston as part of the Guild celebrations ,  and  came across a  gorgeous yellow  tea set

Tea for two ?

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A splitie selling divine cakes

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cakes and camper vans


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And knitted pieces in unexpected places !

Plus I just could not resist the call of fabric bits and pieces saying "take me home, you know you want to !" So I did, but that's for another day .... and another quilt....
It's handmade Monday, an opportunity to look at other lovely blogs and this is my first contribution!

  

Retro Roses

Here is a piece in progress. It's been pinned together and I'm ready to start quilting. I think this one will be hand and machine quilted. I love the old-fashioned feel to these squares of fabric I have cut.

Retro rose fabric

ready to quilt

I have added white borders around the squares, I'm possibly going to add strips of rose fabric, and embroideries, to the borders when the quilting is done.