Dresses and quilts, a sewing year in review

My favourite makes for  2016

 Kerah's quilt 
I have just finished this quilt for my little Granddaughter, she's five, in fact it's under the tree. I used a lovely pattern by Carina Gardner I found on Pinterest.

Granddaughter dresses, an array of makes over the year.

 I'm a detail person and love 'sewing small' it's my term for petite projects...my post about it here.

How come I am just finding out the joy of making Zipper pouches.

What sewer can ever have enough Pincushions, fun makes with a story behind it.

Crib quilts, mini's and wall hangings.

The highlights of my year have been a Blog hop, Nanacompany swap and my first feature in the Homespun magazine.
Books that have inspired me are 
'Sew Illustrated' by Minky Kim and Kristen Esser
'Sweetly stitched handmades' by Amy Sinibaldi
Gorgeous fabric from designers Sedef Imer and Elea Lutz and my favourite of all Instagram

Ali of Arabesque Scissors is doing a TGIFF thats 'Thank goodness its finish Friday' 2016 project roundup 
and
do check out Saylittlehen as well to join in the 2016 creative review.

Glenis

Sewing Small.

Small Projects to delight or distract...

Love sewing small

Love new fabric

Love a new project
Love books that inspire

Well so do I

I am greatly inspired by what I see on social media, I love it..
BUT     I have to question my motives at times... mug mats that are too precious to use, gorgeous bibs with food catching frills and more pincushions than any woman could ever want.
This is the the realm of small projects, please don't get me wrong I enjoy making them immensely after all I am Gee's Projects.
BUT    in this era of on-line stimulation its easy to be caught up in a frenzy of must makes, new lines of fabric just begging to be sewn, new books with gorgeous little projects and stunningly staged images absolutely everywhere.

I wanted to write about this to see what others thought but I was also hesitant because it's our industry, patterns, books and tutorials, mine included...so what do you think?   do comment.
This last year I have been very prolific in 'sewing small' I think to the detriment of some larger projects that need finishing.

Well in the past I had always been so practical... my sewing ninety percent of the time had been clothes...for clients, for myself and my family.
All cushions, drapes etc were made by me and there really was no time for just the pleasure of a        Small beautifully crafted little project.

Well I've made my point...so what am I saying... maybe just balance.
I've promised myself to finish three large projects, practical, washable and useful before I allow myself   the sweet treat of  'Sewing Small'.

My inspiration for the bibs is from a lovely book 'Sweetly Stitched Handmades' by Amy Sinibaldi, I changed the shape slightly to suit my own style.
The rabbit quilt I made using my own embroidery pattern 'Ollie's Washing Day'  and a few tiny patchwork squares, really simple.
The pencil case and bookmark inspired by Minki Kim .

Happy sewing

Glenis