Monday, March 23, 2015

Tree Bird Blog Hop

Sew we quilt
My day is finally here! A big thanks to It was nice to work on projects with such pretty, SPRING-like fabric. It's been a brutal winter here in New England!

When I first saw the beautiful bird panels of the Tracy Lizotte collection, I immediately thought "pockets!" And you will see that's exactly what I used them for.

I selected three of the fabrics to use for this hop: The bird panels, the all-over birds with azure background, and the leaves with azure background:

And with those fabrics, I made three projects for my sewing room:
See those pockets? I made a cover for my sewing machine, with three adjacent bird panels serving as pockets on the front. I used the leaves fabric for the front, binding, and side ties. 
The underside of the cover is the all-over birds fabric. 
I also used a strip of dark green bias binding for the top of the pockets.
I didn't use a pattern for this project; I made it up as I went along. But it's a very simple design and construction. As you can see above, my machine has a hard cover so this soft cover has no sides, just ties. It's basically two rectangles with the three-pocket piece sewn onto the top. The pockets are lined with the all-over bird print, and edged with the bias binding. The cover doubles as a mat to go under the sewing machine when it's in use, and that's when those pockets really come in handy!
To go along with the cover/mat, I also made a thread catcher which has some small pockets of its own (I purchased this pattern on Craftsy to make it). I used the all-over bird fabric, the leaves, and more bias binding (some of which I opened up to make wider):
And I made a skinny pincushion, using this free pattern, that sits in front of the machine so it's really handy. It's made with the all-over bird fabric and bias binding on the ends:
I think they make a nice set for my sewing table!
Be sure to check out everyone else on this final day of this great hop, and please leave a comment if you are so inclined! I'll reply to all comments, so if you're a no-reply blogger leave an email address!

Monday, March 23


47 comments:

  1. That is SEW CREATIVE! I love the machine cover, and then YOU BLEW MY SOCKS off With how you could USE it when it didn't cover the machine!!! HOW CUTE IS THAT! I need to make a thread catcher...and you have INSPIRED me to do it! Your birds will be with you long after this hop...and YOU DID A WONDERFUL JOB!!!!!

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  2. one more thing...Sweet Ladybird, Please change Madame Samm's link... to Sew We Stitch at
    www.sewwestitch.com
    Hugs!!!

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  3. What a lovely and cheerful sewing room! The bird pockets are a neat idea. Thank you for sharing.

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  4. What a wonderful use of this beautiful fabric. You get to enjoy every time your sew! I have some panels left. I just may have to borrow this idea. Thank you sew much for sharing ... :) Pat

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  5. Wow...these are just gorgeous! I love the way you used the fabric, it sure makes for a very pretty display, and useful too! Love it.

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  6. What a tweet idea. Love the little birdie pockets. Three little lovelies for your sewing room.

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  7. Indeed a lovely set for your sewing room! I love it!

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  8. Lovely and beautiful projects that you have made for your sewing room. Thanks for sharing and being part of this hop

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  9. They look lovely. It will make you smile every time you use your machine and see those lovely birds. Love it.

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  10. So many sweet bird projects! Your cover looks like the scene is at the window right in front. Fun!

    Julie @ Pink Doxies

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  11. all of your projects are lovely how nice to see that when you come into your sewing room.

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  12. I love your projects!!! Great ideas and so sweet with this fabric!!

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  13. What a great set Elizabeth! You did a beautiful job.

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  14. Love where you took the fabric. I have a similar set up for my sewing and find that that long pin cushion is the best for using when sewing on the machine.

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  15. Now ther is th perfect place for those birds!!! Love it!!!!!

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  16. Love your sewing ensemble. I need to make a cover for my machine.

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  17. Elizabeth I love this idea! I've made machine covers but never thought of making them serve two purposes! blessings, marlene

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  18. Your dual purpose sewing machine cover is lovely! I can hardly wait to sew one for myself! I love the little accessories which you made to go with it. Elli

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  19. What a great set you made for your sewing needs. These would make wonderful gifts for anyone who sews.

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  20. What a great way to show off this gorgeous bird fabric. How lovely to be able to look at it while you sew!

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  21. The cover that doubles as a mat with the pockets is a great idea!!

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  22. Great ideas and I love how the sewing machine cover can then be used as a tool organizer when sewing. They all look so pretty.

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  23. Wonderful ideas Elizabeth, thanks for sharing!

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  24. What a wonderful way to welcome a little spring into your sewing room. Love it!

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  25. I also used the fabric to Spring-ify my sewing room. Glad I waited to make the machine cover..much prefer your idea. Cute, cute.

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  26. What a wonderful idea. I love your new sewing accessories. A perfect use for the fabric. You have done a lovely job on your creations.

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  27. As always, I love your projects Elizabeth :-) They are so neat and nice, and that would be an idea to sew as well. I have 4 sewing machine and only one cover...... bad isn't it?

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  28. I really like your projects and they are so useful!! I may have to steal some ideas from you!
    Gmama Jane

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  30. I really love your machine cover. all your projects are just wonderful. thanks for sharing.

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  31. What a lovely set. Sitting in front of that window you will be able to enjoy birds outside and inside! Thank you for sharing.

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  32. I adore your Tree Bird practical projects. I actually need to make these for my sewing machine too. Thank you sew very much for Tree Bird Hopping and participating. Creative Bird Bliss...

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  33. What a great sewing room make over! I love these projects....they are pretty and they are useful! Lovely!

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  34. Love the pockets. You can't have enough, right? And the pin cushion is perfect. I have at least 3 in my sewing room and probably could use another . . .

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  35. Your machine cover is so pretty and the pockets perfect - gorgeous and useful, too. Thread catchers are a great sewing accessory and help to keep the flower clean(er)!! Sometimes I miss my catcher and the thread tails end up on the floor anyway!

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  36. fabulous projects! I love the way your cover pulls double-duty--ingenious!

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  37. your new bird projects are awesome .Love your ideas.Wish i had some of your bird fabric.

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  38. Fantastic sewing accessories. They look wonderful in the bird fabric.

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  39. awesomeness!!!! love all the projects. I sew wanted to participate but was too busy to commit to it this time

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  40. How clever, I like how you can use it to cover your machine but then underneath for use of the pockets. Great idea and beautifully done, I might add.

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  41. I really love the cover that you can use as a mat! Everything looks beautiful and ready for spring!

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  42. Thanks for letting me know about the Etsy Shop .I checked it out.I could not believe how reasonable the prices were $5.50 ,Canadian .And the shock of finding the shipping is $34.00 to Canada. Wow Postage has totally gone over the moon.

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  43. Oh, these are just gorgeous! I love the sewing machine cover/mat. The bird panels make such darling pockets. The thread catcher and pin cushion are lovely, too. Beautiful work!

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  44. Lovely.... You did a beautiful job on your project!

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  45. Great idea to use the panels as pockets! Your set is wonderful. I really like skinny pinnies: discovered them last year and think they are so clever and pretty!

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