Fiddle cloth

My friend in the UK needed a fiddle cloth making for a friend of hers. This lady was a silversmith and cannot do her skill anymore. She has been a friend for 30 years and a special gift was wanted.

So out came my scraps for me to have a play. I use a hand towel for the backing and to give it more texture..

I am really happy with how this has worked out. I’m sure it will be loved.

I put it in the post and WOWZIE…… It cost $35 to send.

Fiddle cloths finished

 I have 3 small finishes. They are A3 size. The size of a hand towel. In fact that is what is on the backs of them.

These are fiddle cloths made for our local aged care unit. They are given to people with dementia and similar disabilities. While they are sitting or laying in their chairs or beds they can just fiddle..

one for the guys and two for the ladies.

and behind the flap is a little kitten peeking out

there are beads, buttons, lace, leather, wool, keys, a zip, wool, felt, elastic and clips. Different fabrics too to fiddle with.

What a weekend.

I was away on retreat last weekend with 16 lovely ladies.
The weather was warm and we had a fantastic time.. First up I worked on some charity fiddle cloths for our local Specialist school.
These are just made on a hand towel and items are then stitched on for texture.
We sew buttons, zips, pockets, fluffy trims and anything else we have on hand.

Here we have a doll in a pocket, bugs crawling up the flower stem, ribbon flower petals, a bit of Tuille for texture and of course some bling. Don't forget some buttons and frilly yarn too.

This one is more for a boy .. there is a buckle to clip, laces to tie, cotton reels to spin, a zip to open and checkerboard weaving strips. I'm sure it will keep some one busy for a while.

 I also had a panel of bibs that I had sewn ages ago. All they needed was some safe way of fastening them. With some advice from anyone that wanted to give it I added elastic for ease of putting over the babies head...

Fiddle cloths for males...

My group does a lot of different makes for charity. We were to do this project for one of the members. Her work place needed something for the guys to do. 

It is also to help them with everyday skills.

They include buttons, zips, pockets, key ring clips, counting with a tape measure, press studs, learning how to thread a shoe lace and then tying it. I added a plastic clip buckle for a belt and a cord from a hat that can be shortened by squeezing the clip. There is also plumbing bits that screw together for fine motor skills. As well as the textures of the cloth, metal & ribbons strips.

What Sunraysia Quilters were doing on our weekly meeting...

Look at this beautiful work that one member was working on..

 This week we were making super hero capes for the children at the hospital. The children are given one after they have had an operation.

 Here is my fiddle cloth I handed in to our group to pass on for charity. Everyone's work came up lovely.

My winnings have arrived

I was lucky enough to win a prize for joining in FNSI with Wendy and many others.
It arrived in the post last week. I love it and will happily stitch it throughout the year for our granddaughters Xmas present.
This is what Wendy sent me.

FNSI prize

http://www.sugarlane-designs.com/p/friday-night-sew-in-fnsi_23.html

It's on again tonight so why don't you link up or even just have a look.

http://www.sugarlane-designs.com/p/friday-night-sew-in-fnsi_23.html

I have been working on Fiddle cloths and this is one I have sent my SIL. I hope she likes it. She isn't able to see any more so time will tell if she enjoys touching it.

Palms fiddle cloth

My new group here in Mildura have been sewing along with me. I hope they get some lovely ones to share.

Fiddle cloths on the go

I have made a few fiddle cloths and given them to friends. One even went over to the UK. You can make it using all kind of scraps. I wanted one for my SIL and my group wanted to make something for charity. The 5th Tuesday night of the month is allocated for charity makes. Everyone who wanted to join in brought along a bag of scraps, bits and pieces to share. It was all put on the table for everyone to dig in. Hopefully I will get a photo of a few of the finished ones in a week or two when we get together again.

What will all this be.

I have put a few textured items on to a towelling hand cloth. It makes a good base for these fiddle cloths. This one will be sent to my SIL. When it is finished. I am also sending it in a lingerie washing bag so that the items on it don't get damaged in the wash.... It has lots of things on there to fiddle with. Beads, a zip, cloth flower, lace, buttons, a doily and different textures of fabric. I just made it like a crazy patch.. Time will tell if she uses it.

It's getting there.

Another one to donate to a nursing home near me.

A little bit of sewing

First up I made another FIDDLE CLOTH. I had another friend see and love my cloth that she wanted one for her friends mum. So here it is and it will be setting sail to its new home.

Fiddle cloth with lots of goodies on it.

Hand towel backing, 

As you can see on this Fiddle cloth there are lots of things to play with. A zip with tassel, buttons, lace, doily, beads on elastic, ribbon with Velcro, looped ribbons, beads, buckle and some chenille for the softness. Lots to explore for someone who is only able to just sit...

Then I needed to try out this cute pattern. I have finally tracked down some crushed walnuts for filling., I think it is a bit fine but good for starters. So here is my owl. I am not happy with his feet overlapping so they will be redone when I'm in the mood for unpicking..

Cute Owl with pigeon toes...

Here is the link for a great tutorial. Click HERE

BINDING BLITZ.... 51"

I'm getting ready for FNWF

Go over to Cherylls and sign up to join in with everyone.

http://stitchingcubbyhole.blogspot.com.au/2016/01/fnwf.html

I couldn't help myself & GOODBYE to 2015

There have been so many celebrations with friends over the past 2 weeks.
Lots of eating, drinking and laughter.
I am having a great time with my hubby and some super friends at their home in Jan Juc.
What a beautiful way to spend your time.

Christine, Jo, Tony & Michael

So please everyone take some time to remember all our service men and women who are not with their families this Christmas time.
I support Aussie Heroes

http://aussieheroquilts.blogspot.com.au

I'm not sure why this photo insists on being first but I can't move it so that's where it's staying...

And the laundry bag

I just had to do another AUSSIE HERO QUILT. After all it is Xmas....

This is what I have made with some scraps. My friend Joy from the Monday group also helped me to do the blocks..... Jacqui from NOTY donated the backing fabric. It has come out really well.

Scrap blocks made with the help from my Monday group friend Joy

My fiddle cloth

The backing. Donated by Jacqui from NOTY



BINDING BLITZ... 220" + 51" = 271"

Last OPAM for 2015

The above quilt and laundry bag and a fiddle cloth...

My total is a slow 3. 

But lots are nearly finished that I have been working on during December.

Link up with Kris or Peg

http://tagalongteddies.blogspot.com.au/2015/12/holidays-last-opam-for-2015.html

My Xmas visit with a special friend

I have known this friend for 34 years. Unfortunately with lifestyles we haven't seen much of each other over the years. Her mum is so sweet and very poorly at the moment. She is hanging in there just to see Christmas... It was so good to spend some time together
I spent some time making her a special gift. Being bed ridden and after suffering a stroke only has the use of one hand. I made a special hand towel size fiddle rug. It has lots of textures and things on it. She was very happy with it and wants to frame it....

My fiddle rug

.

There is a bit of my mums Doily, lace, flower trim, ribbon with a buckle
And lovely soft chenille fabric....

I added buttons and a zip and a tassel 

With lace, 3D bow tie blocks and tassel on the zipper pull on a towelling backing

The back is a hand towel.

Jo's mum loving the Fiddle rug

Jo and her mum with their gifts..

I made a Grandmas Braid quilt and waited for a very special person to give it too. 

The sun shining on one of my favourite quilts 

Grandmas braid purple quilt

My special label

BINDING BLITZ..... 51"
http://juliekquilts.blogspot.com.au