Scrub Stitchin Kawandi project progress

 At Scrub Stitchin this year we were all given goody bags. In this bag was our project to make. A Kawandi  using a charm square pack. There were a few different packs. Mine was mostly solids with some sparkles through it. I have cut some into pieces and laid them on to my fat quarter backing piece.

First row is now stitched and a thin lining has been put in the middle. Traditionally this centre piece is just fabric but I like the feel and ease of an iron on thin batting/pellon.

I have pinned all of my pieces on. Now ready for all the stitching.

 Okay, so I know it is hard for people to get inspired about this project. 

Kate got hers done during the week.

 What will it end up being? A placemat, table centre or ? 

Well I am travelling atm in our caravan and I took mine along to stitch.

 I have not added the pula flowers on the corners 

because they won’t work for the project I intend it to be. 

Here it is atm..

I will get this finished by the time I get home and will do something with it. 

What will it end up being?

Watch this space.

 If you want to make what I do I’ll let you know what you need 

and can show you at the next retreat 2026

My Brothers golf Placemat

 I used up all the scraps from the golf quilt and wanted a placemat for my brother. He liked the kawandi style one I was making when he last visited. 

This was made in May so doesn't qualify for my challenge this month.

I had enough fabric.

I draw the lines on with chalk. This way my stitching go straight. I also use 2 thimbles. The palm one helps push the needle through and the finger thimble also pushes as well as grabs the needle when it is tough to work through the fabric.

I'm getting close to finishing. Will I have enough thread?

I had enough thread. The Kawandi stitching is complete.

It was put on the table straight away and used that night.

My yellow Kawandi placemat is finished. RSC yellows - placemats, pin cushions and potato chips.

My comments are back. For some reason they were going in to my spam mail.. argh!!!!

 My Kawandi placemat is done. I am loving making these.. They are very addictive.

Continuing with yellows and RSC scraps, strings, potato chip blocks and crumbs.

Out came the yellow box.. using up the crumbs and strips on placemats.

The leftovers sewn on to purchase receipt papers. I know many people use adding machine tape rolls but the receipts are free and a good width.

I also cut lots of smaller scraps into the rectangles for my potato chip blocks.

3 more placemats completed. Total now 25 out of the hoped 50.

Using up the receipt tape lengths into pin cushions.

Enough to make 8 more.

So 8 pin cushions completed.. Total. 29 out of 40 needed.

I have now used up all the little pieces of yellow. That tub is cleaned up.

Linking up with Angela. RSC.

https://superscrappy.blogspot.com/2025/03/scraphappy-saturday-homeward-bound.html

Yellow scrappy Kawandi inspired placemat

I have enjoyed doing the hand stitching on my last blue Kawandi cloth so wanted to do another one. This time I think I will make a few placemats in the colours of the RSC. 

Scrap Happy Saturday

Out came my yellow tub

So I decided on a size, cut the backing and ironed the hem over.

Hemmed my scraps and pinned to the outside of the backing.

All the outside done

Choose a thread. This is also a leftover thread

Stitching around the edges done.

I cut a flannel piece 1/2” smaller than the placemat.

Push it into the edges and iron flat.

Continue rounds of stitching.

As you get closer to the centre the middle section bubbles a bit.

Keep ironing out and placing more scraps to completely cover…

Slow stitching my blue Kawandi for RSC

 I have been enjoying a few relaxing nights/days doing some hand stitching. 

I am working on my tablecloth and there is not much to do.

You can see in the centre, the navy blue section, is all I have to cover in

All covered now. Let’s get sewing

When I started to sew a while back I was drawing the lines. Then, clever me thought, I don’t need to draw the lines I will just sw round and round. It will be ok. Ummmm NO it won’t. I went crooked, close together and up and down.

So now I am back to drawing the lines.

So I can link up with scrap Happy Saturday for RSC

https://superscrappy.blogspot.com/2025/02/scraphappy-saturday-short-blue-month.html

and Slow Sunday Stitching

https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/2025/02/slow-sunday-stitching_0292525876.html

Another project bag with a see through vinyl front using my Kawandi.

 I made a Kawandi cloth quite a few months ago. This took a full charm pack because I cut the pieces up small.

with the intention of making a bag but life changed, choices changed and it was packed away. Clean up time happened and out it came.

I decided to make it into a project bag with a clear front so I can see what is in it. So I gathered a long zip, a piece of vinyl and some red binding fabric.

I machine sewed a binding on all the way around the vinyl using a longer than normal stitch

Then made 2 * 4” lengths for the loops.

Because the Kawandi is a finished piece I sewed the zip straight to an end as well as the vinyl.

I just topstitched the fabric and vinyl to the top of the zip

Next, I sewed the loops onto each side over the ends of the zip.

Time to cut the zips off level

Sew the loops to the other side and reinforce the zip

Attaching the bottom edge of the vinyl to the Kawandi is a bit tricky. Open the zip, layer the kawandi on top of the binding on the vinyl and top stitch.

The pouch is now joined into a tube.

Lay flat and trim even on both side edges.

Topstitch close to the edges.

And your pouch is ready to use.

This has now got my Kawandi tablecloth project in it.

I have also been watching more YouTube tutorials and found Elizabeth Ann Can Stitch has some great ones.

I baked a cake…. While slow stitching my Kawandi tablecloth.

 I pulled out some slow stitching while I had the oven on baking a cake. This is definitely a slow stitching project. But it is very relaxing.

Linking up with https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/ for Slow Sunday Stitching & RSC - February - Blue

https://superscrappy.blogspot.com/2025/02/scraphappy-saturday-bold-and-blue.html

I was going to visit my old workplace and thought I’d bake a cake. I also have visitors coming.

I don’t need a cake for each so a shared one was perfect. I don’t need love this cake. My friend many years ago made this for when I visited. I find it very easy to bake. It can also be great as a gluten free option. This is what I made as my boss is gluten intolerant.

MOIST APPLE CAKE

Here is the recipe……

INGREDIENTS.

225g plain flour or gluten free 

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon bi carb soda

100g butter. Diced. (Room temp)

225g castor sugar

2 apples sliced or thick diced (if using gluten free flour add an extra half an apple)

50g chopped walnuts

50g sultanas (I used cranberries)

2 eggs well beaten

1 teaspoon Vanilla Essence

HOW TO MAKE.

Sift flour, salt, bi carb together.

Rub in butter

Stir in sugar, apples, walnuts and fruit.

Mix in eggs and vanilla essence.

Pour into greased or glad baked lined tin.

Cook on 170 deg c. for approx 1 hr 15 - 1 1/2 hrs. 

Check with skewer. If comes out clean.. ITS DONE

If you want to when serving sprinkle with some icing sugar for decoration.

Relaxing time camping with my Kawandi

 We decided to go away camping with our daughter and family for a weekend. 

Of course I took my sewing. The blue Kawandi tablecloth. A little bit was sewn

It was a really cold day so we needed to be close to the fire.

This kept us a little warmer in the evening

Linking up with Slow stitching Sunday