Made It! (Part Deux)

This "it" being the cushion deadline - made it comfortably in time for the Saturday wedding - and not so comfortably, literally just before my sewing machine broke!
I was just contemplating a very wonky seam which sucked in most of a moss stitch border and debating whether if I unpicked it I could get it any better when the needle on the machine started zipping up and down as if a phantom machinist was sat with her foot firmly on the pedal. Having first blamed the cats (who looked up innocently from the sofa) for stepping on the pedal the only way I could stop it was to pull the plug from the wall. To be honest the timing of the breakage saved me from fussing around any further, the seam was well off but not so that I couldn't bear to gift it like it. A little bit of handmade wonkiness doesn't hurt sometimes. Let's call it character.
Pattern: My own :o)
Yarn: Rowanspun - varying amounts of Snowball, Thorn, Thor, Cloud and Sugar Almond
Needles: 4mm Harmony Circs
Started: 4 February 2009
Finished: 19 March 2009

These were so much fun to make - my first go at a little colourwork which I really loved, watching the pattern emerge in the knitted fabric is a really satisfying experience. I had a few pulling issues, normally when I was trying to strand the yarns behind the hearts to minimise sewing in the ends. For me I'd say sewing in the ends was less of a pain than trying to strand loosely and not let it show through on the front; something I'll try and remember for my next foray into intarsia. The panels came out very close to my imagining and were a simple, relaxing knit on the whole.
Sewing the backs on was much more challenging for this novice, and I'm in no rush to sew knitted fabric to woven again. However it was great fun material shopping with my Mum and I'm definitely going to try and expand my machining skills (just as soon as the ghost has been exorcised by the repair man).

Comments

Clare said…
So pretty! And give my love to the happy couple :)
T. said…
I hate sewing - good for you for sticking it out!
Geek Knitter said…
Oh lovely!

The only task I have ever been able to reliably perform on a sewing machine is the sewing together of my fingertips. After the third time my mother became much less keen on teaching me to sew...
Rose Red said…
sweet present! glad the ghost got in the machine once you were done!
Charity said…
These are gorgeous!! Nicely done! :o)
Melissa said…
Very pretty. What a wonderful present.
Bells said…
oh aren't they LOVELY! Perfect match on yarn, design, everything. I'm sure they were greatly appreciated!

Your sewing machine sounds possessed!
Kelly said…
Lovely! They turned out really nicely. I love the recipients love them.
Donna said…
Those turned out lovely. Spooky sewing machine though!
Anonymous said…
They really look wonderful!

I think when I sewed a knitted pillow front to a sewn pillow, I hand stitched it. However, I machine stitched two fabric pieces together, making a complete pillow cover. Then, I hand stitched the knitted front to the sewn pillow. I found it much easier to work with. ... Just in case you try it again.
MonikaRose said…
G'day, I just love those pillows, both sides, fantastic. Thanks for sharing.
Have a great day and week ahead.
MonikaROse
Linda said…
these are just lovely, the grey is fab. My machine tends to get stuck rather than going crazy!!
Marianne said…
They are wonderful! You did a fabulous job!
florencemary said…
Gosh, you are so clever! Love the blue and violet hearts and you are so brave to negotiate the knitting/sewing thing! For me sewing = yuck.
Rachel said…
Oh, I love them, love them, love them! You did a fabulous job on them! I'm contemplating doing some pillows/cushions that are knitted at some point...seeing yours makes me more excited to try it!
Anonymous said…
Ooh, these are lovely! What beautiful gifts. I'm sure no-one will notice the seam apart from you...
Lea said…
what a great present - they are lovely
Anonymous said…
I would be so pleased to receive these as a wedding gift. They are just perfect.
dreamcatcher said…
The cushions are gorgeous! Hope your sewing machine can be fixed soon too.

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