Summer heather quilt

What to do with a basket of Harris tweed scraps that is threatening to overrun your workshop  .........

...start by making individual log cabin squares combining pinks,  purples and lilac herringbones with plain green and teal tweeds.

Think this might be the start of my next quilt.

Clachan quilt

The Clachan quilt by Betweedy.

I have always loved the American log cabin style of patchwork and think that Harris Tweed is well suited to this way of piecing fabric together.

The red patches at the centre of the four squares symbolises the fire in the hearth as seen by the bird who looking down the chimney.  These are the houses in the clachan or hamlet which are inhabited. The other houses are standing empty or are being used as holiday homes now. The clachan stands on the edge of the sea.

The piecing together of different colours and patterns of tweed evokes the history of the clachan with it’s different houses all with their own histories and families. 

The quilt is now on sale at the Mugdock Makkers Craft gallery at Mugdock country park, Strathblane , Glasgow. 

Taigh Loch an eathir quilt - the croft and the boat quilt

The beautiful 'croft and boat' Harris Tweed quilt having an airing. 

The stunning blue tweeds are from Norman Mackenzie at Carloway tweeds, Isle of Lewis

A year in quilts- a retrospective.

My first Harris tweed quilts- quickly fell in love with this wonderful cloth. 

Sweet harris tweed make up bags with matching sleep masks.

Raspberry Harris tweed make-up bag with a vibrant bird lining.
This would make a lovely Christmas gift 

Beautiful linings complementing the tweed. 

A wee red tartan bag- very on-trend. 

Matching bag and sleep mask with beautiful lilac floral  Liberty lining.

Tartan and hearts cushions.

Get into the Christmas mood with these lovely Harris tweed cushions
with appliqued hearts and tartan borders. The cushion has a zipped closing and carry the
Harris Tweed orb label guaranteeing its authenticity. Go to my shop at http://folksy.com/items/4892122-Gorgeous-Harris-tweed-Christmas-cushion-cover for orders. 

A variation on the theme, a striking tartan heart on a cream tweed background. 

The cushions can be made in larger sizes if preferred and different colours.

The raspberry herringbone tweed and velvet bag collection

This is a lovely combination of tweed and velvet with a striking V&A
birds lining. Choose from a vintage style bow bag, clutch bag or a little
zipped make up bag.
Soon to be on sale in my Folksy shop-  http://folksy.com/shops/BeTweedy

 A closer look at the bird lining.

Stunning and elegant bow bag.

Autumnal herringbone satchel bag

A beautiful combination for the autumn-
 deep brown tweed with brown/green herringbone
 and brown leatherette straps.
This is a classic satchel bag for the new term. 

The stunning William Morris cotton lining complements the warm colours of the tweed
and will make opening the bag a pleasure every time.
For ease of use,there are two magnetic fasteners which securely close the bag. 

The leatherette and tweed strap is adjustable so it can be worn across the body.
 It is attached to the bag securely with plastic buckles.
The bag can be made to fit your laptop/Ipad etc. Prices vary from £50-65 according to size.
Check out other colours at my shop at http://folksy.com/shops/BeTweedy

Stained glass lap quilt- part 2

Decide to join the panels of the colourwash  with thin strips of grey patterned cotton
so that the pattern is not lost 

This is the reverse of the quilt,but I like the ridges of the seams. 

Start to construct the borders with a soft blue/grey border
 and use the remnants of the strips to make a very fine second border.
It somehow creates the effect of  a stained glass window.

I handstitch the label with the date and message. 

The finished front of  the quilt.
 It has a mesmeric effect with those waves of colour.
Time to layer it up and quilt it. 

Stained- glass lap quilt

I made this colourwash lap quilt
for a dear friend who is having major surgery.
I wanted to give her something
beautiful to look at whilst she was recovering.
This is the story of how the quilt developed . 

I started by selecting 12 different blue/green fabrics including some batiqs
Then I  cut 4 strips each measuring 2" wide .
I wanted the colours to harmonise. 

The strips are sewn together and then cut into 2" strips again. 

The first piece is beginning to take shape.
Time to make a second panel. 

Both panels are stitched
but I'm wondering how to sew them together without losing some of the pattern. 

Isles pebbles cushions

Soft browns,oatmeal and peach tones in Harris Tweed make these cushions very distinctive. 

They have zipped openings and a plain cream backing.

Take a look at my Folksy shop at www.folksy.com/BeTweedy for these and similar cushions.

Making the ukulele case- my first ever! But I hope not my last.

The pattern pieces have been traced and the tweed is cut .  

This is the zipped front pocket, I used the continuous zipper for this as it makes for a neater finish.  

The pocket is sewn onto the front panel and edged with leather trim.  

I constructed the side with the long zipped opening, note the thick layer of wadding. I use a leather needle and keep the layers well trimmed down so that I can sew through withourt breaking needles. I could use an industrial machine but I like my Janome too much. 

Adding the small carrying handle. The distressed leather goes so well with the speckled tweed 

Making up the quilted lining, this looks very neat and saves having to quilt up fabric yourself. 

I made a strap with leather and tweed .Got the buckles and sliders from Ebay as I couldn't find them in any haberdashery stores. These were 45mm 

 The tweed case is now sewn together and the quilted lining inserted and hand stitched to the zipped opening to create a really neat finish. I love hand sewing too.


Contact me if you are interested in having your own ukulele/mandolin case at be.tweedy@hotmail.co.uk  

Harris tweed Ukulele case

Carry your ukulele in style in this stunning Harris Tweed case.
The speckled green and brown tweed is from Norman Mackenzie's weaving shed, Carloway, Isle of Lewis

The leather carrying strap is adjustable so you can wear it on your back
or over your shoulder. There is also a small carrying handle. 

It  has a thick layer of wadding as well as cotton quilted lining to fully protect your instrument . 

There is a zipped opening around three quarters of the case  as well as an useful front pocket for storing music, tuners, etc. 

Wallhanging for Kenneth Thompson, Choirmaster of the Glasgow Gaelic Musicical Association

Made this wall-hanging from green and cream tweeds to celebrate
Kenneth Thompson's 30 years of talented and dedicated service
 to the GGMA.
You can check out the choir singing 'Oran na Cloiche on Youtube under 

               Ceolraidh Ghaidhlig Ghlaschu - 'Oran na Cloiche'

Soft blue and brown cushions

 These cushions have such a soft, muted look to them ,
they remind me of pebbles on the beach. 

Or maybe a snowy scene looking down on Loch Lomond
at the end of March!