Thursday, August 12, 2010

Check out my muff!

Now for those of you snickering into your cup of tea, I'll remind you that the word 'muff' remains the term for a handwarmer or hand cosy, whatever other tawdry meanings it may have acquired in modern usage. Thank you very much.

A few weeks ago I received the best request ever. A dear friend of mine, Melski, owner of cold hands and warm heart, asked if I'd make her a muff.



As soon as it was requested, I knew in my minds' eye just what I wanted my hand cosy to look like. There is in fact a patchwork muff project in the book Denyse Schmidt Quilts,which I own and love. I followed  the pattern, which gave clear dimensions and construction tips, but encouraged a very free and approximate approach to laying out the fabrics and designing the outer layer.

Just my type of project.



It was a joy to riffle through my fabrics and find what I was looking for. The bulk of the fabrics are kimono offcuts, which I offset with scraps of brown linen and suiting fabrics. I played a bit with layout and then foundation-pieced the strips onto some muslin - a useful new technique to learn.


I went for a lining of red fleece and four layers of wadding, which hopefully will keep dear Melski's hands just that bit more snug.


Of course it wouldn't be a handmade gift without the label hand-stitched on as an afterthought!

Dear Melski, who said bad circulation couldn't be stylish?

28 comments:

  1. Your 'muff'? Really? I couldn't bring myself to read the post cos I was scared of what I might find! I'll check in again next time.

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  2. Oh, it's gorgeous! So you, even though you've made it for someone else. The fleece lining looks so inviting and cozy.

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  3. Hi Gina, The fabrics you chose are so pretty, nice work. : )

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  4. Lots of snickering here - what can I say ... the word muff is snicker-worthy! Your muff is superb, though!

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  5. I told carlos just the other day that I needed a muff and he burst into laughter... So i had to explain what it was while her snickered away not taking me seriously!! How awesome are things made from recycled kimonos!?!?! AWESOME!!

    Xo Steph

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  6. I only learned that there were other applications for the word recently - i know, so sheltered & innocent. My mother would make my sister & i muffs to match our winter coats, really sweet, on a cord which hung around our neck - no doubt a choking hazard by today's standards!! They were fur lined, always cream fur on the inside. Perfect for our Christmas trips to England, brrrrr, love Posie

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  7. At first I was just going to grovel for a foot version in exchange for, I dunno...the world (maybe even the A.Cookie 'knit' fabric). But thinking further, what I'd really like is an all body version. A stylish take on these little winners...

    http://www.lazypatch.com/

    Then I'd offer you the universe.

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  8. Mwoah ha ha ha... I wonder how many google searches will end up here!
    I had no idea what foundation piecing was, so not only was your post very funny, it's also extremely educamacational.

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  9. Oh dear! Snicker, guffaw, laff... I did it all.

    Like Tania I want you to take it further... maybe not the whole nine lazypatch yards, but some of those cool doona boot things perhaps... ooohhhhhhh yeah.

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  10. I read the title and thought WTF? Then I read furhter and was ROTFLMAO. Thanks for starting my day off right.

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  11. It's stunning. I'm sure your friend will love it.
    Great fabrics, and it looks so cosy!
    I think you'll be getting a few more orders for those beautiful 'muffs'...

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  12. super cute!

    who makes your twill tape labels?

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  13. I'll put my hand up to being one of those that had a snicker...

    The muff looks gorgeous! You are SO clever Gina!

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  14. Living in England - with cold damp winters - it was part of a lady's stylish winter ware in Victorian England. Looking at your creation, I think I could resurrect the idea for this winter coming! Unusual, practical and cosy!
    Val Oxfordshire UK

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  15. I did have a little giggle into my tea ;) Such a nine-year-old. But that muff is a stunner Gina! Really the fabrics are just perfect together. You have the gift alright!

    Oh and where'd you get your tags? I love them!

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  16. I was given a muff a few years ago it is made from bright green fur. Great for cold hands.

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  17. that's a very stylish muff! i was lying in bed lastnight unable to feel below my knees and thought ~ i could use a foot/ankle/lower leg muff :)

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  18. Your muff is beautiful. *snigger*

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  19. LOL yes I did that not snigger and spat my tea everywhere!!!

    Gorgeous Muff....love the kimono fabric and the red lining :-)

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  20. porn - clutterpunk style.

    nice muff.

    been meaning to ask where one might get such tags made. i'm sure you have mentioned it previously. . .

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  21. love your choice of fabrics, it's rockin

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  22. love it! looks os cozy and warm and beats anything fur that's for sure. very canadian of you! xo m.

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  23. Ah, still having a quiet giggle. Looks like your muff will be a hit...Offcuts of kimonos- brilliant.

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  24. excellent idea and so beautiful, I guess thought Melski doesn't have kids to control and can enjoy using a muff without having to take it on and off again! Imagine trying to wear one of these with kiddies! LOL

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  25. Man, the rude, crude aspect totally bypassed me until I read the comments. It's great. I have that book and recently made the scarf that is similar. It was such a satisfying project and a great way to learn foundation piecing.

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“Three Rules of Work: Out of clutter find simplicity; From discord find harmony; In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.”
~Albert Einstein