Before Sports Day, I was warned by a veteran Mummy of the school that the break for a picnic at lunchtime was an event to rival Glyndebourne. No pressure there then. But it did spur me into finishing the picnic quilt that has been in progress since this time last summer. I justified not finishing it then, because the weather was so dismal that there was precious little opportunity to picnic. But this year? Well, really there was no excuse.
I had already made the top and basted the quilt sandwich and discovered that the batting I had chosen was an absoulte swine when it came to hand quilting. And that my diddy little machine was not going to cope with a 3m long picnic blanket. So I decided to go with a very minimal amount of hand quilting and quite a lot of hand tying with embroidery floss.
And then disaster really struck when with 36 hours left before p-day, I discovered that I have misplaced the quilting ruler. Which put paid to any fantasies of making my own bias binding. So horror of horrors, I used nasty shop bought poly-cotton binding, chosen without any of the fabric to colour match with. But d'you know what? It was the easiest binding I have ever put on. And after all, it is destined to be dragged all over the place all summer long, so it's crazy to get too precious over it.
Veteran Mummy was accurate in her Sports Day assessments though - some poeple even brought their own gazebos. I kid you not. Did my picnic blanket pass muster? Bless his cotton socks, Mark announced in a loud voice to all and sundry at lunchtime - 'My Mummy made this. Isn't it great?' . Which sort of forces people to say something nice about it. He is available to rent for craft fairs and other opportunities for blatant promotion, is utterly shameless and requires payment mainly in yummy food.
Because yummy food should always come first on the list of picnic priorities. Though the up to the wire sewing frenzy did mean that our customary favourite picnic snack had to be foregone in favour of dull old sandwiches. I promise to do better next time.
What do you like to stick in your hamper so you can feel like a domestic goddess?
This is like two posts in one - vibrant quilted (quilted!) picnic blanket and mouthwatering parcels filled with apricot-ish sausagey goodness. I think that filling would work in puff pastry instead of sausagement. I'm going to give it a go. Fabulous.
Posted by: Emma | 01 July 2010 at 16:03
I love the picnic blanket, Maxi's is the week after next, but much lower key. I still am thinking about making a blanket though
Posted by: TheMadHouse | 01 July 2010 at 17:27
you English people take your picnics far too seriously. don't get me started on the bbq either.
The first time I went to an open air classical concert I couldn't believe it!!! people had tables with tablecloths and china plates or those absurdly heavy baskets full of knick knacks...
What's wrong with soggy sandwiches in tin foil?
Posted by: Monica | 01 July 2010 at 18:06
Lovely picnic blanket. The whole gaz-bo thing, as we call them, is awkward at a picnic -- too much work.
Our favorite foods are mostly on sticks, fruit, vegetables, left over grilled stuff from the night before. And of course, marshmallows.
Liza the Blogless
PS Mark knows what is important in life.
Posted by: Liza | 01 July 2010 at 18:09
ooh lovely.
I'm all for flasks of tea at picnics, guess I assume the worst of the weather x
Posted by: driftwood | 01 July 2010 at 18:18
Well, Mark is right: it is great.
Americans take gazebos just to watch the 5 year olds' football (soccer) games, so you can imagine the 'picnics': tables, tableclothes, plates serving plates, glasses... you name it. Then my little lot trudge along with an old army poncho liner to sit on and, well, some dull old sandwiches...
Posted by: UK lass in US | 01 July 2010 at 18:19
Picnic break in a sports day?! Your school must be posh! The kids at ours just get a jug of juice and plastic cups! We are thinking of selling strawberry cream teas to raise money though.
I went to a 40th birthday picnic at the weekend in Lyme Park.It's a beautiful National Trust place in the Peak District. We were very grand then and had bucks fizz and everything!
Posted by: Kristy | 01 July 2010 at 18:19
Our most frequent kind of picnic takes place on the living room floor and consists of plastic fruit and veg and a plastic tea set, with teddy as guest of honour. So much easier!
Posted by: Many A Mickle | 01 July 2010 at 19:47
well done for getting it finished in time - a perfect picnic rug to knock spots of all others! Sounds like it was a rather competitive event though and not only on the sports field! I do love picnics and we have lots over summer - the picnic contents are rather changeable but we always make sure we have some sausage rolls.
Posted by: Julie | 01 July 2010 at 19:56
Wow the rug looks beautiful, and hurrah for enthusiastic little boys! I must admit, the picnic break and take-along gazebos on sports day all sound a bit much!
Posted by: domestikate | 01 July 2010 at 21:32
Oh I think the fabulous blanket absolutely wins outright, the food and any gazebo business definitely come second place to your finery and as for Mark, bless his little heart.
Posted by: Rebecca | 01 July 2010 at 22:29
Top points to Mark for his lovely comment... and he's right. Who needs a fancy picnic when you've got such a stylish rug. (The binding looks great)
Posted by: Gina | 02 July 2010 at 08:11
Goodness, competitive picnicing, well it's better then competing in the 800m relay! Your lovely blanket should get lots of use if this super weather continues.
Posted by: French Knots | 02 July 2010 at 08:53
Yes Top score to your son, the blanket is wonderful , well done!!
Posted by: anne | 02 July 2010 at 10:53
Nothing fancy for us - the only speciality is boiled eggs from our own chickens which always makes me feel virtuous. And then I go and spoil it by drinking lager disguised in a posh mug!! Love the blanket.
Posted by: claire | 02 July 2010 at 12:50
Blimey a gazebo, ours wash rather down-market compared to that thank goodness :-) Aren't kids fab at promoting you - so proud :-)
Posted by: Scented Sweetpeas | 02 July 2010 at 13:56
Homemade tabouleh! But only have Irish tweed blanket to eat it off- not homemade! Last week I rolled down to P1's open afternoon playing with outdoor equipment for any mums or dads who wanted to see. Foolishly didn't even think of changing from slightly sweaty normal day wear and strolled down from housework tasks. Such a big mistake. And my fresh little linen dress would actually have been more than available, should I have thought to take it off its hanger!!
Posted by: magsmcc | 02 July 2010 at 16:24
Oh help! I'd be a totally failure in the picnic stakes! Mark was clearly a complete star! And now I'm off to investigate your picnic parcels, Lucy x
Posted by: lucy locket | 02 July 2010 at 19:39
Wow - that one gesture by Mark is worth a hundred approving assessments from the posh parents, isn't it? Bless him! Of course, I'm inclined to agree with him - the picnic blanket does look lovely.
As for me, I feel like a domestic goddess if I can convince my husband to place HIS picnic food offerings into a vintage picnic hamper with cloth napkins instead of some random plastic bag. Extra points if we sit on a quilt instead of the hideous faded old blue bedspread that he had in college... (P.S. Gazebos? Snort!)
Posted by: Lynn | 02 July 2010 at 21:04
Quiche, quiche and more quiche is my picnic staple! But I have become a dab hand at making that delicious nutty rice salad that Monica brought along to the Make Lounge.
And one teasing little photo of your picnic quilt is NOT enough to satisfy me!
Posted by: Dragonfly | 02 July 2010 at 21:51
Well done Mark! :)
Posted by: alice | 03 July 2010 at 10:29
lovely blanket! i have one of those free advertisers, too, Emm showed everybody her new mummy-made doll yesterday...
Posted by: Irmhild | 20 August 2010 at 13:14