Flaming Stitches

Disappointed?

2012-01-25T08:31:00.000Z

For those of you thinking that I've been a bit lax in adding blog posts, and maybe thinking that I'd been taking it easy, well.....

Some of the merino fibre and silk that I bought back in November, at the Gathering has been spun up
Firstly 50g of Fiona's hand dyed fibre blended together with some of her complimenting silk tops

this is approx 200yrds long, 2 singles plied together

and 100g of Phillipa's teal and duckegg fibre, blended with more of Fiona's dyed silk tops. This I spun very finely and have take 3 singles and plied them together and approximately 540 yards long

I've been progressing my appliqué challenge quilt again, so here are a few more photos.

So until next time ......

Resolved to Sew 2012

2012-01-19T08:25:00.000Z

Recently there have be various blog that I follow with posts and, links about Very Berry Handmade's Resolved to Sew Giveaway.

I've been dithering, yes again! Do I take part or not, but considering over the last few days I've decided that taking part is bound to help me get some sewing completed, ideas developed and well generally just moving on with my crafting.

So here are my 'plans':-

Get the Appliqué Challenge quilt finished for the SWD Exhibition in April
Pull out and complete at least 2 UFO projects this year
Get my bee blocks out in the month they'r due
Keep working on, and hopefully improve my FMQing

Well I've made great progress this week on the first item

The central panel is about 98% complete - just some isolated sections that weren't too obvious whilst I was sitting down at the sewing machine.

Bee block #1 is ready to post off, but I might just add another for Krista. It's that bug, or fondness I have for trying to maximise the usage of a FQ - these personal challenges have a lot to answer for.

What direction to turn

2012-01-06T19:11:00.000Z

OK with my final days off over the holidays I was working, really I should say playing on a possible block for my month in the Free Bee Quilting Bee.

You might have seen the earlier post about putting the block together here. But to date I haven't shown the finished block, so with out further adoo:-

I like the block, but keep wondering if it's right for the Bee - ultimately lovely long blocks like this would be perfect but how would I 'show' them in the quilt at the end. Then there's the question of being greedy and asking for a longer block than the usual unfinished 12.5"x12.5" block.

I started considering long single 'hourglass' blocks mixed with the smaller strips, and even drew a couple of doodles. But it just wasn't feeling right, and again we're taking something bigger/longer than the normal block size. So where do I go either with this block format or with a new block. This lead me back to a little internet surfing where I found these quilts.

Trading Place by Janet Steadman

This quilt is so so like the shapes I have had in mind, maybe this is one I'll have to make myself and not as part of the quilting bee

Bamboo Boogie Woogie I by Liz Axford

Feather Friday Almost - Spirit Cloth

I'd forgotten that I'd linked back to lots of these fabric feather blocks on my old laptop - so ......... now I must catch up on what I've been missing and what I've forgotten about.

So a little more searching and a little more playing and I hopefully will come up with a block that will be suitable.

Free Motion Quilting

2012-01-03T20:07:00.000Z

OK I've been a bit braver and maybe a bit more daring with my quilting over this last year or so, but I will have to shake some of the fears away and try a bit harder.

To that end I'll be following Leah's blog again this year along with other blogs that have lovely inspiring examples of quilting.

Leah has announced that she's got a new project with regards FMQ, explaining away some of the things we are afraid off, how to get the best from our domestic sewing machines, and of course the fantastic selection of patterns to inspire us. Post 1 link is here.

There are no doubt other FMQ QAL's on the go and here's one I'm thinking of taking part in on SewCalGal's blog.

I found out about this via Maria Elkins blog and if Maria is planning on taking part in this learning challenge it must be worthwhile, especially considering her own skills to date (you'll see she wants to use the challenge as a way to learn FMQ in conjunction with her new sewing machine). If this is what she can achive quilting wise on her old sewing machine I can't wait to she what she creates on her new machine.

Windblown by Maria Elkins

What to you think?

Anyone found any other FMQ QAL's starting out for 2012 - if so share them with us all.

A great start to the year

2012-01-02T14:03:00.000Z

I'm pleased to say that there was a little sewing spurt going on here yesterday, and today.

Firstly, being a member of my first virtual quilting bee (Free Bee), on Flickr, with a fantastic group of very talented quilters, I decided to get down and get the first months block sewn up. This block is for Krista from Poppyprints. The block is based on this Flickr photo and we have a choice of four different Kona solid fabrics.

I chose the Seafoam colour for the background and dipped into my scrap bag for suitable fabrics to compliment the lovely soft bluey green colour.

I hope Krista likes the block and with the fabric that's left over I might just make another block for her, keep watching as it might appear here on the blog.

I've also pulled scraps out of the bag to make little scrappy panels that can be cut as I go to create a sample / tester block with could be the basis for my block request when it's my month in the Free Bee Virtual Quilting Bee.

These are the scrap panels I've made so far - I've tried to be very free with how these scrappy panels have been made by pulling scraps out of the bag and just sewing together, sometimes using a ruler and rotary cutter to trim the fabric and sometimes just the cutter.

Now the panels are ready to be place on the background fabric - a Kona solid, I'm using the Pepper colour here. Again it's the 'hourglass' block, a freeform block, no ruler required, cut a lovely curvy line. Go here to see a tutorial. Four cuts later, four seams sewn later and here's the basis for the first section of the block.

Next I'm going to add an elliptical shape between each of the 'hourglass' shapes - just two cuts required for this section of the block, and once the seams are stitched and ironed down - this is how it looks. Mistake number 1, it looks like this will take a little practice and that there will be too much wasted background fabric, so I've decided to omit this shape from the block and hope that it makes it easier, but that the block is still aesthetically pleasing.

I've worked along this one section of half a FQ and even with the faux pas with the elliptical shape I've been able to get 3 'hourglass' blocks completed, now to get the other scrappy sections added to the next half FQ fabric strip

and I'm hoping that the final strip will be a total of 7 'hourglass' blocks

Happy New Year

2011-12-31T16:34:00.000Z

Unprecedented - 3 posts in one day. But as Homogamy draws to a close and an New Year is peeping just around the corner please let me wish you all a very happy New Year and I hope and pray that you all have a joyful and fulfilling year in 2012.

Whilst hunting for a possible image to add to this post I came across this inspirational card

image from http://lucypatterson.com/hands-on/category/seasons/spring/

which seemed perfect for a new start and a new year.

This coming year I'm hoping to get some motivational inspiration and maybe it will overflow and be incorporated within my crafting. Only time will tell.

So here's to a Happy New Year, new starts and also some UFO's finishes (again).

Something New Competition Wise

2011-12-31T14:51:00.000Z

Have you seen any of the mosaic's that are currently being posted around blog land in connection with Quokka Quilts Competition /giveaway - it's something really different and inspiring. Check it out here for more information and check out the various combinations of fabrics bloggers have made at the bottom of the post.

Well after a few attempts here's mine

You need to select 12 patterned fabrics and 3 plains - go off now folks and have fun.

Finishes this year

2011-12-31T09:05:00.004Z

A lot of bloggers are sharing a mosaic of their complete projects from throughout the year, so I thought I'd go through my Flickr photostream to see if I had a reasonable number of projects to create a mosaic myself. Much to my surprise there are way more complete projects than I remember.

and actually if I'm honest there are some projects, worked up in conjunction with the last cushion that I haven't got photos of so I can't share them with you. Oh and if we are going down the honestly line the second from last isn't quilted yet but it is complete as far as the NTA is concerned.

Now for those of you who follow this blog regularly you'll see another project photographed here, a cushion, front and back images. Unfortunately full details on this completed cushion can't be shared with you just yet, but visit next month for the reason why.

Amended: 1 Jan 2012 - linked back to Lily's Quilts and Fresh Sewing Day

visit and have a little fun

Aurifil Challenge

2011-12-30T14:12:00.053Z

This is probably the last finished project of this year - the Fat Quarterly Aurifil Challenge.

In the meantime I'd better introduce myself - my name is Ethne, and I blog at Flaming Stitches. I've crafted in one format or another, pretty much all my life. In the early years it was knitting and crocheting, but on one visit to one of those big Hobby Craft Exhibitions, I fell in love with some fabrics. Picked a pattern and in 3 weeks pulled together a quilt for my niece. To be honest I hadn't a clue what I was doing. The front is piece correctly but the sandwiching, well I tried to put it together like a quilt. Years later I'm still trying to get it off my niece, no luck, she loves the quilt. I've learnt the correct way to do things now but still experiment in what I'm doing, and work often using instinct.

This project / challenge is a good example of me going with my gut instinct, in both the design and the quilting - I hope you like it.

So back in this post I mentioned receiving a set of Aurifil threads to try out. After deliberating for a few days I finally decided on a cushion for this challenge, and, taking into account next years Free Bee virtual quilting bee, I thought I'd also use this project as a bit of a tester for a possible block option - the freeform hourglass block.

The idea was to make 5 blocks as a panel for the front of the cushion. These freeform hourglass blocks were sewn together and for any of you wanting to have a go at something similar I have created a little tutorial for this block here. When the 5 blocks were sewn together border / framing strips added. Batting added, (Dream Poly, basted into position using washable PVA glue, used sparingly). Then I started quilting using the Aurifil threads.

Firstly, it was the 40 weight red thread for the ovals framing the hourglass blocks and forming a zone for the front feathers which were quilted using the 50 weight thread. Now this is the first time ever that I've used this thread, and it was smooth, and I mean smooth.

Though the thread is fine it is strong and flows freely and smoothly through the needle and fabric sandwich. It was so easy and comfortable doing the ovals that when it came to quilting something into the elliptical shape left in the central zone, instinct took over and I ended up quilting my first feather. Now I have been sketching feathers on paper, doodles really, for a while but they never seemed to work out smoothly when sewing the LHS. You see I would draw the RHS first but never got the left to mirror it properly, I'd always over think it. However when it came to sewing, the RHS worked out really well and the LHS followed nicely too.

So when completed I decided to do larger feathers on the two back panels, one above and one below the zip/seam.

Just to make sure I got a good feel for the differences in threads I decided to use another cotton thread (grey) for other background quilting - and I can honestly say that there is a difference, a notable difference. The thread worked fine, it did it's job, but it didn't feel as silky smooth to use in comparison to the Aurifil thread.

So in conclusion I can say that I will be slowly starting to build a stock of the Aurifil threads - probably the 40 weight for quilting and piecing, but if necessary the heavier grade for piecing if necessary in projects like bags. So if you get a chance buy a spool and try it out for yourself. And thank you Fat Quarterly for the opportunity to try the threads out.

So in conclusion here's a photo of the cushion, completed and washed.

So remember to visit the Fat Quarterly blog again to see what other bloggers think of the Aurifil threads and what projects they created using them.

Seasons Greetings

2011-12-23T10:07:00.000Z

Wishing you all the very best for this holiday season.
May you have joy and laughter, the richest blessings of family and friends.

vintage postcard from http://9teen87spostcards.blogspot.com

And, thank you all for your support, encouragement and advice with my crafting during this last year.
Warmest Blessings to you all ........ .........

Looking for a something new?

2011-12-11T09:03:00.000Z

Are you a bit tired of traditional blocks? Working on, or not quite understanding the Modern or Improv style of quilt blocks / quilts, that are around the quilting world at the moment, and wondering how you would get started. Well there is something new to the quilting market, created and developed by one inspiring quilter.

Interested?

Well can I suggest you visit Jenny on her blog 'Sew Kind of Wonderful' and on her new (and developing) website, which is only days old.

These quilts are created using Jenny's new curved ruler and though there are only two quilt patterns available here at present, Jenny has made more using the ruler and they are just stunning.

Urban Birthday - Pattern 101 by Jenny Pedigo

Urban Abacus - Pattern 101 by Jenny Pedigo

For glimpses of the other quilts Jenny has created using the 'ruler' please back track through her blog and check out her Flickr pages.

Now is there something new your want for Christmas - if so start dropping a few hints in the right direction, remember the mailing window for Christmas is getting very limited.

Please let me (and Jenny) know what you think of these inspirational quilts.

Aurifil Challenge - hourglass block tutorial

2011-12-08T21:12:00.000Z

I've hunted out some hand dyed fabrics and worked out a plan of action or should I say cutting/piecing in my head, now to get down to the nitty gritty.

I could probably save on fabric and plan a little more but I've decided to work on 2, almost equal sized pieces of fabric to make the 'hourglass' block. They've been laid down right sides up and then I've let fly with the rotary cutter - 2 long cuts - pull the pieces to one side then the two shorter end cuts.

The fabrics have been swapped around - top middle unit matched up with the bottom border units and vice versa. The two short seams sewn, then pressed open. Then you match (a wee tip is to mark with chalk across the central panel into the two side panels, remember they won't match up top to bottom with the central panel being shorter with the fabric lost on the 2 seams).

Match your chalk marks, by laying the side panel over the pressed middle panel, right sides up - THE CURVE WILL NOT NOW MATCH - use your side panel as a guide and carefully trim you central panel to match the curve on the side panel. Turn the side panel over on top of the central panel - right sides facing - pin the panels together at the chalk mark, to stop the fabric slipping. Ease the 2 fabrics along the curve to the nearest end and sew together.

You DO NOT use a 1/4" seam for this, probably about a 1/8" seam and smaller stitch size - this is the Ricky Tims Caveman Quilting technique - a video can be seen here. Make life easy for yourself and don't try to pin down the curve. When the seam is sewn, spray the seam with water, and press the curved fabric down to lay flat - you will be manipulating the fabric here a little, but that's OK.

Now do the same with the second side panel.

Note if you've used two similar sized fabric pieces at the start you'll be able to make a positive and negative version of the same block.

Now that I've got the block complete I want to add a thin feature strip done through the centre of the block - it's done using the same principle as described above.

I've now got three positive and three negative blocks complete - two more of each to do then I've got to add the feature strip down through all the positive blocks for the panel I'm making. But before I can piece them together there are the 'leaf' shaped blocks to make

Building a sample pack

2011-12-06T08:59:00.000Z

Looking ahead at the Free Bee challenge next year I've been scanning the internet for improv quilt inspiration - you can check out some of what I've found to inspire HERE.

So along with the quilt inspiration I need to choose a Kona Solid fabric to be used with the Bee Quilters scraps - do I play save and stick with black, white or another single colour, or do I select a range of colours the quilters can select from. Well there's one huge problem, for me, with picking any colour from the Kona Solid range, and that is that I don't have a local shop with a decent range of the fabrics or a manufacturer's colour card, and making a colour selection from internet images is just too dicey, the colour reproduction is never quite true.

Fortunately I've found a supplier in N Ireland who sends out sample charms from her stock of fabrics - River Fabrics. So the other day I checked out the colours I liked in these FQ bundles and selected the fabrics that were stocked by Janette

Here's my little bundle of samples. And, gosh was I right that the internet images don't give you and accurate indication of what colour the fabric actually is.

One things is for sure:- I will be building up this sample library for reference purposes

Thank you Janette for the samples and prompt service - you can order samples HERE and buy any fabric you need from either the River Fabrics online shop or ebay pages.

Samples, brilliant though they are I've still got a problem - what colour or colour range do I go with - and the decision has to be made by March, along with an idea on design style for my block.

Other Kona Solid sample fabrics I bought from Janette were for this fabric - I still need to get the dark russet fabric - possibly Paprika. So I'm waiting patiently until I find it in an online UK store or on some trip to a quilt shop.

Finishes and Samples

2011-12-05T08:52:00.000Z

The two UFO's I'd hoped to get finished this weekend are now in the 'Finished' listings

Threave Quilter's 2011 challenge - take 1 FQ (given out by the Guild) and create something using one or two other fabrics. Inspired by Jenny's work at Sew Kind of Wonderful I created a mini quilt

And, finish number 2 - the hand dyed fabric laptop bag - I started this a few months ago and just had to sew it up, add binding and create the handles (I maybe should have forgotten the handles, I've just sewn over the edge with perle cotton and blanket stitch.) I think I'll be revisiting this later to see if I can cover it with a bias strip. This will be tricky and fussy sewing and something to do when I've got LOTS of patience.

2011-12-05T08:08:00.000Z

There's a giveway over on I'm a Ginger Monkey's blog - fancy a set of 'not yet released' Robert Kaufman fabrics

from I'm a Ginger Monkey blog

So pop along and join in for a chance to win something delicious to play with next year.

Fat Quarterly Aurifil Challenge

2011-12-02T12:30:00.000Z

A couple of weeks ago on the Fat Quarterly Blog there was a post about the Aurifil Challenge - you can read about it HERE.

Well I threw my 'hat' into the group and was picked to try out the threads. I've received a sample pack of threads - various colours, various grades, 4 cotton and one wool.

So over the last few day's I've been considering what I could do to try the threads out and as I'm partaking in a Quilt Bee group next year I thought it would be helpful to explore an improv quilt block and use it to make a panel or cushion.

To that end I've searched for improv blocks and quilts in blogs, Flickr, Pintrest and through Google Search - there has been lots of inspiration and an amazing amount of stunning work to view, but, I do however get distracted by quilts with lots of solids, they just seem to draw me in more. Which doesn't help me in some ways as the blocks we are to make each other in the bee are to make use of our scraps, and well you know scraps, they are every pattern, colour, shape and size.

Though this challenge block design won't be created with scraps I feel that it could easily transfer into using scraps for the central shapes. I want to use this block as a potential piece for an exhibition next year so this first one, using the Aurifil threads will be made using hand dyed fabrics but I think it could be recreated using scrap fabrics (another tester block may be required). So what block have I sketched out - well it's based on Wooly Fabulous' Contemporary Embroidery work - you can see her photostream here and here it is

now to select the fabrics and decide on how to use the threads

November Progress

2011-12-01T08:24:00.000Z

It's the beginning of another month, the last of this year, and to be honest I'm wondering where the year has disappeared to.

So being the start of a new month it's Fresh Sewing Day and Small Blog Meet over on Lily's Quilts.

I should be sharing lots of lovely things that I've created this month but many are still works in progress - quilted pieces and yarn spinning. The only piece that I completed was the Brit Quilt Swap Pillow Fight cushion for Charlotte.

I do however have to get some things finished for Monday night so hopefully this weekend there will be a post with photos of something finished.

Pillow Fight - is winding up

2011-11-25T12:39:00.000Z

The Brit Quilts 'Pillow Fight' Swap is winding up, so, that said it's time to share what went out and what was received.

Numpty that I am I forgot to take photos of the pillow / cushion that I'd finished for my partner - Charlotte (LawsonandLottie), so she's kindly given me permission to share the photos she's taken.

The motif is based on a small Martha Stewart lid design that I found that Charlotte liked in her Pintrest boards. The motif was drawn out and copied onto HeatnBond Lite, ironed onto the fabric then cut out. Once the motif's were in place, the two panels were sandwiched and basted then the motif's securely sewn down and quilting completed. When sewing the panels together I even made my first attempt in years, and I mean years, to sew in a zip. There were a few hiccups here, but the end result wasn't too bad.

Now to the pillow I received in return. My swap partner for this round was Sarah (Narcolepticinacupboard). I really wanted a cushion I could use and display at home and had give my swap partner the option of two colour schemes - one for the living room (browns and burnt oranges) or one for the bedroom (greys and blues with the odd splash of colour eg: coral).

Throughout the swap there have been a number of blue/grey pillows in the making (including the one I'd made Charlotte), and to be honest any one of them could have been coming my way. But, once I'd seen the two, yes two, cushions Sarah had made I knew that they'd been done with me in mind, and I fervently hoped I wasn't going down the wrong path as I'd set my heart on them once they'd been posted. With the evenings being so dull at the moment I haven't got any good photos taken so here are Sarah's photos.

Both patterns are based on quilts logged into my Flickr favourites. But which one did I receive?

this cushion is just perfect and blends in so well with the living room colour scheme -

I love it

and there was this lovely little draw string bag which had some delightful goodies inside - a packet of Shetland Fudge and some fabric pieces to play with ;o)

Thank you so much both of you - Charlotte for you lovely words of thanks and Sarah for your lovely package - it's been a real pleasure to make and to receive these cushions and thank you both so much for allowing me to use your photos.

The Free Motion Quilting Project: Trying My Hand at Modern Quilting

2011-11-24T08:07:00.000Z

The Free Motion Quilting Project: Trying My Hand at Modern Quilting

2011-11-24T08:06:00.000Z

The Free Motion Quilting Project: Trying My Hand at Modern Quilting

Lynne's at it again

2011-11-16T11:10:00.000Z

For all of us who keep dropping hints at presents for Christmas (and Birthday). You'll know from past posts here about Lynne's (Lily's Quilts) fantastic series of what quilters want / need for their Christmas present.

This series has been devised to help those who don't know what's around to buy or what's in for Quilters this year. In conjunction with the series there has been a super delicious range of quilter's giveaway's running alongside.

The giveaway this 'time' is fandabbydosey - lots of delicious Kona Solids - so go visit and join in to have a chance of being a winner.

Oh how I'd love to win to play with lots, and lots of delicious Kona Solids and an extensive range of lovely rich colours - ah dream on Ethne ;o)

Again!

2011-11-09T12:56:00.000Z

Not a week has passed and she's at it again - yip that Lynne (Lily's Quilts) is having another giveaway.

This time it's something being run in connection with

and it's something a little special, and I have to say again - Congratulations Lynne ;o) on becoming at FQ team member - can't wait to see what you share with us all

In this giveaway you could get a year's subscription to the online quilting magazine - Fat Quarterly.

So check out Lily's Quilts and check out Fat Quarterly Magazine and blog.

Lynne's at it again

2011-11-02T18:32:00.000Z

It's the beginning of another month and it's that time again on Lynne's blog - so don't delay nip across and check out what's on offer in

now if only I could get those that need to know to read this (or Lynne's) blog I'd have some lovely things to play with after Christmas - something other than the 'I love you but you stink' gifts - LOL

BQS2 progress

2011-10-31T08:36:00.000Z

I've made a bit of progress on my BQS2 cushion / pillow. Thanks J for letting me have some machine time this weekend.

I got the back motif stitched down and the FMQ completed

back panel - seen side

back panel - hidden side

back panel - outside close up

The other thing I got some work done on was the Sanquhar Challenge Project for the Guild Gathering in November -

all 100 french knots are complete

Autumn 2011 Bloggers Quilt Festival

2011-10-28T08:17:00.000+01:00

A table / bed runner -

A personal challenge project using stash fabrics and one feature fat quarter

I carefully drew out the 'cog' pattern onto a sheet the size of a FQ, to maximise the use of the fabric. Transferred the pattern onto fusible web then ironed it onto the back of the fabric, cut it out carefully. I wanted to continue maximising the use of the fabric so I created both positive and negative shapes for the panel.

To ensure proper placement of the pieces on the negative images I carefully pulled the backing paper to these elements I wanted placed - you see I'l kept the bottom edge of the shape uncut and only cut it after the majority of the shape was glued onto the backing fabric. When cut and ironed on I peeled off the paper from the positive image then ironed it into place.

Each of the pieces was ironed on in this way with the only element needing set by eye being the central circle on the negative pieces.

I agonised over the quilting and in the end of the day let instinct take over when I sat down at the sewing machine and am really pleased how the quilting turned out.

If you want to see what else I've been up to either check out my Flickr photostream or backtrack through my blog.

BQS2 progress

2011-10-27T08:41:00.000+01:00

The motif's have been cut out and adhered to the backing fabric:-

the front

the back

now I need to get some complimenting thread and sew it all down - then get the quilting done.

PS: Hobby Lass, that means I'll need access to the sewing machine, please

Brit Quilt Swap - Pillow Fight

2011-10-25T11:40:00.000+01:00

Once I'd received my partners name the stalking of her Flickr photostream and her 'favourites' began.

This partner has very specific likes which in some ways makes things easier but at the same time harder. I want to create something which whilst giving the appearance of being clean and simple, when looked at a little deeper shows something a little more.

I firstly created a mosaic of possible designs for her to comment on and give me guidance -

unfortunately that didn't work. Next I sketched a few design ideas, still nothing!

So I decided to jump in and make a fabric selection - I didn't want to go with white as I though it would dirty too easily so I went for Ash Grey then I picked out a Moda Grunge fabric in Aqua. The fabrics are perfect and work very well together.

Now I needed to finalise that elusive design. On my short list were these:-

In the end I too inspiration from something similar and drew out this

motif 1 is now drawn out and cut out and bonded onto the backing, now I've got to decided, do I do another smaller motif to bond on or do I stitch something on, and, do I do everything on the front only or add something onto the back as well.

Visit later to see what way I go with this, if you've been following me for a while you'll know that I often just go in instinct and feel once I sit down at the sewing machine.

Countdown time

2011-10-20T08:11:00.000+01:00

It's that time of year again - yip, Bloggers' Quilt Festival

Amy will again be hosting the festival on her blog and there is only 10 days for you to select a quilt to share with everyone. So get hunting through your completed work over the last few months and get a post ready to share.

It's because of the BQF this time last year that I'm making my appliqué challenge quilt

having commenting on Marjorie's fantastic quilt last year, she challenged me to make something this year. It's not quite complete yet but it's well underway.

So if you want to get a feel for what's happened twice a year for the last 3 years go HERE and be inspired.

Have you seen what Lily's Quilts is up to now?

2011-10-12T08:14:00.000+01:00

Lynne is starting a series of posts on

She has already selected - or should I say Mr Random Selector, has selected one lucky winner - Nancy. Who got a super stack of 14 yummy modern FQ's donated by Sew Fresh Fabrics. Lucky Nancy.

Well this time around there are a couple of sponsored gifts of Aurifil thread packs - pop along to Lily's Quilts to check it all out and thank you Alex for sharing these super threads.

Fibrefest

2011-10-10T13:08:00.000+01:00

At our Guild Meeting on Saturday I took part in a silk spinning workshop - it's amazing how many different forms of silk fibre - all based on some format of silk waste or by product - that there is available to spin from. Cocoons, throwster's waste, tops to name but a few. We had the opportunity to spin direct from cocoons, blend silk with other wool fibres.

I bought two lots of Janet's dyed silk tops for myself. Once I got them home I pulled them out of the bag and looked closely at the colour/s then split them into 4 lots.

I hope the photo shows the lustre of the fibre - it is just delicious.

My next thoughts were what do I blend these with and what colours will I use - there was no merino superwash fibre left - the only thing I had was some white baby alpaca.

Sunday became a play day - the fibre was split into 5 lots and dyes blended - some of the colours aren't quite what I was after, but not to worry they will be used. The only other problem is that in my haste to dye the fibre I didn't remove any of the debris (grass, seed heads etc), so I'll have to do a little fibre preparation when it's dry before blending with the chosen silk/s.

Blogger friends gifts

2011-10-07T12:45:00.001+01:00

Some time ago, when following 'favourites' trails through Flickr I came across some lovely artwork. The colours were fantastic, the design was simple yet stunning, and I kept thinking that this possibly could be recreated in patchwork and appliqué format. I've been in touch with the artist - Loretta, and she has given me her blessing to try and create my version of her art - thank you Loretta.

I kept going back to the images and even discussed it on line with Marjorie, shared the images with her and we discussed how I'd be trying to recreate the images. Only one material kept pulling me - batiks.

I love batiks. The colours can be so vibrant and the subtle patterns, or even the bold patterns, are inspiring. Next thing I know is that Marjorie, bless her heart, started to send me lovely little packages of batik charms. I do have some batiks, but very very little in the colour ways that would be needed to recreate Loretta's artwork. So here's a little taster of the fabrics I'll be working with, plus possibly some from my stash (which are a few blues and lots of purples).

Sorry, no, I'm not going to share Loretta's artwork, links to her blog, Flickr pages, etc with you at present. But after completing Guild Challenges and the new Brit Quilt Swap, this will be one of the two personal challenges I'll be setting myself.

The other will be because another Blogger friend Lynne kindly sent me some Aurfil threads to try out and in the package there were two delicious FQ's of Anthology fabrics.

Having just written a thank you email to her the blossoming idea of how to make a quilt / panel using the FQ's and coordinating threads came to me, based on Jenny's quilts.

Sew Kind of Wonderful - Framed Quilt

A little planning and additional fabric selection is required but I can already visualise the quilt. This is a selection of coordinating fabrics that could be considered - what will go where and how much will I need?

So give me a little time to finish up existing projects that are on time scales, then I'll be playing around with these projects - so much for the other UFO's, if I'm honest I can't wait to start these two challenges.

WOW and Post 300

2011-10-06T08:27:00.000+01:00

When off on Monday I was torn between quilting the Appliqué Challenge quilt some more and getting the Sanquhar Pattern challenge bag well under way. I decided to be good and go with the bag.

So the bottom seam was covered in a piece of fabric - the handle was made, pulled apart, cut and remade. I started stitching it on, oops the handle was twisted, seams ripped apart again and re-sewn. Tried again - oh yes, got it right. Then everything was turned over and hand sewn down. Now the seed stitching was needed to create the, or should I say 'a' pattern.

One thing became obvious pretty quickly, a full on Sanquhar block pattern wouldn't fit in my tiny half inch squares, and seed stitching wasn't looking right. So, the pattern was improvised and the seed stitches became french knots.

There's about a quarter of it stitched now, plenty still to do but I hope to have it completed for handing in on Saturday.

Challenge projects

2011-10-01T17:33:00.000+01:00

Last week Tuesday, Wednesday and evenings were quite productive in connection with challenge projects -

Sanquhar Challenge bag:

woven panel sewn into position
quilting finished
binding strip along top edge of front and back panels machine and hand sewn into position
side seams sewn and open seams covered
bag base panel sewn in - oops didn't quite fit - one side seam taken out, adjustments made, pinned and tested along the base panel - all OK - seam re sewn and base panel stitched in

now I've got to cut and piece strips for the last of the edging and handle (and along the way finalise a build up of materials that will create a strong handle - I'm thinking along the lines of - double fabric both sides sandwiched between layers of heavy vyline and some cotton tape or batting). In the meantime I've sewn a cover strip around the internal seam between the bag base and body, just need to turn it and hand finish it. I've also dyed the threads for stitching Sanquhar Pattern onto a 4 1/2" square section of the woven panel, unfortunately I don't think I got the colours quite right - too dark / intense. What do you think?

Appliqué Challenge Quilt:

supplies have arrived - batting and cotton thread for quilting (the verrigated thread is a perfect match)
the sections of trapunto batting already in position have been removed
the quilt flimsy, batting and backing have been basting together
the quilting has been started

It's a combination of McTavishing and the odd circle added in and around to add a little extra texture. So far there is only one tuck on the back and I'll take the quilting out and re do it.

Cotty - Currant Jam thread

FMQ - front

FMQ - back

Blog new look

2011-09-29T13:10:00.000+01:00

People are so so generous, of their talent and time.

I'd like to thank Khangnt, the artist, who has kindly given me permission to use his astonishing artwork and to M Samm, for kindly offering her services and pulling the new blog banner together. Lord alone knows how long it would have taken me even if I'd had the right software available.

WOW Wednesday - No sewing this week

2011-09-28T17:42:00.000+01:00

I have created these though to help my secret partner,

inspirational mosaic - styles / patterns - just ideas though

colour selection for swap - 2 groups - blues and grey with splash of coral

burnt oranges and deep chocolate browns

in due course with the new round of the Brit Quilt Swap - this time round we are having a

PILLOW FIGHT

If you live in Britain and have an active Flickr account showing your patchwork, quilting and other crafts join us on the Brit Quilts Group or even fill in the Sign Up form for the Brit Quilt Swap Pillow Fight. So come along and join in or follow this swap and cheer on from the sidelines until you feel confident enough to join in a swap.

Rescued!

2011-09-26T11:52:00.000+01:00

New addition to our family

Meet Mac's.

3 year old German Shepherd dog - needs some loving attention and training on the lead, and he has a fantastic nature.

More decision making!

2011-09-21T11:52:00.002+01:00

I've been thinking about the appliqué challenge project, you remember the one Marjorie gave me about this time last year.

Well I haven't been doing much work on this over the last few months as I've been a bit torn about what direction to take - do I complete the extra batting to give a trapunto effect or do I take of those panels of batting already basted and just get everything sandwiched together and quilted.

I finally came to a decision last week. As time is marching on and bearing in mind that I'd like to have this quilt completed for next April, when it could be considered for inclusion in our local Guild show (a three yearly event with the Embroideries Guild, the Solway Quilters and the Spinners, Weavers and Dyers), I thought I'd better get to grips with it and get it finished.

Having looked at the panel again I need to finalise which areas are to be 'drawn' across the outer border before I can sandwich and baste everything together.

Then I need to make a final decision on the quilting stitch. I know I don't want to just do echo line stitching and that I want to create some texture. I've been looking through Leah's designs and have selected a couple that I like - what do you think

The thing is I've got to remember that there will be the seed stitching to form the inner border or 'frame' and the possibility that the quilting on the outer frame could be different. There is quite a bit of decision making to be made, in the meantime I'm trying to finish the Sanquhar challenge bag whilst awaiting the delivery of the batting and thread for this appliqué challenge.

PS for posts on the Appliqué Challenge from the beginning click on the label/s: appliqué, challenge

Decisions, decisions

2011-09-15T15:23:00.000+01:00

OK I have had an idea for this bag for a while, but time is marching on and it needs to be complete by early October. Likewise there is the Threave Challenge project which needs to be completed - the front is only part sewn, and unfortunately I can't share it fully with you here until December, but I do hope to add a few teaser photos soon.

So back to the Sanquhar Challenge project - how do I proceed?

stick with the original design and do 2 woven fabric panels and completely seed stitch them with the Sanquhar pattern - 1 front and 1 back panel of the bag
do I do both panels but limit the stitching to a square section of the woven panel on each side
do 1 woven panel and completely seed stitch it
do 1 woven panel and do only a square section of seed stitching

if one of the bag panels doesn't include the woven panel it will be quilted in the grid format and if I've got time I could fill in the complimenting panel with seed stitch to reflect the design. Otherwise I could just leave it.

Any advise crafting buddies.

Challenge Progress, WOW

2011-09-15T12:44:00.000+01:00

Having been drawn to some lovely new fibres last weekend at our Guild meeting, I've been distracted from a little from sewing to complete some of the spinning projects that are on the go.

Firstly I've plyed some of the 200 grams of camel/silk fibre

And I've started to finish off the blue/green/pink blended fibres - there is a ball of this in singles format stashed way so I hope to complete this and ply it up before the next Guild meeting. But for that I also need to have the Sanquhar Challenge project completed.

On than front - one of the woven panels is now 'fused' down, and tonight's challenge is to carefully sew the edges down and turn the weft strips under. If this works hopefully I'll also be able to get this panel correctly placed and secured into position on the bag panel. So fingers crossed, I'll be able to progress the second woven panel at the weekend along similar lines, and if necessary only need minor adjustments to make the task a lot easier.

Then I'll need to dye the fibres for the seed stitching into the woven grid. Lots of work here for me, unless I find an alternative, simpler Sanquhar pattern block.

Challenge Progress

2011-09-07T08:16:00.000+01:00

I've been working away on the bag challenge over the last few nights. The seam ripper has been out to sort out some quilting disasters, but now the base quilting on both bag body panels is complete and the grid quilting on the bag base is complete.

Much to my surprise and delight the new 12mm bias tape maker was waiting for me when I got home from work last Thursday, so, I worked away and once I got my rhythm completed 12 'worms' of fabric, 6 of each colour. Then came the problem on how I weave the strips together, and get them to stay in place to create a solid piece of fabric.

I've been ironing them onto some Heat n Bond Lite, but have now notice the next problem that's looming. The top and bottom strip edges (the warp) will easily sewn in, and covered in the seams, but the shorter strips (the weft) will have to be folded under and secured into place, problem is I haven't left a lot of fabric for turning under, plus they aren't secured adequately. I think I'll have to do a large stitch basting strip along these edges, probably through the Heat n Bond in an effort to stabilise the whole thing.

This will require a little more experimenting on the go to sort this out. In the meantime here's hoping that I get back to it on WOW.

Goodbye August, Hello September

2011-09-01T13:02:00.000+01:00

August has flown by and we are now into September facing the autumn months.

Being the beginning of a new months Lynne at Lily's Quilts is hosting the usual Fresh Sewing Day

in addition to the

For us August saw us taking a break to visit family in my homeland, Northern Ireland, where we had a great time. In addition I made a start on Guild Challenges, one which I haven't shared with any of you yet, but here's a mosaic on what I was working on during August.

Let's hope the end of September sees me finishing some of these projects and that I get back to working on my Appliqué Challenge quilt, which I'd like to get finished for the local combined exhibition in April 2012, if it's good enough.

Challenge project

2011-08-31T14:06:00.001+01:00

You may recall from this earlier blog post, our challenge project for the Spinners, Weavers and Dyers Guild.

Well, as you know I dyed some fabric at the weekend and here's the grey fabric cut, basted and marked ready for the initial quilting.

Now I'm winging it here, as I haven't been able to find my Japanese Scandinavian Quilting book, and I've improvised the pattern pieces based on a completed bag photograph. So fingers crossed, hopefully I've got it right, and no doubt when the bag is almost complete the book will come tumbling out of a box or cupboard somewhere in the house.

So working with no instructions for the basic bag pattern an assembly what I've done is:-
cut out 4 fabric panels for the bag body (1 inner and outer panel for each side), with a sandwich of light batting and heavyweight interfacing. The base panel is similar but with 2 layers of the light batting and heavyweight interfacing, to give it more body and strength.

Each panel for the bag, front body, back body and base, will be quilted prior to piecing together before piecing them together. Here I'm winging it again - and I hope that either the seams when pieced together will be able to be sewn under to eliminate fraying edges or if necessary I'll over sew the exposed seams, within the bag, with some bias fabric. It won't be as important on the top edge where the seams will be covered with a bias strip. With reference to the woven sections I've kept a 4.5" wide zone for the woven fabric strips/squares, just off centre on each bag panel. Though I'd previously ordered a 9mm bias tape maker I've decided that it's too narrow for adding stitching or beads into each square to create the Sanquhar pattern in the woven fabric strips. So I've now ordered a 12mm bias tape maker, here's hoping that will make things a little easier. Here's hoping it arrives soon so I can really get to grips with this and I can get the seed stitching under way for the Sanquhar pattern.

I'll update you all soon, hopefully

New fabrics

2011-08-29T16:19:00.001+01:00

A friend came around on Saturday to try dyeing fabric for the first time. She's making a Christmas panel stitchery and wanted some gold and purple fabric to complete the panel, once all the stitcheries are completed. So when the dyeing supplies where out I made the most of it and had a little play time myself.

Here are the fabrics:-

I'm hoping to utilise two of these fabrics (the grey and the rust) for our Spinners, Weavers and Dyers Guild Challenge in November.

I plan to make a bag and hope to weave a panel of the fabric together to create a 'Sanquhar Pattern' style panel. I've bought a Clover bias strip maker and now need to carefully trace the pattern pieces from my treasured Japanese Quilting Book -

This is the bag pattern I'll be using, but it will just be for the basic shape and won't be an applique bag like this one.

Who's lucky then?

2011-08-26T11:14:00.001+01:00

A while back I made a comment on Kellie's blog 'Don't Look Now' on the super alphabet quilt she was introducing at Spring Market - this is the quilt

Animal Alphabet by Don't Look Now (Kellie Wulfsohn)

Well, whilst away and quickly checking emails on Mum's laptop, I noted that I'd received an email from Kellie. I was one of the lucky winners of her From the Heart pattern packs. The pattern arrived yesterday and I have to say I'm delighted with it, there isn't just one pattern but 4 in the package and I'm sure anyone with a sense of adventure could expand and develop the patterns in other ways too.

Here are 3 of the 4 cushion patterns

From the Heart by Don't Look Now (Kellie Wulfsohn)

Thank you Kellie, I look forward to working up these patterns once I get some UFO's cleared away and love the opportunity of either, hunting through my stash for fabrics or better still, buying new ones when I come of the fabric diet.

Back from holiday

2011-08-24T13:25:00.000+01:00

Oh it's great to have had a holiday. Time with family, time relaxing and time shopping for some crafting goodies. I have been good, probably because we didn't go Quilters Quest in Belfast, and we didn't go back to the shop in N'Ards but I did buy one piece of fabric - 1m of some lovely burgundy plain cotton that will allow me to hopefully complete this years Threave Quilters Challenge Project. I probably shouldn't post photos of this project, as it will let the 'cat out of the bag' but there will be a photo of the complete project after the December meeting.

Other than that I've bought a lovely selection of size 6 seed beads that can be incorporated in some of my hand dyed / spun yarn knitting projects. This is a project that I took along with me on holiday to Mum and Dad's. It's fibre I bought last November and spun up on my Kiwi wheel. Though the yarn isn't DK grade I just took the plunge and altered the needle size to suit and tweaked the pattern to make something similar to the designers original -

Aethercopter by Jocelyn Tunney

Here's what mine looks like to date - and you can see the lovely autumnal shaded seed beads that I'm starting to add to the final section of the shawl. I've shortened the border / binding strip as I didn't want the finished shawl to be 9' long as the pattern suggests.

I also dyed some more of the silk brick I'd bought at the last SWD Guild meeting and took the drop spindle and fibre with me to spin when I didn't fancy knitting.

This is spinning up really lovely and hopefully I'll have enough fibre to do another shawl if the first turns out OK - though I think I'll hunt out another 'lace' pattern for the section below the band.

A new challenge

2011-08-23T19:19:00.010+01:00

Another quilt I'm considering doing - if my Threave Challenge Project works out OK is using these fabrics to create something similar

now I've had these Zen fabrics for a while and have been saving them for a 'special' project, I have been holding off on what to do but the new challenge on Lily's Quilts blog has spurred me on. I don't think I'll be doing the actual QAL as detailed on the blog but I do love the idea of the colour palette design tool

Here I used COLOURlovers to create a colour palette

I think I want to add a very pale 'seafoam' colour to contrast with these and I've created a selection of palettes using Kuler but need to figure out how to copy the images back into my blog - you can see them here.

WOW Wednesday

2011-08-03T15:43:00.000+01:00

Not much crafting this week - good intentions but other things keep getting in the way

One positive step (I hope) is Pinterest -

I've decided to slowly build up a 'board' or two on Pinterest making a collection of quilts, projects, inspiration images that I find on any surfing journey's around the internet.

The isn't much pinned as yet but there are some very interesting quilts - at present I'm sticking with a circle block theme.

Fresh Sewing Day at Lily's Quilts

2011-08-01T08:15:00.000+01:00

There's been tonnes going on this past month, some good, some not so good and a little crafting. Not too much on the sewing front but some stop and start work with yarns.

In my last post you'll see the selection of hand spun yarns which I'm using to make a winter shawl or lap blanket. Each evening I pull some fibre out and quickly spin up another selection of yarn, which then gets added to the growing stack of balls. Then I'd pull a ball of yarn out at random and knit a row. The beauty about spinning (on a drop spindle), as I go along is that I can blend various colours together to create new combinations, and I'm trying hard to break away from spinning thin yarns by spinning thick and thin, creating lumps and bumps to add texture.

If you pop over to Lily's Quilts you'll see the HUGE selection of blocks / projects she's been working on this month. So go along and check in on Fresh Sewing Day

and also check out her new spot for new bloggers.

If you blog you know what it's like when you start, and even what it's like when you've maybe been going a while - you wonder if anyone reads what you write and share - so please visit someone, and above all please comment on blogs you read - you don't have to write a novel, just a word or two of encouragement helps more that you ever know in some instances.

WOW - at long last

2011-07-26T19:26:00.000+01:00

I've been promising photographs for the last few weeks, so here you go
a selection of hand dyed and hand spun yarns that are being used on this shawl

there is only about 6" knitted up at present and it's already starting to weigh quite a bit
this is a great project for using up scraps of hand spun yarn, and any of those tester spins that didn't quite work for a particular project.

I love the way this is turning out and do wonder if I'll stop at about 18" in depth or if I'll carry on to make a lap blanket / throw.

I've been incorporating the alpaca and silk fibres I dyed at the SWD guild workshop at the beginning of the month, and they are blending in really really well. Even better I've been able to cross blend the silk fibres, and use the red/orange mix in the autumn coloured alpaca as well as the red/pink alpaca and am able to do the same with the acid green silk fibre. The results have been amazing and I'm looking forward to my next play session. The other thing about this is that I just pull out my drop spindle and spin a selection or two then rinse and 'set' the fibre, spinning it thick and thin, creating lovely lumpy bits to add texture, and the beauty is I can dye and spin more with no worries about colour matching.

WOW Wednesday

2011-07-20T08:51:00.000+01:00

Time is marching on and I've still got plenty of WIP projects around, and it doesn't help when I find new things that I want to do.

I am very tempted to join in and do the Hexi Quilt Along - though I'd probably not do hexagons - check out the links, tutorials, inspiration here on Lily's Quilts. Basically it would be a protable project using English Paper Piecing techniques and I keep getting drawn towards the 60 degree star blocks.

I do fancy using the yummy batiks that Jo (Bearpawandbearpaw) sent me earlier this year to create this effect

this is Robin's quilt (risislandcrafts on Flickr) and there are a whole range of 'star' EPP quilts in the 60 deg EPP diamond QAL group.

In the meantime I've eventually given myself a good shake, and pulled the various pieces I've been making for my sister's shop out and started to get them finished. Quilting is almost complete on all the cushion panels so I've just to sew them up, after adding any extra quilting that I feel is necessary. Redo and sort out labels, stitch them on and get back to the 2 panels. I hope to make a concious effert and get them finished by the weekend and off to her next week - then it's new play time for me. You can see the WIP photos of all these items here. But here's one that is completed.

I've also been working away at spinning some of the alpaca fibre and knitting up more on the shawl, adding the new fibre in with the existing as I go along - and I have remembered that I need to take some photos for you - I promise there will be some next week.

WIP Wednesday

2011-07-13T12:55:00.001+01:00

Today I'm hoping to get some of the alpaca and silk fibres I dyed last weekend onto a spindle so that I can incorporate them into the random shawl that I'm knitting - sorry still no photos.

I've done another little block for a possible DQS tester panel - this is based on Sew Kind of Wonderful's lovely curved blocks that she's been using on her new quilts - she's even designed a ruler, and has a range of quilts showing how this simple shape can be used to create some lovely modern quilts - check her blog out HERE. So here's my little tester block - currently it's 4.5"x5.5" in size and 6 blocks with sashing would make a lovely little quilt.

I've also been working again on some wholecloth quilt sketches - what do you think of these?

DQS

2011-07-11T12:36:00.000+01:00

Well I didn't make it through the lottery draw into DQS 11, but, I've decided to just carry on and make my own mini quilt.

I'm amazed how quickly this panel came together - OK it's the first time using the fusible interfacing technique, and I've probably made a mistake in using the lightweight material, and that's why there a few 'wonky' blocks, but I am happy with the results.

Here are the blocks ironed onto the interfacing,

and here they are sewn together

Now I want to add some border sashing, then it's down to sandwiching it together, basting and quilting. Now what do I do with that? Ultimately this panel is actually a tester for a bed sized panel when we complete remodelling and decorating our bedroom.

Over on Janet's blog, she's posted photos of a lovely new applique block - it's so nice to see a flower / bird applique block which has such a clean modern feel to it, to put it another way, UNIQUE.

It lead me to check out the creater/designer - Sandra Leichner - and it seems this is one block of a panel called Naturalist's Notebook - check out her blog HERE for more information.

WOW Wednesday - No sewing this week

2011-07-06T08:39:00.000+01:00

I've taken a few days off work, starting today, and I hope to get some major sorting out done.

Number one on the list is to start moving things around our bedroom, a bit of repair and a bit of cleaning before starting to build two sets of these

and once they are sorted out I'll have to empty and sort through the existing drawers, bin (recycle) old clothes etc., and pack what's for keeping into the new sets. To fit them into the old bed space I'll probably have to do a bit of built in unit demolition. This will be a long term project - re designing / redecorating the bedroom, I have ideas that I want to pull together but I'm not wanting to rush it. When built in units go do I just continue and strip off all the wallpaper in prep for repainting or do I strip off damaged wallpaper and apply new strips from the extra rolls we have?

Another thing I've been doing is pulling out some selections of hand spun fibre I have and I'm going to create a simple shawl by knitting one row in each yarn, this should give me a lovely springy warm shawl and I just spin oddments of fibre up on the drop spindle and when it's rinsed and hung to dry, with a slight weight, it gets dropped into the bag for use. Not much done yet but it's starting to look good.

Giveaway at Lily's Quilts

2011-07-05T08:59:00.000+01:00

How Lynne manages it I'll never know, but she is having another fantastic giveaway on her blog this week

- that's in addition to her usual monthly

Well, I've had a check through the current selection of bundles on the Fat Quarter Shop web pages and if I was to pick a patterned selection it would be this

but I also really fancy these,

with lots more of the dark tones to be mixed with some complimenting whites, off whites, pale greys and very pale blues to make a quilt for our redecorated bedroom when it's complete, but hopefully more on that later.

WIP Wednesday

2011-06-29T08:14:00.000+01:00

No major achievements this week -
last night's purchase - 800g of beautifully soft white baby alpaca fleece that I'm currently working my way through removing debris in preparation for the dyeing workshop at next months, SWD Guild meeting

another new start - experiment panel for DQS 11

a laptop bag that needs completing - still

and an appliqué experiment from last autumn which I been pulling out occasionally on an evening to do a bit more needle turn appliqué

Time I got organised and finished a few things - yeah right, it wouldn't be me if I didn't keep branching out, it's part of the fun

Pink Spikes miniature quilt

2011-06-27T11:30:00.002+01:00

Here you go - I can piece something small ;0)

Pink Spikes miniature quilt, a photo by flamingstitches on Flickr.

This central pieced section was originally intended to be the mane for a horse, but I didn't have enough of the fabric to continue the project, so when I found it yesterday when clearing up and re organising my work room I thought - yeah perfect for a trial at at miniature quilt for the DQS 11 swap.

And here's a close up looking at the pieced spikes

DQS 11 sign ups

2011-06-26T17:51:00.000+01:00

Will I make the cut this time - time to wait and see what the 'lottery' has in store for me in early July.

The sign up sheet is available here, but there are big changes to the swap this time around and you can read about them here.

At first I was a bit concerned about the changes for this round - not so much the size or the fact that there had to be so many stitched seams in the piece and only needle turn appliqué only, no raw edged appliqué, but I got to think about the recent Guild talk on 1" square blocks, how to create super patterned blocks etc and the super work Myra produces. This then got me thinking about Inklingo blocks and diamond blocks. Then I looked at the modern blocks and quilts that I like and I could see that these too could be created into minature miniature quilts.

1. Envelope Quilt, 2. project improv quilt top, 3. Leaf, 4. Leaves and squares pillow, 5. ornamental organic , 6. tumbling blocks for do. good stitches, 7. Linden quilt, 8. Autumn Grass 1, 9. watercolors hst top
Today was a day for starting to reorganise my mini craft room - we picked up the charity shop wardrobe - yeah I know I probably should have waited and sanded and repainted it before putting it in the room, but I couldn't wait - so it's now in situ with the fabrics stacked on the shelves, UFO's and quilts stored in the hanging section - this section however needs to be shelved (out with the No Nails and some timber battens and rails)

What UFO's?

2011-06-22T08:16:00.000+01:00

Yes I know there are LOTS of them lurking around my tiny work room (and the house in general) - but I have been working away on that new project that crept into my head on Sunday.
Last night I got the quilting completed on the bag panel and the panel trimmed down into shape. Now I need to make some bias strips for the binding then I can get the final stages well under way -

a binding all around the panel
cut handle holes and add binding around the opening
sew up the sides of the bag

I've done it again!

2011-06-19T19:48:00.000+01:00

I keep promising myself that I'll finish existing projects off before starting something new. Yeah right.

Today I noticed the simple protective bag that came with my new laptop is starting to stretch and the pressed seams are opening up. Now I do have a proper laptop bag, but I like something simple when the laptop is stored beside the sofa for everyday use.

So having been inspired over the last fortnight by Marianne's QAYG project, I decided to try a larger QAYG piece myself. The plan is to make a new bag along the lines of this sketch:-

I had considered using some of my purchased stash fabric, but as this is a bit of an experiment, and for myself, I decided to ratch through my stash of small hand dyed fabric experimental pieces and use them to create this bag. The colours may not be perfect together, but I can if necessary over dye or 'inkenese' anything that doesn't quite gel when it's quilted - time will tell.

Now with the fabrics selected I just randomly pulled each one out and sewed it together, sometimes I'd use a quilters ruler and rotary cutter to create the wedge shape, sometimes I'd just cut.

When the strip was complete, (one strip long enough to do both sides of the bag), it was starched and ironed then laid out on the cutting mat and trimmed into a pleasing shape - a simple flowing curve.

I selected some hand dyed cotton sateen for the background sections and laid the trimmed segmented strip over it (right sides up) and using the rotary cutter, cut the background fabric to the shape of the strip (on both sides). To ensure I got a good match and sewed the right pieces together I marked each side with a piece of chalk - seam 1 and seam 2.

Now this is where I started the QAYG - the segment strip was placed on top of the batting and the backing placed over it and all sewn together - when complete, iron it down and do the same for the second seam. Now maybe you should use some spray baste to keep things in position, but typical me I chanced it.

Now when you come to do the second strip, you trim the background to suit the strip curve by using the rotary cutter, the same way as the first strip, but remember - keep the batting out of the way - you don't want to cut it.

When this front panel (on the batting) was complete, I sewed 2 large pieces of hand dyed fabric together for the inside of the bag. But to give a little extra strength to the bag I've incorporated a layer of heavy interfacing between the batting and lining fabric - here's everything sandwiched together ready to start quilting - I just need lots of dark grey thread then I can get started.

I still have to shape the top and add extra interfacing around the handle area, but that I'll do when I've got the quilting well underway and everything is being held in position. Progress on this soon I promise.

WOW Wednesday - No sewing this week

2011-06-15T12:57:00.001+01:00

I have been trying some things out - with little success

sewed up some fabric for a trial at Shibori dyeing - I think I need thicker thread the dye resist was minimal, unfortunately
warping up my loom - well least said about this at present is probably best - I've mucked it up again, but with some patience I might be able to rescue it

I haven't even got back onto stitching the batting on the applique challenge top - I'll hunt it out tonight I think

So the only semi constructive thing I've done so far is another attempt at a whole cloth quilt design - what do you think?

Playing again - but this time with Inktense pencils

2011-06-09T08:20:00.000+01:00

Having checked around on blogs, Youtube, exhibition quilts, etc, I decided to try out Inktense pencils and techniques as described at the following sites - Colourque'd or Ink-Lique or here and at Quilting Arts

this hunt for inspiration and advice was followed by a hunt around art shops, internet art supplies shops and ebay for the pencils. The pencils arrived today and quickly led to a play session. I coloured up a section of fabric and tried out some aloe gel painted over it to bring out the true colour intensity - and here are the results.

Once dry I ironed the panel and will probably use it for another play session - this time with some FMQ. If this works out the possibilities could be awesome - I will be looking into obtaining some proper textile medium and may experiment a little more with adding some powder pigments to the medium to create a completely different effect, but more on that later I hope.

Have any of you tried something like this or something new - if so share your experiences here and link back to any blog posts.

More Playtime - WOW update

2011-06-07T16:23:00.000+01:00

After the relative success of the last attempt at a whole cloth design, I thought I'd give it another shot

this one is a little more cohesive, the single line areas are meant to be 'feathers' but I haven't figured out a way to draw them on Autocad that they appear anyway half decent.
I've even played with rotating the central section by 45 degrees and it looks just as good. There would have to be lots and lots of other fillers used in areas and maybe even some fabric painting to enhance the whole thing.
So this panel is a possible, maybe for future reference, but maybe I should design something smaller for a full play session incorporating quilting and fabric painting.

In the meantime I've completed the Brit Quilt Swap panel and the FQ challenge 2 runner (blogged about here) and am now back to hand basting all the batting onto this to create a trapunto effect.

Please VOTE

2011-06-07T08:07:00.000+01:00

Your vote is needed!

The Quilters' Guild's project Unfolding the Quilts, based at the Quilt Museum and Gallery in York, has reached the semi-finals of the National Lottery Awards, the annual search to find Britain’s favourite Lottery-funded projects, in the 'Best Heritage Project' category.

We are asking people to support us by voting for our project, enabling us to reach the finals, which will be shown on BBC 1 television. This would be tremendous publicity for quilting and for the Quilt Museum and Gallery and would recognise the hard work of the staff and volunteers in making the Quilt Museum and Gallery a great place to visit.

For further information about the project and to vote:

Vote here!

Thanks and please feel free copy this onto your own blog and make a link on facebook!
copied from Linen and Silk blog by MAI-BRITT AXELSEN

I've done it

2011-06-06T13:22:00.000+01:00

Yes they are complete (well all except the labels) so tonight I can take them to our Threave Quilters Guild meeting. I'm delighted with the way they've both turned out:-

I was unsure that this panel, with being so long, would be square - well it's pretty square, doesn't wander all over the place along the long edges

and, I wasn't sure how the blue fabric on the binding would look when complete, but I think it frames the panel nicely.

Now I can get back to the appliqué challenge and keep adding the batting for the trapunto.

Playtime

2011-06-03T14:45:00.000+01:00

I have done a little playing around and come up with this initial possibility for the basis of a whole cloth panel

It's far from perfect and needs some other elements like feathers, cross hatching etc to be incorporated. But as an initial design is it a possibility I wonder.

A little experimentation is call - applique? or fabric painting? Use a hand dyed fabric or stick with white then colour it up with the paints or thread paint?

Amazing bears

2011-06-01T18:30:00.000+01:00

Crafted teddy bears - have a look at this boyo and until 21st June there is a chance to win him

- go here to check it out.

WOW - gifts - Fresh Sewing Day

2011-06-01T08:22:00.001+01:00

If you've been following since last Wednesday, you'll see that I started the quilting on the Brit Quilt Swap panel - things have moved on and all the quilting is done -

I've also been burying the quilting threads on this piece - my FQ Challenge 2 - I'm still hoping that these will both be finished by next Monday and ready for Show and Tell at the Threave Quilters meeting.

Look at these scrumptious fabrics which fellow quilters have 'gifted' to me:-
Firstly Jo wanted to clear out some of her batiks - these are far from the normal batik fabrics you buy in the fabric shops. These are actual, proper batik panels, and I can see that it will take me a while to sort through and group them for a design brainstorming session.

Then just over a week ago Karen had a give way post on her blog - I entered and much to my delight, was the lucky recipient of this package of goodies - the Kansas Trouble fabrics are just so so beautiful and for 'scraps' there are lovely big pieces of fabric - I can see a design gelling together already - big and bold.

Remember that with today being the first of the month it's also Fresh Sewing Day today at Lily's Quilts

visit and click the links to see what everyone's been working on - have fun

BRIT QUILT SWAP

2011-05-30T14:32:00.001+01:00

Sorry there hasn't been much progress this week so far on any craft projects - I've been diverted by a number of things - including papering a section of the living room.

I did get some work done on the Brit Quilt panel - after deliberating on the possible quilting I took the plunge and so far here's what's been done.

the back

the front

a close up

Hopefully I'll get it completed by next week so I and take it for show and tell at the Threave Quilters meeting and if I'm lucky I'll get the FQ challenge 2 piece completed as well - in connection with this the good news is that I've found a bobbin with some of the terracotta thread - hopefully enough to finish the whole panel - see there was a reason why I didn't just plunge right in and finish with the odd thread - photos to follow soon.

WIP Wednesday - aka WOW

2011-05-24T18:12:00.001+01:00

Esther has started off a WIP Wednesday thread

So here's my current WIP - a panel for my secret partner in the Brit Quilt Swap

I've now to get the quilting pattern designed - some lotus flowers around the edge, some ripples across the water and some detail on the Koi.

Brit Quilt Swap

2011-05-21T14:10:00.000+01:00

All the applique pieces are now safely sewn into position - just as well as some were peeling off:-

The panel has also been washed and now I've got to decide on the quilting - ripples, lotus flowers and reeds? Some playing with design is ahead of me - more photos soon.

BRIT QUILT SWAP

2011-05-19T08:05:00.000+01:00

Well I've jumped in (as usual) and decided on one of the sketches to develop for the Brit Quilt Swap.

Going on the information included on the sign up sheet, my partners favourites and blog entries I choose the Koi sketch to enlarge and tweak.

So the fabrics were selected, another was dyed, they were (once the new one was dry) ironed ready for fusing:-

The sketch was taped to the french doors, the fusible medium what taped over and the sketch copied, pattern pieces trimmed and fused to the fabrics:-

Care had to be taken when cutting the central panel fabric (blue), because I wanted to cut out the ripples, flower and koi so the background fabric was open through to the front, eliminating the need for additional fused fabric layers making the front thicker. The blue fabric was placed on the background and the cut out sections laid in to help retain the shape while ironing/fusing sections on before placing, and where necessary reshaping the deep apricot fabrics for the fish spots and the outer petals of the flower in the top corner.

Tonight I hope to add the batting and backing, baste everything together then the stitching around the fused sections will be done - which also starts the quilting. After that I'll carefully consider how best to quilt the rest of the panel. I have some ideas in mind - more quilted ripples in the bottom right corner, quilting in the larger ripples at the top, feature stitching around and on the Koi and flower. Then there is the possibility of some embroidery stitching for the Koi eyes and nose sensors, enhancement to the flower.

So come back for a visit to see it this develops and transforms - hopefully into a beautiful panel that my partner will be glad to receive

BRIT QUILT SWAP

2011-05-17T10:54:00.000+01:00

I've been given details of my secret partner and have done a bit of stalking and inspiration surfing - so to that end I've had some scrap paper, a pencil and a pen near me to doodle on - these are the design ideas so far

SKETCH SHEET 1

SKETCH SHEET 2

I'm waiting for some feedback from my partner before making a final decision on a design and fabric choice - but with a month to complete the project I'd like to be underway sooner rather than later.

Gathering and preparing

2011-05-15T09:07:00.000+01:00

Whilst I've been working away on the appliqué challenge piece, in the background I've been gathering together some supplies. Some to hopefully help me finish some WIP projects, the challenge piece and general supplies.

These ebay purchases are amazing - for about £8 I've got 20 rolls of 100% cotton (each reel is 500m),

and I also bought some white embroidery floss which I dyed for the appliqué challenge piece. I'd decided that unfortunately the lovely threads I purchased a short time ago are just a little too thick for the seed stitching, hopefully these tonal shades will make the quilt come to life.

I'm in the process of adding batting to the back of each appliquéd shape to create the trapunto effect on the finished quilt - I did seriously consider using wash-away thread but decided to keep with hand basting with contrasting thread which I can pull out as I go when quilting.

Yesterday I dyed the fabric for the sashings and backing of the applique challenge piece and today I hope, at long last, to dye the final bits of brown fabric for the CH 'Drink Up' panel will also be dyed and I can get back to working on it - I still haven't decided on how I'll do the spots though.

Other than that I'm hoping I won't run out of the terracotta thread being used for quilting the FQ challenge 2 panel. I've bought new thread but it's not a match - do you think I'll get away with using the new thread on the back bobbin (the front reel) and the original thread on the front (the rear reel)

Hopefully it will dry up and I'll get a photo of the newly dyed fabric/s this week.

Bloggers Quilt Festival

2011-05-14T21:12:00.001+01:00

It's that time of year again and today sees the start of the first Bloggers' Quilt Festival of the year

so remember to go along to Amy's Creative Side and travel around the world viewing quilters work and maybe even taking an additional side trip to peruse their blog and see what inspires you.

I'm featuring my FQ Challenge 1 piece
A couple of Christmas' ago I received 2 Kaffe Fasset FQ's - I didn't want to purchase a lot of new fabric at the time but I did want to use the FQ's to the maximum effect. The second challenge is underway but here is the first FQ used with 2 complimentary solids

front

back

back - FMQ

back - FMQ close up - the turquoise thread is along the KF fabric strips

I also use this piece as a bit of an experiment - the FQ KF fabric and a FQ of the dark solid were cut into equal width strips. Then I used washable PVA glue to place the strips onto the backing fabric - each strip was lightly glued then ironed into place. It worked up incredibly quickly and everything was going well in completing the quilt until normal mundane life challenges diverted my attention for a while. When I eventually completed the quilting and washed the top the glue washed out too, and the quilt is lovely and soft.

With the FQ challenge 2 piece I've used the washable glue in another way - fixing the backing and front flimsy to the batting - quilting is well underway and I would love to get this piece finished by the end of the month - if I can squeeze time at the sewing machine and not be distracted by other UFO's.

From the Bloggers' Quilt Festival last autumn I got lots of inspiration and have made a few new 'internet friends' - in particular Marjorie. Following posting a comment on her blog about the quilt she'd displayed, she challenged me to an appliqué challenge. OK I may have veered away from the original challenge theme, but I have embraced the appliqué challenge and am really surprised where this journey is taking me. I've designed something, dyed large amounts of fabric (and intend to keep doing so), dyed embroidery floss to use on the piece, considering trapunto on a large scale, and so far lots and lots of hand sewing (NTA and basting). Once the flimsy is complete and sandwiched together there will be considerable debate about which design/s to use for the quilting.

Come back and let me know if you find something to inspire you and if you receive a similar challenge after your visit to this springs Blogger's Quilt Festival.

Appliqué Challenge

2011-05-09T12:45:00.001+01:00

I've been beavering away on the Applique Challenge top over the last week, and much to my amazement I've complete turning under everything, so before I start the next stages I though it would be prudent to share a photograph of how it looks at the moment.

This week I've got to buy some fabric to dye for the backing and sashing. Originally I'd planned to sash and back in black fabric but I've been thinking about trying to do more of the deeper purple toned fabric, as it will have a softer appearance. After the sashing pieces have been added I'm look carefully at the panel and see if any extra appliqué strips can cross into the sashing. Then it's adding the extra layer of batting to the back of each appliquéd shape to create a trapunto effect, but I've still to decide how to do this - use a large piece of batting and machine stitch / cut away using wash-away thread or use up my stash of batting scraps and just hand baste them into place, cutting each down to size as I go.

BRIT QUILTERS - have you visited the Brit Quilts Flickr Group yet? Please do.

Sign ups are also open for anyone wanting to take part in the Brit Quilts Swap

if you want to take part visit HERE for information and HERE to sign up - remember the more the merrier.

Check out these fabrics

2011-05-07T14:16:00.000+01:00

A fellow Ulster woman and quilter, Karen, is having a giveaway - if you are interested check it out HERE - aren't these fabrics just yummy

If you've been following me for a while you know I love purples but the subtle tones of the blues are drawing me too.

The central section of the appliqué challenge piece is now completed - I've rinsed the panel and now have to sort out how to shape the frame sections so they can be turned under. I'm pleased to have the central section finished but there is as LONG LONG way to go. Next I need to:-

dye fabric for the backing and edge sashing (I might include some appliqué sections across the sashing, but that will be a design as I go section)
sew some batting behind each of the appliqué pieces to create a trapunto effect
sandwich and baste the backing, main batting and front together
decide on how to quilt it - then quilt it and either now or once it's bound add the seed stitching details
bind it

Do you think there's any chance I'd have this completed by the end of the year? - I hope I can.

Sorry I've been missing

2011-05-05T08:31:00.000+01:00

I've had a week off (last week) - I puttered about the house and did some decorating but now need to buy the wallpaper (a trip to Castle Douglas soon for that) and get it all completed. I don't know about all of you in blog land but I find that doing something like this is best when you have piece to work away by yourself at your own pace without interruption.

I have been doing some crafting and do promise to take and add photos soon - I'm working away on completing the needle turn appliqué on my Challenge piece with Marjorie (PS Marjorie is having a blog post anniversary giveaway check it out HERE). I've also plyed some of the camel/silk tops - it's turning out really, really lovely, and at Threave Guild meeting on Monday Jane and Alison shared a type of embroidery / quilting style from India, and I'm working away on the sample piece that I started, hopefully I'll finish it and share the images with you later.

Brit Quilters - sign ups with be open soon for the British Quilt Swap so pop along to the Flickr Group here to keep informed and please join in, the more the merrier

What I've been up to last week

2011-04-17T16:17:00.000+01:00

Last Saturday at the Guild meeting (SWD) I eventually got a warp thread sorted for my Weasemaster loom - I spent Sunday sorting out the spaghetti mess of threads (because my cross in the warp thread was too far from the back beam, plus other Ethne numpty generated problems), eventually I got all the threads tied to the back beam and 70% of the threads through the heddle and reed. Monday I finished feeding the threads through the heddle and reed and wound them all up onto the back beam before attaching them to the front beam. On Tuesday I started weaving - Wednesday I finished the yarn I'd wrapped onto the shuttle. It's not perfect but here's the finished 'scarf' - it's about 4 foot / 1.2m long - the warp thread is 4 ply apricot coloured cotton and the weft thread is a DK mohair/acrylic blend yarn.

Other than that I've done a little more work on the FQ Challenge 2 piece - all the 'cogs' are safely sewn down and one half is completely quilted and I'm hoping I'll get the second half finished before I run out of the rust thread (unless I can find more somewhere).

Following a Guild members talk at Threave at the beginning of the month I've sorted out a template for Hobby Lass, to use for Lily's Quilts QAL. As Hobby Lass is a novice quilter, but eager to learn, I thought that the freezer paper foundation piecing technique would be quicker and easier than traditional piecing for a dresden block. Fortunately I can draw and print out large sheets in work (pennies in the office money box for the privilege) so I drew out 7 of the 21 wedges so they can be copied onto the freezer paper, and a ring completed in 3 sections.

Yesterday I worked through the first 7 wedges guiding her through the process and left her to work on the next set of 7 - just over a hour later, with bobbin problems sorted - success - 14 of the 21 completed, seams flat, edges neat and one very happy Lass ready and eager to start again tomorrow.

She's now well underway with the second set and picking up speed.

New Flickr Group - Brits only

2011-04-16T18:50:00.000+01:00

Lynne (Lily's Quilts) has had the bright idea of starting a Brits Quilts group on Flickr

- why oh why non of us have had this bright idea before now amazes me - I guess non of us have had the light bulb moment

unlike clever clogs Lynne

Thanks Lynne - this is a great and perfect way to see who shares like interests in patchwork, quilting, stitcheries and well other crafty fabric themes, here in Britain. You never know there may be someone just around the corner with whom you can share and get advice from, especially if your significant other (or son Lynne) gets a bit fed up of being asked for their opinion on your latest creation.

Pop along and join us - share your work, your blog links etc - its BRIT QUILT on Flickr

Progress on FQ Challenge 2

2011-04-08T08:34:00.000+01:00

I've tried to squeeze in a little work on one of my own projects. The night before Barbara rang and asked if I could make a few things to try out in her shop I'd sorted out this runner (table or bed) - well sorted out as in sandwiched it up and actually started stay stitch quilting on one of the larger fused 'cog' shapes. In between I've been doodling and trying to find a quilting design that wouldn't be too dense and make the panel too stiff.

The other night after completing fusing some cushion panels, and doing some white stay stitching I pulled the runner out and jumped right in with the quilting - this is how it's looking so far:-

the front

and from the back

and here are the two missing photos from the other nights post - cushion panels ready for further stitching/quilting

Weekends work

2011-04-06T20:41:00.000+01:00

Goodbye to another weekend and hello to another year in this world. I hope to do my best and make the most of this the last year in my 40's - next year is the big 50 - God grant me the health, patience and stamina to face all that this year ahead throws at me. Certainly the last days of 48 were a bit too challenging, but here's hoping this latest set of glitches are over with and only minor one's rear their heads in future, please.

On Friday night I lost myself in a little work on the Charley Harper panel - the giraffe's are cut out and fused - fortunately it's a symmetrical pattern, because after I completed cutting the first half of the pieces I realised that that section would have to go on the left hand side and not the right, over the sun as expected. Guess who forgot to consider mirroring the image when copying - yip me.

I still need to dye a darker fabric for the face panels and other features like the ear details, hoofs and some larger spots.
On Saturday I also started to get organised with pieces for Barbs shop - instead of working through a piece until it's ready for threads to be pulled through and fastened, I instead concentrated on progressing a few cushion panels to the 'fused' stage at the same time. So the fabric was ironed, pillow fold ends sewn under, designs drawn and fused on then batting fixed to back of cushion fronts - all ready now for the fused panel stay stitching/quilting, before any embroidery embellishment and finally completing the side seams and fixing on the label, oops sorry the camera battery has packed up - here are 2 of the cushion fronts fused and ready for stitching

Unfortunately now I've run out of Heat n Bond Lite so I can't progress in preparing any more cushion panels, or CH panel work until a new supply arrives, later in the week.

Visit again tomorrow, I promise to load up the missing cushion panel photos.

This is not an April Fool wind up

2011-04-01T08:32:00.000+01:00

Today is 'Fresh Sewing Day' on Lily's Quilts

- so remember to pop along and see what you've to do to be able to be in the running for a chance to be the proud owner of this delicious selection of fabrics

I like them all (especially the chickens)

And do check out the super fabric packs you can get from Sew Fresh Fabrics -

I love the Art Gallery Modern Affair selection - put that together with a lovely rich dark charcoal Kona and it would just 'sing' - someday maybe (if it's still available and I'm not on a fabric diet).

Have fun today everyone and don't get caught out by too many pranksters.

CH QAL

2011-03-31T19:03:00.001+01:00

Saturday the fabrics were dyed; Sunday the fabrics were dry and ironed; Monday I started to play with the fabrics and got the panel under way - OK it might not be much but it is a start and I only made things harder for myself by deciding to place the fused fabrics on the back of the background pieces. I hope the pencil markings washout completely when the piece is complete.

Another thing I've notice is that I'll need to come up with a better system for transferring the design onto the Heat n Bond Lite for the more detailed pattern pieces. Can I fuse it onto the fabric then pass the fused fabric through the printer to get an accurate pattern template - I see a little experimentation ahead of me.

Well I tried something out and it worked - the pattern was bigger than the fabric so I have to split the pattern into 2 sections - these were copies and taped together - I'd prepared the fabric for feeding through the plan copier by ironing on the HnB Lite - crunch time, feed the original through and feed the fused fabric through - it worked a treat (except for the fact that the toner wasn't set on the HnB Lite, so to set it a quick spray of fixative (aka hair spray) - now it's ready and I've got a nice new pair of scissors ready to trim everything down and fusing onto the background at the weekend.

and now to DQS10 received:-
Other than that I've been the very fortunate recipient of this set of beautiful things and though my birthday isn't until Sunday I feel very very lucky.

isn't this a delicious selection of goodies - just look at the Fimo sewing themed pins

and look at this hand quilting - I love the irregular shape to the of the points on the border sashing and the wedges in the central blocks - it's an amazing piece of work - each of the 4 blocks these main spokes to the wedges are in 2 pieces and simply stunning. The colours are just perfect for me and the accent stitching elements on the panel take the whole thing up another notch. Thank you Jo for everything you sent me, it is really appreciated.

QAL's

2011-03-30T08:27:00.000+01:00

Have you checked around to see the current range of QAL's on the go at present:-

Well there's Lynne's (Lily's Quilts)-

and there's Lee's (Freshly Pieced) -

Cherri at Cherry House Quilts

Patchwork 2

Oh, Fransson - Mod Sampler Redux

and of course there is the Charley Harper QAL

Now there are lots of other QAL's around some along a more traditional format and some with stitchery elements. So check out the side bars of blogs you follow, blogs you stumble upon and you might find something that inspires you and at the same time challenges you. But most importantly have fun

Lynne's QAL and 'Fresh Sewing Day'

2011-03-29T09:39:00.000+01:00

Lynne of Lily's Quilts (and co conspirator) in urging me to start the Charley Harper QAL has a QAL on the go to - can I recommend that you visit her blog and the Flickr pages to see how everyone is progressing and making their own version of the blocks, their fabric selections etc. Lynne's first QAL block is this:-

but I recommend you check out her blog and see other blocks she's made where she seems to have got the inspiration for this QAL.

Another thing that Lynne is doing is having a Blogaversary Celebration on her blog - the big unveil is on Friday so remember to visit and see, in all it's glory, what the celebration involves.

Pop along, visit her blog, lots of inspiration, lots of tutorials and even some patterns.

An update

2011-03-27T14:17:00.000+01:00

I had a play session yesterday - bought some dyes and dyed this little lot
These are for my CH panel

and these are for some more items for my sisters shop

I need to get more fabric and dyes (paler tones) if this little lot (when completed) are suitable to be considered as suitable selling stock.

Sorry, yes I'd forgotten to share this with you - what with everything that's happened regarding the floral and nautical themes - I hadn't taken a photo of the FQ Challenge 1 piece - so here you go

it is meant to look like this - a little raw around the edges. I love the KF fabric and the fabrics that I've used with this. The panel measures and is just right for a lap quilt and also just right for room decoration over the back of a chair or sofa.

Lets see what gets pulled together this week - no promises, I think I'll be jumping around from project to project.

Helping out

2011-03-26T15:15:00.000Z

My younger sister phoned on Tuesday and asked if I could make a couple of small quilt panels and maybe some cushion covers for her to try out as merchandise in her shop. Now to be honest I had originally been thinking that the FQ challenge pieces might be useful as 'staging' items within the shop (a florists), but unfortunately the colours are a bit strong for the shabby chic feel of the shop furnishings.

Her shop is in a small seaside town on the Ards peninsula in Northern Ireland, which in it's own way is quite picturesque.

So other projects like FQ Challenge 2 and the Charley Harper panel have been set aside for a week or two while a small collection of various items are made up and sent across for comment and sales trials. Here's hoping that any of the cruise shop coach tours that stop in the town over the summer visit her shop and are interested in the panels and cushions.

So in the meantime here are a few taster / WIP photographs.

I purchased some dye today and hope to get some fabrics dyed for the Charley Harper panel and maybe some more cushion covers for Barbs.

FQ Challenges

2011-03-22T08:20:00.000Z

The dice has been thrown and the decision has been made. With the success in completing FQ Challenge piece 1 on Sunday, (I'm hoping for a nice dry sunny day at the weekend to be able to photograph this for you), I pulled out the FQ Challenge 2 table or bed runner and sandwiched it together last night.

Now quilting police and purists please stop reading here - those who fancy wacky way out ideas read on ;0)

Now, honestly how many of you who don't have a lovely big quilting frame love the prospect of basting - not many I'm sure, especially if it involves crawling around the floor. Well with other options involving fusible batting and spray adhesive I've been toying with this idea for a while, and have even tried it out on a charm square - glue - yip glue, as in washable PVA glue. Last night on this runner I gave it a go, it's early days but so far looks like it might work quite well for certainly these smaller pieces.

Here's what I did (and sorry I should have taken photos):-

Pressed the backing
Cut the batting and laid it on the ironing board - as this was a runner I actually started glueing along the centreline - I laid a zig zag light line of glue across the batting, with the zig zag probably about 2" high, placed the backing fabric onto the batting/glue and ironed it down
This process was continued along the length of the batting / backing fabric
Then you just turn the whole thing over and start again with the pieced front/flimsy

In all honestly I can say the whole thing went together in about half an hour - the panel is approximately 18" wide and 63" long.

Impatient to see how this would hold up I took it back to the sewing machine and started appliquéing one of the 'cogs' in place - the largest one. Other than my standard domestic machines throat restrictions, which involve a lot of bunching, and pulling of the quilt bulk, it's worked very well so far.

Now I'm considering how to proceed - do I safely stitch down all the applique shapes first or do I work out from this first secured shape and radiate out with the quilting to the next shape, and if I do that what background quilting stitch do I use?

I promise more photos of the progress and how the glue basting works out.