A Week of Different Pursuits

Last weekend I attended two wonderful days at a workshop by Marg Sampson George. The first photo shows Bev, in the centre, who arranged the workshop and on the left of her, Linda who was our hostess.

 

 

 

Here is Marg showing us one of her quilts and talking about colour combinations.

 

 

This next one was one of the quilt patterns we could make. I don't normally do 'bright' but this one like her others contained so many varied pieces of fabric and just to see what was included was wonderful.

 

This is Marg's centre to the Jane Pizar quilt, the one I am attempting to make. The whole reason that there has not been anything happening with my blog or in fact any of my other sewing pieces.

 

 

It has taken the whole week but here is my first circle with the pattern for the centre and the next ring.

 

 

 

and sitting on one of the background fabrics. A better photo with the flash off. ?

 

 

I did manage a couple of baskets before the workshop.

 

and just to show you what I meant by the fabric Marg uses in her quilts here is a photo of part of her English Basket Quilt.

 

 

 

Absolutely amazing. I kept going back to look at it and every time  my eye was  caught by another wonderful piece of fabric. Thank you to my friends for the wonderful weekend and all their hard work involved in bringing it about.

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The End of another Week

I have been totally absorbed with these little baskets. .

 

 

It's such an enjoyable pastime.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How the time flies...

I am very slowly quilting my Trailing vines and sewing my Coxcombs and Stars but I noticed a friend sewing this pattern, The English Basket Quilt and remembered I had started this when I bought the pattern a number of years ago.

 

It was a pleasure to find that I had actually had quite a bit done. The blocks and borders are all cut, as are all the templates, baskets and stems. The baskets and stems were attached to their blocks and I had sewn two of them. The fabric for all the flowers, butterflies and leaves I had returned to my stash. Not to worry, as long as I pulled out fabrics that matched the border fabric it would work. It is really quite good as I now have many more yellows in my stash compared to when I started. This is a photo of the first 3 blocks, my borders and the bundle of baskets on blocks still to be done. I have made changes to suit me. I'm not a hexagon making type of person so the dark background in the pattern I've replaced with light and the border fabric will replace all those hexagons etc. Can you imagine how it will look?

 

 

 

A few Sundays ago it was Mother's Day and my Daughter ordered a copy of the catalogue for me, for the V & A quilt show being held at the GOMA in Brisbane from now til September. It arrived yesterday and it is a beautiful book of Quilts and has plenty of detail and reading inside. Thank you Nicola.

 

Meanwhile I have splashed out and bought 2 new ranges of 'modern' fabrics. I have an idea in my head what the top range will be used for

 

and this range will be for applique. I do like the Marg Sampson-George quilt on the front of Quiltmania No 94. I think this may have to wait.

 

My new header for this month is my version of the Sundial quilt. I used a pattern from Karen Cunningham when she had an online workshop. I changed quite a few of the blocks to some in the original quilt which I will get to see when I visit the V & A quilt show in Brisbane later in the year.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On a cold Autumn Day

It's good to sit under a quilt and sew. This week I've finished the first block of Coxcombs and Stars and

 

 

started on the Top border. This shows half of it. So many berries.

 

 

and then I got out the next block from the Marriage quilt I started last year and got the shapes cut out and attached to the wool ready to be cut out and placed on the background.

 

and then this arrived back from being basted so that I can quilt the stems on the vines. This has now become a long time project as I find quilting very hard on the fingers and I will only be sewing it in small quantities.

 

 I also got my Grand daughter's quilt back from the quilter and it requires the binding to be sewn down. Just the thing to sit on one's knee and stitch when it has been so cold. When we got up this morning it was 3C Brrrrrr! How long do I have to wait for Summer, I'm not a Winter person. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking at my UFO's

I've been going through my baskets of projects started and trying to decide whither I will continue, finish it where it is or put it back in the cupboard for another week, month, year.
Why did it end up like this? Did I just find a nicer quilt to make? Were the fabrics the wrong choice? and will I ever get around to completing it? I'd love to hear what you do with your UFO's. 
At last year's Symposium, run by my guild, I started a Red and Green quilt being designed by Sandra Boyle. I had a Moda Layer Cake of fabric I decided would be fine with a few greens added. I decided last week to finish it where it was and cut the remaining fabric into squares to be the sashing.  

 
I have nearly finished the applique on the 1st block of Coxcombs and Stars. I now need to prepare the top border as this is the next piece of the pattern and it will be nice to have it ready to go. 

This weeks meanderings

It's been a little of this and a little of that, this week. First picture is Lori's little quilt from her blog, Humble Quilts. This was fun to make.

 

 

and this is the centre of her latest quilt. If you go to her blog the patterns are available.  I've still to stitch it.

 

and a little bit more of Coxcombs and Stars. I showed you a while ago and then it got put on the back burner. I took the freezer paper off the front and ironed it on the back of the cut pieces and tried the technique of folding over the seam allowance with starch and not glue. This method worked well as the starch doesn't stick like the glue pen does and the paper came out soo easily. Paint the liquid starch on with a small brush, fold over the seam allowance with the fingers and iron as you go. The edges are crisp and ready to sew. I will use this method again. It's a great way to get a nice point at the end of the leaves. The stars were a bit trick-ier [?] as they are a brushed cotton and a very soft fabric. I'll straighten them as I sew them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quilting

Yesterday I picked up my Sundial quilt from my Long-arm quilter, Katrina. As usual she worked her magic and my quilt has been enhanced with the designs she has quilted on it.
I asked for a 'less is more' approach to her choice of quilting it and It has been achieved and my quilt is soft and beautiful.
I took some photos to show some of the quilting and I just love how the centre looks with it's cross-hatch,swirls and feathers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I managed to get the binding  stitched onto the front edge, ready now to be rolled over and slip stitched down. A label and then onto my bed for the coming Winter. 

What's been going on

Last Thursday I went to the Australian Quilt Show. I had a good look around the traders and bought some fabric and threads. The fabric is a linen,spotted and wider than the usual cotton patchwork fabrics. I have a pattern in mind that needs wider than 42" and think this may be ideal. The threads are for my X-stitch. The quilts on show are from previous shows that have won Best of Show awards. Here are some photos of the ones that caught my eye. This is called Southern Stars by Karen Malone. The cheddar and green together is wonderful.

 

Moving House Blues by Judy Hooworth

 

Cock of the Walk by David M Taylor

 

 

Oh Dear Mrs Thompkins by Helen Hayes

 

 

 

 

Zig Zag by Mylene Pijpers

3384 Yoyo's

 

 

Flower Basket Medallion by Pip Scholton

and Tracy Browning

 

The quilting surrounding the centre basket was amazing. It is a Kim McLean quilt  pattern.

 

 

My Swoon block are all sewn together and I took this photo as I was pinning the outer borders on. It is Large.

 

I have finished painting the laundry walls and I have just the door surrounds to do. Looking around the house I need to continue painting, just to freshen it all up.

 

Not much to show.

 
I don't have much to show. I have been busy though. Here is a photo of the last block ,I've still to sew it together but it lets you see how the block is made with 1/2 square triangles and flying geese. I did get the stripe running in the one direction without having to cut extra pieces which I was happy about.

 

 

and here are the 11 finished blocks hanging up on my craft wall. I had to stagger them in two rows to get them all up, each one being 24". Any trimming and sashings are next.

 

 

 

The other job that has kept me busy is painting the laundry . I've undercoated the ceiling and the walls and would like to get the ceiling painted this week which means less time for sewing. Today my DS and DIL moved back into their renovated house so I spent the day with a bit of babysitting and bed making. Maybe tonight I'll get the last block sewn together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What else can a girl do

First there was the long weekend of Easter and then the builder arrived to update and replace the plaster on the walls of the laundry. The walls were covered with cement sheets that contain asbestos. So what else can a girl do when you stay home for workmen but SEW!   Yay!
This a photo taken yesterday after the old walls had been removed and today the new plasterboard went up and tomorrow the cornice and architraves. Even better he expects to finish on Saturday.

Here's a sneak peek at what I am sewing. Not my usual run-of-the-mill project or fabric colours but then, it's not for me. The pattern is called Swoon by Bonnie and Camille. The blocks are 24'' and are made with a fabric range called Ruby. There will be 12 blocks, big enough for a kingsize bed. I've made one each day so there are  5 hanging up finished. This makes two quilts, in a row, sewn by machine. This one has gone together beautifully but I must admit the second block took twice as long to make because I didn't realise the green fabric is directional and there was a fair bit of unpicking to turn the pieces around in the right direction. Can I add at this point that the fabrics cut out for Block12 are both
stripes. That one should be fun to put together.

 

 

 

 

A Finishing Border.

Multi fabric half square triangles and the borders are made - and attached. It finished at 58". I'm going to use a grey with a black sprig shirting on the back so that it stays with the masculine look that it has. I enjoyed working with the blues,navy, black and grey fabrics. Quite a change from my usual quilts.

Stars

All stitched together. The pattern is called Valley Forge and is available from Somerset.  I pieced it on the machine and it went together quickly. There is still the border to be sewn which is made up of 1/2square triangles.
Today was warm,sunny and bright. The mornings and nights are cooler now 'Autumn' is here. I don't think they'll be many more days over 30.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wool and Cotton

Some sashing with corner blocks , an inner and outer border and the top's all finished. With the applique all wool this was quick to sew.

 

 

 

It's a lovely bright sunny day and 26C. You can see how blue the sky is at the top of the photo. I hung the backing behind the quilt but it's still to be quilted.

 

 

Stars through the Day

I've been sewing on the machine and making my Stars through the day. This is all the 6" size. I still have the 9" and the 12" stars to make.

 

 

and in the evenings I've been sewing my wool and the 4 centre blocks of 'The Bundling Board' are finished. Working with the felted wool is lovely. I don't know why it took me so long to start this pattern. Looking at this photo reminds me to turn them 3 of them the right way round. Only the star on the top right block is facing the way it should.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indoor Days

The thermometer on the verandah is showing 37C. It's been over 30C for 7days and 3 more days of it is expected. I do like it warm rather than cold but I can do without the hot days. The house has stayed quite nice with the blinds shut on the outside but about 4pm the air-conditioning goes on.
I've finished No 2 block of The Bundling Board.I always enjoy working with the wool.

 

Something new started. I bought Parson Gray 's range of fabric called Curious Nature and found a pattern recently that I thought would suit the fabrics which is really the wrong way round. It's greys and black, and navy and blue [turquoise]. Here are the first few stars that are make in 3 sizes.

 

and I've finished the applique on the centre of the Mosaics quilt. You've seen bits of this before but not for a while. I took the photo indoors so it's a bit dull. Wasn't game enough to go out in the sun to get a brighter one.

 

 

Next is a border of hexagon flowers on the pattern but this may change.

Rain and more Rain

It started last night, pouring down with thunder almost on top of us. Needless to say the spouting filled so quickly it overflowed. It rained all night and most of the morning. The sun has now come out and outside it feels like a sauna.
Today is our wedding anniversary, 47years, my DH and I went out for breakfast this morning. There is a cafe up the town and they do beautiful breakfasts.
This afternoon with all this humid weather I did some sewing and stitched the borders on my Trailing Vine. I decided that single bed size was big enough, some things just need to be finished.

 

 

 

Fridays

On Fridays I go to Somerset  patchwork shop and sit and chat and sew with about 16 - 20 other ladies. We laugh, sometimes too loud for the customers, and have a great day. Karen, who owns the shop, shows us what gadgets, templates, patterns and fabrics are new. Last week she had a delivery of bags for holding our thread,scissors etc and I bought one. A great little travelling bag. It comes with foam on both sides of the bag so that they can be covered. On the side with the pocket I used my Feedsack fabrics and on the other side I used a X stitch I made years ago but was ideal in theme and size. Here are some photos to see what it now looks like.

 

 

and the inside with lots of compartments.

 

 

 

 

 

The Sun Is Shinning

The weather is lovely, the sun is shinning and it is not too hot. A Beautiful Day.

I finally got some photos of my Leannes House quilt. Since I put it in my header I've had requests asking if there is a pattern and who's it is. This quilt was designed by Leanne Beasley and here's a Link  to Leannes House. I took some pictures in the shade and in the sun so you can look at both.

 

 

 

I do like how this one looks. This is the only quilt that I have hand quilted except for dolls size quilts and I did it with Perle thread. It still seemed to take forever. 

 

 

 Now I want to show you a pattern I've had for years and  wanted to make. It is made with 'brushed' cottons and I'm doing the applique in wools as I always thought they would look good.

 

Here is my first block. I've stitched the star on but the rest is waiting to be appliqued. I'm going to prepare all the blocks before I stitch. It always take a while to trace the pattern, cut and attach so I'm trying to get some of it done each day.  

 

 

The left bottom flower is not wool. It is such a beautiful plaid I wanted to use it. With the brushed side out it could be mistaken for a fine wool.