Quilt Top Finished

I've really enjoyed joining the blocks - not quite as I arranged them originally on the bed - there's always room for a last minute improvement! I've learnt a lot about myself and my sewing - I don't like measuring or working too precisely - I don't like ironing but I do like to work by eye. I think my points are pretty good - even though I do say so myself ;-) but we shall see what it's like to quilt?

 

 

Quilt in progress 2

All the blocks pieced and laid on the bed ready to join with sashing - I think this is the pattern I will stick with?

 

Quilt in progress

 

 

The colours together - not so sure

but the blocks look OK - although I've no idea what colour sashing to use - white will be too bright. I had originally thought cream or stone colour as that is in all the blocks. I think I will lay them onto the bed on top of a sheet of fabric and see what takes my eye- which no doubt will depend on my mood.


 

Quilt a long

I've been following Oh Franssons quilt-along. Its amazing how she manages to explain everything simply - and is so busy - very inspiring. I am looking forward to making the sampler and below are the first few cuts


 

 

Fabric

Another welcome distraction - I just happened to be out and about in the sunshine and popped into a shop in a nearby town - which happened to have just put out for sale the fabric swatches for their upholstery and curtains. A lovely selection of scrappy pieces. So I bagged a few to add to my stash. The colour combinations are a real bonus as it will hopefully help me appreciate similar and contrasts - I'm not sure I have the best taste when it comes to colour combinations - If I like the matches I'm happy - but often I don't like my own choices!! There are some lovely linens, satins and cottons. It was a happy case of - Right place at the right time - now the problem is what to make? at least that's a good problem to have.

 

 

 

Spring Blossom

 


 

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How lovely is Spring....

Suit Bag

Okay- so I became pre occupied over the weekend and didn't start on the colour wheel- instead I was combining my 3 new loves - of bags, quilting and recycling. I made this bag from an old wool suit jacket. I washed it (who cares that it was dry clean only!) and it's a lovely texture (very soft, not scratchy). Surprisingly it's really good to sew with too.

This is the first bag I have quilted and it gives it structure - a sort of soft sturdiness. There are pockets on the outside - 2 from the jacket (the pocket at the back and breast pocket on the front to the right of the button) and a bigger one at the side ( you can't really see that - it's made from the sleeve edge up to the black - it's at the back right on the bottom picture and will be perfect for an umbrella). There are also 2 pockets on the inside. I really like the curvy quilting against the check pattern. The black is the lining from the jacket.


 

.... All I need to now is learn how to take good photos as these don't seem to show off the good points of the bag. The photos don't really capture the texture which is what I like about this bag. I think I will get lots of use out of it as it is quite smart. All in all I think I am pleased with this and really enjoyed making it - it was fun to make it up as I went along.

The benefits of prevarication

I've just had a brainwave! I'm glad I've put off attempting the quiliting of the colourwheel - I was going to have to join my batting and was going to join 2 pieces in the middle - but the size and bulk had been putting me off -(I keep thinking why did i think a double quilt was a good idea?)anyway - here's the brainwave - i am going to put 3 pieces in - 1 central covering the colourwheel itself and then 2 side pieces for the extra size for the bed. that way it won't matter if the join can be seen in any way as it will be part of the seam at the edge.... so simple and yet it will make it easier to quilit too. with less bulk under the machine - so i feel better about attempting it already. i'll keep you posted...

Colourwheel

on the bed - pre quilting - let's see how far i get this weekend

 

Recycled dress

My daughter sent me this picture - i don't know where she found it on the net - but its pretty impressive - oh it puts my crisp wrapper purses in the shade!


 

finally finished

At last I felt inspired to finish the binding on my attic windows quilt. I tried machine attaching both edges and not using my usual double fold technique with hand sewing. It's OK... but I still need more practice on those mitred corners. 2 out of the 4 are OK, so that's a starting point for improvement. Anyhow I think this will be a wall hanging at the top of my stairs.

Here's the front ...

 

...and the back - which is another patchwork in similar colours but a random pattern - although I remember how hard it was to be random!

 

Colourwheel - Update

I have sewn the segments together and added white sheeting so its large enough for a double bed - I don't know if that was a good idea now - as it looks pretty big and I have to think about how to lay it out and attach the wadding and backing - ah well, I will wait till I am inspired to do that, and I confess I don't particularly like that part of quilting - but I am still enjoying making this quilt and am pleased with how the colours flow.

 

I know it looks a bit wonky - but it is a pretty good circle when it's flat - honest!

Coasters

idea from this book. The same as the colourwheel quilt idea.

Last minute patchwork and quilted gifts

They are really quick to whip up and give quite a bit of satisfaction as they are cute and useful – and I use recycled materials, including the wadding which I got from an old cushion (it doesn’t matter if it’s not smooth as the quilting is close together so it all evens out..

 

Facebook

I have finally joined Facebook-

 Anyway - here's the worldly goods of the son leaving home ...I think I need a good clear out now Spring has arrived!