Pink And Green Bricks.
Posted on July 24, 2020 | 14 Comments
Before I jump into showing the quilt, I want to let you know that the winners of the Blog Hop have been selected. I have contacted both recipients and their patterns are on the way. Congratulations to Marilyn in Utah and Maureen in Ontario. And thanks you to all who joined in the hop and left comments. Greatly appreciated.
Now for the quilt. This started off with a very small fabric bundle of pink, green and white. All with spots. I decided I wanted a decent sized quilt so needed more fabric. I was a little shocked to discover I had dozens of pieces in my stash that were not only the right colours but all had spots! I didn’t realise how many spotted fabrics I had in other colours also. Have I been sub-consciously collecting these? A bit of a worry.
The end result with the pinks, greens and whites is this brick quilt.
It has grown to a good size and will easily fit a single bed. I kept the quilting to simple straight lines Along the down seams and across each panel.
In keeping with the stay at home policy I hunted my stash and found a pink backing which came from a Beatrix Potter range.
Then I totally changed direction and went with stripes instead of spots for the binding.
We are now into the crazy mask making phase of the lockdown here as they have now become mandatory. I made a few and posted them off to family to check for sizes. I was stunned when I saw the lines queueing outside large and small sewing stores. I can understand the rush on fabric and elastic, but why are people buying sewing machines? Surely it is cheaper to buy a mask. Yes, I suppose if you can’t get a mask it is the only option. Can you see a large number of machines turning up on second hand sales in the next months and years?
As well as sewing projects I am now going back through old photo albums. I have found our ones from a 7 month trip around Australia in 1981. All the photos are falling out and the album has loose pages. I am naming and dating each photo and they are ready for a brand new album. And that is only the tip of the iceberg!
Have a wonderful weekend. Cheers, Karen
Christmas In July Blog Hop And Pattern Parade.
Posted on July 15, 2020 | 45 Comments
Welcome to the Christmas In July Blog Hop which has been organised by Carole of From My Carolina Home. Each participant is providing a tutorial and many also have give-aways – me included. Huge thanks to Carole for getting this started. Okay, let’s jump into the tutorial.
To those who know my blog it is no surprise that I am going to play with Christmas ribbons. This has been a fascination of mine for many years now. I have made many patterns using them as well a pile of ribbon cushions. So for this hop my tutorial is to show you how to make a ribbon cushion.
They make great displays and wonderful gifts.
I make them in a variety of sizes with a range of ribbons. This one is an 8 inch cushion. I use linen as my base fabric as I like the look. You can choose any fabric as long as it is firm with little or no stretch.For this one a I have used a natural colour.
From the linen cut one square 8 1/2 by 8 1/2 inches, two rectangles 8 1/2 by 4 1/2 inches each. Also cut an 8 1/2 inch square of iron on pelon or a stabiliser. Iron the pelon on to the back of the 8 1/2 inch square.
Time to select the ribbons you wish to use.
IMPORTANT! Many of the decorative ribbons have wire edges. Make sure you remove the wire from both sides before cutting and stitching.
There are so many lovely ribbons available. Select at least 3 or 4 and purchase half a yard/metre of each as a starting point. Use different widths to create variety in the design.
Starting with your first ribbon, place it from corner to corner across the right side of your linen square overlapping the ends of the fabric slightly. Pin into place. Keep the ribbons touching side by side.
Keep adding ribbons along each side but leave some space in the corner with no ribbon to make it easier to turn inside out. Pin heavily as the ribbons tend to move around.
Once you are happy with the layout, start stitching using a thread that works with your ribbons. . I use a small zig zag stitch that can overlap the ribbons that are side by side.I also start next to the centre ribbon and work my way to an edge first, then the other side. This helps keep the ribbons from moving around. The stabiliser under the linen also stops a lot of movement.
This close up gives you an idea of the stitching catching both ribbons.
When the stitching is complete turn the top over. You can easily see the over hang of the ribbons so carefully use your rotary cutter to trim off the excess ribbon back to the square.
Time to put the cushion together. Place the two rectangles of linen right sides together. Stitch 2 inches down from the top using a 1/4 inch seam then stop. Do the same from the bottom. Exactly as the lines are marked in the picture above. Open the backing up and press the seam open.
With right sides together pin the back to the front of the cushion.
Use a quarter inch seam and a small stitch to sew all around the edge of the cushion. I like to round the edges slightly with a couple of stitches going across each corner. See photo above. It makes it easier to give a nice shape to the corners when turning them out. Snip a small amount off each corner after stitching and before turning out also. Turn it right side out and use a tool to help push the corners out gently. Now you know why you did not stitch closed all of the back seam.
This photo looks a bit rough but don’t worry. Pin all the way around the edge of the cushion making sure neither the top or bottom is rolling over or under. This makes it easier to stitch. You need to now top stitch all around the edge of the cushion with a 1/4 inch or 1/8 seam. The size doesn’t matter. Do what works best with your machine.
This is how mine looks after top stitching. I try to round the corners. This is the last opportunity to give your cushion a good press, but take care to adjust the temperature according to your fabric and ribbon type. You do not want to melt the ribbon!
My stitching is not perfect but the cushions are very forgiving and once stuffed it is not noticeable. So onto stuffing.
Take care when stuffing. You do not want it to be lumpy. Use small amounts to fill the corners first. Then add small amounts around the edges. Then small amounts to fill the centre. If you use large amounts it becomes lumpy and does not fill all the spaces. I fill mine quite lightly, just enough to hold the shape. Definitely not a hard cushion. When you are happy with the result carefully whip stitch the opening closed with small stitches.
This is the end result. I hope you are happy with the ribbon cushion you have made.
There are many ways to make these. I have placed the ribbons vertically instead of diagonally. I have also made different sizes such as the ones in the cushion stack at the start. They are 6inch, 8 inch and 10 inch. Just remember to add the half inch seam allowance to whatever size you choose.
I also enjoy playing with a variety of colours in the ribbons and the fabrics.
They do not have to be Christmas themed either. I can imagine making some in colours to suit the theme of a bedroom or family room.
What about a small one as a pin cushion?
Just a word of warning. It can become addictive. Each of these nine tubs is full of ribbons.
Moving on to the give-away. I have several Christmas patterns using ribbons. I am happy to send the winner a pattern of their choice. If you would like to go into the competition just add the name of the pattern to your comment. And if you do not want to win a pattern just leave an ordinary comment. Too easy! I look forward to reading your comments and would love to see any cushions you make.
These are the patterns to select from for the give away – Tree, Santa, Snowmates or Angel. They are small wall hangings.
Thanks for lasting the distance through the tutorial. There are quite a few blogs participating in the Christmas In July Hop so it is worth a visit to see their pattern tutorials and give aways too. And once again a big thank you to Carole for bringing all of us together.
Table Toppers, Home and Kitchen
Inquiring Quilter
Duck Creek Mountain Quilting
Cooking Up Quilts
The Quilted Diary
Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Morning Glory Designs
Scrapdash
Days Filled With Joy
Small Projects
Geeky Bobbin
Sunburnt Quilts
Tamarinis
Tuning My Heart Quilts
Prairie Sewn Studios
Puppy Girl Designs
Ladybug Buzz
Dragonfly’s Quilting Design
Traditional and Modern Quilt Patterns
Ms P Designs USA
Quilt 2 End ALZ
Patti’s Patchwork
Cotton Street Commons
Brown Bird Designs
From My Carolina Home
Cheers, Karen
NB. GIVE AWAY IS NOW CLOSED.
What A Week!
Posted on July 7, 2020 | 11 Comments
It sure has been a mixed bag this week. Let’s start with the sewing.
This is a sweet and simple baby quilt for a little one due to arrive in a couple of weeks. A special connection with our family.
The panels came in pairs so I combined two to make a square quilt.
Love the elephant with the flowers.
And the hippo with the birds is a lot of fun.
I kept the quilting simple with a few patterns on the animals and swirls in the water. I used a dark blue binding and a sweet footprint backing – it is for a boy.
I was able to drop it off over the weekend.
We were adventurous over the last weekend and went out and about – carefully. We caught up with family who live two hours away, then came back through the city and saw my mother for the first time in person since March.
We then headed off to a large country city to look at a caravan we liked and were so impressed we bought it.
All positive so far. But today it was announced that the outbreak of Covid in Melbourne is so serious that all of the Greater Melbourne area has to go back into lock down again for six weeks starting at midnight tomorrow night. We are on the very edge of that area and thankfully are not in the areas with the outbreaks. But never the less we are still going into lock down. I must admit I feel safer that way anyway.
So I am extremely grateful that we were lucky to have seen everyone over the weekend. And I know we are keeping everyone safe by staying at home. It does mean we can’t pick up the van for six weeks, but we couldn’t go away with lock down anyway so it is no big deal.
So you can see why it is a real mixed bag this week.
On a brighter note, I am participating in a Christmas in July blog hop next week with about 20 other bloggers. Each person is providing a pattern or tutorial and there are quite a few give aways, too. It starts Wednesday next week and I will provide a link to the participants. You may just find some great ideas for the end of the year.
To all of those in Melbourne – stay strong. And to everyone else,do the right thing so you don’t end up back in lock down like us.
Cheers, Karen
Half Way.
Posted on June 28, 2020 | 8 Comments
It is odd to think that in a couple of days we will be half way through 2020. Time flies regardless of the way the year is unfolding. That is the limit of my navel gazing. On to the craft projects!
I am keeping on with my 2019 Gail Pan BOM. July is completed.
Now I am at the stage where I need to decide how big to make the quilt using these stitcheries. And select which stitcheries to use if I limit the size. A bit of thinking needed here.
I am deciding on a new crochet project and have been trialing colours for the African Flower block.
I am torn between the bright colors and the tonal blocks. Another decision to be made.
I have quilt blocks on the go that I stitch in between other projects. They are a 6 inch block.
I think I have about 70 blocks made and there is enough of the Japanese fabric to keep going with a few more. I am enjoying this one.
I have two other tops ready to be sandwiched.
And.
In between all of this I have caught up with placing all of 2019’s photos into several albums. Now I am ready to start on this year before the pile turns into a mountain.
Obviously plenty to do.
We have been having really cold mornings and lovely sunny (but still cold) days. We are still seeing a lot of native birds in the garden with a lot of king parrots enjoying our trees. But the biggest surprise this week was seeing a pair of kookaburras sitting on a branch outside our window. They were in the area when we first moved here, but disappeared when all the housing development went ahead. I am so pleased they have come back to enjoy and use the trees in our area.
I hope everyone is looking forward to a good week. Stay safe.
Cheers, Karen.
A Winter Finish.
Posted on June 7, 2020 | 10 Comments
The first day of June saw temperatures drop here so we really knew that Winter had arrived. Coats, hats, gloves and scarves all came out.
So, on that basis it was timely that I had finished my crochet blanket.
This is a pattern from Attic 24 called Sweet Pea. It is a very simple design but works so well with the gorgeous colours of sweet peas.
I followed the pattern for the edging as well with seven of the colours.
It will be a perfect blanket to be able to use on those really cold nights when you just want to snuggle up.
And I am delighted to have another UFO from last year crossed off the list.
Continuing the theme of UFOs from last year – I have got back to stitching Gail Pan’s Christmas BOM from 2019. I had been on track last year up until May, then everything went on hold. It was not deliberate, but I realised I had picked it up to start again exactly 12 months later. So here are the designs from June.
That means I am at the half way mark. I am hoping to keep the momentum going with this one, just like the crochet blanket.
It may be the start of Winter, but my trees are only just catching up on Autumn.
These two trees are the ones that were left after the third blew across the road in a storm earlier this year. Both are looking healthy and hopefully have strong roots to keep them in place.
It is a long weekend here, but with most people still staying at home, there is not a lot that is different.
Hope you have a lovely weekend.
Cheers, Karen
Small Steps.
Posted on May 24, 2020 | 17 Comments
Work is continuing on UFOs but in small steps. The kangaroos are stitched down and ready for their day at the beach. There are lots of embellishments to go on this block, but not until after quilting. Should have ironed it, too.
I was also able to complete another block and add the hexies for the FigNBerry project.
With the restrictions easing we decided to take a drive around our area. It is quite surprising how much has been going on in the couple of months of lock down – lots of construction. If we can get a fine day a picnic may be the next plan. It is good to be able to venture out safely now – with care!
Cheers, Karen
Fox And Bee.
Posted on May 20, 2020 | 7 Comments
Time to get back to old projects that were set aside at the start of this lock down. I had finished the embroidery on these two blocks but had not put together the hexie circles for them. I finally caught up with that task and have completed two more blocks.
Bees.
Foxes.
These are a FigNBerry design. I think I have finished six, so there are three to go.
I have spent a fair bit of time in my studio over these weeks, especially since the cold and wet weather has arrived. Lots of sewing happening but also lots of phone calls and Zoom chats. And it still looks reasonably tidy!
At least three projects on the table, more on the desk, sewing machine and drawers. And a lot more behind me on another table. There is always something to do. And for that I am extremely grateful.
Cheers, Karen
Moving Along.
Posted on May 8, 2020 | 12 Comments
I am keeping busy with all sorts of projects. And am also keeping to the plan of alternating something old and something new.
The old first. I am working on the last block of my McKenna Ryan quilt. The beach boxes are down with most of the stitching done. But I also needed to prepare the kangaroos. The pieces have been fused together ready to be placed on the block and stitched.
I also had a donation quilt cut and ready to go, but it had been sitting there for over a month. That is now finished and ready to go. It is about 40 in sq.
The something new is my next wool project. A smaller one this time with six blocks and then the borders. The larger pieces are cut out and being stitched down, before I add the smaller pieces and embroidery.
We seem to be going from one extreme to the other with our weather. Last weekend was very cold with snow on the nearby mountains. This week it has been delightful with lovely sunshine. This weekend is going back to cold, wet and windy. I took advantage of the sun for a few pics of the camellias.
Sticking with the garden theme – it looks like we will be picking fresh oranges very soon!
It is only a small tree but is very productive.
Even though the days are blending into each other I still have found there is plenty to keep me busy. Like everyone, I am hoping we can get out and about soon, but I only want to do that if it is safe.
Take care. Cheers, Karen
Meadow.
Posted on April 28, 2020 | 16 Comments
My Meadow quilt from Amitie is finally finished.
The pattern is designed by Michelle McKillop. And I bought the fabrics in a kit from Amitie.
As you can see, the centre is split into quarters for different colour ways. The internal borders and the flowers reflect the same colour ways.
Dark to light blue.
Orange and lemon.
Greens – light through dark.
And reds and pinks.
The HSTs were all paired with a black and white spot, but the outside flower blocks shared a variety of backgrounds.
The centre of the top was quilted in straight lines in a V pattern. I think the photos shows what I mean for that.
The narrow inner border was done with a serpentine stitch. And then each flower block had echo quilting.
There are too many flowers to show, but here are each of the corners.
Each of the corner blocks had extra echo quilting.
I used the same black and white spot for the backing and then a black and white stripe for the binding.
I think I put this one aside over 12 months back when I was helping my mother to move. So much has happened since then and I am pleased to have rediscovered this project and enjoyed bringing it to completion. Another one off the UFO list!!
Cheers, Karen
Ready To Travel.
Posted on April 20, 2020 | 16 Comments
Lots of work over the weekend has resulted in a finish. The caravan is together, the dolls are made, and then there was time to make something extra.
First of all, the little caravan carry case.
The front drops down to show the inside layout.
And these are the little dolls who will be living in there.
After all the fiddling around the final construction went smoothly.
I had a little more time left than I expected so I made a much simpler pattern from Two Brown Birds. These are called Bubs In Bed. They each have a face on the front and back – one awake and one asleep.
And they each have a sleeping bag.
So all the birthday sewing is complete and has been parcel up in the post.
Time to choose the next project to finish.
I do like good news stories, and I mentioned in my last post how a neighbour came to the rescue to chainsaw our tree that fell down. Well, the story continued. Another neighbour surprised us by pulling up in front of our house on Saturday with a commercial chipper on the back. He had been doing work elsewhere and before he went home he put all our branches through the chipper. We now have a tidy lawn again. How lucky are we to have such thoughtful and kind people living nearby.
Cheers, Karen
SEARCH THIS BLOG
AWARD FREE
Recent Posts
Translate
Quilting Gallery
