A Spring Bear.
Posted on September 8, 2011 | 14 Comments
Now that Spring has arrived we are having a chance to enjoy a little sunshine.
It’s a perfect day to join Melody at The House On The Side Of The Hill for her Teddy Bear’s Picnic. We have to take the opportunity to enjoy the sun before the weather turns.
I made this bear when I was testing out some different fabrics. I used a a plush upholstery fabric to make him. It seemed to work quite well.
I hope you have the chance to visit the other members of the picnic party.
The Next Finish.
Posted on September 7, 2011 | 6 Comments
I am steadily working through my quilt sandwiches. Good to have another finish.
I was happy just to quilt with a simple meander.
Because I used this quilt as a bit of a trial run for strip tubing I decided to try out a few things I don’t normally do.
I have always hand stitched my binding on the back of my quilts, so as a bit of a challenge I machined the final binding down. I did find that I needed to pin very carefully and often.
It worked in most parts and looks okay. But then in other parts I missed completely.
I think I will still be hand stitching most of my quilts but I am happy to try this method again.
I also decided to wash and dry this quilt after finishing. I liked the look after washing – fluffy and crinkly – but found that after drying on a very low heat there was some loss of shape. So, yes, I would wash again, but may not choose to tumble dry again.
This will be a good quilt to take on a picnic or for snuggling under at a Winter BBQ.
I have been very fortunate this week to receive some lovely goodies.
This is the delightful pattern I selected from Toni’s give away at The Red Boot Quilt Company.
Pop over for a visit to see Toni’s lovely work and her patterns.
Thank you, Toni.
I am looking forward to making this quilt.
I also received this book from Rebecka at RASmataz.
Rebecka has been making blocks using this method and has joined some swap groups. Take a visit to see her work.
Thank you, Rebecka.
And just to finish up, here are some gratuitous Spring garden pics.
Triangles Done.
Posted on September 4, 2011 | 16 Comments
I have finished the straight line quilting and the binding on my half square triangle quilt. I really like the simplicity of the design when using half square triangles with white.
The fabric is Moda Winter Song. I have used a Moda Bake Shop pattern found here. I did add a border to the original design. I started making it early last year, but like many things, it was put aside in a waiting line. Lovely to have it finished now.
I am really enjoying Spring in the garden at the moment. Although the wind today is playing havoc with my hay fever!
And of course it is a day for dads here, so Happy Father’s Day!
And finally, a shout out for Melody at The House On The Side Of The Hill.
Melody is celebrating her first year of blogging with a very exciting give away.
She would love to have you visit her. Use the link above.
Completely Pinned Out!
Posted on August 31, 2011 | 17 Comments
I am completely pinned out in so many ways.
When I am ready to sandwich a quilt I set up a trestle table so I can lay out the quilts. I use a table because I am not too keen about crawling around the floor.
I work on the idea that if I have taken the trouble to put up the table I should make the best use of it. So I decided the pin 4 quilts! I must be crazy.
None of the quilts was too large – lap size through to single bed. But in the process I ran out of pins half way through the last one in the picture. So a quick trip for more to finish the task. And then I still used all of the new ones too.
It was great to get all of them done but my fingers sure are sore today.
This quilt is from one of the Moda Bake Shop patterns. Lots of lovely half square triangles.
I have started quilting this with straight lines – horizontal, vertical and diagonal -but staying mostly on the white fabric. That’s why the pins are only in the coloured sections of the quilt. For once I planned ahead with my pin placement.
So you know what I will be doing for the next few days – quilting four quilts!
Making Leaves.
Posted on August 28, 2011 | 14 Comments
I am currently working on a quilt designed by Leesa Chandler of Chandler’s Cottage. Leesa designed the gorgeous fabric, Under The Australian Sun.
The main blocks have gum leaves.
The leaves are made in two parts from a selection of green and brown fabrics. Strips of each colour are sewn together then a right and left side is cut from each for a leaf.
The next step involves stitching the leaf shape on to a background using bias strips. The leaves are quite large so I will be making a lot of bias strips. And there are 14 leaves on the quilt.
This is the time I really appreciate digital photography. On looking at this picture I am thinking that the fabric in the bias strips is too dark, so I think I will experiment with a few lighter colours. I will let you know what happens.
Many Thanks And A GO! Give Away.
Posted on August 26, 2011 | 3 Comments
All has returned to some sort of normal here after the craziness and fun of guest posting with Madame Samm.
I would like to say a very BIG thank you to all the wonderful people who visited my blog, became followers and left comments. I hope I have replied to all. I am now enjoying cruising around visiting many, many new to me blogs.
Thank you also to all the lovely people who left comments about my post over at Sew We Quilt. I have read through them and am hoping to visit many of those sites, too.
I have a very BIG hug and a special thank you for Madame Samm for inviting me to be a guest during her Wantobe Quilter’s Campaign. I am extremely thankful to you, Madame Samm!
A big thank you also to the sponsors who provided the prizes for my guest post – Free Spirit and Beam N Read. Lovely prizes!
The next bit of information is about a GO! give away.
You will need to visit the wonderful Joan over at Moose Stash Quilting.
The give away closes on Friday, September 2nd, so hurry on over.
And while you are there, have a look around at all her wonderful projects and tutorials. Joan makes so many wonderful things and I think she has a lot of fun doing it!!
Enjoy your visit.
A RED Letter Day.
Posted on August 23, 2011 | 110 Comments
Or should that be a RED quilt day.
Today I am having some fun doing the Tuesday Guest post at Sew We Quilt @ Stash Manicure. And I get to show you this finally finished quilt top.
Madame Samm is running a wonderful Wantobe Quilter’s Campaign. If you want to be in the draw for some great prizes, head over to Sew We Quilt for a look and join in the fun.
(The post won’t be up until Tues afternoon, Eastern Aust Time.)
Buttons and posts.
Posted on August 22, 2011 | 14 Comments
Just letting you know that I get to do a guest post on Tuesday (Canadian time) at Sew We Quilt @ Stash Manicure as part of the Wantobe Quilters Campaign.
Madame Samm has asked me to add a followers button so she can use that to check for her give away.
I have never bothered with it before but have added it now to help with the prizes.
Hop on board if you want to join in. And good luck.
Colour Play.
Posted on August 21, 2011 | 13 Comments
Nothing happening. I am being indulgent. Just me having a colour fix!
Tube Stripping.
Posted on August 19, 2011 | 7 Comments
I had watched this interesting tutorial from Missouri Quilt Co. about strip tubing and could not resist the temptation to try it.
I had a Flag Day Farm jelly roll at hand and had no other plans for it, so decided to give it a try. I treated this as my test run.
I also managed to add a border using the left over strips and a few scraps. I have 5 of the dark tan strips to use for binding.
This was incredibly quick and easy to make. I have learnt a few things from my test quilt that I can apply to the next one.
I had to be very careful where the small triangles met on the border as they tend to stretch as they are on the bias.
I also need to take care with the direction of pressing seams to avoid bulk.
I definitely want to try this one again and would use the idea from the tutorial of using alternating solid strips to make a larger quilt.
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