Christmas Gifts Complete

It is that time of the year when time runs away and you kick yourself for not listening to your own warning from last year - 'Start Early and Avoid Panic'.

I have finally finished the last of my quilted gifts and am about to wrap it and pop it under the tree.

Whilst I only made 7 table runners, I made each and everyone individually - although I was tempted to put them on a large piece of backing and long arm them - conveyor belt style.

I know people appreciate a hand made gift (at least I tell myself that) and for me - giving something created from my time is precious.

What did you create this Christmas?

It's in the Genes

Its a proud moment when your children, who have watched patiently, are finally able to independently use the sewing machine.

This was taken a couple of years ago. My daughter, then 8,  making her first quilt.  She has since designed and made more as well as finishing them on the long arm and binding them by hand.

#lifelongskills

Finishing Projects

Today is all about finishing...

I've been working on a few project and they are all around the same stage.  This is the part when (if you have started sewing without purpose or pattern, you second guess yourself as to the potential use v's size.

So for one of the quilts, I'm in between a throw or a single bed. Here is the work in progress of my C+S Hunters Star.

Here I have constructed the basic Hunters Star block using a layer cake of C+S. I decided to use a shot cotton made by Moda called Cross Weave - Sand.

I starched lightly as this fabric like all shot cottons has a tendency to fray.

I tried to used a variety of colors for contrast and some turned out better than others.

 But.... this is where I got stuck. I'm not a border kinda gal but I had had enough of making blocks. - Do I leave it as a small throw? Or should I go bigger with borders or blocks.

Borders won out. Its on the long arm and quilting has begun.

A quilt for my Son

Finally  - a quilt made for my family.

The quilting was designed by my son, colours chosen by him and the pattern was inspired by something he saw during a MATH class.

Aussie hero Quilt

This was made for an Aussie hero by an Aussie Hero - Lynette. Quilted with a Star wars all over design. It looked pretty cool when it was finished.

Purple Batiks with an all over quilting Design

What a Great Quilt made by Judy for her Mum. Lucky Lady.

T-Shirt Quilt

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was made for Jo from all

of her T-shirts from her Deployments.

What else are you supposed to do

with them - Right?

The under water themed quilt

This was SUCH a pretty quilt to Quilt. Beautifully appliqued by Lorraine.

Waves of Quilting

Loving the waves on this Linen Quilt. An all over design adding some movement to the fabric.

Polka Dotted Flying Geese

Fantastically Pieced Polka Dotted Flying Geese

How stunning is this polka dotted flying geese quilt made by Jill for her daughter. I found it hard to return it to her.

Jill wanted a simple all over ripple quilting.

Cherish DGS April Block 2016

Happy Easter to All.

This month's Block is inspired by Jen Kingwell.s Small World Quilt. Although the Quilt I have in mind does not look exactly like hers - I hope we can include lots of scraps and colour and some imagination.

That said - lets go improv.

My size guide is 2 x 12 1/2" sq blocks or equivalent (ie 1 x 12 1/2" sq and 2 x 6 1/2" x 12 1/2" Blocks).



To construct the Block 

For an example of a basic block of 6 1/2" width, cut a strip of low volume brightly coloured fabric 6 1/2" x 12 1/2".
  Cut two 4" squares of lighter coloured white or cream tone on tone low volume equivalent and make the point of a flying geese by sewing these diagonally to the narrow end. Grey on white or cream is also fine.

 

To add a door or other details such as a window, press a small rectangle so the raw edges are to the inside. Sew down using a straight, zigzag or blanket stitch.

Some examples:

This block has been made with several
sized blocks finishing at 12 1/2"sq 

This block has been made with one block finishing at 12 1/2"sq or
6 1/2" sq to be joined with several others to make  the above size guide

Once again this has been made with several blocks finishing at 12 1/2' sq

 

By removing the parameters of having fixed measurements, I'm hoping to achieve a really diverse mix of blocks.

Whilst I am not aiming for 'wonky houses', a little imperfection can add character. Feel free to add some extra detail such as the blocks seen below.

 

HAPPY Stitching!

Finally the churndash has dashed.

After tucking the urban churndash quilt pattern to the back of my mind, I finally found a purpose and it resurfaced. Designed by Natalia Bonner found here

We've had a teacher who has been such a patient and positive influence in one of my kids lives. What better way to express gratitude than with the love of a hand made quilt.

With the colours sorted, purple, lime green (LOVE) and white, the quilt began.

Now I know 24" blocks are big... but I hadn't really thought of anything bigger than a throw...

Although its not quilted in the photo, the quilt finished at 72" square. I bound it with a funky black and white stripe border.

The teacher loved it - Phew!