Catching up on Birthdays

I have been busy, but just not blogged, so I thought I better get some blog posts written, 

first up were some birthdays for the Kitchen Guild ladies, 

(if you've been on IG, you may already have seen some of this)

first up is our hostess with the mostest Lynne 

now, she's a tough cookie to make for!

It is all about the piecing for Lynne so I had to find something that was challenging, yet traditional, with that real traditional red white and blue feel to it.

enter the Lone Star - challenging, and traditional

The star fabrics are from French General, and the background fabric is from , Etchings by 3 Sisters for Moda, a Parisian architectural print, all very personal to Lynne

and of course, you know I don't do straight line quilting,

but for this project it was the right thing to do :) 

I used Aurifil 50 Wt colour #2123 (a lovely yellowy cream)

the back, zipper inserted in the Sew Mama Sew way

I'm really pleased with the finished result, the piecing came out almost perfectly, 

the quilting (although I nearly went mad) was just right

and best of all Lynne loves it!

Secondly, was Brioni 

now, for this one it was all about the quilting and I knew exactly what I wanted to do, 

and whilst I cannot explain where the inspiration came from, 

lets just say, it's very personal for Brioni!

and the back

Plain White Kona I got from Justine at Simply Solids, and the background was quilted with Aurifil 50 wt colour # 2021, my go to piecing thread!  The colour wheel was a mix of all sorts that is in my thread stash...

(yes I have one of those!)

sometimes, it all just comes together!

and even I was a little gobsmacked I managed to pull off these two gifts,

 for two very special talented  ladies

Saying Thank You

There's one thing about the online community, people are so generous, 

with their time, thoughtful comments, cheering on from the sides, and just being there when you need them 

and when friendship blossoms, extraordinary things happen

and to say thank you for some extraordinary help, and cheering and egging on, 

I needed to say Thank You ...

it all started with some egging on with these from Karen at Blueberry Park

Karen posted a picture of her doily prints on Twitter and I was quick off the mark to get the first prints

there were conversations about quilting, oh ... my mind was in a spin!

and so at Festival of Quilts I matched up some Kona Cornflower blue from Justine at Simply Solids

and managed to score some Aurifil 50 wt #2720 to match

and set to with the inspiration ...

I love doing this pattern really small ... again Aurifil 50 wt in #2024

and I am so pleased with how it turned out!

I didn't mark anything, just went for it freestyle in my usual 'just do it' way!

and I even managed my first attempt at the Sew Mama Sew concealed Zipper on the back!

(Thanks to Katy for the fab Pillow Tutorials that pushed me there!)

I am pleased to say that this little lovely made it to its new home,

I know it is loved, 

Thank You Helen! 

Big big Loves x

Sunday Show and Tell

So I'd been harbouring a secret, 

but it was all over last week, only I wasn't organised enough to get a blog post up about it...

to coincide with this post here over on Lynnes blog Lilys Quilts

I free motion quilted this cushion for Lynne's Aurifil Challenge,

 using the Bari J Splendor 1920 box of 12 wt Aurifil

onto Art Gallery Fabrics Pure Elements in Nocturnal

and matched up some Aurifil 50 wt for the back quilting and piecing

so, I can now tell you, that on the back of this project I ended up making another cushion, 

that is now a shop sample at Stitchcraft Studio in Grantham ....

... where I will be teaching a class of Free Motion Quilting Peacock feather cushion!

you can find the details of my class here ...

scheduled for Saturday 29 June 2013

I am so excited, and petrified all at the same time, 

it'll be a breeze right?

Way too much fun!

... so you remember I was playing with these, right? 

Well, I cut into those precious Art Gallery Fabrics, just a little, and the Moda Crossweave is a perfect partner ... 

and started piecing, and the results were really rather pleasing!

those little babies are 3" finished in size ...

and then I quilted ...

now, lets just say this is a birthday present, and for some time I have been stumped, but inspiration struck when I thought about this quilt!  And then I was inspired!

and I was having so much fun, I carried onto the back!

close up, just so you know ...

another gratuitous shot ...

I love this cushion!  and it was only because it was made specifically for this inspirational Lovely, that I was able to part with it!  After all, she has a quilt and a multitude of cushions that match, and its a privilege to call her a friend, Happy Birthday Katy!   

And Exhale .....

I'm fighting off a cold, have been for a week or so, but a few lay ins now its half term will either kill me or cure me!

this morning, I was feeling much better, apart from waking up to snow!  

so there is home made soup on the go, and I have written my half term to do list ....

first up I have to finish quilting this one for my friend Jean who is moving to South Wales on Tuesday!  

and that laundry bin and the bag next to it are full of scraps, which need to be sorted, bagged up and taken with the quilt for her daughter to use at school ...

I know, there are better uses for lovely scraps, but I just need them gone for now,  if you are desperate for a bag of scraps, let me know quick

and then there is Swoon,  I somehow managed to buddy up with Lauli pops and set us a challenge to have our tops done by the time the Brit Bee and friends meet up in late November ....

so this is the state of my swoon so far, and I am pleased to see I have 4 blocks done so its not as bad a situation as I thought. ...  

I'll keep you posted on progress over the next few weeks ...

I must get Susan's Brit Bee blocks done, and this is how one of them stands right now ...

hmm, I want to get these in the post on Monday ...

and sometime over the week,  did I tell you I am not back at work until Thursday 8 November?   well, sometime over the next week or so, I want to get all the cutting for my Mod Pop done, so I can sew a little as and when I get the urge ....

there is also the small matter of a class submission or two to finish writing and a few samples sewn by the end of this weekend ...

and now I think I'll stop ,  my to do list is so much longer but I do want to be able to get those lay ins, run around with the Diva ...

and Exhale!  

Contemplating Lily's QAL

I know I've been a little absent, life.... what can I say!

But that doesn't mean I've been doing nothing - honestly.  Trust me, I have lots to share, but I thought it was important to let you know how I've been contemplating my Lily's Quilt Along blocks (ok, block at this stage!)

This is my one completed block which is currently about 25" square.

Grab some of that clear tablecloth plastic, leave in a warm studio so it's wrinkle free and soft and pliable, and lay over your block.

Grab yourself some washable felt tips, or whatever, as long as it's not permanent!

And begin to play!

The green didn't like it at all, but you begin to get the idea ... right?

Just see what different patterns look like...

I like how these two look together ... don't you?

the start of feather spines ...

or maybe not!

All sorts of filler patterns to play with, that are really not difficult at all...

Hmm, some friend came over to play with some free motion quilting and this gave me an idea too!

So, when I'm contemplating a little free motion quilting, first things first, I give the machine a little spring clean, brush up and oil if necessary.  Make sure I have plenty of bobbins pre wound so no stopping required.  A new sharp needle, and for this I like a Schmetz Microtex 75/11 or topstitch/quilting in size 70/10.  The finer the needle the less noticeable your needle holes will be after all is done.

And I have a couple of sets of those blue thingys.  That's non slip stuff for draws and shelves, found in general diy stores and best of all - Poundland!  I'll explain why in a mo ...

But first, before you go getting all excited and grab your blocks to do the quilting, grab yourself a little practice piece, layered up with the same wadding you'll be using in your quilt, pinning is easier than tacking (them little big stitches can get caught up and become a real pain in the ...... neck!)

Ready?  OK, lets begin.  Make sure your feed dogs are down and if you can set your sewing machine to stop with the needle in the down position, do that too  :)

Now, listen very carefully, hanging onto your top thread, needle down, needle up (just once) and pull the top thread until the bobbin threads come through.  Grab hold of the bobbin thread and pull it all the way through so both threads are on the top of your quilt sandwich. 

When you begin to quilt, hang onto these and it will stop you getting those nasty little birds nests on the back.  (I know it's spring and all that, but really, the back of your precious quilt is no place for any nesting birds!)

I want to talk a little about holding onto your work.  You could hold onto it like this below ....

Or many people prefer to wear gloves that do the gripping for them, if you like these, great, fill your boots if it works for you!

Now,back to those little blue non slip pads....

they work just like the gloves, gripping your fabric, without the hot hands  :) You just need a hand size piece for each hand!

You can see my little fat hands are quite close to the needle and working in this small space means you have way more control to create beautiful free motion quilting that trying to concentrate on a big area.   Yes you need to move and adjust the position of your hands more, but it really helps. 

Have a little play, see how it feels, don't get all speedy, because just like learning to drive, you feel like you're less in control if your foot has lead lined boots!

Play, you really do have permission, it's ok,  see what you can do...

See what you can do...

Try new to you techniques...

practice the patterns you want to use on your quilt

And before you know it, your little sandwich of practice is filled ...

Now, go play, it's all about the practice!

I'm off to finish off a few more of my blocks, and write a few more blog posts  :)  Hopefully the sun will shine sufficiently for a little photo call  :) 

Until next time...

Happy Quilting!