Moore Patchwork & Quilting

Bellevue Cardigan

I'm pleased to say that I finally finished the Bellevue cardigan that I have been knitting for an age.

I'm glad I 'found' it in the cupboard because I think it turned out really well.

Don't be fooled  by the photo - the colour is actually purple.  For some reason, the colour doesn't seem to photograph very well. The yarn is Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece and I've always found it to wash and wear well.

The pattern is really easy to follow and I think that Laura Chau would have to be one of my favourite designers. I've made a couple of her designs now and they've all turned out well with the patterns being easy to follow.

The top is  knit from the bottom up and the sleeves are knit separately and then the stitches picked up in the bodice.  The only seams were the sleeve seams - the shoulders are joined with a three needle bind off. Such a good idea.

I know I will get a lot of wear from this little cardigan and am so glad I finished it.

Mini Chic...

We're heading off to Tropical Paradise for a couple of days and I've been thinking about what knitting to take with me.

I settled on this Mini Chic baby cardigan in Patons Big Baby 8 ply.  I had this yarn in my cupboard and although I'm not fussed on white, I figure I can brighten it up with some colourful buttons.  Looking at the yardage requirement, I should have enough yarn to make the 3-6 months size.

That's the plan anyway.

I can't believe how cold the last couple of mornings have been. I even dragged out my dressing gown and knitted socks. Hoping that Tropical Paradise will be warmer.

Until next time

Lyn

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Garter Yoke Baby Cardi

Pillow Pop

Fly Away and Sweet Pea Dolly Quilt WIP

Over the weekend it was quite coolish here in paradise and although I had plans to weed the garden near my studio, I decided that being inside was a better option.

I worked away on the stitchery for the project bag in my Fly Away design.

I actually finished the stitchery for the needlecase so it just needs assembly now but the bag is taking a bit longer.  I thought I was making good progress but then decided I didn't like one of the threads I was using so I had to pull a bit out. 

I hate doing that but know from experience that I will be disappointed later if I don't.

Sweet Pea Doll Quilt....

I also worked on the Sweet Pea Doll Quilt.

I pieced the blocks which turned out to be quite fiddly because the fabric squares are only 1.5" cut.  But, they do look nice when they all come together.

It is now ready for assembly as well.

I think the colours are really lovely and am thinking of using the same colour scheme for the stitchery quilt in my next newsletter quilt. (I'm really thinking ahead now.)

Hope your weekend was productive too.

Until next time

Lyn

 

Fly Away

In July/August, we are going on a holiday to the UK.  It's a very long plane flight from paradise to the UK and I think I will need quite a few things to keep myself amused.  I know I will need to take some stitching so thought it would also be nice to take the stitching in a new project bag.

A little while go I bought some fat quarters from Anni Downs fabric range Love to Garden and it's just been waiting for the right project.

My favourite print is the pink/purple flower fabric and I'm going to team it with the green and purple print as well as the light tan floral. 

I'm making a pouch similar to my Cottage Threads in size at least.  I find that it's a perfect size for carrying a stitchery project. I'm also going to make a needlecase with a pocket inside to hold my thread cutter (no scissors on planes).

I will definitely have some stitchery, maybe some ric-rac braid (still undecided), twisted cord and a button. I'm calling the new design Fly Away in honour of my long plane flight!

Until next time

Lyn

The Rosie Project

I recently read this delightful book - The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion.

I had this on my 'must-read' book for a couple of months after hearing an interview with the author on Radio National Books and Arts Daily. At the time I thought it sounded like a fun book to read and I was right.

It's the story of a Genetics Professor Don Tillman and his quest to find a wife.  Don has probably got Asperger Syndrome although this has not been diagnosed and he is very structured in his approach to life which results in him preparing a huge questionnaire to help him select a suitable partner. But of course, things don't go to plan and he gets involved with someone who is completely unsuitable.  His wife project is set aside while he persues another project with Rosie. That's where things get really interesting for Don.

I really enjoyed it.  It was like watching a romantic-comedy movie - there's no deep thinking involved but you can just enjoy the journey.  There were quite a few 'laugh out loud' moments like the cocktail party, cleaning the bathroom and of course the reference to 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. Overall, it was a lot of fun.

Until next time

Lyn

 

 

 

 

Left Over Blocks Quilt and Sweet Pea Doll Quilt

My Left Over Blocks quilt is finished!

I'm so glad that I pulled those left over blocks from my stash and decided to turn them into a quilt. It really was a quick little project and I'm delighted that it turned out so well.

I've also managed to use up all of the Vintage Modern and Ruby ranges that were in my stash. The finished size of the quilt is 31" x 31".

For a while now, I've been thinking about starting a 'gift cupboard' in my studio so that I'm always prepared ahead of time for Christmas and birthdays. The idea is that I will make things throughout the year instead of rushing around at the last minute or not having the time to make something.

This little quilt will be the first 'gift' that will be put away in my cupboard. In fact, I've already decided who to give it to.

Sweet Pea Doll Quilt....

This month's little quilt from Kathleen Tracy is a little quilt called Sweet Pea. The colours used by Kathleen are pink, blue, cream and tan.

It uses predominantly 1.5" squares so my ample supply of 2.5" squares came in very handy. I had almost enough 2.5" squares that I cut down into 1.5" squares and only had to add some tan squares.

I'm going to use the blue fabric in the front corner and the cream fabric behind it for the half-square triangle blocks.

The finished size of the quilt is 18" square.

I'm excited to see how it turns out.

Until next time

Lyn

 

 

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Left Over Blocks Quilt

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Left Over Blocks Quilt

I made good progress on my Left Over Blocks Quilt over the weekend..

In fact it's all pieced, backed, quilted and the binding attached!

For the borders, I had just enough border fabric left over from my Love Is... quilt.

The narrow border is 1" wide when finished, and the outside border is 2.5" wide when finished.

I had some left over pieces from a layer cake which were pieced together for the backing. For the quilting I did my usual machine stipple quilting.

I had just enough of the pink from the inner border for the binding as well. It was touch and go but I ended up with a couple of inches left. It just needs to be hand stitched to the wrong side now.

It's a dull day here in Paradise and I came down with an awful cold yesterday so I'm not feeling much like doing anything.  I just noticed that Sense and Sensibility (the one with Hugh Grant) is on tv this afternoon so I think I might plomp myself down on the couch and get this binding done. Sounds like a good cure for a cold.

Until next time

Lyn

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Summer Days

A is for Apple

Another little Alphabet Girl is finished!

A is for Apple stitched on beige Aida. Just as cute as the others. I seemed to stitch this one more quickly and I think it's because I haven't had any other stitching to do.

I'm becoming a bit selective with the Aida I'm using for each of my girls.  I have cut all the Aida for the whole alphabet into the required sizes. I then drew up a plan for a quilt layout and on the plan I'm recording what colour Aida I've stitched each alphabet girl on.  This way I can make sure that the coloured Aida is spread out evenly across the quilt.  I didn't want to end up with all of the pink (for example) bunched together. Hopefully it will be a fail proof system.

For my next little girl, I've chosen C for Cat stitched on a blue Aida.

Family Blessings....

Another stitchery on my Family Blessings  quilt (see sidebar for details) is Patience.

Patience is something I seem to have in short supply. But the Bible says that patience is a characteristic of love - the unconditional love that God has for us.

One of my favourite stories in the Bible is of the prodigal son. The father stands watching and waiting for the son's return and when he sees him from a distance he runs with his arms open wide. That's what God does for us. He is waiting with open arms to pour out his love and grace on us.

He won't come into our life uninvited but waits until we ask him in. And when we turn away, he waits for us to come back and never gives up.

I stitched the flower pot sitting on the box of seeds to remind myself that it takes time for a seed to turn into a flower and that I should be patient with myself (and others) just as God is patient with me!

Until next time

Lyn

 

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P is for Patches

Left Over Blocks Quilt

When I'm working on a quilt project, I usually make some 'left over' blocks especially if it's a quilt I'm designing myself. Some of the blocks are 'samples' to test the fabric choice and practice the block construction. Other blocks are 'extras' so I have more choice when it comes to piecing it. I sometimes use the 'leftovers' for other projects and other times I piece them together for backings. 

When I made my Love Is... quilt,  the 'left overs' were put into a drawer and left there until recently when I rediscovered them.

I was surprised at how many blocks I had. There were three Log Cabin blocks; two Shoo Fly blocks; and four Four Patch blocks.

Tucked away with the blocks, was some of the left over fabric from the quilt.

There were some charm squares;  some of the border fabric; and smaller bits and pieces as well. I worked out that if I made a couple of extra blocks I would have enough for a small quilt.

Any fabric that's left, will be pieced to make the backing.  I'm excited about putting these beautiful fabrics to use instead of wasting away.  Maybe I should check my studio drawers more often?

Until next time

Lyn

New Fabric

I dropped into Peppermint Stitches the other day and just inside the front door was a display of Tilda fabrics.

I couldn't seem to take my eyes off them! They are so lovely.  I walked around the shop looking at all the beautiful fabric they have on display but I kept turning back to the Tilda fabric.

They had a pack of fat eighths and I decided I just had to get them. 

I've been thinking about making a quilt for myself for sometime and these fabrics would be perfect.  I'm not sure about a design yet, but the quilt will live on the couch in my studio. Perfect for cuddling under on the rare cold paradise day or when I'm having a 'hiding under the covers' day.

Aren't they gorgeous?

Fabric Club...

The other new fabric that has come my way lately, is my latest fabric club instalment from Threadbear quilters.

As usual they are a nice mix of fabrics. I especially like the two fabrics in front (the blue print and the small stripe floral print).

All lovely fabrics.

Until next time

Lyn

 

 

 

Garter Yoke Baby Cardi

I finished another little baby knit last week.  This one is the Garter Yoke Baby Cardi.

When I started it, I wasn't 100% confident that I would get it out of one ball of Patons Big Baby 8 ply despite checking my tension and the yardage requirement listed in the pattern. But, as it turned out I had at least 2 metres left!

I've made mine for a boy and added some buttons with little trucks on them.

This pattern was so nice to knit and I think it's a winner. It was easy to follow and turned out well. Will definitely make it again.

Knitting UFO...

After finishing the baby cardi I thought I might turn my attention to some knitting for myself.

I've had this cardigan in my cupboard for a while.  The pattern is Bellevue and I'm making the short sleeve version. It's knit from the bottom up and I was up to the underarm.  The sleeves are knit separately and then the stitches are picked up at the yoke. It's then knit in one piece.  I finished the sleeves this week and am now up to the neck.  I'm a bit concerned that it might be too big/long.  Hopefully it will be okay. Paradise weather is perfect for a short sleeve jumper at present.

Challenges...

I've had a really challenging week this week and feel like I've had the wind knocked out of me!  I downloaded a nice book to read and intend to spend some time out this weekend trying to 'regroup'. Hopefully next week will be better.

Until next time

Lyn