Moore Patchwork & Quilting

It's Finished!

For the last 2 days I've been watching the cricket test between Australia and South Africa.  While I've been doing that I've been stitching and managed to finish my Nice People Nice Things quilt.

 

This is the front of the quilt. 

The rows are sewn together in the same way as the blocks. The outside borders are just folded over to the front and sewn under as for the other sashings.

The hand stitching of the sashings really didn't take very long at all.  I'm glad I did it that way.

   

This is the back of the quilt.  As you can see, I did 5 rows of 5 blocks which makes a nice lap quilt.

The quilt-as-you-go method made the finishing up really quick and easy.

I'm pleased with the way it turned out and to think that I made it all from fabric in my stash!

 

 

Now that I've finished this project, I'm going to focus on finishing the Small Pleasures quilt from Natalie Bird.  That's another project just perfect for stitching while watching cricket and tennis (Australian Open is just around the corner).

Nice Christmas...

We had a really nice Christmas Day - ended up playing not one but two games of Risk and one game of Monopoly (I won Monopoly but was demolished in Risk). We all ate too much and are still paying for it now.  Will have to swim extra hard this week! Robin bought me an Ipod so I've been having fun downloading lots of songs and music videos. Hope your day was just as much fun.

Until next time

Lyn

Finished blocks

I'm so proud of myself - I've finished the blocks for my Nice People Nice Things quilt! Yes, it's a miracle I know.

 

To finish off the quilt, I made 6 of these plain heart squares.  This is the front of one example. I just blanket stitch appliqued the heart onto a piece of fabric the same size as the stitcheries, and then completed the block in the same way.

My Mum and I came up with this idea as a way of giving a bit of variety to the stitcheries.

This is the back of the heart block - it's very green isn't it?

For the heart blocks I was able to use up all of the fabric strips I had already cut.

When I looked at the fabric I had left in 'the bag', I was pleased to see that I managed to use up most of the fabric I had chosen for the quilt and only have some of the stitchery fabric left which will be perfect for my next project.

Sewing together....

I lay all of the blocks out on the floor yesterday until I had an arrangement I (and Flossie who insisted on helping) I liked.

 

Today I have been sewing the blocks together.  To do that, you just put 2 blocks together (back to back) and stitch 1.5" in from the edge which ends up being right next to the batting.  I used my zipper foot to make this easier.

 

Then you just press that seam open.  See how it's on the right side?

 

You then press a small hem on the edge of the sashing so that it sits over the seam.

All that's left is to sew down the sashing.  The pattern suggests different ways of doing this - with a decorative machine stitch for example or by hand.  I've decided to do mine by hand. 

So that's where I'm up to. Not sure when I will get the sewing done but at least I can see the end.

Until next time

Lyn

Angels

I've finished yet another Nice People Nice Things block.  This one is called 'Angels'.

 

I stitched the words in pink 223 and this time I had enough fabric cut to use the same for all the borders.

 

For the words on the back, I stitched in 223 again.

I'm pleased with the progress I'm making on the quilt and have another block stitched and ready to assemble.

 

 

Portobello Market...

I'm really trying to stay on task and focus on Nice People Nice Things, but yesterday I was distracted by this lovely pile of Moda Portobello Market fabric.

 

I purchased the charm pack a little while ago and then added some fat quarters in my favourite fabrics.

I thought it would be nice in a quilt with stitcheries on it but maybe it's a big dark?  Not sure.  I sketched some stitcheries yesterday and worked out what block to use but then put it away for while. Will think about it.

Christmas Shopping...

I really hate shopping this time of year - there are just too many people in the mall - but I still had a few things to buy so yesterday Aaron, Jill and I braved the shops to finish up our shopping.  I was really reluctant to go and they bribed me with the promise of a nice lunch but in I was glad I went in the end because we managed to snag some real bargains in 'pre-Christmas sales'. Now it's mostly done - just a few bits and pieces to buy. Can't believe how quickly Christmas has come around.  Life seems to be moving too quickly these days.  Don't you think?

Until next time

Lyn

Friends

I've finished another block from my Nice People Nice Things quilt.  This one is called Friends.

    I'm trying to use up all the border pieces that have already been cut, so for this block I used a different fabric on the sides and top of the front of the block.

I stitched the words in mauve (3041 - one of my favourite colours) and stitched the 'friends' in different colours.  I think I used all the threads that I had set aside for this quilt.

For the back of the block, I stitched in 3041 and managed to find enough of the red fabric to use it for the whole border.

    The other day I mentioned that I intended to finish this quilt this year.  Well, I must be in a bit of a time warp at present, because I only just realised that the end of the year is only about 2 weeks away! Based on that new information I have to revise my estimate and say that I'm aiming to finish it early next year!

Where has the year gone?

I think I have a better chance of finishing it then but still will not commit to a definite date.

 

Quilting Arts....

I was having coffee with a friend yesterday and she told me about a magazine she reads regularly - Quilting Arts - and how inspirational it is.  I had seen it in the newsagent but tended to overlook it, but yesterday I bought a copy and was glad I did.  It's not your usual quilting magazine filled with patterns, but is geared more towards 'art' quilts.  I have never really been attracted by arts quilts, but was really impressed by the creativity of the techniques and samples shown in the magazine. I will defintely not overlook it any more.  Thanks Jane.

Until next time

Lyn

Sunshine

Yesterday I managed to work on some of my WIPs and finished another block from my Nice People Nice Things quilt.  This one is Sunshine and this is the front.

 

This is the back.

 

I stitched the words in blue and the flower is purple.  I've started mixing my fabrics up a bit and used different fabric on the back and front. I think I may have enough of the strips already cut, to finish my quilt or come close at least. 

Small Pleasures...

I also finished another row of my Small Pleasures bom.  So you can see it more easily, I have folded it in half like last time.  This is the first half

 

and this is the second half

 

I'm really pleased with the way it is all coming together and think it will be a very pretty quilt.  The next row has sewing things on it - sewing machine, pins, scissors, etc. It seems to grow very quickly when done in rows and can't wait to add the next one.

Tennis again...

Watched the US Open finals this week.  The matches were postponed due to rain and this really helped our viewing time because it meant it was on during the day.  Both matches were good to watch and was glad to see Serena Williams playing such good tennis.  Next big one is the Australian Open (January).  Can't wait.

Until next time

Lyn 

Shoes

If you've been wondering what's happened to my Nice People Nice Things quilt, well, I haven't forgotten about it but have just been preoccupied with other projects lately.  In fact, I finished another block today.  (Actually, the stitchery has been finished for a couple of weeks and it's just been waiting for the borders, etc.)

This block is called 'Shoes':

The words are stitched in pink and the shoes in purple and blue.  I used pink fabric for the  border to match the pink thread. I was able to use the strips I had previously cut from other blocks so it really didn't take me long to finish it.  Isn't that funny the way that happens?  Sometimes, it only requires 30mins to an hour to finish something but we put it off and when we finally do it, we wonder why we didn't do it sooner!

This is the back of the block:

A good philosphy isn't it?

Until next time

Lyn

Nice Things

I've finished yet another block for my Nice People Nice Things quilt.  This one is a heart block called Nice Things.

This is the back

This block was quick to make, not only because of less stitching but also because I was able to use fabric which I had previously used in other blocks so it was already cut into strips. I stitched in 221.

Fingerless gloves...

I've been staying up late at night to watch the Wimbledon Tennis Tournment and on Friday night while watching Federer play Safin I managed to knit one of my fingerless gloves with the Debbie Bliss yarn.

(I tried to photograph it on my hand but it was beyond me!)  The wrist part is a simple cable and the body has a 4 stitch rib which you probably can't see properly, and it finishes with a cable row and a picot bind off. The picot edging gives it a slight frill at the fingers.

The wool is so soft - I wish you could feel it as well as see it!  I'm pleased with the colour and the way it feels on my hand. 

I had intended knitting the other one last night while watching the ladies final, but I guess all those late 'tennis' nights finally caught up with me, and I went to bed instead.  Fortunately the match was replayed this morning on Foxtel so I didn't miss out.  I think it was the best of the women's matches and worthy of a final.  I'm looking forward to the men's final tonight and hopefully getting the other glove finished.

After I put away my tennis racquet it's on my bike for the Tour de France which is by far my favourite sporting event of the year. This year it's extra special because an Aussie - Cadel Evans - is the favourite. Wouldn't it be something if he won? If you haven't ever seen it, you can see highlights on SBS every night at 6.00pm.  Be warned though it's very addictive.

Until next time

Lyn

Honey Bee

I've finished another block for my Nice People Nice Things quilt.  This one is called 'Honey Bee'

I was able to do the same as I did for the last block - use some of the cut up strips and just add one new fabric.

This is the back of the block

I stitched the wording in purple (3014) this time simply because I haven't done much stitching in that colour yet and I'm trying to mix the colours up a bit.

Fabric Club...

I received another mailout from the fabric club at Threadbear in Castlemaine.  I have been really pleased with all the fabrics I've received in the fabric club but for some reason I particuarly like this lot.

The only decision I have now is what I'm going to make with them all.  I've started accumulating quite a collection and I often look at them and ooh and ahh but that's as far as it gets. I'm thinking that I should go back to my original idea of making small quilts.  These would be ideal.  Will have to give it some more serious thought.

Simplify...

I realised that I told you that the name of the Chook Shed quilt I'm going to finish was Simplicity when in fact it's Simplify.  Shows you how long it's been sitting idle in my sewing room!

Until next time

Lyn

Home

I've been working away on my Nice People Nice Things quilt lately and have finished another block.  This one is called Home.

For the stitchery I used all of my selected threads and for the borders, I used one fabric I had previously used and one 'new' fabric. I have quite a few strips cut up now, so I decided that I will start repeating some of the fabric.  This will help 'tie' the quilt together. It also made assembly quicker because I didn't have so much cutting to do.

This is the back.  I stitched in 221 and the hearts are 223.

Cross stitch...

Before I started patchwork, I was an avid cross stitcher.  I may have mentioned this before, but one of my favourite magazines is Cross Country Stitching.  Even though I no longer cross stitch, I still subscribe to the magazine and yesterday the latest edition arrived.  I always find them very inspiring and am always tempted to do something.  I think the main reason I like cross stitch so much is that it's very relaxing.  I find it to be similar to knitting in that it's easy to get into a nice rhythm while stitching.  It also requires less thinking because you only have to follow a chart and there's no tracing. It's also very compatible with patchwork and can be incorporated into quilts quite easily. The only drawback is that it's very slow - or it is for me.  But then I guess that's a good thing too - being able to slow down and enjoy the process.

I've almost convinced myself to get out the aida cloth!

Until next time

Lyn

Cup of Tea

Cup of Tea is the latest block of my Nice People Nice Things quilt to be completed.

I stitched teh cups with different colours - purple, blue, green, pink, yellow - and the words in brown to represent tea.

The back of the block says:

I feel like I've made real progress on my quilt this week and have finished stitching another block and just have to add the borders.

As far as the borders are concerned, I have started to accumulate quite a collection of strips and will probably start repeating some fabrics shortly.  That will make the 'putting together' of each block a bit quicker because I won't have to do any cutting. It's starting to look good.

Morning Tea...

Yesterday I met my friend Viv for morning tea.  We are both tea rather than coffee drinkers, so we decided to try something a bit different.  We went to a cafe called KoKo Black which specialises in all things chocolate. We decided to indulge and chose some hot chocolate (we had a 'light' one so we wouldn't feel too guilty) and it was just delicious. Will definitely have to go there again.  What a treat.

Until next time

Lyn