Monday, December 6, 2010
Christmas Afternoon Tea
Some of us had a great afternoon get-together for a Christmas afternoon tea last Saturday. For those who were unable to come - Merry Christmas from us all.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
October Quilting Weekend
Last weekend saw the completion of our first Scrappy Quilt.
The structure of the weekend worked better this time. On Saturday we all started making our blocks for our next mystery quilt. This is Jane's birds fabric and an Amish Cross block design. It was great to do it together as this allowed everyone to help everyone else and it meant that the issues with the instructions I had created were ironed out before they were posted.
On Sunday we hemmed the binding and attached the label on our first Scrappy Quilt which is another great group activity.
This time Leonie, Elaine, Linda, Mary, Robyn, Betty and our newest member Ruth came for long and short times during the weekend.
Leonie forgot her sweetpeas so has taken a photo so that we can all smell the virtual sweetpeas from her garden.
As usual, much fun was had by all with lots of chatting and food added to the quilting mix. Leigha, who is staying with me at the moment invited two of her friends for lunch and they rearranged our butterfly blocks into a more pleasing layout.
I will be posting out fabric in the next few days to those who have not yet received theirs by hand. I will email instructions to everyone too. I have now bought Electric Quilt 7 and am experimenting with creating our instructions using that software.
There will be a Rainbow Connection Quilters Christmas afternoon tea in December so if you have not received an email about that and would like to join us please let me know.
Happy Christmas and have fun with your patchwork and quilting from us all.
The structure of the weekend worked better this time. On Saturday we all started making our blocks for our next mystery quilt. This is Jane's birds fabric and an Amish Cross block design. It was great to do it together as this allowed everyone to help everyone else and it meant that the issues with the instructions I had created were ironed out before they were posted.
On Sunday we hemmed the binding and attached the label on our first Scrappy Quilt which is another great group activity.
This time Leonie, Elaine, Linda, Mary, Robyn, Betty and our newest member Ruth came for long and short times during the weekend.
Leonie forgot her sweetpeas so has taken a photo so that we can all smell the virtual sweetpeas from her garden.
As usual, much fun was had by all with lots of chatting and food added to the quilting mix. Leigha, who is staying with me at the moment invited two of her friends for lunch and they rearranged our butterfly blocks into a more pleasing layout.
I will be posting out fabric in the next few days to those who have not yet received theirs by hand. I will email instructions to everyone too. I have now bought Electric Quilt 7 and am experimenting with creating our instructions using that software.
There will be a Rainbow Connection Quilters Christmas afternoon tea in December so if you have not received an email about that and would like to join us please let me know.
Happy Christmas and have fun with your patchwork and quilting from us all.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
A quilt auction
Frankie Magazine is auctioning a quilt with blocks by various artists including Catherine Campbell, one of our distance members.
Visit the Frankie Blankie site to find out more. You can see some of Cath's artwork in the header of the Frankie page as well.
Visit the Frankie Blankie site to find out more. You can see some of Cath's artwork in the header of the Frankie page as well.
Monday, August 16, 2010
August in the Attic
Our achievement for the August quilting weekend was to construct our Mr Men quilt tops.
This process involved pinning the blocks on the design wall then discussing their arrangement.
Then we auditioned various fabrics and colours for the sashing. We ended up choosing black.
We then created a production line of Robyn, Liz and Betty on Sunday to piece the two tops. There are 6 blocks left over so the thought is two matching cushions again.
Of course all the blocks had to be trimmed to size (Elaine enjoyed the challenge)
and the trimmings made such a spectacular pile that I had to photograph them.
One very important lesson was learned from my mistake. When you sew borders to a quilt you should measure at the centre of the top and mark the borders to the correct size then pin and ease the edges of the top to the size of the borders. This avoids a border that ends up too big for the quilt. Difficult to describe but easy to see the wavy borders in the previous blog entry on the scrappy quilt. We have now unpicked all borders on the scrappy quilt and re-attached them correctly. The top is now tacked to the polartec back ready for quilting. No-one else volunteered so I will complete that by our next quilting weekend. Here is Leonie ironing our newly bordered scrappy quilt.
One task accomplished this weekend was completing some extra butterfly blocks needed then arranging that quilt on the design wall ready for joining up. We don't think we'll add any sashing to this one.
Of course there was also plenty of time for food and chatter during the weekend as people came and went according to the never ending balancing acts of work and families.
Robyn officially completed our Soft Blue Sampler by sewing on the label. It is now ready to sell or raffle - any suggestions would be greatly received.
Robyn also chose our next lucky dip parcel as she was first to arrive. Linda (next to arrive) was witness to this. Jane D's birds and flowers was chosen. Some discussion ensued about which part of the block would be done in the mystery fabric. Once I have completed the instructions I will send them out with fabric for those who have not already received it. These blocks will be due by the end of January.
Again we had an excellent weekend of patching, quilting, chatting and eating. See you in October (16-17).
This process involved pinning the blocks on the design wall then discussing their arrangement.
Then we auditioned various fabrics and colours for the sashing. We ended up choosing black.
We then created a production line of Robyn, Liz and Betty on Sunday to piece the two tops. There are 6 blocks left over so the thought is two matching cushions again.
Of course all the blocks had to be trimmed to size (Elaine enjoyed the challenge)
and the trimmings made such a spectacular pile that I had to photograph them.
One very important lesson was learned from my mistake. When you sew borders to a quilt you should measure at the centre of the top and mark the borders to the correct size then pin and ease the edges of the top to the size of the borders. This avoids a border that ends up too big for the quilt. Difficult to describe but easy to see the wavy borders in the previous blog entry on the scrappy quilt. We have now unpicked all borders on the scrappy quilt and re-attached them correctly. The top is now tacked to the polartec back ready for quilting. No-one else volunteered so I will complete that by our next quilting weekend. Here is Leonie ironing our newly bordered scrappy quilt.
One task accomplished this weekend was completing some extra butterfly blocks needed then arranging that quilt on the design wall ready for joining up. We don't think we'll add any sashing to this one.
Of course there was also plenty of time for food and chatter during the weekend as people came and went according to the never ending balancing acts of work and families.
Robyn officially completed our Soft Blue Sampler by sewing on the label. It is now ready to sell or raffle - any suggestions would be greatly received.
Robyn also chose our next lucky dip parcel as she was first to arrive. Linda (next to arrive) was witness to this. Jane D's birds and flowers was chosen. Some discussion ensued about which part of the block would be done in the mystery fabric. Once I have completed the instructions I will send them out with fabric for those who have not already received it. These blocks will be due by the end of January.
Again we had an excellent weekend of patching, quilting, chatting and eating. See you in October (16-17).
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Our First Scrappy Quilt
I have finished attaching sashing to our first scrappy quilt and quite like the overall effect.
You might be able to recognise your own orphan or scrappy blocks in it. Amazing how these quilts can start as a higgledy-piggledy mess and end up looking as though it was planned all along. This one started out looking like this on our design wall:
You might be able to recognise your own orphan or scrappy blocks in it. Amazing how these quilts can start as a higgledy-piggledy mess and end up looking as though it was planned all along. This one started out looking like this on our design wall:
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
June Quilting Weekend
This weekend we had Betty, Ev, Elaine, Leonie, Linda, Liz and Mary at various times over the weekend.
It was a very busy Saturday. Ev and Leonie experimented with a variety of suggestions for quilting the Soft Blue Sampler. We ended up using knots through all the layers. The quilt and two cushions are now complete so if you know a good place to raffle it just let us know. The quilt finished as a double bed topper and looks marvelous, fantastic! Thank you to everyone who contributed their creativity to this one.
Linda, Elaine and Mary spent time finishing off their Mr Men and Butterfly blocks under threats of not being allowed to leave until they were complete. Soon we will have all the blocks done and can continue with those two quilts. Until then we can't really afford to draw another lucky dip as that would mean too many UFOs (unfinished objects).
Liz began the block trimming and sashing of the scrappy quilt (seen behind Elaine in the photo above) and I was able to complete that quilt top on Sunday ready for borders, backing and binding at our next gathering. Then it only needs to be quilted to finish it off.
We all missed Robyn who was on her way to Alaska on a cruise. Her expertise and little lessons are always a most welcome part of our weekend.
Our progress at the moment is quite slow but we have discussed a few ways to work the system better. If we draw the lucky dip first thing Saturday morning (first in gets to draw) then it will give us all the opportunity to work on our new blocks during the odd gaps in other work. This might help with getting all the blocks in on time for the next quilting weekend.
Linda, Elaine and Mary spent time finishing off their Mr Men and Butterfly blocks under threats of not being allowed to leave until they were complete. Soon we will have all the blocks done and can continue with those two quilts. Until then we can't really afford to draw another lucky dip as that would mean too many UFOs (unfinished objects).
Liz began the block trimming and sashing of the scrappy quilt (seen behind Elaine in the photo above) and I was able to complete that quilt top on Sunday ready for borders, backing and binding at our next gathering. Then it only needs to be quilted to finish it off.
We all missed Robyn who was on her way to Alaska on a cruise. Her expertise and little lessons are always a most welcome part of our weekend.
Our progress at the moment is quite slow but we have discussed a few ways to work the system better. If we draw the lucky dip first thing Saturday morning (first in gets to draw) then it will give us all the opportunity to work on our new blocks during the odd gaps in other work. This might help with getting all the blocks in on time for the next quilting weekend.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Linda's Butterfly Quilt
Our next mystery quilt from our lucky dip is Linda's. I will be sending out instructions with the fabric soon but there are few tricks I thought might be better put in the blog.
Here are the pieces you will need to cut. When you start assembling the pieces of the block there is a small triangle E to add to the corners of B (the butterflies). It is really easy to get this crooked so here is a tip.
Now place the small triangle to line up with the line you have drawn on the butterflies. Check that it is centred by lining up the diagonal line you have drawn on the small triangle with the diagonal line on the board.
There is a link on the right to a video on sewing half-square triangles.
Even though the measurements I have give are generous my finished block ended up exactly the right size without trimming. If you are worried then make your measurements even more generous but make sure you match points and joins in your final block.
The instructions can be accessed from Google Docs.
- Place the butterfly square on your board to line up with the inch grid and the diagonal line.
- Draw a diagonal line on the butterflies making a two inch triangle.
- Place the small triangle of E right side down to line up with the inch grid then mark in a diagonal line on this triangle following the diagonal line on the board.
There is a link on the right to a video on sewing half-square triangles.
Even though the measurements I have give are generous my finished block ended up exactly the right size without trimming. If you are worried then make your measurements even more generous but make sure you match points and joins in your final block.
The instructions can be accessed from Google Docs.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Freezer Paper Applique
At our last quilting weekend Robyn brought along one of her quilts to show us where she has used Freezer Paper Appliqué. She then gave us a demonstration so here are her instructions.
1.Trace shape on dull side of freezer paper.
3. Iron shiny side to wrong side of fabric with a dry iron, allowing ¼ in around shape. It is easier to turn seam allowance if as much of the shape is on the bias as possible. Freezer paper will peel off easily if you make a mistake and can be repositioned and ironed again.
4. Cut around shape including the ¼ in seam allowance.
5. Snip to within a couple of threads at inside points E.g. inside point of a heart shape.
6. At outside points trim fabric off to almost the paper and turn sides over. These may also need a little trimming if point is too bulky. E.g. leaf points.
7. Press seam allowance to inside or you can fold as you sew.
9. If possible start stitching on a straight edge. Use thread matching the appliqué fabric. Bring thread up from wrong side of base fabric catching a thread of the appliqué under the edge so that it will be unseen.
Our previous lesson from Robyn was fusible webbing appliqué.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
April Quilting Weekend
What a great weekend we have had! We finished Marion's Sickle quilt and I will be delivering it to Bezzina House on Tuesday this week together with Patricia's quilt that we finished a few months ago.
Jane brought along an antique quilt she had recently bought. It looks and feels fantastic and is made entirely of medallions without any backing so it is see through. It drapes so beautifully. Robyn brought along a lesson in using freezer paper for appliqué. I will put up some instructions for that in the near future.
Evelyn made a patchwork birthday cake for me. Such fun! Thank you Evelyn.
Of course as per usual we enjoyed lots of food together and after dinner on Saturday night some of us stayed up long enough to watch a DVD - 'Julie and Julia'. Jane came down from Toowoomba and stayed over for Saturday night.
Our first task on Saturday morning was to bind Marion's quilt to finish it off. This job is always done quickly with a crowd of people around the table chatting as they go.
Liz (from NZ) was our newest member this time and used the treadle machine to work on a quilt she was making. Liz was really excited to receive a text to say her new grandson Callum was born today.
Our biggest project for the weekend was the Soft Blue Sampler. We progressed from this...
To this...
Next time we meet we will be backing, binding and finishing this one off. It is actually looking so stunning that we might even raffle it rather than donate it to Bezzina House. We have two spare blocks and will make matching cushions from those to go with the quilt.
Great work ladies, we are really achieving quite a lot in our global quilting group.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
February Quilting Weekend
We were just a small crowd this time for our quilting weekend. Evelyn, Elaine, Patricia and I are here all smiling because we have full tummies.
Mary was able to practice the scrappy block techniques we started last time. She was joined by Leonie to make quite a few more scrappy blocks.
Notice Leonie's patchwork skirt. I think I'd like to try this very simple pattern for one of the throws I am planning to make from Surrey's shirts.
Robyn came on Sunday and we had fun creating our first scrappy quilt layout from both orphan and scrappy blocks. It should look great when finished.
We now have another rule...
Do not buy any fabric unless you absolutely have to. We have such a huge stash of both large and small lengths of fabric as well as a box of scraps that I should be able to supply the needs of all our quilts and new blocks. Please just ring and we can make a time for you to browse the stash before you go out and buy.
Our next quilting weekend is 10-11 April so please let me know if you are coming.
We did not draw another lucky dip fabric and design this weekend because we have 4 other quilts in progress:
- Marion's Sickle
- Soft Blue Sampler
- Scrappy Quilt 1
- Mr Men Quilts 1 & 2
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