Hooray, hooray for the holidays!

I took some time out there, things got a bit busy at work and then also at home.

I have managed to do some sewing in the last month...

I had a charm pack of Momo Just wing it and came up with this quilt top.  I've basted it and was getting set to quilt it on my new machine, but that is playing up so I have to take it back to the shop at the weekend.

The white sashing is layer cake leftovers from my giant pinwheel quilt that has returned really quickly from the LQS.  

I also considered entering the FatQuarterly competition for Nell Whatmore's Katherine's Wheel.  I came up with this...

I know it's not complete and maybe the centre square should be a circle, but I'm sure by now they have chosen someone and shhh don't tell anyone but I don't think i have the skill to manage the piecing!!  Looks good though.

And because I like to keep busy, I've started crocheting a blanket for my bed using this fab pattern, joined another quilt along (don't know where the time will come for this) and so am trying to get my Swoon quilt finished.  

I know I know it's not as though I sew quickly but I'm nothing if not optimistic!

Hope you have been enjoying the sunshine!

Quick envelope baby quilt

One of the children's previous teachers at school announced that she was pregnant.  I decided to make a little something for the baby before she went on maternity leave.  I tried to find out if there was any idea as to colour scheme for the nursery; neutral was the answer.  That didn't give me much to work with!


So on a trip to the local fabric shop (that has recently bumped up it's crafting cottons) I found something that was neutral, fun and not too gender specific.


Time was not on my side, as usual, so I have no before photos.


I enveloped the quilt so no binding and quilted on the grid using an idea from Red Pepper Quilts.  I didn't do it exactly the same as I hadn't pieced either side, so I just turned it through and quilted up and down without stopping.  I like the results though...

And from the lovely thank you I received I'm sure that the teacher does too!  
She had a boy!

Wearable art

Probably about February I joined my local embroidery guild and before the cheque cleared I was into a project.  The brief is wearable art and between us we have come up with something that should be pretty cool.  I don't know how much I am allowed to say about it but I figure I can show my bit.


Each of us have a diamond to decorate that is going onto the final garment.  The theme is the Jubilee and I thought that maybe I could get away with doing the Union Flag.  There was a "think outside the shape" moment when I realised I couldn't make it rectangular and hopefully it's different enough not to be dull.

So around this time I was beginning to worry that the idea wasn't going to work...

but there was no going back.  When I went to get a cup of tea and came back to this

I could see the design coming together!!

After many hours of sewing sequins on, I am done!!  Unfortunately I don't think the 60 shows up as much in photos as in person and even then you can miss it. Oh well, for a first go and with not much time I am over the moon.

Quick sewing - pincushion

I few weeks ago I decided to try out the pincushion pattern at Very Berry Handmade.
As always, I had limited time and wanted to use up some of my scraps.  I would have to say that it is a lovely pattern and very quick.

                                           

It's nothing like pincushion my friend made, but then she has the patience of a saint!

Paper piecing

There has been sickness, lots of work, some sewing, design and creation for the embroidery guild's wearable art, more crochet and some costume working out in my head designing for a play.  All of which keeps me away from here.


So today is the super quick paper piecing done after finding this post from Ellison Lane Quilts.  I don't use 'super' often, but really it was super quick.


I have done some hexagon English paper piecing and have wanted to try machine paper piecing.  I couldn't believe how quick it was to complete one block.   


Don't look too closely at the seams I was against the clock.

So now I have a starting point for this selection of fabric.

Once I get the rest of my sequins on, I'll be back to tell about my contribution to the wearable art project.

Free quilt pattern

I've been away for some time, sorry.
It doesn't help when you are an inconsistent blogger, but as I have said before, '...must try harder'.
I really don't want to bore you with the why, just let you know that I'm back and lots of change is on the cards for very soon.  
So getting to the point, the lovely Sew Happy Geek has offered a rather nice free pattern which I will be doing hopefully this year!
And in between all of the other things, I am still getting some sewing done...

Until next week

Cute little Dumpling and a sale!

A year or so ago, in my wandering around blogs, I came across Keyka Lou with lots of lovely patterns for sale.


There were so many patterns that I wanted to buy, but I wanted to try out a tutorial to see how I would get on with their instruction style.


This was the result of the tutorial that I found for a dumpling purse.





The instructions were clear and detailed so there were no moments of doubt.  I think that the pattern pieces are always A4 size so you may have to tape together some but you can always print at home.  There are links, in the document, back to the Keyka Lou website for hints and tips on getting the best finish. I could go on and on...

Well, Keyka Lou are currently having an anniversary sale, all patterns are $5.  I already have probably half of them and I can't recommend them more highly and no I get nothing for doing this, just the chance to show you my little purse :-)