These are some photos of my folk art vase quilt, I have sewn down most of the flowers and have been enjoying the pleasures of hand sewing while listening to an audio book.
what bliss!
Happy sewing to you to!
Friday, 24 August 2012
Blogger app and instagram
I thought I might try using a blogger app with the instagram app as a quicker way of blogging, so here goes!
These are some photos of my folk art vase quilt, I have sewn down most of the flowers and have been enjoying the pleasures of hand sewing while listening to an audio book.
what bliss!
Happy sewing to you to!
These are some photos of my folk art vase quilt, I have sewn down most of the flowers and have been enjoying the pleasures of hand sewing while listening to an audio book.
what bliss!
Happy sewing to you to!
Pickle dish quilt
Its not a keeper!
I thought this design would look better, but I'm not happy with it at all, its the feathers fault, they have no graceful plumes just stubby thumbs!
Will be spending time with my unpicker today.
I thought this design would look better, but I'm not happy with it at all, its the feathers fault, they have no graceful plumes just stubby thumbs!
Will be spending time with my unpicker today.
Thursday, 23 August 2012
Freemotioning in the ditch
While happily sewing in the ditch this morning on my pickles, I was thinking about what it would be like to sew with a longarm, I always turn my quilts frequently so that they are facing the best way to sew out the designs, but on a longarm the quilt is loaded and its only moved forwards.
So I challenged myself not to turn my quilt as much, I was only freemotioning in the ditch (would definitely not feel comfortable trying this with feathers) and I was happy with how I managed, yes there were some wobbly moments but mostly I got the hang of it quite well.
The above photo is quite dark, but I hope you see what I'm getting at, usually I would turn the quilt so that it was facing me straight on, in the photo its at an angle, ok I know its baby steps but its still its a new skill learnt!
Happy sewing!
So I challenged myself not to turn my quilt as much, I was only freemotioning in the ditch (would definitely not feel comfortable trying this with feathers) and I was happy with how I managed, yes there were some wobbly moments but mostly I got the hang of it quite well.
The above photo is quite dark, but I hope you see what I'm getting at, usually I would turn the quilt so that it was facing me straight on, in the photo its at an angle, ok I know its baby steps but its still its a new skill learnt!
Happy sewing!
Wednesday, 22 August 2012
Design Tablet learning curve
Idiot at work
Ive had a couple of mostly frustrating attempts on my design tablet so far, it takes me ages to find a brush setting that works (as I have no clue what are the best settings to use), like an idiot when I find a brush setting I like I dont right it down, so end up repeating the whole exercise of trial and error the next time I use it.
I just realised that I have again not written down any settings, Im such a doofus!
Anyways
This is the quilting motif that I plan to freemotion around the middle section, it is designed to be repeated and connect.
As I have left the design of this very late and have no way of using a light box to trace the design onto the quilt, I am going to make a freezer paper template for the oval and feather stem, iron the template onto the front of the quilt and then quilt around them and then freemotion the feathers, I could just iron on the template and then use a blue washable marker to transfer the design so will probably try out both methods to see which I like best.
Plea for help
If you are reading this post and use a design tablet yourself, this complete doofus would be ever so grateful for any hints and tips!
Happy sewing!
Ive had a couple of mostly frustrating attempts on my design tablet so far, it takes me ages to find a brush setting that works (as I have no clue what are the best settings to use), like an idiot when I find a brush setting I like I dont right it down, so end up repeating the whole exercise of trial and error the next time I use it.
I just realised that I have again not written down any settings, Im such a doofus!
Anyways
This is the quilting motif that I plan to freemotion around the middle section, it is designed to be repeated and connect.
As I have left the design of this very late and have no way of using a light box to trace the design onto the quilt, I am going to make a freezer paper template for the oval and feather stem, iron the template onto the front of the quilt and then quilt around them and then freemotion the feathers, I could just iron on the template and then use a blue washable marker to transfer the design so will probably try out both methods to see which I like best.
Plea for help
If you are reading this post and use a design tablet yourself, this complete doofus would be ever so grateful for any hints and tips!
Happy sewing!
Tuesday, 14 August 2012
Pickle Dish
This is the finished top before quilting
Once I had come up with a design for the centre I drew out onto freezer paper, and then ironed it onto the back of the quilt
There were no worries that the design would move while I marked it onto the front.
Next quilting out the design
I have been playing with my design tablet to work out a design to compliment the quilting already done and will post pics soon.
This post is linked to Freemotion by the river.
Happy sewing!
Once I had come up with a design for the centre I drew out onto freezer paper, and then ironed it onto the back of the quilt
There were no worries that the design would move while I marked it onto the front.
Next quilting out the design
I have been playing with my design tablet to work out a design to compliment the quilting already done and will post pics soon.
This post is linked to Freemotion by the river.
Happy sewing!
Sunday, 12 August 2012
Pickle Dish quilt
Modern v traditional
I finished the top weeks ago, but have been too busy to post pics
Its a modern looking quilt and I have left loads of room for quilting
But I couldn't bring myself to quilt any modern quilting designs on it, when I say modern I mean straight lines minimalist types of quilting, don't get me wrong I do enjoy looking at it on other peoples quilts and do think it looks great and compliments the quilts very well.
But its not what calls to me when I think about quilting designs for my own quilts, I am always drawn and seek out traditional designs such as feathers and swirls etc.
I'm not sure how well the quilting will match the quilt when its finished, I have already quilted the centre design but have had to wait a few weeks to find a design that will compliment and carry the design out to the corners.
At the moment I'm pleased with how its coming along and will post pics of the progress soon.
Happy sewing!
I finished the top weeks ago, but have been too busy to post pics
Its a modern looking quilt and I have left loads of room for quilting
But I couldn't bring myself to quilt any modern quilting designs on it, when I say modern I mean straight lines minimalist types of quilting, don't get me wrong I do enjoy looking at it on other peoples quilts and do think it looks great and compliments the quilts very well.
But its not what calls to me when I think about quilting designs for my own quilts, I am always drawn and seek out traditional designs such as feathers and swirls etc.
I'm not sure how well the quilting will match the quilt when its finished, I have already quilted the centre design but have had to wait a few weeks to find a design that will compliment and carry the design out to the corners.
At the moment I'm pleased with how its coming along and will post pics of the progress soon.
Happy sewing!
Monday, 11 June 2012
Folk art vase quilt
I was compelled big time on the weekend to start a new applique quilt, my fish pond quilt has sunk not completely without a trace but I'm not sure where I want to go with it either, so a new applique project was needed.
Its not my own design but from a pattern I bought last year at a quilt show its by Anja Townrow
When I opened up the pattern when I got home thou I was really disappointed with the pattern sheet included as it has been so badly drawn, the patterns are drawn out on individual A3 sheets not a problem as I can tape them together but the lines marking where to attach each sheet don't align, and the flowers and stems were not symmetrical and are roughly drawn and not what I expected as the pattern was £8 so it went straight into a drawer, but when I saw the quilt up in this years quilt show and it looked so darn nice, I decided to give it another look.
Anyways I traced the good parts and have drawn my own symmetrical flowers and this is where I'm up to
The pieces of applique still need to be shaped, I use the starch and freezer technique follwed by roxanne glue, then I start stitching.
I'm using batiks for the applique pieces and some kona white for the background, I want the colours to pop out at you when its up on the wall, its going to be quite big the patterns states is 24 x 48 but that's with hardly any room above or below the vase so I'm going make it slightly larger so there's room for some quilting.
I'm going to post this to lots of link ups during the week as I'm too slow on my projects to post more often!
I can't make the link up buttons behave themselves and they are all over the place, and Canoe ridge creations button won't play ball at all.
Its not my own design but from a pattern I bought last year at a quilt show its by Anja Townrow
When I opened up the pattern when I got home thou I was really disappointed with the pattern sheet included as it has been so badly drawn, the patterns are drawn out on individual A3 sheets not a problem as I can tape them together but the lines marking where to attach each sheet don't align, and the flowers and stems were not symmetrical and are roughly drawn and not what I expected as the pattern was £8 so it went straight into a drawer, but when I saw the quilt up in this years quilt show and it looked so darn nice, I decided to give it another look.
Anyways I traced the good parts and have drawn my own symmetrical flowers and this is where I'm up to
The pieces of applique still need to be shaped, I use the starch and freezer technique follwed by roxanne glue, then I start stitching.
I'm using batiks for the applique pieces and some kona white for the background, I want the colours to pop out at you when its up on the wall, its going to be quite big the patterns states is 24 x 48 but that's with hardly any room above or below the vase so I'm going make it slightly larger so there's room for some quilting.
I'm going to post this to lots of link ups during the week as I'm too slow on my projects to post more often!
I can't make the link up buttons behave themselves and they are all over the place, and Canoe ridge creations button won't play ball at all.
Happy sewing!
Wednesday, 6 June 2012
Pickle Dish Quilt
My Terrain layer cake by Kate Spain has waited months for me to find the right quilt pattern.
Finally inspiration struck and with some Kona white its going to be a pickle dish quilt.
The pattern is from Kaffe Fasset's book Quilt Romance
I seperated the smaller prints and used them for the slices/pickles
and the large prints have been cut into squares
This is the planed layout
As with my New York Beauty quilt, I am leaving the centre free for some freemotion quilting.
This post is linked to Ester's Blog and also to Freshly Pieced.
Finally inspiration struck and with some Kona white its going to be a pickle dish quilt.
The pattern is from Kaffe Fasset's book Quilt Romance
I seperated the smaller prints and used them for the slices/pickles
and the large prints have been cut into squares
This is the planed layout
As with my New York Beauty quilt, I am leaving the centre free for some freemotion quilting.
This post is linked to Ester's Blog and also to Freshly Pieced.
Happy sewing!
Saturday, 19 May 2012
Birthday Gadget
I have a new toy, its a Wacom Bamboo Fun, Pen and Touch design tablet, I had it for my birthday last month.
I want to use it to draw out different quilting designs on photos of my quilts, I'm totally inspired by Carla Barrett, she is an awesome Quilt Whisperer and she has an interactive teaching course called Tablet Design for Quilters Class, where you can pay to learn all about designing and planing the quilting for your quilts using a design tablet, her website is called Feathered Fibers.
I'm still learning how to use it at the moment and don't have any photos to share but hopefully in a few months I will be clever enough to sign up for one of her classes!
I hope you have a lovely weekend.
I want to use it to draw out different quilting designs on photos of my quilts, I'm totally inspired by Carla Barrett, she is an awesome Quilt Whisperer and she has an interactive teaching course called Tablet Design for Quilters Class, where you can pay to learn all about designing and planing the quilting for your quilts using a design tablet, her website is called Feathered Fibers.
I'm still learning how to use it at the moment and don't have any photos to share but hopefully in a few months I will be clever enough to sign up for one of her classes!
I hope you have a lovely weekend.
Happy sewing!
Monday, 14 May 2012
New York Beauty
Sunday, 13 May 2012
I've missed blogging!
Its been ages again since I last posted, and its not the decorating this time that has kept me busy.
My youngest daughter Katie has been quite poorly, her eczema has flared up really badly and we have had numerous doctor and hospital visits, overnight hospital stays and endless sleepless nights over the last two months, the itching has driven her crazy!, She is now seeing a specialist and has started to improve thank fully and our fingers are crossed that it continues.
My sewing time has been nil for several weeks but I have managed to sew my New York Beauty top together, I'm hoping to take some pics to post soon and I have planned two new quilts.
I hope you are having a lovely weekend.
My youngest daughter Katie has been quite poorly, her eczema has flared up really badly and we have had numerous doctor and hospital visits, overnight hospital stays and endless sleepless nights over the last two months, the itching has driven her crazy!, She is now seeing a specialist and has started to improve thank fully and our fingers are crossed that it continues.
My sewing time has been nil for several weeks but I have managed to sew my New York Beauty top together, I'm hoping to take some pics to post soon and I have planned two new quilts.
I hope you are having a lovely weekend.
Happy sewing!
Wednesday, 21 March 2012
Work in Progress
Its been five whole weeks since I last blogged, I should have finished something in all that time, don't you think but I have been busy decorating with just a little bit of sewing squeezed in.
This is my New York beauty quilt and you might be wondering why it has so many blank areas well they are ready for something free motioned, a couple of feathers maybe, a bit of pebbling and perhaps a little bit of cross hatching, yes I'm aiming high on this one!
Ummm the only problem is I'm pants at drawing and I can't mark the quilt too much because the fabrics aren't prewashed!
At the moment I am brimming with positivity, pop back to see if it will all end in tears Lol.
This post is linking up with the following parties.
Happy sewing
 |
| Spot the naughty block |
Ummm the only problem is I'm pants at drawing and I can't mark the quilt too much because the fabrics aren't prewashed!
At the moment I am brimming with positivity, pop back to see if it will all end in tears Lol.
This post is linking up with the following parties.
Happy sewing
Thursday, 16 February 2012
Service that made me smile
Don't you just love it when a parcel arrives from the quilt shop
But how often is it wrapped in tissue paper, a red ribbon and a fabric heart with fusing on the back!
Awesome or what
This is my first order off Quilt me Happy and its made me very happy indeed!
And in the parcel was my Kona white fabric for my New York beauty quilt, I'm all set now for some weekend curved piecing GULP!
But how often is it wrapped in tissue paper, a red ribbon and a fabric heart with fusing on the back!
Awesome or what
This is my first order off Quilt me Happy and its made me very happy indeed!
And in the parcel was my Kona white fabric for my New York beauty quilt, I'm all set now for some weekend curved piecing GULP!
Happy sewing!
Tuesday, 14 February 2012
Oakshott inspiration
I'm a pin it addict! I recently joined that happening groovy site called Pinterest
Its absolutely great for finding and keeping photos that you find inspirational when designing new quilts and looking for quilting motifs.
At the moment I'm using it to find design ideas for a wall hanging using this fabric, its the Autumn collection of fat8ths from Oakshott.
This is the link to my Oakshott fabric inpiration board on Pinterest
For more inspiration I'm linking up with Quilting by the River and these linky parties
Its absolutely great for finding and keeping photos that you find inspirational when designing new quilts and looking for quilting motifs.
At the moment I'm using it to find design ideas for a wall hanging using this fabric, its the Autumn collection of fat8ths from Oakshott.
This is the link to my Oakshott fabric inpiration board on Pinterest
For more inspiration I'm linking up with Quilting by the River and these linky parties
Monday, 13 February 2012
Design Wall Monday
My pond is looking a tad murky in the photos today, not at all vibrant and lush (I love the word lush, I like to say it with an extra shhh sound!) as it is in real life.
The applique has been glued down with Roxanne glue, and three of the pads have been sewn.
You would think for a girl who loves to make wall hangings this wouldn't be an issue but these quilts still languish in a drawer as well.
and um there are others in there too, damn it!
Anyways I'm butt kicking myself as I type which isn't easy, so hanging sleeves are my top priority!
This post is linked up to some fab linky parties and I'm off to check them out, see you soon.
The applique has been glued down with Roxanne glue, and three of the pads have been sewn.
I'm ashamed to admit it, but my poppy quilt hasn't made it up onto the wall yet, I'm really rubbish when it comes to sewing on hanging sleeves
and um there are others in there too, damn it!
Anyways I'm butt kicking myself as I type which isn't easy, so hanging sleeves are my top priority!
This post is linked up to some fab linky parties and I'm off to check them out, see you soon.
Happy sewing!
Friday, 10 February 2012
Oakshott loveliness!
One of these arrived in the post yesterday
Its a Autumn bundle of shot cotton fat 8ths from Oakshott Fabrics,
Lily from Lily quilts raved about the fabric on her blog on Tuesday, so I went to have a look and ended up ordering some, I'm so not sorry as its seriously gorgeous in a iridescent luminous way!
She is now hosting a give away of a colour box of 100 fat 8ths from Oakshott, for a chance to win some pop over and enter.
Its a Autumn bundle of shot cotton fat 8ths from Oakshott Fabrics,
Lily from Lily quilts raved about the fabric on her blog on Tuesday, so I went to have a look and ended up ordering some, I'm so not sorry as its seriously gorgeous in a iridescent luminous way!
She is now hosting a give away of a colour box of 100 fat 8ths from Oakshott, for a chance to win some pop over and enter.
Good luck!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)