A Zig Here, A Zag There

First, some patchwork!

I started this quilt earlier in the year!

I have long admired the strong graphic nature of zig zag quilts.

So I decided to make one, using this 'short-cut' version.  It is made from carefully placed rectangles, 

rather than the usual triangle method!

I wanted something bold and vibrant, so I gradually added to my stash.

Orange and turquoise!

The colors looked a little washed out here.  Maybe I should try taking some shots outside, if only we could manage a sunny day!

Anyway this has been languishing in the 'must finish' pile.

And now it is - QUILTED!

I am very pleased to say I have done all the machine quilting myself, using the KISS method!

Just need to get it bound!

It will be going to a new home soon as a wedding present for some work friends!

And now some play!

Maybe this is where my love for ZigZag quilts comes from!

The clown hats worn by Zig and Zag (circa 1960) - Melbourne, Australia 
Anyway-

Have a happy day!

SUZ

An Oldie but a Goodie!

Why is it that holidays seem to make us busier than usual!

Even though I am not at my regular job at the moment, I seem to have so many things on the go!

(But more of that soon!)

So I thought I would show you a cute cot quilt which I made earlier this year.

 I love making pinwheels!

This pattern came from Jodi @ "Pleasant Home"

She makes such pretty quilts and runners!

  

The pattern is still available over at Moda Bake Shop.

I'm not sure why I don't have any photos of it quilted!

I actually spent many hours hand quilting it!

And I do love those prairie points!

Anyway, hope you are having a happy weekend!

SUZ

Swapping!

Foundation Piecing

What have you been up to?

I'm on school holidays so its a great opportunity to catch on some 'swaps' I'm participating in!

The first one is the Scrappy Mug Rug Swap.

This one is an orphan at the moment- not sure whether it will get a new home or 

be allowed to stay at my 

house!

 

This is the back- a cute fabric I bought over the internet from Japan.

This is the one I will probably send to my partner in the US.

Just not sure?

Can you see the quilting?

I was pretty happy at how this turned out!

I am also in a Scrappy Pincushion Swap!

I made this cute little owl, which I sort of adapted from something I saw on the 'net.

This is the other one I made.

It has some applique on the other side which might give it away if my partner sees it!

The pin cushions are quite small so I think my partner will get both!

Of course I am also thinking about the next quilt to make!

What are you up to?  I'd love to know!

Have a happy day!

SUZ

Embroider-Bee

This is what has been keeping me busy most nights for the last couple of months!

I have been participating in an Embroider-bee!

 

I was in a bee with four others.

We told one another our color preferences and other aspects to guide our choices.

These four blocks should have arrived at their destinations in the US and Scotland by now!

One of the hardest parts of this bee was deciding on what I should embroider, and hoping my stitching 

would be good enough!

This one, which is in cross stitch, was probably my favorite.

There were tiny red beads hanging off the branches of the Christmas tree.

And red ribbons on the presents under the tree!

This one also had beads on it.

Some of the fabric on this one I ordered over the internet from Japan!

Now I'm patiently waiting for my return blocks to arrive here!

Have a happy day!

SUZ

Cuts Both Ways

Do you have a favorite pair of scissors?

These are certainly mine!

Whether it is on the couch while I embroider or paper piece in the evenings.

Or by the sewing machine.

These get a great deal of use.

 My new Juki sewing machine does, however, have an auto cutter so they are a bit more neglected there!

These were my dear mother's scissors she faithfully used for many years.

I don't use them much but they are nicely weighted and I love knowing that her hands held them.

These are my everyday scissors (with the red handles) and the little 'snippers' are a remnant of a clothing 

business we used to have.  

And finally this is my cute little stitch ripper!

He reminds me of my German heritage somehow!

And of course my faithful Olfa rotary cutter!

What are your favorite cutting implements?

Have a happy day!

SUZ

Pies and Tarts

Only time for little bits of sewing this week!

So finished a row of pies for my "Pies and Tarts Quilt-

I do like pink and green together.

And aqua and hot pink!

This quilt has served a couple of purposes-

i.  Improving my paper piecing skills - I had never done it before I started this about two years ago!

ii.  And it is a great opportunity to experiment with color.

This one looks a little washed out - it is orange and aqua, another favorite color combo.

But I think I am over this now.

I have cut out the last set of tarts which I hope to get together quickly.

Then to the quilting!

Just not sure what I will do ???

Suggestions on quilting a Pie and Tarts quilt, gratefully received!

Have a happy day,

SUZ

Summer Can't Be Far Away, can it?

Life has been very busy this week with very little sewing done.

So I thought I would share an oldie, but a goodie

This pattern is called "I Love Summer".

I purchased this from a Bendigo patchwork store over seven years ago.

I thoroughly enjoyed making this quilt and all the techniques I used.

Yo- Yos and buttons

Blanket, stem and chain stitch.

Pretty fabrics.

Cute buttons.

Strawberries....

and cherries...

and honey....

and flowers!

Yes, I do love summer!

Don't you!

The 'finish' line!

Don't you love a 'finish'?

This was a bit of bonus this weekend.

I had intentions of sewing a border around my latest (and last) Embroider-Bee patch.

(But more of that in a later post.)

As that little task only took an hour of a wet and windy Melbourne morning, I turned my thoughts to 

"What now?"

I made this quilt top many, many years ago.

(Colors look a little washed out!)

Well, at least 10!

So I thought I would have a go at quilting it!

Most of the fabric in this quilt is not even in my stash anymore!

And the style is a little dated,  I expect!

And goodness knows which magazine the pattern was from?

  Thank goodness for this little feature of my Juki!

As you can see, when it comes to machine quilting, I am more of a tortoise than a hare!

close up - houses and apple trees in the corners

And the quilting is far from perfect!

But when there is a UFO lurking there, whispering to you to 'finish me, finish me".

  

 A 'finish' is much better than a UFO any day, don't you think!

Have a happy day!

SUZ

Playtime!

Can you remember when your love of sewing started?

I think mine started with this darling little toy sewing machine.

I would play on this for hours, making clothes for my dolls.

It is really solid and quite heavy for its size.

This is the handle that you turned to make it go.

      What a shame I never had a daughter to pass this on to!

It will have to wait for a grand child I expect!

In the meantime I think I will thread it up and have some fun with it!

Have a happy day,

SUZ