Beginning and Finishing!

 Beginning my Tara Faughnan "Small World" quilt.....

This series of photographs gives you an idea 

of how the blocks are made.

They are foundation paper pieced,

but sewn on the edge of the paper, 

rather than through it.

Of course, it will need a new name, 

so if you have any suggestions 

I'd be very happy to hear them.

The finish involves getting the backing organised for 

my "La Finestre" quilt.

I had the perfect vintage sheet squirrelled away,

but it was slightly too long and too narrow.

I remembered seeing a method of widening fabric 

by cutting it diagonally, moving one piece up or down

to give extra width.

There are tutorials and equations online

but my old brain couldn't see how it would work.

So I went with my tried and true method- 

make a scale model.

I needed the backing to measure 70" by 65"

Because my sheet was 60" by 80" 

I scaled it down by 1:20 and cut a 

paper rectangle 3" by 4",

Ooops, my photo shows I moved the paper down.

made a diagonal cut and moved one piece up,

and cut off the corners.

It measured 3.5" by 3.25"- perfect!

When you multiply it by 20 it would translate 

to 70" by 65"

In this photo (below) you can see some of the diagonal 

join on the floral backing

While I was playing, I decided to sew a label into the 

corner, ready for me to add the quilt's details.

Once the quilt is basted I will start hand quilting it.

Happy sewing!

SUZ

Moving on...

 

Once I had my bucket bag complete, it was time to 

decide what to work next.

I probably could have started quilting my Deco quilt, 

as I had the backing prepared, using leftover strip sets..

but I didn't have the motivation!

I had been sorting through my stash, selling some 

'no longer loved' scraps of fabric on Facebook...

which unearthed some long forgotten favourites.

So I started cutting and piecing....

limiting my palette to gold, brown, orange, rust, teal, 

navy and green,

 

Or probably more simply- no red or purple!

I like to use a black and white photo to check how 

balanced the block placement looks.

I still have many more blocks to make to get a decent 

sized quilt. 

I hope to be back with a flimsy soon...

Until then...

Happy days,

SUZ

Lost your Mojo?

It happens to us all...

We find ourselves with a sewing window, and don't 

know what we want to work on?

While I knew I should begin quilting one of the three 

flimsies I have waiting, 

"Stepping out with Alice"

"Shadows of Love"

"Tiger Tales"

I wasn't sure I had the enthusiasm to baste anything 

today....

I started thinking about how I might fill the day?

I've made a list of 

"Things to do in the sewing room when you are not 

sure what you want to do!"

1. Clean your sewing machine

2. Clean your cutting table

3. Change the blades in your rotary cutters

4. Join batting scraps to make a useable piece....

Don't forget to measure and label it!

I did this one first, then another too, for my "Tiger 

Tales", so it's ready to go!

5. Make (scrappy) binding

6. Make labels for all those 'quilts in waiting'

7. Make a pieced backing from stash fabric....

which I also did!

It is for a black and white quilt I'll eventually make 

with these...

when I find the perfect pattern, of course!

8. Cut scraps into useable shapes, example 

Dresden Plates or Hexies...

then sell them online!

I did that too!

What do you do when your sewing mojo disappears?

I'd love to know!

SUZ

Shadows of Love

I finished piecing together my Delilah quilt today.

Even my Ikea trolley is colour co-ordinated!

Here are month 12 blocks names Black Cockatoo.

I calmed the overall look by using a grey spot  

in the 3" filler blocks, rather than 30 different prints.

And why have I named it "Shadows of Love"?

The Tom Jones' song (Jen Kingwell the designer is a 

big Tom Jones fan!) is about domestic violence

Using a lyric from it would be 

might be more relevant.

I have had a love/hate relationship with this quilt 

hence the shadow that hangs over it.

I've already purchased my backing...

The one on the right.

and a few other fun fabrics!

And I've not been doing much sewing or blogging 

lately....because of this little fellow!

My beautiful grandson, Eli

I have a good excuse, don't you think?

Happy days!

SUZ

A beautiful distraction!

If I can't be sewing, at least it's for a grand reason!

I finished the label for Eli's quilt (see last post here)

A grand son, in fact!

Proudly presenting Eli...

But I won't bore you with my happy snaps,

because I have another 'finish' to share!

I'm calling this one "All that Glitters"!

 I can honestly say I enjoyed quilting this 

more than I did making the top...

and that doesn't happen very often!

I used my trusty Hera marker to mark diamonds in 

the solid aqua sections, 

that echoed the shapes somewhat,

even some wonky ones!

And included this diamond shape in the centre of the 

patterned sections.

I was having lots of fun so I did some more echo 

quilting, and more diamonds.

I also decided to try my hand at machine stitching

down the binding.

and I was happy with that too.

For the backing I used lots of leftover pieces of 

fabric...

It's had a wash and dry, and it's now lovely and 

crinkly!

Also it's ready for gifting!

I wonder if Eli would like it?

DETAILS:    Finished size- 41" by 57"

Quilted with Gutermann thread #7827

(My first finish for the F-A-L Q3., original list here)

Happy days!

SUZ

Better busy, than bored!

Don't you think?

I have been a busy girl...

making a pin cushion from this 'new-to-me' book.

I started my blouse over the weekend....

At night I hand quilt...

this is going to be a cushion cover.

I have also put together the backing for my 

Christmas table runner...

just need to buy some batting!

And finally more 'square in a square' blocks...

starting with a 6.5" block and adding 2" borders.

This is my favourite one so far!

Never any chance of ME being bored!

Happy sewing!

SUZ