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

A Pandemonium of Parrots

Or would you rather a 'prattle'?

Whatever you call them Australia is home to many 

species of cockatoos and parrots!

Many live around my new regional home!

So when I stumbled across a budgie pattern,

found HERE, I knew I 

could adapt it to suit my purposes.

I purchased some new Japanese solids which feel 

beautiful and felt they would be 

a wonderful addition to my stash.

I did a practice one first.....

Can you see where I made an error change?

It is the extra piece of blue fabric on the lower 

left-hand side of the bird's body.

Once I had done that, I decided it made for a better 

shaped bird.

Again I made an improvement by giving the next bird a 

two-toned taill

Then with the more complicated design I also split the 

tail colour into two.

They look more like birds with their felt eyes.

On a recent morning walk, I saw a flock of these pink 

and grey galahs.

So had to make one of those too!

Looking at the above photo I think I could have placed the colours better....

There are a couple of extras pieces in this one to get a 

good range of colour.

I have four that I definitely want to use.....

I think I will let them sit on their perch for a bit and 

then decide where to go next.

Happy sewing!

SUZ

PS I saw this painting at the Bendigo Art Gallery today.

It is by an Australian female artist, Ellis Rowan.

Enjoy!

 

Progress...

 

Happy sewing,

SUZ

Wensleydale

 is a Jen Kingwell pattern in her "Quilt Recipes" book

I borrowed my copy from the library because I had 

looked at a sample copy at a nearby quilt shop.

This quilt was the only one I really liked.

So when my turn to borrow it came up, 

and I didn't have any other quilts to piece....

perfect timing.

In the book it is pieced with templates!

I fell out of love with these after I had finished a twelve month subscription 

to make another Jen Kingwell quilt, Delilah! 

I decided to make a Foundation Paper Piecing pattern.

Turns out I could have bought them pre-printed for a reasonable price!😬

I then got busy choosing a colour palette.

I have made two blocks already...

I think it takes longer to choose fabric combinations 

than it does to sew a block!

And I also have a name for it.....

but more on that soon!

Happy sewing...

SUZ

Growing the Garden....

a leaf...

a petal...

a bloom!

I'm loving watching my garden grow!

I might be busy for the next couple of days....

my youngest son is getting married tomorrow!

Happy days!

SUZ