Where to now?

 As we begin to open up after our eleven week 

lockdown,

there is still some nervousness about how life will look 

in the near future.

It is wonderful to see people enjoying our new-found 

freedoms-

Getting a haircut and new glasses were high on my 

priority list!

The spectacles are my usual shape but I do love the 

green! 

I finished this dress a while back.

This is the "Emerson" Stylearc pattern, which I altered 

slightly, by not having it button all the way through.

I also had a little trouble with the Mandarin collar so I 

just bound the edge, as I would a quilt!

I finally decided to begin a new quilt, by sorting through 

my scraps, yet again!

These are 16-patch blocks made from 2 and 1/2" 

squares.

This is the quilt I am using as inspiration.....

but first I need to make a trip to my LQS for some 

white solid fabric.

While not all retail is open, many innovative businesses 

are able to set up shop on the footpath outside.

All this will change on Friday when we will have 80% of 

our 16+ population vaccinated,

allowing regional travel and retail/entertainment to reopen!

Here we are in Vietnam, New Zealand, France and Melbourne!

Today my husband and I celebrate our 40th wedding 

anniversary! 

So there is some cause for celebration.

Unfortunately our plans for a meal in a restaurant together, for the first time in who-knows-when have been scarpered......

 by a malfunction in the kitchen of our chosen 

restaurant!

Life certainly is looking a little different from last week, from last year AND from 1981!

😄

Happy days!

SUZ

A Change of Direction

As lockdown drags on here, so does my sewing.

I no longer have sufficient batting to start and finish a 

new quilt,

So I have been working my way through my dress 

making fabric stash!

Firstly a "Joan" woven top, by StyleArc, a freebie which 

came with another pattern purchase in September.

This was made to a size 12, but as I suspected when I 

started cutting, it would be a little big on me.

So thankfully my sister Helen liked it 

and it suits her well!

Secondly, another Miss Foxy skirt, by 1 Puddlelane.

This is my fourth make from this pattern, 

and it's always a winner!

With the inverted pleats, it can be adjusted easily to fit.

Finally I unearthed an oldie but a goodie

This Lisette pattern #2245 was popular all over the 

internet some years back.

 So much so that the pattern is considered a collectible!

It is for sale for nearly $100 on e-bay, if you're 

interested!😁

I've ordered some green double gauze to make this 

again, for Helen to match her Miss Foxy skirt.

And there is a Style Arc Emerson dress under the 

sewing machine needle at the moment!

So expect another post featuring my garment makes 

sometime.

Happy sewing!

SUZ

Looking for the Positive!

As I alluded to on my last post, 

I have another finish to share! 

And appropriately, on Day 52 of our 6th lockdown,

I've called it "Look for the Positive".

Personally I am thrilled with how pretty this is!

I don't often use only pastels in my quilts, but this one 

makes me smile!

I was also very thrilled to find these patches of violas 

planted on the grounds of the school where I live!

My sister Helen kindly gave me the vintage sheet as a 

backing.

Simple grid quilting

I used a sample block that I made with her for the 

label on the back!

48" square

Lifetime quilt #139

#10 for 2021

As I write this I have only one WIP......

(I know, don't hate me!)

I am hand quilting my Peppermint Parade in the 

evenings.

Finally I wanted to share, with just you, my loyal blog 

readers,  a photo of my new grandson!

Finnley is the spitting image of his brothers!

Happy days!

SUZ

 

Simply Finished!

I kept the quilting simple on my Cloverly quilt...

and a quick photo shoot to show it off.

I had to be quick because we are experiencing a cool 

and damp Spring, with typical windy days too!

Although it does look good in the fork of that majestic 

gum tree.

I'm hoping I can gift this to a dear friend, 

who is going to be a great grandmother soon!

Quilt #9 for 2021

Quilt size-43" square

Lifetime quilt #138

I'll be back soon with another finish!

Happy days!

SUZ

 

Time to get quilting!

 I finished up "Cloverly" a month ago!

My LQS was having a fabric sale and as I am within five 

kilometres, 

I was able to 'click and collect' this fabric for a backing!

Not wanting to purchase more than was absolutely 

necessary,

I added some rectangles pieces to bring it up to size.

But in the meantime I had decided to make another 

scrap/stash quilt.

This is a free pattern/tutorial by 

Emily Dennis of Quilty Love.

It is available here:

It is called Scrap Stash Plus quilt- just perfect I thought!

I started pulling out some fabrics, being drawn to 

pastels for Spring!

It took no time at all to come together.

This one finishes at about 48 inches square.

So today I used up the last of my batting roll, 

purchased at the beginning of the year, I think to get 

these basted!

It will be great to get both these quilted and finished!

Then I intend to rummage through my dressmaking 

fabric and make something new for Spring/Summer.

By then we may be out of lockdown!

Happy days,

SUZ

Collective nouns....

 You know.... a flock of birds, a litter of puppies!

We've all made masks over the last eighteen months.

I called mine "a countenance of masks"!

Some recently made masks

And I think these should be called "a comfort of quilts"!

And this week I finished another cushion, to join others 

I have made-

Don't you think these should be called 

"A plump of cushions"?

I decided to make it to match my

 "Blossoming Buds" quilt...

which you can see in the background of these photos.

I love the back too, with its spots and navy edging.

Do you have a favourite collective noun?

Happy days,

SUZ

Betwixt and Between

From calculations, I have completed 8 quilts this year, 

with "Cloverly" waiting patiently for a backing, 

once I can go shopping again.

So I didn't want to start another quilt....yet!

So I got to and cut out the octagonal pieces for the 

Annie cushion I shared last time.

I decided to use my healthy stash of Heather Ross 

fabrics, choosing 36 in total.

The pattern calls for a 7 by 7 arrangement or a total of 

49 octagons,

but I did not want a cushion that large......

I had a pillow form ready and waiting.

I enjoyed many lockdown hours hand stitching this 

together, 

enjoying the neatness of the back as much as the front.

Once it was together I added a border, mainly to

   stabilise all the bias edges.

I hand quilted it with a Perle thread in off white

and bound with a pretty turquoise stripe.

It matches my Port Fairy Tales quilt made last year.

It finishes at about 46cm or 18"

I guess it's time to think about my next quilt.

What should I make?

Happy sewing!

SUZ