Bits and Bobs

I got a free quilting kit with my sewing machine at Christmas, but before now I've only really used the walking foot (which I love). I decided at the beginning of the week that it was about time I tried a bit of free motion quilting. I've watched a few YouTube videos and read a few tutorials so thought, ''Sod it I'm ready''! I got a couple of scraps out of my fabric stash, created a batting sandwich and then just went for it - no plan of action at all!

I was actually quite amazed at the result. I know it's not perfect, my stitch length is all over the place and in parts the curves are totally off, but actually who cares? Nobody is except me is going to notice. Practise over, I started on the quilt (it's my Kaffe Fassett Patchwork Quilt). It's really big but that's okay as I don't think I'll do very dense stitching (mainly because it's a bit baggy in the basting - see here as to why!). I'm happy so far, I'm just doing regularly spaced flowers. I'm not sure red stitching on green fabric was a great idea for my first free motion quilting project, but at least it is fairly well hidden on the quilt top (this is the back).

 

The backing fabric I chose is by Moda, its called Dottie in the lime colourway. My quilt is overly large so this fabric is perfect as it is 108'' wide, specifically designed for quilt backs. I bought it from M is for Make. It was my first online fabric purchase and I was really pleased with the speed of service and the price! The fabric really is a beautiful lime green, I'm not sure my camera has captured the true colour.

 

Speaking of green, I had to travel to Kendal yesterday with work (I know, the hardship!). It was such a beautiful day. Yorkshire was looking particularly lush on the drive home. Yay Spring!

 

 

...finally!

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Large Quilt, Small Home

I've finished piecing my largest quilt to date. I've hit a bit if a snag with the size of my house though, it's impossible to baste the quilt when you haven't the floor space. This photo was taken yesterday after I rearranged all the furniture in my lounge. Nightmare!

Don't worry though I did get it laid out in the end. Phew. 

Sam's Quilt

Happy first birthday Sam! The birthday boy has received his birthday quilt which means I can share the finished article with you all. It's a good job he's into colour as this quilt has turned out a bit on the bright side! Primary colours, what was I thinking?! Oh who am I trying to kid - I love garish. Fortunately, it's a hit with a one year old - his Mum says that he enjoys pointing at the patterns. How cute is that?

I decided to go for the star block design by Cluck Cluck Sew. I've made this design once before for my Stars and Scraps Quilt, but I thought the stars would work well with the sputnik fabric (continuing the spacey theme, see what I did there). If you want to know more about the fabrics used for the quilt top, see my last post. It's the back of the quilt that I'm uber-excited about though - it's quite possibly the cutest quilt back ever.



I know, just how good is that? I could swoon over that fabric all day. It's Riley Blake Designs DC2836, Peak Hour by Kellie Wulfsohn for Don't Look Now. I bought it at The Viking Loom in York if you're in the area and desperate to get your hands on some! I had planned to go for something quite plain as the backing but as soon as I saw this I knew it would be perfect. I really like how it features a small amount of each of the colours from the quilt top, so ties in perfectly.

The binding was actually some leftover from my Emma's Christmas Stocking. It was just the perfect shade of green and has little stars all over. The quilting was simply stitched in the ditch and I also quilted some diagonals to add a bit more interest.

I'm so happy with this quilt. If you're visiting over from Crazy Mom Quilts, finish it up Friday please comment below, I'd love to hear what you think.

Fab Fabric

I've been very busy this week rustling up a quilt, before I share the finished quilt with you I thought I'd share the fabric with you. A couple of weekends ago my sister Anna (Minnie loves) came to York and we tried out a lovely little café that has opened in York. It's called Me and Mrs Fisher and I thoroughly recommend it for crafty types. What is so great about it (apart from the delicious cheese scones) is that it also has a small but perfectly formed haberdashery upstairs where they also hold regular sewing and crafting workshops. I KNOW food and crafts - what a great combo! The whole place really has a crafty, friendly vibe. Anyway, Anna and I had a mooch around the haberdashery and  both fell in love with this wonderful sputnik fabric.

It's a Michael Miller fabric and has the best name - Retro Rocket Rascals! The trouble was neither of us could think who would like a quilt made of this fabric so we left it. Coincidentally, only a few hours later my other sister, Vicky, phoned me and suggested I make a quilt as a first birthday present for a friend's son. Ting! Inspiration struck and I knew I had to buy the Rocket Rascals! Such hardship.

I went back to Me and Mrs Fisher and not only bought the Retro Rocket Rascals, but also a second Michael Miller fabric. This one is called Toot Toot (loving these fabric names). I have since noticed that Allison Harris of Cluck Cluck Sew (and one of my favourite quilters) has used this fabric in her new book, so it must be good!

I knew I wanted a third fabric, but just couldn't find anything that really matched. Anna came to the rescue when she found this lovely red and lime splodgey fabric from John Lewis in Sheffield. It's part of the Katherine's Wheel collection and is designed by Nel Whatmore for Free Spirit Westminster Fibers.

I'll blog about the finished quilt as soon as I hear it has arrived safely. The birthday boy's mum sometimes read this blog and I don't want to ruin the surprise. Ooh I hope they like it!



Another Guest Blog

Do you remember the evening I spent with sewing with my sister (Vicky) cutting out fabric for a little dress for her daughter? Well she has finished the project and has kindly written a guest blog about it! The pattern she followed is Simplicity 1924. Over to Vicky...

 

Well the little dress is complete and I must admit I am rather pleased with it. It is absolutely not perfect, there are plenty of mistakes but even so I think the finished article looks great. I hope you agree?

 

 

In order to try to stop you making some of the same mistakes I did, I will give you a little overview:
1) The scalloped piping is a nightmare, it just doesn't flex well enough. After several attempts (I think at least 4), I ended up snipping all the seam allowances and handstitching the piping in place. This then kept it in position well enough to be able to machine stitch.


2) If you look closely you may notice the ties and shoulder straps are sewn on the wrong way round. My advice is to take care here, unfortunately for me I didn't notice this error until I had moved on too far to be able to unpick it.

3) I made an error with the lower piped bodice section in that I should have turned the raw edges inwards and made a nice seam with the raw bit hidden, instead I just folded the fabric over so it isn't as neat as it should be. Luckily it is hidden away behind the bodice section and I will have to hope it doesn't fray.

 

 

I really enjoyed making this dress and it was very quick to put together once the fabric had been cut and I had finally worked out the bodice piping. A lovely little project, I would definitely recommend having a go.

Vicky (thought Vejazzle)

Thanks for that Vicky, the finished dress is really beautiful. Love, love, love the horse riding photo! What are you making next?

I'm linking up to Crazy Mom Quilts, Finish it Up Friday. Normal quilting will resume shortly!

Wonderful Window

I have finally finished leading up me second stained glass window. It has taken me an age because I kept missing my Wednesday evening lesson because of work - boo. It has been worth the wait though as the colours in the finished window really pop. Can we all just ignore the bit of matchstick that I failed to notice when taking this next photo? Oh, and it's upside down, hmm.


I've actually already soldered the joints on one side. If I get the remaining side soldered by next Wednesday I'll be onto the cementing. I just can't wait to have my two windows installed now.

Primary Colours

I've been doing a whole lot of cutting and stacking today! That is all.

May Day

It's May Day weekend, which means three whole days off work. Yippee! What better way to spend it than with my sister and her family? It also meant I could give my niece, Emma, the little dress that I've finished making for her. She has learnt to walk this week so here she is posing (or struggling to balance?) in her new polka dot frock.



 

Emma was so cute when I handed the dress over to her, she just kept giving it cuddles, so sweet. I hope that means she likes it! I must admit, I'm really pleased with the way the dress turned out, especially the gorgeous ruffles around the arm and neck holes. The overlapping front is very cute too. For the back I chose bright green buttons to match the green fabric I'd picked for the ruffled hem.

 

 

I think I've mentioned (but will do so again for those interested) the pattern is by McCalls, pattern number M6494. I can highly recommend the pattern as it's easy and it doesn't take too long to make up the dress. The only place where I got totally lost was the 'continuous lap' part (turns out it's where the button band is on the skirt, who knew?), but this YouTube video really helped me out.

I've had such a lovely day!

I'm linking up to Crazy Mom Quilts -  Finish it up Friday. Sorry it's not a quilt this time!