Block 6/12 - Log Cabin Lane

These blocks are really big at 33" x 13".  Takes a little getting used too since I've been piecing more dolls quilts lately.

Block 7/12 - Washington Avenue House

Still a WIP and it's already 24-1/2" x 20"!

Log Cabin Lane - WIP

In the process to being cut into flying geese blocks.  I am using the Jody Barrows' Square in a Square technique.

Love Letters by Blackbird Designs is on my frame now.

Gobble Gobble Table Topper - Completed

Quilted Table Topper.  Designed by Nicole for Moda Bake Shop.  Fabric is Gobble Gobble charm pack and yardage by Sandy Gervais for Moda.  Calico for backing.  Size 37" x  37".  Polyester batting for filler and machine quilted.

It needs to be washed and packed for my cousin's house warming this Sunday. 

Log Cabin Lane Block

Completed the 3 log cabins and now for 20 flying geese.

Log Cabins Blocks

1-1/2" strips with a 2-1/2" centre.  Few more rounds to go.

Gobble Gobble Table Topper - WIP

The binding is now sewn on the quilt top, now for some slow hand stitching of the binding to the back of the quilt.  I actually like this process.  Those are regular hair clips that I bought from the night market to help keep the binding down before I stitch them.

As I have found out there are many ways to finish a binding so I think I should give them all a try, just to see which I like best.  This time I used this tutorial on YouTube by Marci Baker.



I've been working on the Thimbleberries Village quilt since January this year and have set a goal of 1 block a month.  So far I've only got 5 blocks done :( I should get up to speed on it again.  So here's all the fabric gathered for Block 6 called Log Cabin Lane.

I live in the back room which faces a row of houses.  There's a back lane that separates our houses.  Sometimes I just look out to see if their any critters roaming around.  Birds, cats and dogs show up regularly.  This fellow came over this morning.  He's got such nice white socks!

Pincushion for Jess

Pincushion using Rounneries by French General

This was really fun to make and I thought Jess would love the fabrics.  The tutorial can be found here.

Gobble Gobble Table Topper - WIP

Try as I may I couldn't tackle free motion quilting.  The stitches were terrible.  I think I need to practice some more.  So I opted for cross hatching instead.  Just as workable, IMO.  All I need now is to get the binding on.

Gobble Gobble fabric by Sandy Gervais

As for the quilt below I finished the top way back in October 2008 but I never got around completing it.  So I ordered some binding fabric and will quilt it simply with flannel.  I may try tie quilting.

Fig & Plum charm pack by Fig Tree & Co

Placemat - Completed

It's washed and ironed and it's gonna be a lovely placemat, if I say so myself.  The quilting stitches turned out to be fine. The hand quilting wasn't very enjoyable as it would be with cotton batting.  However, I think machine quilting with a flannel filler would be quite ideal if you're aiming for a very flat quilt.

Flannel for filler, muslin, calico and homespun.  Hand quilted with perle cotton no. 8.  Size: 15" x 11-1/2"

I think I should gather some courage and machine quilt this Gobble Gobble table topper in a meandering pattern next.  I just need to sit down to quilt and bind this baby.

Pyjama Shorts - Completed

The 4 shorts took a fairly short time to sew.  It's quite easy once you get a hang of it.  I added some details to an otherwise plain sewing.

Button for the back pocket

Twill/Linen tape loop for hanging

1/2" elastic in a 1" casing.  

The cotton fabrics were bought from local fabric store Nagoya.  They cost RM7/M and I needed 1.2M for each pair.

Sewing & Hand Quilting

I was sewing the hem of my first pair of shorts and it didn't meet up too well, creating a small fold.

 

I figured this is because I sewed the side seams and inseams prior to the hem.  Now I am adopting the following i.e. sew the side seams, hem and then sew the inseams.  Less grief this way.  Also I've reduced the hem to like 5/8".

For 2 pairs of the shorts, I've used french seams and the other two pairs will be taken to the shop this evening to be serged.  I was hesitant initially to use french seams, since they don't normally quite work with curves for the crotch seams, since it was only a slight curve I thought I'd give it a try.  Quite like it actually, not to  mention saving me a trip to the shop!  What's left are the elastic waist band and I'll be done :)

Hand Quilting

I've been toying with using flannel as a filler for my place mat and after much discussion on SQT, it may not be the best filler depending on your expectations as hand quilted stitches may not look good.  So as they say 'the proof of the pudding is in the eating'.  I've been quilting simple outlines of the hearts ... so far it looks not too shabby, we'll see how it behaves after a wash.

Pyjama Shorts - WIP

In the process of cutting fabric for 4 pairs of shorts.  It's a pattern from Heather Ross' book Weekend Sewing.  In the book the pattern is for a pair of pyjama pants.

Place Mat & Coaster

I had 7 heart blocks left from my previous quilt top.  So 6 went into a place mat and one will be a coaster.

Hand Piecing Hexagon Flowers

 

A test hexagon flower which I stamped and hand pieced.  I soaked the completed piece in water for an hour or so and find the stamp marking lighten considerably (which is excellent) and there was no smearing onto the fabric.  Pretty happy with the results and now to work on lovely cotton fabrics :)

Not too sure how the pressing should be done, this method seemed easy.

Roses from the Heart Project - Completed

The bonnet is all sewn up.  I've used satin ribbons for the ties.  This will be packed and mailed out to Christina in Tasmania, Australia.  In time for her trip to Ireland.

Fabric Stamping & Cross Stitch smalls

I was inspired by Robyn's hexagons and thought I'd try out the hand piecing method as opposed to English Paper Piecing.  Got these 1" hexagon rubber stamps made for RM10 and am trying them out on calico.  I am using regular Artline stamp pad to test if the ink smudges when washed.

Pins And Needle Cupcakes

Designer: Blackbird Designs

Book: Honeysuckle Manor

Roses from the Heart Project - WIP

The stitching is completed and the bonnet has been sewn.  Only the trims and ties need to be sewn.

Roses from the Heart Project

I was intrigued by this true story some time back and I even cut out the fabric to give it a try.  Sad to say I bungled big time in sewing a simple bonnet.  I am giving it another try and hopefully this will be completed and sent to Tasmania, Australia for Christina Henri to take along to Ireland for an exhibition before end of August 2010.  You can listen to the radio interview explaining the project. Or read more about the project here and here.

My Heart is True & My Needle Book

My Heart is True Pincushion

Fabric: 36ct White Edinborough (to be tea/coffee dyed)

Floss: DMC

My Needle Book

Fabric: 36ct White Edinborough (to be tea/coffee dyed)

Floss: DMC

Designer: Nicoletta Farrauto

Back to Blogger

It's been a year and a half since I last posted here.  Because Flickr can only hold 200 pictures for free (call me cheap),  I'm back to Blogger.

The Humble Pinkeep

Fabric: 32ct Vintage Mocha Belfast

Floss: DMC

Rosemary Pinkeep

Fabric: 32ct Raw Linen Belfast

Floss: DMC

Designer: Nicoletta Farrauto