Civil War Quilt Top Completed!

Blocks designer:  Barbara Brackman  Size: 76" x 87"

Woo hoo!   I've been working hard on piecing my Civil War quilt blocks and finally I have the top done.  I used only 42 blocks out of the 52 offered by Barbara Brackman.  The pic is not so great as the porch blocked the evening sun.  The inner cream sashing is 1/2" finished and the outer black sashing 1-1/2" finished.  The border is 5" wide.  It's huge for my puny sewing machine to quilt so I suppose I'll most likely hand quilt it, and that will take even more time.

  Completed the small quilt by Jo Morton.  It's a freebie on APQ.  Love all the variety of reds and shirtings.

The Quilt Sampler.  Designer:  Little House Needleworks  Floss: DMC as charted.  Linen: 32ct Cream Belfast.

 I came across frames with 50% discount at Parkson supermarket and I thought it would be a nice size for the Quilt Sampler.  Unfortunately the glass is reflective.  Most of my other framed cross stitch pieces use non-reflective glass, then again they were framed by professional framers.  Nevertheless I still do like framing some in these store bought frames especially for small pieces.  I did not use glue but instead lace the back with thread as tightly as I can.  This method also provides room for some shifting.

Shaker doll 13-1/2" tall

In between working on the Civil War blocks I've been fooling around with doll making.  I tried out this Shaker doll by Miriam Gourley, just to gain some courage before trying out Gail Wilson's doll.  I like how her nose was shaped.  I use muslin and stuffed her with polyester filling.  The stuffing fork that I got from Gail is an excellent stuffing tool.  The instructions that were given in Miriam's book were quite basic and minimal, on the other hand Gail's can be overwhelming.  Gail says that way she ensures her dolls are made successfully.    

A folder to organize the doll templates

 

The Feed Sack doll is coming along.  There were umpteen steps to follow before the stuffing stage and more after.  I'll have to work on her step by step and I expect it to be an interesting journey.

Here's a start to some hexagons for Kathleen Tracy's October Small Quilt Challenge.  I used 100gm weight paper to print the hexagons.  I quite like EPP and it can be quite relaxing.  So I've ordered a small pack of 1" hexagons from Paper Pieces.  They are having a free shipping promotion.  An EPP hexagon quilt in the future perhaps? :)

 I finally got my strips organized for the progress of the Jacob's Ladder blocks.  I've been cutting strips as I go and just setting them aside.  So now their all organized for eventual piecing.  I've also been thinking of starting some 3" (finished) 9 patches blocks.  Maybe as a leaders and enders project.  And just build up the blocks slowly.

Anni Downs Pin Cushion

Finally it's all done!

Designer:  Anni Downs  Magazine: Australian Homespun (Go Green Issue)

 

Just enough fusible batting ... phew ...

Partially stuffed

 

Simple wool circle for the top.  I am thinking of perching a Sue Spargo bird on top of it later

 This took a heck of an effort to make and did I stuff this baby.  I added 8 oz of walnut shells to weigh it down some.  I won't be gluing it down to the primitive-ish clamp as it would fix my view of the pin cushion.

Scrap Squares. Designer: Kathleen Tracy  Book: The Civil War Sewing Circle

I've also completed at least the top for SQT June Challenge by Kathleen Tracy.  This was fun and fast!

Designer: Blackbird Designs  Book: Garden Club  Fabrics: Blueberry Crumb Cake by Blackbird Designs for Moda

Speaking of challenges I completed the BBD Needleroll SAL with my pal Margaret W.

Karen S of Illinois USA received the basket that I sent her.  I promised her a basket many moons ago so I am making good my promise.  So glad she likes it.  That's Karen's Pam Buda small quilt, she's one prolific quilter!

Pick stitch on the midriff so that the bodice stays put

Whip stitching the lining against the zipper

Invisible zipper closed, luckily the midriff pipping bands kinda met ...

Completed dress

 Completed my sis' dress NL 6069.  It fits her well. So now I can proceed on to her other dresses.  The NL 6096 is next in line.

Fabric:  Little Apples and Shebert Pips charm packs by Aneela Hoey for Moda, white muslin, Kona solid Cardinal.

I have still the 2 outer borders to sew but otherwise this Granny Squares quilt top is done.  The pattern can be found here.  I am thinking an aqua and then white.  Just so to calm the reds down.

 Got my Alabama Chanin book, it's a beauty.  I want to make a simple knit blouse and a bolero for my sis.  All hand stitched too :)

Quilt Sampler.  Designer Little House Needleworks.  Fabric: 32ct Cream Belfast.  Floss: DMC

Completed the Quilt Sampler.  This has been a long time WIP.  It goes into my "to be framed pile".

Craftsy BOM - May

 I've also been playing with some hourglass blocks for a free Jo Morton small quilt pattern found on APQ.

Please come back to visit sometime before end of June, I'll be having a small Mid-Year giveaway.  I've not made it yet but I think I better hurry :)

Broken Dishes Quilt Top

I completed the top last weekend.  I find that making one doll quilt a month is something that I can try to shoot for.  Better still if Kathy's choosing these quilts.  That way I don't have to make those all important decisions!

Broken Dishes Quilt Top.  Designer: Kathleen Tracy.  Book: The Prairie Children & Their Quilts. Size: 15 1/2" x 18 1/2"

Pattern: JJ by Burda (free pattern)

 

I get a kick over my seam treatments, really loving the neat look.  Quite a bit if work on the Hong Kong seam finishes since there are usually more seams to bind when it's a princess seam blouse. The hem with a bias binding is my first. Much easier to work with especially when your hems curve.  Also it is best to use a narrow hem with curved shapes.  About the stand collar I feel that it should be a 1/8" wider, but there's no turning back now.  The fit is good but it'll look better if I lose my tummy!

I'm loving all these sewing stuff.  I really intend to take it up a notch.  So I enrolled in Gretchen Hirsh's The Starlet Suit Jacket and Kenneth D. King's Jean-ius! on Craftsy.  Like Susan Khalje, their really good teachers and watching these videos demystify couture sewing.  And the technique tips? PRICELESS!  To add to my education I ordered Claire's Shaeffer's Couture Sewing Techniques the bible for couture sewing. 

 Mary Kathryn was having a Superbowl sale and I couldn't resist getting my hands on Garden Club.  The applique blocks are huge!   If I ever get serious with applique I'll reduce the blocks for sure.  I won the Primitive Quilts magazine when Cheri was having a giveaway some weeks back.  I rarely am so lucky.  That's Cheri's design on the cover!

Cheri even signed on the page of her design! 

Some stuff for stitchery from Bird Brain Designs.  Love those little hangers.  They'll come in handy when displaying some tiny quilts, I'm sure.  And the Vogue pattern finally got here too.

Little Apples

Little Apples. Designer: Aneela Hoey (Freebie).  Floss: DMC310, 321, 433, 3848.  Background fabric: Kona White (interfaced)

I think she's a cutie.  Although it took a bit of time with the filling it wasn't that tedious since full 6 strands of embroidery thread was used.  I'll finish it as a cushion cover.  I've bought some Little Apples fabrics and it should be here next week.  So I'll be good to go then.  Also got a couple of charm packs i.e. Shebert Pips and Little Apples both by Aneela Hoey for Moda.  I've got a quilt planned ...

Christmas Sampler.  Designer: Red Brolly (Freebie),  Floss: DMC.  Background fabric: Muslin (not interfaced) and Kona Snow

I love this sampler. These stitcheries / embroidery work up pretty quickly.  The borders for the appliqued pieces gave me some grief as it's difficult to get all accurate when there is no marking.  It's still wonky ... an acceptable wonky.  I've got another piece of muslin all washed and ironed for Bronwyn's latest Christmas freebie 'He's Coming to Town'.

Cake Stand / Basket blocks Doll Quilt Top.  Designer: Kathleen Tracy for SQT Challenge.   Size: 17" x 22-3/4".  Fabric: RJR red & Kona Natural

Can't get enough of red and whites ... thinking if I should make some Anvil blocks next ...

I love the details in this top.  This is the back tie, to accentuate my non-existing waist perhaps?  There'll be a notched sleeve hem too, so that'll be interesting.  I'm trying to push to envelope in sewing, challenging myself with trickier constructions.  The fabric is Heather Ross' Mendocino for Free Spirit.  I am constructing this blouse meticulously and adding some fine finishings, I've been learning.

About time I organised my garment patterns ... 

Basting them doll/small quilt tops

I basted most of the small quilt tops I've done so far.  There are still some not done since I ran out of cotton batting.  Will get that rectified pronto :)

 Some were basted with cotton batting for hand quilting.

And some were pin basted with polyester batting for machine quilting.

Also did some repair and finishing on some older quilt tops.

 Removed the border fabric as it was not of the desired fabric quality.

And swapped it with Moda's brushed wovens.  I think it looks better and will definitely quilt better too.

 Completed this doll quilt top called Underground Railroad by Kathleen Tracy by adding the two borders.  This is destined to be hand quilted.

And I'm putting in rows of fly stitches on Cheri Payne's Soot & Ashes (freebie)

I have enrolled in a 6 months online sewing course with eSewingWorkshop.  I find the videos very informative and Nehzat approaches it on a step by step basis.  No prior knowledge is assumed.  Great for beginners like me.  Nehzat's sewing skills are amazing.  Here's a slopper or basic block pattern for a straight skirt.  I am using calico for my muslin.  I have not marked or sewn it up yet for a test fit.  I intend to progress to an A-Line skirt sloper which is not too difficult and then to the pants and bodice.