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.

Giveaway Winner!

The winner of the pin cushion is Becky K!  Thank you all for playing.  I surely do appreciate it.

Giveaway!

Cross stitch design is a freebie from The Primitive Hare

Thank you for your continued visits and comments.  I made this small pin cushion for my annual mid-year giveaway.  Stitched on tea-dyed Belfast linen with a homespun patch and backing.  It is stuffed with polyester fiber.

Please comment and I will draw a name on Saturday morning GMT+8 (30th June 2012).  I will ship the pin cushion to anywhere in the world.

Thank you so much and I do value your visits.

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 :)

Good weeks

I had my birthday earlier this month and the gifts I've received are absolutely precious!  My dear friends know me too well.

A lovely prim pin cushion from Jess.  It's a freebie design by Lori Brechlin of Notforgotten Farm.  The pattern is available here.  Very nice sentiment indeed.

And here's the the whole shebang! Just gorgeous wools from her trip back home, specially selected for my Anni Down's pin cushion.  A very nice squirrel pattern by the The Quilted Crow too.  And how can I forget those CW fabrics!

Next up is a heart pin cushion by Ewe & Eye & Friends.  Gorgeously stitched and finished by Lillie.  Love all those buttons!

And the complete loot.  I've coveted that box ever since Diane (Lillie's talented daughter) bought one for her mom. It's left unfinished just so I can put my creative juices to work!

 A cartonnage book from Margaret W.  She says it's one craft realm that I have not fully immersed myself in.  Like I need another! LOL!!  Ready made box templates, fabric and cross stitch pattern by BOAF completes the goodies.

Something old and something new Merilyn says.  Love the Old Fashioned Calicoes by Barbara Brackman and the print scale is so dainty.  The stitchery owl by Gail Pan is quite handsome ... a must stitch.

Thank you all for the wonderful gifts I've received.  I so appreciate your generosity and time.

For Jess W's birthday end of last month I made her a wall hanging Ohio Star block.  I think big stitch Baptist Fan quilting design is my new favourite!

Requisite Reds

Shirtings and lights

Mediums and darks

Plaids and stripes

From This-N-That and Fabric Shack.  Fabrics all washed and folded destined for it's respective bin.  The plaids and stripes are for my future Jan Patek's  Lincoln's Platform!

I did some fun sewing of a chicken.  It's now with Chloe in Switzerland.  A free pattern from Red Brolly.  I was to complete it by Easter but you know how it is ...  In this picture I've not added her eyes yet, that is a pin to indicate the eye's position.  She turned out rather biggish so I intend to make another smaller version for myself.

4 pairs of Andre Shorts by Burda.  2 for my sis and 2 for me.

Sorbetto Top by Colette Patterns (freebie) with details of store bought piping

Some sewing for home wear.  Sometimes I like the change of sewing for simple home garments.  Seam finishes can be left with simple overcasting and hems plainly top stitched.

Tolie for New Look 6069

Self made piping with store bought satin bias tape

Piping details

Lining and lace for the hem

A dress for my sis.  The toile was sewn and some adjustments to the paper pattern was made.  And then the fashion fabric is cut.  Since this is a whole different type of sewing it requires a step by step construction.  The fit is important for the bodice.  The cotton fabric is thin (hard to work with) and frays like crazy.  Since the lining is silk satin I think it's gonna be another challenge. But I like the piping details that I am adding for the top and bottom of the midriff pieces.

Grey blouse Burda 8368

Sorbetto by Colette Patterns

Hem details with bias binding tape

Detail of self fabric bias binding.  Cut extra large

There was supposed to be a gathering with my class mates this Friday but unfortunately it has been postponed.  I made the above garments for the dinner.  I think the sleeve of the grey blouse is too long.  I may shorten it.  Also it's rather big since the pattern is supposed to be loose fitting.  But I think I will want to make another similar blouse one size down. 

Hemming with a bias binding is so classy.  I like the look and it finishes very neatly.  Even the Sorbetto top was hemmed with satin bias binding tape.

A couple of Japanese cotton fabrics from Fah Num known for it's infamous pricing.  But I zoom in to those with 50% discounts!  It'll be a challenge with matching the plaids but I am sure it will be interesting.  The blue is for another dress and Spanish white cotton (not in pic) is drying on the clothesline now.

These books were the reason I had to go to town.  Somehow they needed to be collected from the General Post Office.  They were from Better World Books an Abebooks dealer.  I think I will delve into making a simple cloth doll before tackling the Gail Wilson's ultimate dolls.

As always, thank you for dropping by.