Building houses

For the past week I have been cutting out the shapes for my houses which will complete the border of my log cabin. I am starting on the big houses first, all 12 of them. I began by making all the windows with doors. At my sewing group I attempted my first roof detail with chimneys, what a mission. I attempted to put my first house together, but have found that the sizing of the window/wall detail is not the right size (what's new). I may have to cut out some new templates and begin building again... No doubt there will be some unpicking to do.

As for my bargello, I haven't touched that one since I found out the last triangle wouldn't line up. It has been a little frustrating to think that I have come this far and now find myself hitting this hurdle that is holding me up, grrrr...

Triangle rights and wrongs

OK, so I didn't read the directions properly and now I am up the creek... I formed four individual triangles. I was supposed to form two squares, THEN cut them in half after I completed all the detail, to form four triangles. My borders now appear to be up the wop. I am DETERMINED to get it right. I think sometimes "perseverance" is my middle name!!

I shall add a couple of pics to show you what I have done so far. I had attached all four corners to my bargello, but have since done lots of, yes, you guessed it, unpicking. I will not let this quilt beat me.

Bargello portion completed!!!

This actually happened a couple of weeks ago, but I was busy doing other things that I forgot to post the exciting news!!

I must admit after all the resizing, which was a lot and very timely, the finished product was pretty damm amazing if I say so myself. I had to stand back and look at my efforts in silence for sometime and let it all sink in. One year's worth of toil, happy stitching, unpicking, hiccups and buzzy happy moments. I think I needed the two weeks off from it just to let it all sink in - I had finally done it! Now to begin the borders...

Bargello complete

Ditto

Bargello - final rows sewn

It had to happen, I finally cracked my last two rows of my bargello quilt! What a mission... It took me five hours on Sunday to size up the four blocks required to do the third row. I basically had to unpick a row off each block and sew on another to make it wider, then cut it down to the exact size. I finished the fourth row tonight about 6.30. I decided I wouldn't iron the seams in the dark, but wait till tomorrow night - one of the good things about daylight saving. So thrilled to have finally achieved this part of the quilt. Next up will be to iron the seams and then sew the rows altogether.

Bargello all ready to sew the first two rows together

Close up on my pinned seams - a lot of work to sew over!

First two rows sewed together

Lining of bag

At last Wednesday's group session I finished making the lining for my first bag. Initially I found out that I had sewn the bottom thingee that holds the plastic sheet in place in the wrong direction. So, with unpicker in hand out it came! After re-sewing it in the correct direction, I sewed the two pockets in place, including the most wonderful zipped one!! The larger one was eventually sewn to make three pockets, including one for your handy pen. Sewed the sides up and all ready to rumble... next step, sewing it into the bag itself!! So exciting. I'll take a photo of the lining in the daylight and add it here in a day or two.

Lining all ready to sew into bag, what a mission...

Bargello - first row

With no sewing group for two weeks I didn't touch my bag at all, only to iron the zipped pocket... I cracked on with my bargello blocks though and started to sew them into rows, two down, two to go. That is a rather easy sentence to write, but it felt like a lifetime to do.... The blocks when completed needed to be 13.5" squared, so you can imagine the sounds coming from the sewing room when they measured 14" one side and only 13.2" on the other. Sheesh... this meant cutting down one side, equally, to 13.5, then unpicking one of the rows and adding on another that was just a tad wider. What a lot of fiddling about and getting it right. If they weren't right they wouldn't line up. And all this because either I, (a) didn't sew exactly 1/4" at all times or (b) didn't cut my strips exactly to size. So, if you're about to start a bargello, being accurate is the key! Will I ever do another one, yes, but not this big...

First row completed

That zipper

Two hours later and the zip is in.... Although I must admit I mucked up initially and after some very helpful advice and guidance I unpicked my stitching and re-did it as to how it should look! When I have a moment I shall upload a picture of my pocket, complete with zipper (yes, there is excitement in my words as I type this!!!). First pocket with zipper, many more to come, hopefully... Ha, I almost forgot to mention it is for my first bag I am making.

Two weeks off from my sewing group on Wednesdays so I shall have to keep focussed and sew, sew, sew!

Progress on bag and cabins

Whilst down in Geraldine I sewed the bottom and sides of my bag together. Once I turned it inside out it looked like a real bag, how exciting, my first bag! I started on the two pockets at my sewing group. I have decided to go with one of the pockets having a zipper. Eek, I already am looking at this option as the spooky option, but then I reckon I would want a zipper in my bag if it was for me.

As for my log cabin quilt I finished off making all my blocks last weekend and yesterday I measured and cut my blocks to equal size and then sewed them into rows. I'll load some pics in a day or two.

This is a before shot, with all 36 blocks lined up before sewing

I'm going to check out some other quilt blogger's now!

Stops and Starts on log making

I am on a week's holiday at my parents place in Geraldine. Loaded the car up with all my sewing gear and managed to find spaces for two cat cages with cats inside! I've achieved a lot cos was able to cut the remaining 18 blocks of my log cabin out on a bench that was the right height for cutting. I would have had them sewn up had it not been for the fact that I left the starting square fabric at my place, what a dill pickle... Went down the street and brought some template plastic to make a start on the houses. I want my houses to look somewhat realistic so alas all my solid fabrics are, you guessed it, at my place... Somehow I can't see a house painted with pink swirls. I know at times you are supposed to think outside the square, but that is too far out of my square for me. So, for the time being the log cabin has been put on hold until I get home.

Pink cabins

Luckily for me I brought a second project with me, for those, "just in case I finish the first one" moments. It is my bag that I am making at my Wednesday sewing group. I have since unpicked a tad of the braiding where it became too wobbly and I will attempt another restitch to form a nicer natural curve.

Bargellos, bags and cabins

Crikey, the month of August has just flown by. I almost haven't had enough time to scratch my bum!

I've been pretty busy trying to get my bargello together to resemble looking like a quilt. I finally sewed together all my 16 blocks the other weekend and then arranged them on my bed to see what the end feature would look like, and I must admit I was pretty blown away by the effect it is going to make. My next assignment on that quilt will be to sew the rows together.

All 16 blocks assembled ready to sew together

At my sewing group I started making a bag with the rest of the troops and am progressing slowly, but surely. Two of the group finished theirs last Wednesday and they are absolutely smashing. It is great to see their faces on completion, huge beaming smiles and wops of delight and satisfaction. I sewed my braid on, very wobbly I might add, but nevertheless it is now on. I did the detail on the straps and next week will start sewing them onto the top of the bag. I should take a photo of my progress so far, but that will have to wait till it is daylight again!

In the meantime I got encouraged to start another quilt. This one will be for my Dad and his wife. The colours they love are green, blue and pink. After turning the pages of several magazines to get some ideas I finally, yes finally, decided on one called 'Home Sweet Home' by Lee Avard. It is from 'Australian Patchwork & Quilting', vol.3, no.4. I have cut and sewn six blocks already and today cut out six more. I've come to realise that cutting out is one of the most time consuming bits of making a quilt.... and unless you have a cutting table at a height that doesn't involve bending, you end up with a sore back, Gordon Bennett!! I am cutting my strips for cabins wider than the instructions say cos I want the quilt to end up bigger. I shall add a photo in a day or two of where I'm at. At least I'll be able to look back at this blog one day and tell myself, "Gee, you did that!?" I really want to start sewing my blocks together tonight, but I having taped Coro Street for the last two nights. The Street wins out, ha!

Happy, happy, joy, joy.

Shopping for elephants

Well, not the real ones of course, but that darn marbled grey fabric that I run out of that makes elephants and couldn't find for the life of me in any local shop. I had another look at Quilters Quarters and blow me under there was just a tad left so I brought the remains off the roll. Now I can complete Parts 4, 5 and 6 of the elephants I require to complete my mystery quilt! Yes, Part 6 came out on the 1st August and yes, another elephant. I wonder if there are other people making this quilt thinking the same as me, "why an elephant, why couldn't it be a cute teddy bear or rabbit!!!". Yes, life's a challenge, roll with it! I still have to order my Vanity Fair fabric from that Australian on line site to complete my circles. God certainly loves a trier when you run out of your fabrics after you make boo boos that shouldn't have been made in the first place, lordly, lordly!

At the weekend I tackled Part 5 of the scalloped strips and alternated with my bargello blocks. Eight are now sewn together, eight to go! I didn't go to my sewing group last week, but intend on taking my bag bits and pieces along to tackle some more. Happy stitching!

Pear cushion complete

At last I finished the cushion for my friend's birthday. Sometimes it's good to have a deadline cos then you know you have to make the extra effort to get it done! It turned out bigger than I thought, but very interesting to make. It was my first go at needle turn and jeez I have some learning skills to do there! I took a photo of it, but have yet to load for you all to see, I'll do that in a day or two.

Ready for stuffing

Inspection by Bella

In the meantime I havn't tackled my bargello blocks for some time now.... As for my Wednesday sewing class, a few of us have begun to make a large bag (my very first). It will be a very interesting few weeks ahead. Can't wait to show you the end product!

Time to begin Part 5 of the mystery

Finished off appliqueing the circles of Part 4 yesterday, only that darn elephant to go... Today I cut out the pieces for Part 5, which include four strips and four sets of scallops that sit at the top and bottom. Those extra circles (fabric being brought from the web) will go in-between. After that I will attempt the last elephant (well, let's hope so).


I've been able to do this extra bit of sewing because my car is at the garage. On Friday morning on the motorway, passing a 18-wheeler truck I look down to see "Check Engine" looking back at me and the temperature needle on HOT!!! EEK, here's where my cool banana skills took my driving skills to another level... with cars up my bum and already 3/4 of the way past the truck, I put my foot on the gas and got in front of the truck then had to indicate quick and pull over at speed and not hit the marker sticks in the process. Made it! Cellphone in hand (thank goodness I packed it in my bag that day) I rang the AA and Bob's ya uncle. Out of action till the end of tomorrow so I reckon I'll have lots of free time to sew, sew, sew!!!

Part 4 continues

I knew those elephants would be sew-stoppers! I have to buy more grey fabric to make them. I also ran out of another shade of fabric and the original store I brought it from ran out and the other shops I purchase from also don't have it :( So pleased then that the wonderful world of the web exists! I will be purchasing my required fabric from 'The Stitching Cupboard'. I googled them awhile back and they have some in stock. The only down side is, I don't have a credit card. After setting up my Pay Pal account it requires either a credit or debit card, so it's off to the bank next week to get a debit card at least. All so I can start Part 5 of my mystery quilt!!


Tonight I am hand appliqueing the Part 4 circles, down to the last eight. My friend's birthday is next week and only the binding to go on her cushion, oh and buy a cushion inner...

More of the same

The weekend brings a chance to unwind, relax and sew! With only two weeks before my friend's birthday I thought I had better get on and try and finish off the cushion I am making her. The detail of the front has the applique done in needle turn. I've never tried my hand at needle turn before and boy do I need to practise some more! I quilted the cover after adding the detail then tackled the back which has an insert that the cushion inner goes in. The last touch will be the binding.  Once done I shall take a piccie and add it here, but that probably won't be till next weekend.


In the meantime I am hand appliqueing Part 4 of the my mystery quilt, sewing on 32 circles..... And because I constantly want to start a new project long before I have finished the last, I have already begun to select colours out for my next project, a queen sized quilt for my Dad and his wife, in shades of green and pink. I have decided to do a log cabin design even though I haven't done one before. I wonder if I can get it done in time for this Christmas?

Two halves make a whole

At last I finally finished sewing my halves to complete my blocks!! I will now sew the two halves together to make a whole!! Can't wait for the blocks to become whole and get a better picture of where the quilt is taking me. I have so many threads to trim, rows to iron and make them all look pretty. Sometimes when we do block construction we often are so focussed on the task at hand that we forget the bigger picture. Last week I was de-moaning that I wished the blocks would just vanish, but now with them complete I can't wait for the next step in the process.

Here are the completed halves all ready to sew as whole blocks.

This is what the two halves will look like when complete!

Mystery quilt Part 5

Sorry if I'm about to spoil your party, but ANOTHER elephant :( You have got to be joking me!! I struggled with the first one, haven't done the second one, and now you throw another one into the rink!! When all is done I better post an image of the completed "mystery" so you all know what "misadventures" I had to go through. I managed to stuff up cutting some fabric and searched high and low in my local shops for a replacement measure of the same fabric, but came up empty. Thus I googled it and came across a site in Australia that I can purchase it from, the things you resort to eh! It is lovely neutral shade from Nancy Gere, from the Vanity Fair c.1865-1890 range.


Well, off to the Amberley craft market this morning. They have just started up, so thought I might see what creative beings there are in the district. I shall report later on my findings! Catch ya.

Two to go...

Yes, you read it right!! Two more halves to go before my 16 blocks are completed! I was sewing three halves last night at my sewing group and for the majority of the time I was saying to myself, "I am soooooooooooo over this..." But since I am a true believer at only putting "happy stitches" into my patchwork I so got over that and thought about the special day when it would be all sewn together and be as one. I guess I'm not the only one who gets "block-i-tish" every now and again!!?


Now off to applique the remaining three scallops to my mystery quilt....

Mystery quilt Part 4

Hey, what's new, one week to go before Part 5 comes out and I just begun Part 4!! I got cracking and cut out all the bits last Saturday and on the Sunday begun the applique, yet again... It really used to spin my wheels, but sometimes too much all at once can become all too much of a task and not fun. It's a good thing I have lots of other projects on the go at the same time to keep the motivation going, and going, and going! All I ask for, is that Part 5 does not involve another elephant.... Snapshots to come.

Part 4 of the mystery quilt involves eight of these thingees and that elephant, which I haven't tackled yet.
I have yet to applique around the circles.

Mystery quilt Part 3 nearly finished

Only the eye to go before I complete Part 3 of the mystery quilt, whew! A bit of a mission completing it. Part 5 is going to start in a week's time and I haven't even cut out Part 4 yet. I don't think I'm cut out for these mystery things. At least I'm giving it a go, all the better to see what it turns out like in the end! I would post a photo, but it's for a friend and you never know when they might be looking, ha!

Part 3 of the mystery quilt was this elephant, but lots of 'hard on your fingers' qpplique work.
Have yet to draw in the eye...

I might go and iron my fabrics ready for Part 4 and go do some template drawings, ho hum.... See you in the soup.

The end is near...

I took my 12 remaining blocks (left sides) to the weekly sewing group on Wednesday. I was able to complete three sides in two hours so I'm reckoning only six more hours to go to complete my blocks, yeeehaaa!!! It certainly will be rewarding when I have finally sewn all my sides into complete blocks and then those blocks become one...


For this weekend I plan to start on a friend's birthday present for next month. I'm guessing she will never come across this blog so I can write by saying that the fabric she initially picked out one day will be the focus of the project! I popped along to Cottonfields and selected three more contrasting shades.


I will also cut out Part 4 of the Susan Claire mystery quilt too. After seeing it is another elephant, I thought, golly gosh, where is this heading! Part 3 gave me a sore thumb with the applique work. I wanna get one of those thumb thingies that save yourself a lot of needle pain!


Took my wee Bella to the vet, $200, there goes my fabric budget out the window, ha! Happy sewing.

Snow sewing

You gotta love those snow days off from work!!  I managed to complete the right sides of my 16 blocks! I was so wrapped. I kept focussed and didn't settle for second best when it came to a few unpicking sessions, I knew I would get there in the end and whew, what a relief to have the right side out of the way, ha!!


Last night I prepared the left sides of the blocks. This involves unpicking the rows where necessary, ironing the seams the correct way and then putting a complete set together. The left side consists of six rows so the progress should take less time, yeah right! The original rows were sewn into the bargello tube method and cut into lengths.


With last Wednesday's sewing group cancelled because of the snow I intend on taking this "organised" prep work along to the next class and make light work of the left, ha, ha! I have so many projects on the go at the moment, but I really want to finish this one before Christmas.... I bet there are many voices out there who say the same thing, "must get that project finished before the next"!


The next best thing about having snow sewing days is a cosy 11-fin oil column heater sitting next to you, what bliss! If your sewing room isn't cosy then you can't sew in happiness and I only sew happy stitches!!


If you ever want to try doing your own bargello quilt, go for it! But keep your unpicker at hand at all times!!

Unpicker in my hand

Yes, more unpicking... no doubt the person I am giving this quilt to will never notice my mistakes, but I see them! But there is a breaking point to being fussy, I only give it three tries and if it's still up the wop then I move on. Right now I am unpicking one of my rows on my bargello I sewed last Wednesday. I'm going to whip it into shape and have that half done and dusted before my next sewing group.

Last weekend I popped along to 'Away with the Fairies' at Cust. I went in to buy some threads but couldn't resist some pretty pink and green fabrics, the beginnings of a queen-sized quilt I shall be making for my Dad and his wife. I was looking through my magazines for inspiration and narrowed it down to about eight ideas, but finally picked out the one I shall make. It contains nine patches and love hearts. That will have to go on the back burner for the time being cos I have to stay focused and get this bargello done first. Sheesh it's hard to stay focused though when there are so many pretty fabrics around just wanting to be made into quilts!!! Pick me, pick me, they all scream, ha!!

Now, back in March I started Susan Claire's mystery quilt, a first for me. Below are the colours I picked out for Part 3 which I have cut out, but haven't assembled yet... only one week before Part 4 comes out and I haven't even started appliqueing yet, eek!

I just unpicked a whole row of my bargello block whilst waiting for this image to upload, you gotta love dial-up!!! Writing of which, I'm not going to spruce up this page with pretty pictures and the like until I get Broadband. I see other people's blogs and think, wow, so pretty. For the time being you will just have to read words and the odd image or two.

I thought I might add my sewing room, aka, messy, disorganised bits of furniture and stacks of fabric everywhere. One of my mum's favourite sayings is, "a place for everything and everything in its place". I shall try. This room comes complete with my $2 chair from a fair! I love my inspiration board, it truly does inspire me.

The image above shows where I sit to sew, at a computer desk. Can't spread my quilts out, but at least I have a posse to sit and while away the hours. A lot of sewers I know have to park themselves at the end of the dining table and pack everything in boxes. The wine rack to the right is a bemusing tower for the kitten to climb....!

I better stop for the night and go and cook some tea. Happy sewing!

Giggles galore!

If you haven't joined a sewing group I recommend you join one! Not only do you get to see what others are up to, you get to have and hear the most free-flowing conversations ever! I love my sewing group cos it motivates me to sew and sometimes they make me laugh till I cry!!


I am still tackling my bargello blocks. If I'm not pleased with my lining up skills I reach for the unpicker!!


Ohhh, and much excitement at the beach.... there are huge reels of bright green cabling about and roadworks. I made enquiries and it sounds like broadband maybe reaching the beach after all!!!!!!!!! I'm so excited I could almost pop, ha, ha! For the time being it is still dialup :(


For those in the Canterbury region this weekend, the first Encraftment Market of the year, will be held on Saturday 26 May at the University of Canterbury, College of Education site at the Jack (?) Arena. Gotta love people who love crafts, make crafts and then sell their crafts, you are the bee's knees!

Back to sewing group

Sheesh, I know the internet can be a fun place to be, but when your internet explorer "no longer supports blogger"... I'm giving this Google Chrome a go, but with dial-up it's like watching paint dry, in slow motion. I'm going to attempt to load some pics and write a few words, but I'm reckoning this will take me a good 1/2 hour to a hour to do, here goes nothing!


I went back to my first sewing group for the year a week ago. It's such great fun and I enjoy meeting with other like minded people all wanting to create something wonderful. My sewing group meets up Wednesday evenings at Quilters Quarters at Rangiora. I decided to take along a project I first started in November last year, a bargello quilt. It got stalled for awhile cos the blocks were challenging and you needed the patience of many Saints! Anyways, after going back last week I finished off another block and then last weekend had a "block day" at home and managed to complete a complete block. Very tiring, but very rewarding. To keep up the motivation I am sewing the right side of the blocks first and then will tackle the left sides later.

 

Gosh, that was a long painful 15 mins to download one image.... I was going to load four more... Then my cat decided to lie across my lap and my laptop then became a, reach for it and type with one finger, if you can laptop!

The fabrics to the right of the image above are my latest purchases from 'Grandmother's Garden' which I haven't put away yet.

I might add some more pics later after I head to the Telecom site and check out about Broadband in my region!

More cushions

Finally Aztec (big ted) got his belated Christmas present, a whopper floor cushion. The appliqued hearts had the word 'love' on them, courtesy of a quilting Aunt! The squares were a charm pack I brought on Trademe and the backing was from the Clearance Cluster at Cust last year. The Stash Rehash at the weekend was another chance to get some bargains from pre-loved sewing rooms throughout Christchurch.

Next up is a cushion inspired by the piggy card I brought. In the end I made three for a friend all with different coloured pigs. This one is in its last stages of TLC.

New beginnings and new ideas

Curvature - Australian Patchwork & Quilting, Vol16, No10

When I decided to do my first bargello I guess I should have chosen a smaller project, but I love challenges and this is certainly starting to be one. I firstly picked out all my 13 fabrics and thought I had them in the correct dark-light order, but upon looking at my first block I now realise I have two colours out of order. Since I have now sewn all my strips together and cut them, there is no going back, but onwards with a mission! Again I shall put this down to practise, but a costly one!

Here is my first block. To me the green in the centre sticks out like a sore thumb. At first I was peeved at myself for making such a silly mistake. Colour No.1 should be the darkest (the orange shade) and no.2 should have been a 'accent print'. I thought that meant a shade that looked right together, not that green shade...

Here is my second block which is now complete. I did this one with more ease than the first. I chose not to iron every single strip as I sewed them together. They lined up so much easier. There are 16 blocks in total... 

New ideas - landscapes

Because I get bored easy, here are my next two projects lined up - attempts at doing landscapes. I picked out two photos I took on my travels in South Africa. The first a sunset on top of Table Mountain looking out over the Atlantic Ocean. I have no idea how to sew them together! 

The next photo was taken on a short tour of South-West Africa, as it was know in the 1980's! This trip took me to Etosha Park and this landscape was nearby. Just breathtaking. When I sew a few fabrics together I shall add some more photos to show you progress. In the meantime I may have to attend a class to get the hang of what I'm doing.

Molly in the Garden - applique

Before Christmas I started this pattern that I brought on Trademe. I think it's called 'Molly in the Garden'. I have all the fabrics in place ready to applique and also have to do some flowers at the bottom, and draw in a face and a couple of handles. I generally like applique, but haven't touched it since December 2011.

My fabric hanging is in pinned on the hall wall. When I'm not using it the fabric is doubled over and pinned higher so as my kitten doesn't continually jump up at and try to pull it down. Life is one game when you are small and furry!

Nine Patch Practice

I chose this Elaine Rose cushion pattern to practice my nine patch blocks. I picked out the grey shades first, whereas I should have selected the main fabric. Luckily I had a contrasting red that made the greys spring to life.

Pinned and ready for quilting

Next I chose this exotic purple as a centre block.

I put them together to form this top, which is yet unfinished. I wasn't sure whether the colours went together, but if they don't I'll put it down to another learning curve.

Finally I chose a red and green theme, you can never have enough practice when it comes to patchwork!

My first lap quilt

This was the quilt I began in April and finished Christmas Eve 2010 for my mum. The corner blocks are maple leafs and the applique were supposed to be maple leafs as well, but the course finished and I didn't have access to the template. I found the cat shapes from a friend and dedicated them to the eight cats who formed our family over the years. I used silver thread for the whiskers and their names, what a challenge! Blackboy was my special "boy". It was machine quilted and hand appliqued.

My first cushion

I made this cushion for my sister who loves bears, who doesn't. I did the applique by hand which is very addictive. Because I enjoyed it so much I made a second one for her!

My first completed quilt

I made this wall hanging for one my best mates for her birthday. Her mum had a beloved Westie named "Jack" and when I saw the Kay McKenzie quilt, I knew it had to be made.

Let the wonder begin...

The thing I wonder about at the moment is whether this blog will work with dial-up.... and whether the tiny 10 week old kitten attempting to jump onto the keyboard will land on the delete key... Before I load any patchworking let me introduce you to the little bean!