That computer desk

I thought I had better document the last time I used my computer desk for sewing. As you can see it had a back and sides which wasn't ideal, but I've had many pleasurable moments there making some amazing projects. I've already got another desk lined up, but in the meantime I am using my kitchen tea trolley!

Henny Penny lap quilt

I started this one a couple of years ago, I can't remember exactly when. The lovely chicken fabrics are incorporated between the chicken wire. This quilt has been made for my Mum who, whilst on the farm, had poultry of all kinds; turkeys, ducks, chickens and laying hens. Naturally chickens were a huge part of her farming life. The hens ran around free eating scraps and enjoying dust baths. Egg collecting was always fun.

After completing the chicken and wire fencing I wanted to add something additional to it, give it some zing. I decided some applique chickens scratching around the borders. I think they really bring the quilt to life. I added the last two brown ones last week.

Top completed

My grey chickens

Sweet lil brown ones

I don't know why I added the white trim now...

On the run

I think this one might have a sore leg

More brown chicks

The majority of these chicken fabrics came from Evelyn in Dunedin

The backing of the bargello

I had completed the front of my bargello quilt sometime ago (2014), but only got round to the backing last year because originally I thought I would do more bargello patterns for the backing, but I gave up on that idea once I realised how much more time I would need to put into this already very delayed quilt.  In the end I did a quickie and used up the very beautiful leftover fabrics that incorporated the front, all 13 of them. I really had no idea how to design the backing. My imagination is very lacking in that department. It ended up very plain, but in my head I was just saying, "get it done". I initially only added the stripes, but felt the centre of the fabric needed an extra bit of punch so I added three love hearts with the fabric cut on the angle. Trying to convey two hearts coming together as one - my Mum and Step-Dad.

The right side decided on and sewn

More planning

Backwards way of putting my backing together

Completed before hearts added

The three hearts added

So pleased I added the hearts because that gap was way too plain

Two smalls hearts become one

Teddy Bear Picnic lap quilt

I started this quilt back in April 2016 and finished stitching the binding on Christmas Eve. Nothing quite like a bit of last minute rushing. It was actually a gift for my sister's birthday back in July. Being the avid bear collector for decades I decided the best option was to include bears! For the backing I selected her favourite things; netball, tigers and more teddy bears. The teddy bear fabric on the back came courtesy of a dear Aunt in Dunedin.

This quilt pattern came from a wonderful book, Singular Sensations.

Fussy cutting the bears

One Teddy

More Teds

Setting out the teds and the corners

Adorable Teddies

Ironing the inner blocks

All sewn together

Lots of variety for the backing

Pussycat guarding the quilt

Safety pins at the ready

All done!

Aztec

Just wanted to share my black and white cat and his gorgeous possum tail!

Countdown begins

With Christmas only moments away, well eight sleeps away, I thought I had better do my finishing touches to two quilts. They both needed to have their bindings sewn on and of course, that all important hand stitching to close the deal. When it comes to hand stitching the binding I am at a lost how people can spend time doing the tiniest of stitches to make them look perfection. I lump along and stitch ever so badly, more or less just wanting for the quilt to be completed. One day I will perfect the art of stitching, but in the meantime I shall plod along as before.

80x80 binding

 

The cat had to move first before I could continue...

Much smaller lap-sized quilt

Sports lap quilt

Back in April was my brother-in-law's birthday and I stayed focussed and managed to get this out in two weeks. I would love to go back and quilt it better, but overall it came out OK and the themed fabrics went together well, some of his favourite pastimes: soccer, golf, fishing and caravanning. The wonderful golf fabric came from my Aunt in Dunedin and the soccer fabric was a wonderful homage to his playing days. The kiwiana caravan fabric was an adorable addition for the borders and the backing.

What not to do whilst quilting!

Quilting complete

Caravan, fish, and fishing rod detail

My first attempt at quilting

Soccer detail surrounded by golf fabrics

Binding sewn on and all complete

Caravan detail