rebecca:vavic

Finish it Friday: Black and White chevron baby quilt...

If I look back at previous posts, I see that I have quite a few quilts that were once works in progress {WiPs} and are now very much finished. And in the case of this one, its gone to live elsewhere as I donated it to Mikaela's swim club for fundraising.

I did manage to get a little photo shoot with it before it departed...

I made the chevron pattern using HSTs (half square triangles).

I machine stitched in the ditch along the chevrons and then again about a quarter of an inch inwards on the white fabric. Then I used black Presencia Finca thread in No. 8 to hand stitch around the black and white fabric.

For the backing I used a white fabric with black polka dots.

Binding is black with teeny tiny white polkadots... super sweet!

It's the perfect newborn baby quilt, as for the first few weeks they can only really see in black and white.

Lastly I added my little tag, and call it done. Complete. Finished and on to another happy home I hope.

Happy Finish-it-Friday (FiF) to you!

Bx

Work in Progress Wednesday...

I am a Liberty loving kinda girl {who isn't?}... I even love Liberty scraps!

A great project to use up those scraps is to sew up some lovely little Liberty pincushions. Each pincushion has 36 x 1.5 or 2.25 inch of Liberty print. And they are so cute! Right now I have these on the go...

I've managed to quilt a few of the tops:

I've created a mini flower with some hexies on some delicious wool I got from the UK, I think I'll make a needle book out of this:

So far I have one finished pincushion so far, size is 6 x 6 inches.

I filled it with Silica Sand, so its nice and heavy, which I really like! And it keeps my pins nice and sharp.

I used linen for the backing, and I've added my little tag:

Now just about 12 to go before I check this project off as done! Was thinking of some birthday gifts, but at this rate it will be more like Christmas pressies!

Happy Liberty sewing!

Bx

Works in Progress: Quilting

I have a great many quilts on the go, I think it may be an illness.. but if it is, I don't actually want a cure. I LOVE me some quilting, so much so that this here is my list I have going on right now:

I found this fabulous template which helps me to keep track of my projects.

Progress of late:

I finally mangaged to get my Lone Star quilt to the long arm quilter {Helen}!! I am hoping to have it back by my birthday in late May.

I also took my Thai silk quilt to the long arm quilter to have it basted... my plan is to kantha stitch it... mmm that's a big job, I know! Could take me 10 years!

 

I am working on this small square quilt, which will sit over an ottoman in our lounge room.... is there anything sweeter than liberty & linen, I don't think so!

Planned projects for the next week:

My number one priority has to be this quilt for Joshua's Kindy teacher, it is quilted and binding is finished, I just need to do some stitching around the hands:

I'd also like to piece together Mikaela's Aqua Issosolies triangle quilt top.

And finish the Liberty and Linen quilt.

Happy Quilting!

Bx

 

Finished Quilt: Annalise's Crib Quilt...

How embarrasing, I finished and gifted this quilt 8 months ago. EIGHT !!

This was a very quick one, the main feature was the most gorgeous fabric, then binded by a simple bold colour (magenta perhaps?)... and backed with the most soft of soft flannel in a pale yellow.

Note to self: ALWAYS take photos before gifting the quilt !!! I was in such a rush, I think I finished binding the night before, got up at 6am to drive up and be at my friends by 93oam.

And I got to meet little Annalise, the most adorable precious little bundle:

Oiw, isn't she just darling! I am pretty sure she is smiling at me!

Such a little cutie patootie.

Even tho this quilt has not a bit of piecing, I think it is gorgeous, the fabric makes it... delicious! However, it is not near as delicious as the little lady it was made for, such an angel, just like her Mumma {my dear darling girlfriend Jacqui}:

Happy Quilting.

Bxo

Still here, crafting...

The start of another quilt for Mikaela:

My super sized Lone Star, it's finished and ready for long arm quilting:

A finished baby quilt I donated to Ben's daycare fete fundraiser:

Hexagon cushion in progress:

60 inch Christmas tree skirt top complete, hopefully get around to quilting and posting all about it soon... with much better photos:

Many many other projects on the go. Will share more soon.

Bxx

Quilts in the making...

Or Works in Progress (WIP)... here is what I have going right now:

A few quilts which have been pin basted and ready to quilt:

This photo (below) of this hst quilt is upside down actually!

This photo (below) is the correct way up!

Here are a few quilt tops I have completed, which need basting {and then quilting}:

I love this very scrappy quilt below, it's basically a crib size quilt, so quite small... using left overs from a quilt I am making for Mikaela.

This chevron is so bright and cheery, makes me happy!

Backing is a vintage flannel sheet, LOVE!

This is a very special (and gorgeous) baby, Annalise's quilt, there are lots of 2 inch squares. I used a jelly roll for this one:

Another HST quilt in the making. Especially fond of the chevron backing in grey!

I started this on the weekend. Totally inspired by Rita at Red Pepper Quilts and her blocks here:

They are 16 inch blocks, 4 done and 7 to go, think I'll make a quilt with 9 and then two cushions for our bed.

Also still working on the Sugar Block Club (a block each month) with Amy Gibson over at her blog. I am making slow progress as I am making 5 of each block:

This is the start of a quilt for my daughter, 6 inch blocks, square in square foundation piecing. LOVE them, I hope she does too, but she's 12, so you know... There's 180 to go into her quilt. 10 done, 170 to go!

Lastly, there is this one, 24 x 13 inch blocks for Joshua's kindy teacher. I am getting the kiddies to add their handprints. I made a cushion (left) with the scraps.

So, as you can see I have a HUGE amount of quilting to do, however... I bought one of these at the quilt fair:

It's the large Sew Steady table (18x24 inch) with the drawer underneath. I am eagerly anticipating it's arrival before I start any quilting.

Well that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

Hopefully I'll have some FIF (Finish it Friday) posts coming soon, certainly have a few weeks worth here!

Happy Quilting!

Bx

Finished QUILT: She's so Vibrant...

Here is a quilt I finished quite some weeks ago for my fabulous friend, Kim to celebrate her 40th birthday. The name of the quilt is "She's so Vibrant", because that is what my friend is, vibrant! This is my third finished quilt.

This is the "front" of the quilt, these are 12" hst (half square triangles)... this is a MASSIVE quilt... here it is on my king size bed and it over hangs the sides and base almost to the floor.

It was a huge endeavour for me, that's for sure.

This is the back of the quilt, so basically she has two quilts in one.

 

This is the quilt out on our trampoline, and our little Joshua - he is her Godson afterall... so the gift is absolutely from him too!

I LOVE this quilt... however it was really quite hard to quilt such a large quilt with my little home machine. I think next time I make such a large quilt I will send it for long arm quilting... then maybe add some kantha/utility/running stitch. 

Most importantly my friend loved it... and that is all that matters to me.

Happy Quilting!

Bx

Sew storage and quilt loving...

Here is my little space I use to get my sew on... or rather an attempt to get organised:

This is a cupboard in my study... I had to find a home for all my quilting "stuff" that was slowly taking over our home. Well, let's face it... it still does, but now I can find what I need easily.

I actually get my "sew on" on the desk beneath this shelf... or on the kitchen dining table... depending on how big the project is.

Lately I've been working on quite a few projects, here are a few in progress:

Half square triangles (hsts)... I am in love!

I have a variety of baby quilts I am working on... plus many more in the "pipes", I have the jelly rolls ready to go.

Baby's love black+white... this will be a very sweet babe quilt me thinks! I think I'll back it with a white with black polka dots... maybe black and white stripes for the binding.

This hst quilt is solid blocks of colour... may back it with a pretty floral?

I have these fabrics ready for a "citrus" themed baby quilt:

Not to mention the fabulous aqua, yellow, black and white theme I have going with a "bee" pattern. Sigh.

Now for some "spare" time... humf !! My household has gone into military style organisation mode since my #1 child has been promoted to Championship Swim Squad at the AIS {that is another post entirely!}... anyways I have a plan with my quilting... it will take some time, but I will get there.

I've also been working on birthday bunting flags, some christmas projects... which I shall share soon.

In the meantime, I have a friend with a babe due any day now... back to the baby quilt makin'.

Love out.

Bxo

Sugar Block {Club} of the Month...

I really enjoyed my quilting class and having to really stretch myself as far as my ability and skill set goes. Once finished I was afraid I'd fall into the easy (and very quick, and often beautiful) creative trap of just piecing together lots of gorgeous fabrics... not that there is ANYTHING wrong with that! I really enjoyed creating my mother in law's quilt... but I knew I wanted to keep stretching myself.

So I came across Craftsy, and thereby came across Amy Gibson... and then decided to join her 2013 block of the month class. Only I'll do five {5} blocks each month, then I will add solid white blocks to create a huge king sized quilt for me and my love.

I joined late, got behind AND have not done each month, but here's what I HAVE done SO far:

Five in a row of the January block "Snow Blossom" ... the only five I've managed to finish so far, but I will get there, I am determined! I think five is how many it takes for me to really learn the skills, and the block. But me does think I tend to bite of more than I can chew at times. ha! sigh!

And a close up... please don't look TOO closely!

Sorry for the bad pics, taken at night.

Here is February's block, a foundation piece called "North Star"... 

Even though this is a foundation piece, I still found it challenging... showing my novice-ness, it has only been 3 months since I have taken up this fabulous craft... and it shows, so it's good that I have another 4 of these to practice with > precisely! 

The next block I've been able to complete, and only one (of 5) so far.... is the June block {Home Sweet Home}:

I am not usually a "blue girl" but I love these colours and the combination.

If you are looking to add to your quilting skill set, or to challenge yourself, or be involved in an encouraging and supportive online (anytime) community of quilters... I highly recommend Craftsy and/or an online BOM such as Sugar Club.

I eagerly anticipate the 1st of each month.... just to see what Amy has in store for us.

Bx 

5000 hexagons...

that's about how many 1 inch hexagons I will need to create a king sized quilt for Nath and I. Well 5000 + 63 to be precise, according to this awesome calculator over at CD Designs:

Paper Pieces have put together this fabulous cutting guide. It's been my go to for working out the amount of yardage I'll need for my hexies, and the finished quilt... it's a lot!

I imagine that this project is going to take some time.

My official start date is 21st April 2013... that's when I started hand cutting my hexies.

PAPER PIECING...

At first I was handcutting {carefully} my hexies using this template I got from Texas Freckles:

 

Then I got the bright idea to use my Silhouette QuicKutz... which worked well. It took a while to create the template, but once that was done... easy peasy and was quicker than my handcutting. Only issue is that the matt board's do not last very long and given I have to cut 5000 or more, it would work out to be quite costly!

So... I ventured over to Paper Pieces... and that looks like a good option, I can get all my cards + delivery for quite a good price... not to mention the massive amount of time I'll be saving !!

However if I can gain some life with my cutting matts, I think I'll stick with making them myself using my Silhouette... it is super quick and easy. If I didn't have the Silhouette, I'd definitely go with the Paper Pieces pre cut bulk packs.

BASTING...

I also started my hexie piecing by hand stitch basting the fabric around the paper... however I was soon lead in the right direction by my lovely local quilt store, Sam is the {one of} quilting guru, and she introduced me to this little wonder, a sewline glue pen:

For a very good tutorial on how to glue baste, Fat Quarterly have one here.

I don't trim my hexies down to 1/4 seam allowance, I leave them square... partly because that's what is recommended by Paper Pieces {and I figure they know much more than me about paper piecing} and partly because I always find the last corner to be quite sparce.

So now I have my glue pen, and my go anywhere bag... I can create my little hexies at any time. Well not any, but lots.

I don't think I make it a secret that collecting the fabrics is one of the best parts of the project. On our recent trip to Adelaide, I scored lots of fabric goodness. Most specifically the Moda Charms & Liberty {sigh}... if you are ever in the Adelaide Hills, you must check out Quiltaholics, I actually got teary, the store really is THAT fabulous. And if it's your local... you lucky thing !!

As at 1st May 2013, I have 500 hexies made, that's just 4563 to go! That makes this about a 10th of the size of my finished quilt then, I guess it's gonna be pretty sizeable:

These photos will undoubtedly look nothing like the finished quilt... as there are lots more fabrics to add to the mix!

If I finish it by the end of the year, it will be A-may-ZING! I've made 500 hexies in 9 days, an average of 55 per day... so supposing I don't get bored... I should finish the other 4563 in about 82 days. Noiwse! That takes me to 22nd July 2013... then how long to hand sew all hexies together... mmm. Good question!

Other hexie quilts and techniques I'd also like to give a go this year Ehummm, I mean any time really:

• Triangles into hexies as mentioned by Peppermint Patcher.
• Hexagon log cabins, Part 1 and Part 2 over at Sewing Chick's blog.
• This quilt with large hexagons with lots of white space also really appeals to me.
• Sweet hexagon quilt here too.
• The simplicity of a 6 triangle hexagon in block fabrics... delish!

I'd like to make one for my younger sister to go with her adorable hexie mirror, so cute! And it's my other sister's 40th soon enough !

Anyways, first things first... I need to get this one finished. Wish me luck!

Love

Bxo