2011-07-23

phew


Block 5 for the Skill Builder Sampler has been quite a challenge, but from a very different reason than I'd anticipated.
While the block itself is lovely, complex but not scary at all, my machine decided to act weird. The thread kept snagging and breaking, ending up under the bobbin case, the fabric kept getting "swallowed"...
I changed the thread, then the needle, then removed some accumulated lint (there wasn't that much at all), then poked around the bobbin case in a fruitless attempt to discover the problem, then started sewing again and... miraculously it returned to normal.

2011-07-22

And done

The catching up that is.
Block 4 (with the pinwheels whirling in two directions instead of just one) and the bonus block.

I tried to design a block I've never seen before, but it probably exists somewhere. Have you seen it? Do you know what it's called?
It could make quite a nice quilt on its own, don't you think?

2011-07-16

Skill Builder Sampler - catching up

BWS tips button
So, I'm in and I'm very happy about it. As you will see below, I do need to practice acurate cutting and piecing and Leila's Skill Builder Sampler is a fun way to do it.
I started with block 1 yesterday evening:
But it seems that I like complicating things, so today I made it once again, slightly smaller. With the help of some maths from this post I decided on 9" finished blocks in the hope of avoiding the weirdest fractions and dealing only with the quite friendly ones. We'll see if it works.
In the meantime let me show you my 3 finished blocks, 4th in progress and some sketches of the bonus one.
(I may sew them again at some point, as they're very far from perfect, but they're good enough for now)

2011-07-09

Summer Sewing Fairy Face Designs - mid-term review

If you remember, in May I joined:
FairyFace Designs

As Sarah is calling for Mid-Summer check-in, let's start with the original list:

1. Finish the Lily's Quilts QAL quilt


done, covers my sister's bed now


















2. Make some more of these (i.e. wallets) for gifts




done, received, and there was much rejoicing ;)







3. Make 2 pillows with the hexie pieces from Lynz

not done - I'm actually thinking about making a picnic blanket instead, still drafting the final layout, but I do hope to be able to finish it this summer






4. Back, quilt and bind the first quilt top I pieced last December and then put aside for times I would be more confident with quilting (and for the decision what to back it with)

done, my Mum got it for her birthday and she likes it :)








5. Finish designing a quilt for these beauties:

and at least start the cutting - not done, in the meantime the green proved to be just pefect for lining two bags (and there is still quite a lot left). I need more time to think, so it will probably become autumn/winter project.
















6. I also have some plans which would involve combining quilting with my now somewhat neglected drawing, but I don't have any details for you yet - not done, needs to wait for autumn/winter, I'm afraid. 

In the meantime, new ideas and projects came up, so here is the additional part of the list:

7. Try paper piecing


done and I definitely want to make some more


















8. Make a pouch for my sister



done - with pink and orange fabric, as promised ;)







9. Make chocolate, lime and orange quilt for my sister-in-law.
No photos, as I'm still waiting for the fabrics to arrive. I'm going to use Kate Conklin's There's a Square in There design.

10. Find or design a pattern and sew a quilt from the Australian fabrics I got from my cousin


in progress, I'm going to cut and sew the borders this week


















11. Start making blocks from Civil War Quilts - I would like to sew them from various second-hand shirts but I still need to get them.

 As usual, a big hug to all those who managed to read the whole post  :)

2011-07-03

the mysterious PP

Not bad for the first time, don't you think?
From a free pattern by Shape Moth.
I enjoyed it very much and apart from the two small pieces forming the tail and background had no problem piecing it.

2011-07-02

Australia on my sewing table

well, actually hanging from my curtain rod aka design wall ;)
(please ignore my blue curtains. Oh, and the seemingly black rectangles are actually black with red dots.)
In the end I went with this simple design to better show the patterns.
I'm definitely going to add borders as I want the quilt to cover our bed properly so stay tuned ;)