January into February

Lovely batiks and a pattern by Anja Townrow published in a magazine over 6 or so issues for Carol. Some surprising splashes of orange here that I loved. 

This pretty quilt top with yoyo roses is quilted and went back to it's maker but I was a plonker and forgot to photograph it before it left.
Sewing for me has been non existent, I have been sewing waistcoats for Nicholas Nickelby, 8 of them!
I gave a talk to a group of new patchworkers at Percival Guildhouse who are coming to the end of making their sampler quilts, some of them were thinking of using the services of a longarmer so I went and had a chat about what to expect.
I have a biggie on the machine at the moment so that will be next weeks project.
Pictures soon
Liz

And the second

Thanks to Dorothy (she kindly offered to finish hand sewing the binding down) this quilt that I started as a PIPs challenge last year now has binding and is ready to go to Linus. The one lighter block really shows up much more on the camera than in real life.
Till next time Liz

Scraptastic

The first quilt finish of the year!
I have quilted 3 Linus quilts so far this month, this one, another one Dorothy took to finish hand sewing the binding and another waiting for binding. I have been finishing up quilt tops before starting something new and BQL have a scraptastic challenge so I have been able to tick lots of boxes with a few finishes and donate to Linus as well so a win, win situation.
I was waiting for a delivery of batting and decided to try fleece because I had some in the cupboard, a combination of fullness in the top and movement in the fleece, I am pretty sure it will be a long time before I do that again. I have been given some poly batting for the Linus quilts and it is a bit poofy for my liking and likes to shift about but I shall  persevere.
I am waiting for a few threads to be delivered now before starting a couple of lovely quilts I am looking forward to playing with.
I had a great day yesterday at Rocheberie School House Quilters, meeting old friends and new and we all came home with a lovely box of threads, fabulous.
Till next time. Liz

New year, new bag

I have admired the weekender bags I have seen on blogs lately. I wanted  to make a bag with a bit more detail than my usual shopper style bags. I certainly found it here in this bag.
I have had this remnant in my stash for ages and really liked it and was saving it for something special.The size of this bag was limited by the size of the piece of fabric I had so had to make up a pattern.  I quilted and piped almost everything including the handles and shouldn't really be surprised at how long it took to make. I don't think weekender bags are quite out of my system yet, I am hoping to make a bigger one.
I have been continuing to make progress on UFO's but made a list and was a little alarmed when it almost filled an A4 page, most of them are little projects and workshop samples which may never be finished.
Liz

December

I have spent time this month putting together blocks to make quilt tops so I can start the year with a clear conscience to start something new. I have done two tops and have made good progress on a third.

 I made stockings for my family.

 I quilted this for Dorothy, the fabrics I think are from her stash of  30's reproductions, some are really cute. I really liked the backing fabric too, lovely and soft.

 This is our gift to Miss Chaos and her boyfriend. I was asked for something purple and she had been mad keen on the most revolting bright greens as a youngster so this is a rather more sophisticated colour pairing in my opinion. If you like the design I think it will be a quilt long in the new year. I have acted as a pattern tester for Lynne at Lilly quilts and will let you know when I hear more.

 

Unfortunately Mr Chaos has shared his cold with me so I am not expecting to be terribly productive over the next few days but I do have 14 pairs of trousers to make for Pantomime which opens on the 10th January at Rugby Theatre so they will have to take priority.

Hoping everyone has a great New Year

Liz

Something else to add to the to do list!

How cute is this?

Head over to this blog if you fancy making one too.

http://www.thezenofmaking.com/2013/08/tutorial-english-paper-piecing-travel-kit-hexies-part-3.html

 There is a good looking tutorial with loads if photos and a free to download pattern.

Is this really a priority this close to Christmas with no shopping done yet, probably not but ...

Till next time
X

Advent barns

How cute are these little barns I found on lilysquilts blog? One available to print off and colour in for every day of advent. I have never been great at colouring in but can see the endless possibilities for todays block. Thank you Lynne.

http://lilysquilts.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/fresh-sewing-day-small-blog-meet-and.html