September - Done and Dusted - The Quilt Top is Finished

I made it!  The first time I have been able to keep up with a stitch-a-long all the way through. I'm loving seeing all the other versions.  So many girls have been able to meet the deadline, which is great.

At the beginning of the month I was very good, cutting some each day and then piecing them into two patches and nine patches.  My little fabric baskets came into their own.

Then I seemed to stagnate. I think I was worried that they wouldn’t fit.  After reading the pattern and realising that I had to trim the quilt after the previous border was attached, everything came together nicely. 

It was fun working out the placement.  Joey was a great help.  He’s not usually allowed anywhere near a quilt that is being worked on, but it was a little hard to do anything about it when the quilt was on the floor. He was very well behaved.

Here we are with the first border attached.

Next to trim down all the appliqué blocks.  Measure twice, cut once.  All good.  Here they are attached.  I was pleased that no two of the same blue background ended up next to each other.

Finally, last night I attached the final two borders. So, in what seems to be my usual style, the month’s progress was completed with one day to spare.

I’m really happy with how it has turned out.  It is much brighter than it thought it would be, as quite a few of the fabrics are fairly dark.

I’m also happy that then entire top is made from scraps and from my stash.  No fabric was bought.  Mind you, it doesn’t seem to have made much of a difference in my fabric piles.

Now I have to give my friendly custom quilter a call to arrange to have it quilted.  The end is nigh.

Thanks so much to Chooky and Susan.  As I’ve said before, there is no way I would tackle a quilt with this much work without the threat of the whip and the camaraderie of all the other girls working away with me.

And finally, I must mention Anni.  Aren’t her designs just awesome.  We are so lucky to have her in our midst.

Cheers

Janice

August Done and Dusted

Once again I finished by the skin of my teeth, putting the last stitches in last night.  Phew, with a day to spare.

Firstly the borders went on, continuing to use only fabrics from my stash.

Then I had to make the decision as to how I would attach the diamonds.  I could do like the pattern suggested, ie basting over papers and hand appliqué, or I could baste  over papers and then machine appliqué with a blind hem, or I could do like the rest of the quilt and use Vlisofix and a machine blanket stitch.  After much procrastinating and the month very quickly passing by I took the easy option and used machine blanket stitch.  It came together quickly and I don’t think the appearance of the quilt is compromised.

I'm loving how it is turning out.  It could quite easily be a wall hanging just like this.  I've cut all my coloured squares for next month.  There are now no pieces larger than a two inch square in my bag of scraps.  I then had fun pulling other fabrics from my stash.  Now I just have to cut the small blue squares and the pink pieces and get on with lots of piecing.

Next month looks like it will certainly keep us busy if we are to finish the top, particularly as there is lots of other things going on now that the weather is warming up.

I'm loving seeing everyone else's versions.  Thanks as always to the whip crackers.

Cheers

Janice

July Done and Dusted

.....And completed with a day  to spare....for a change.

I really enjoyed playing with this block.  Firstly piecing the background and making the most of the toile fabric.

Then it was time to sit and do the applique.  I even tidied up my sewing table.

The applique actually took longer than I had expected.  Once again I had to use some fabric from my stash, as my little scrap bag didn't have any decent sized pieces left.  There are still a few I can cut squares out of for the next borders.

And here we are, all done.

I'm very happy with the way it has turned out and am loving seeing the many other versions that have been completed, especially the bright version.

Now I have to decide how I will attach the diamonds on the next border.  Will I use blanket stitch or will I have to bite the bullet and do some needle turn?  Decisions, decisions......

Thanks Chooky and Susan as always for keeping me accountable.

Cheers

Janice

June Done and Dusted

As usual I have my blocks finished just in the nick of time.  

The plan was to do the machine applique and little patchwork panels on Sunday.  However, it was such a nice sunny and WARM day that I couldn't stay inside, so a mad rush last night and tonight.

I decided to make my leaves and acorn in autumn colours, as that is more appropriate for the season at the moment.

I've still been using tiny scraps for the applique.  The lady birds and floral heart were removed from Chooky's fabric scrap bin when we visited a few weeks ago - too small for her tub under the table.  They weren't even big enough for the tiny squares in the patchwork panel.

You can't have ladybirds without spots.  One fabric was ideal with a small print and I added some colonial knots on the other while I was stitching the head and legs.

The blue heart is another tiny triangular scrap from Nundle.

I love the way the patchwork circles have turned out.  Unfortunately, I have finally had to look further afield for fabrics, going to my stash.  I'm running out of suitable sized scraps to get enough variety of colour.

I had a couple of "Doh!" moments.  Early in the piece I was very organised and traced all the circles and squares onto the background fabrics ready to blanket stitch.  The only problem was that these two blocks don't get embroidered and the circles are smaller.  Fortunately, there is JUST enough fabric in the patchwork panel to make a 5 inch circle and hide my tracings.

Also, don't you hate it when you do this with Vlisofix!  Yep, fused to the front of the fabric.  More haste, less speed.

So, another month finished with two hours to spare.  Not only that, the whole border is now finished. I didn't think I would make it this time.  

I'm really looking forward to playing with the centre block next month.

Thanks for keeping me on my toes Chooky.  You know how much I appreciate the incentive to keep going.

Cheers 

Janice

May Blocks Done and Dusted

Just in the nick of time....phew!

I planned to do most of this month's blocks while joining in with Chookyblue's Chook Shed Birthday Party.

As things often turn out, I didn't have quite as much time to work on them as I thought I would, so it was the usual last minute rush to have my blocks finished.

I'm still having fun using my tiny scraps.

Hopefully I will be a bit more organised next month.  There aren't as many busy weekends as we had in May (so far).

I'm loving seeing all the different colour combinations.  It will be great to see them all finished.

April Done and Dusted

I can't believe it.  I actually finished my blocks last night with a whole day to spare.

I'm still enjoying playing with my bag of little scraps. There are memories from lots of old projects here.

I thought I may have to delve elsewhere for the paper pieced star, but I was able to come up with some suitable fabrics among my scraps. It is even appliqued by hand rather than by machine. I take my hat off to all you girls who are working this all by hand. 

The light purple outer leaves on the flower are  even scraps from our recent weekend at Nundle.

Thanks once again Chooky and Susan for keeping me on the straight and narrow.  

Now to see if I have enough scraps for May's blocks.

March Done and Dusted

There's nothing like leaving things to the last minute....well with nearly an hour and a half to spare.

We've just had 10 days away and I managed to finish the blanket stitching for March while we were away.  I even completed a couple of circles towards April - Bonus!

We returned home on Sunday afternoon, and after quickly unpacking it was applique time.  I was able to get them all finished that evening, thank goodness.

Once again, the fabrics were from my tiny scraps.  The darker of the large stars was from a charm square that had come on a jar of home made jam, so lots of different stories to go with it.

Thanks so much Chooky and Susan for keeping us on the straight and narrow.  Your whip cracking is really appreciated, as this is the only way that I will commit to completing a project of this scale.

Chooky, I do hope you find the time to get caught up.  I'd be scared of Susan's whip.

Cheers

Janice

February Done and Dusted

After getting  my blanket stitch frames finished before we went to New Zealand at the beginning of the month nothing further was done till today.

Seeing as the appliqué pieces are so small I decided not only to use my stash but to dive into my scrap boxes.

I pulled out the pieces in the colours that suited and there were quite a few.  Some of them were quite small, just crumbs, but it was fun using the tiniest pieces that I could.

It was at about this stage that I had a visit from a certain whip cracker to check up on me. Fortunately I was working away.  It didn't matter that I was still in my jarmies and bed hair.  Just as well she is a tolerant friend.

I'd like to have used needleturn appliqué, but it was easier, if not that much quicker, to just use machine blanket stitch.

All finished by late this afternoon.

The basket block has a very special fabric in it.

I only had this tiny bit left, which is even tinier now. 

 

This fabric has a bit of a history.  My grandmother made a wagga/beadspread for my mum in the early 50s, which has a scrappy patchwork back.  There is some of this fabric in that quilt.  It probably dates from the 30s.  One of the very first pieces of patchwork I ever made was an English paper pieced coathanger cover, back in the early 80s.  I used this fabric in that, just a fabric I found in Mum's scrap bag, which then ended up in mine.  It is nice to see it being used over such a long period of time.

Now back to the grindstone to get on with March.

Cheers

Janice

Stitchery Completed

I'm happy to say that I have finished January's little project.  It is just a small 12 inch cushion made from bits and pieces from the stash, as that is the size cushion insert that was in the box.  Sew a bit on, then add a bit more and see how it turns out.  It turned out not too bad.

Now I have a head start with Christmas projects for next this year.

I was productive yesterday and have my background blocks cut and February's marked and ready to start stitching.

Looking forward to it.

Done - 10.50pm

Oodles of time left.

I cut most of the fabric this morning before work, finished off the stitchery during lunch at work and then did the applique hearts and made the bag tonight.  No fancy photo shoot.

 

 

I'm pleased to say that all the fabric came from my stash. Some of it has been around for ages.  The fabric on the base is scraps from a kit for a  Santa bag from when Anni first opened "The Home Patch" down in a tiny shop in Keppel Street.  I think it was about nine years ago.

 

I'm sure there will be lots of these bags at Nundle next month.

 

Now I have to look out some fabrics for next month's project.

 

Cheers

 

Janice

January Finishes

I shared my first thread catcher previously, but had to make a second. The light weight pelon is definitely better for the size shown on the pattern. When I saw these fabrics I thought they would work well together. I’m really happy with how it turned out.

I was happy that the shoe bag was on the project list. I made two of these as Christmas gifts in 2011 and shared here and here. At the time I stated that I should also make one for me, but it hadn’t happened. Now I have one of my own. On all of them I cheated by just putting a single fabric around the top, instead of the patchwork strip.

 

 

So, here is my little collection.

 

 

 

 

I’ve made a small start on February’s project. As you can see, I’ve decided to use blue for the colour. It will be fun making the bag from fabrics in my stash.

 

 

 

Cheers

Janice





Making a Start

The thread catcher was a great little introductions to the year’s stitching – nice and quick and easy. It took under an hour, which including unpacking the sewing machine and all my bits and bobs that had been packed away for Christmas and deciding what fabric to use.

 

 

 

The Parisian fabric fitted the bill nicely, and it is already in use by my machine.

 

I’ve made a couple of the shoe bags as gifts and I’m looking forward to making one for myself.

 

Cheers

 

Janice

Ta Da - At Last

Finally, I have a completed Some Kind of Wonderful quilt to share.

 

 

I finished it at a quarter to twelve the night before our blog meet last Saturday. There was no way I was going to front up without it being finished.

 

I’ve really enjoyed making this quilt. There was one stage in the middle of the year where I wondered if I would actually get it done, but then I had some time and got a wriggle on.
 

My friend Val did the quilting. Lots of free hand feathers.
 



 

She outlined the appliqué beautifully.

 

Look at all those feathers.

 

I’m not sure which is my favourite block, but I am rather partial to the suitcase, which was the only block I tailored to suit me. I just have to make sure that I do visit New Zealand in the not too distant future.

 

 

Thanks Chooky for the inspiration and the occasional whipping. I would never have attempted, let alone completed this quilt otherwise.

 

 



No Finish Today

Unfortunately, I have to report that I wasn't able to meet the deadline.  My quilt is still with my friend being quilted.

 

I’d hoped to have my great, big “Ta Da” moment to share, but it is not to be. Hopefully it won’t be too long until I can share my finished SKOW quilt here. I’m a little disappointed that after everything I’ve missed the dead line, but hey, if that is the worst thing that happens I’m not too worried.

 

Well done to all the other girls who have had a finish.  They all look fantastic.

Cheers

Janice
http://jannimary.blogspot.com

Yay! The Top is Done

Seeing as one certain lady has been getting out the whip, I thought it was about time to show my progress on the SKOW stitch-a-long.  After plodding along, I’m delighted to announce that the top is all together…. and on time.

The best bit is that this was finally put together on a recent visit to “The Chook Shed” and Chooky actually was present for the “Ta Da” moment. 

I think she is being a little cheeky here –pretending it is her finished quilt.

The worst part was all the “Pesky Petals”, as I called them, on the tree block.  There are 55 separate petals, all needing to be started and finished and then tied off at the back.  For once machine blanket stitch was not the easiest option.

Now I just have to trim all the loose threads and will be delivering the top to my friend Val on Tuesday for her to quilt it.  I can’t wait to get it completely finished. 

As I keep saying, I would never have tackled a project this involved without the encouragement and accountability of the stitch-a-long. Thanks Chooky for keeping us on track.

Cheers

Janice

http://jannimary.blogspot.com

February Finished....and July and August

I have had a very productive afternoon and evening yesterday on my SKOW quilt.  All the small patchwork panels are completed and the long panels completed as much as I can.  I can’t put off those pesky petals any longer.

So here is what I have to show.

February’s panels are now attached and the last column is completed with its sashings.

I just need to complete the stitching block and the tree with the pesky petals and insert them in their columns, which are otherwise finished.

When I was cutting my small coloured squares I came across a zip lock bag with some small “Scraps” in it.  A couple were big enough to cut a square out of, so I did.  I now realise they were the pieces for the little patchwork panels on the stitching block….Oops.  I’ll have to cut some more.

I now feel quite confident that I will be finished on time.

Making Slow Progress

My last post was at the end of February, where I shared  my finished section for January.  Since then, there have been no more finished sections according to the plan.  However, I have been plodding along, just not in order.

In March I did lots of machine appliqué.  I still feel a bit of a fraud using this method, but I do want to finish the quilt in this lifetime and I know it would never happen if I used needle turn.  I also read “Pride and Prejudice” while we were on holidays, as I haven’t read it since we studied it for the HSC in the early 80s. That was research….

April – no inclination, stitching group on a break - no progress.

May – ditto.  I was starting to wonder if this was going to end up just another UFO.

June – inclination returned.  Finished hand stitching some blocks, more machine appliqué  completed, stitching group resumed.

July – more of the same.

So, this is where I am up to now…….

This block needs to have the cat machine appliquéd, along with the flowers with all those pesky little petals (I need to be in the right mood for that), then all the appliqué on the quilt is finished. It then needs to be hand stitched.

I still need to do the hand stitching on this block and then make the little patchwork blocks to be appliquéd on.  Yes, I will needle turn those. Did you notice that I have left the fiddliest blocks till last.

That is all that is left to do on the blocks - the rest are finished.

The sashings are all made, except for the section which needs some hand stitching.

I still have to make the little patchwork panels, before stitching it all together.

Still quite a bit to go, but I think it is doable.



Making Progress - December and January Finished

Sunday was a lovely wet drizzly day here, so was perfect for stitching. I had been struggling to get a day where I could make a big mess while putting some sashings together so that I could finish December and January's sections.  Finally the day had arrived.

So, what have I achieved?

I made all the sashings for the quilt, except for the top row, which needs a stitchery to be completed, and pieced all the squares for the second column of blocks.  December is completed.

Rather appropriate, given the weather.

I also tailored the suitcase block to suit me.  I changed "Rome" to "Paris" and "USA" to "IOM" (Isle of Man).  I haven't been to New Zealand, but plan to in the next few years, so I left that there.

January's blocks are also finished.

Like everyone else, I have found it hard to get a photo once it was all sewn together.

The bottom sashing is completed, but was too hard to show in the photo, so please tick me off for the two months.

My plan was to be up to date by the end of February – I still have 2 days to go, but it is not looking very promising.  Then again, if I really make an effort….we’ll see.

Cheers

Janice

http://jannimary.blogspot.com/