Monday 23 December 2013

Parcels of Gratitude



This quilt has been such fun to make.  Inspired from the two mini’s I have recently completed.  I added a vertical and horizontal piece to the blocks.  I then also made the block large, finishing at approx 20 inches square. 

The block looks like wrapped and ribboned parcels.  

Parcels of Gratitude.



Fabric was pulled from my stash, and I also added some FQ’s gathered on a trip to GJ’sin Lygon St.




The back ground is all Kona Ash.  My bolt is almost gone … time to order another!




I wanted to really stretch myself with this quilt.  I can happily stitch a stipple all day, but a different design was needed for this.  I watched some videos (Thanks Ebony) and chatted to some online friends, and decided to go with a spiral design in the grey areas. 



I learnt that stitching in the ditch can be done without rulers, albeit roughly.  If you use similar thread this is not really that noticeable.  I also learnt how to move in and out of my spirals and move around the quilt top.   



My quilting is more dense towards the end, however this is something that I can work on.  



 I quilted wiggly lines in the coloured sections of the blocks, and pebbles in the black centers.



Backing is a purple wideback, also gleaned whilst at GJ’s from the discount bin.


 

The binding is scrappy strips from the leftovers.  It nicely frames the quilt top.


 

The quilt is a gift for the wonderful lady who takes my daughter to school and back, every day.  I cherish all that she does for me and our family.  I love that I can gift something in return for all she does for us.





Wrapping to deliver and put under their tree for Christmas morning. 













Thursday 12 December 2013

Holiday Fun



I have played around a bit with large blocks lately.


 

I just love the look of a newly finished quilt top … from the back.

Looks like stained glass.


Loading up now with a purple backing, for a quick Christmas finish.


Monday 9 December 2013

A Small Gift





This year we have been blessed to have a wonderful teacher, guiding our daughter and her classmates. 

I wanted to experiment with an idea that I had, and this was the perfect opportunity.


I took to a plain piece of white fabric with a black Sharpie pen.


Then it was loaded onto the frame, with another mini, to save on backing fabrics!


After basting, I quilted all the black lines, birds and letters in a black thread on the top.   


Then changed to white and filled in the rest. 


Don't look to closely at the back, still getting the hang of working this machine!  I do like how the flying bird looks like it is flying from the cage, from the back.  Unintentional, but cute!

 

I bound the mini in a red and white polka dot fabric from the stash.


Machine bound, I stitched to the front then pressed for a crisp fold at the front.  Flipping it around and stitching in the ditch, on the front.  It has caught nicely all the way around.  


This is my usual way, but I did this without pinning!!!  Nothing like throwing caution to the wind for a finish.  


I just need to hand sew the label down on two sides, and add the hanging bits.

I am really pleased with the end result.













Thursday 5 December 2013

Month of the Mini



I have finished another mini … this one will hang on my wall!




I used some the colours I love the most.




Quilted on my longarm, it is very wonky.



Loving my new wonky wall hanging!  

I could make these everyday of the week, such fun!

If you want to make your own, head on over to Canoe Ridge Creations for inspiration!