Free Festive Embroidery Design

Hello, Hello!

My chicken stew is in the oven and the fire crackling. The silly old dog is dilligently singeing himself.

I have just stopped by to report a super brilliant day with some lovely ladies who came to sew with me this morning in town. It is such an absolute joy to share a skill with enthusiastic people. And here is a pic of us working away, Helga, Elizabeth (not sure if I have spelt that right) Joan and Rachel:

We are using English Paper Piecing techniques and there is a variety of projects being skilfully put together. Everyone is concentrating hard, don't we all look serious! Our next meet is on Tuesday 6th January.



And today I found Lynette Anderson has posted a small, free festive embroidery deisgn for anyone to download. It's also been prepared as a painted design and formatted to make a printable Christmas card. So hop on over to her website full of adorable applique, patchwork and embroideries and take a look for yourself!

http://lynetteandersondesigns.typepad.com/

Just a quick post, I have to be up to collect my son at 1 am!! Back from a school trip. Tomorrow I am sewing with company again. A busy time of year, probably should start my Christmas shopping soon!

Hand Pieced Christmas Star Patchwork Panel

Well yesterdays photographs were not very good, its a balance between memory usage on the site and getting detailed pictures. Hmm, so I need to work on that.

It's been a productive day, look what I've made with the diamonds! You can see the order that they need to be stitched in.

This is what I have ended up with. Considering I wasn't exactly fond of the fabrics or the idea of Christmas themed fabrics, I can't quite believe that this has turned out so well. I loved adding the border of rectangles which I just trimmed by eye each time I added another strip. I would like to make this part of a mini sampler quilt and incorporate some foundation piecing as well. So my next challenge is going to be improving my skills on my Electric Quilt software. I definitely want some Dresden plates...

One final thing on this panel, the outer red points, turning the seams in was tricky. Helped along by some spray starch sprayed into the lid so that it is a fluid and then brushing  onto the corners, tease into position and then dab with a hot iron. Worked a treat  and the sewing machine stitched without a hitch.

My last quick project for the day, I can't take credit for. I saw this done somewhere on the web and fancied having a go. It's a super fast Christmas star decoration which I think would be brilliant as a Christmas style bunting or garland, personalized gift label or whatever else you can think of.

As it's late I'll post up the pics which are completely self explanatory. I stitched on the machine, normal straight stitch width. I used a Frixion pen and some wadding scraps. Just sandwich the wadding between the fabric front and back, right sides out and stitch on the line. Remember to tack a ribbon loop inside before you sew. With pinked raw edges this is so much fun to make and really, really fast! Yes it will fray, but that's alright. You could layer organza over a print or stitch together strips and mark the template on the resulting pieced together fabric. Add buttons, a bell, bow, whatever!

I like Christmas sewing!

Christmas Diamond Paper Piecing

Gosh it's a busy time! I have had a super lovely day today, finished some sewing and had the pleasure of spending the day with my sister's family. We made a big roast dinner, listened to Christmas music and put up my Christmas decorations.

My son, Max is away in Cyprus right now and my Husband, Charlie is in Australia of all places! It's quiet, just me and Charlie boy, the dog and the crackle of logs on the fire.

So, I have been sewing! Mainly for the sewing class I am teaching at Beales in Bedford. We are working on English Paper Piecing. So far we have dabbled in simple hexagons and now are taking a break from that shape and moving to diamonds as it's a festive shape for a decoration. I have fussy cut these to create a kaleidoscope pattern in the middle.

In the center there is a 6 point meet and that can be tricky to get a neat finish so you can always stitch on a button or two or make a sweet little label like this one.

And look at this apron! I just love this! It has two gusseted pockets which means I can fit all of my notions and spares inside. Its a mid weight denim, tough but flexible enough. I saw lots of variations on the internet, some with sectioned pockets, but I'm glad I just have two large ones, a really flexible space which I can reach into and grab what I need. The applique, I would do differently now, but it was quick and fun.

What else have I been doing? Have a look at these cheerful, festive fabrics

There's a fun reindeer print on an oatmeal background. I just love the image of a reindeer! I don't really much like novelty fabrics, well not until now. Besides, I think it is really good to try and use different fabrics and unfamiliar styles, keeps the creativity going. As long as you don't hate the fabric that is!

These diamonds have a 1inch side. one is fussy cut.

 So I made 6 sets of those and added larger 2 inch sided diamonds. Next, my favorite bit, arranging the proposed layout. Isn't that a pretty little flower that has appeared in the middle?

I have added more, but that's for next time! Back soon... 

Paper Piecing Hexagons

Finally I have found the time to return. It's been a busy month for me - not least because my son turned 18 - meanwhile my friend who is the same age as me has children aged 7 and 5! How old do I feel? But never mind, what does it really matter?

So I have been revisiting English Paper Piecing this past month. You won't believe this, little projects started and finished! But I won't be smug! Here's a little look at what I've been working on:

I love the mix of Essex linen and patchwork weight cottons. I have enjoyed some fussy cutting and embroidery.

Just some big stitch quilting and ditch quilting. I used the blanket stitch on the machine to applique the panel to the front.

A cute little needlecase, I bought some extra wide mid weight denim cotton  from Plush which was perfect. I actually left the hexie papers in - don't tell anyone!

 Hexagons for the needlecases are only 1/2 inch, not hard to work with and super quick to stitch.

I love to  add a flash of colour on the inside. I think cutting the felt pages smaller works best. I usually make each successive page a little smaller than the first and that helps the booklet close.

Big pincushion, nice for the sewing room, TIP: add a bit of tray grip mat underneath and it won't slide about.

Another needlecase. It's fun using up scraps and trying out different styles. I didn't top stitch around the front edge this time. I think I prefer them top stitched.

I think this little hanging heart would be lovely with some plain linen Hexies and personalized embroidery

Another pincushion - round and plumptious! That button was a spare in a blouse.

This bag is made from a close weaved quilter's Linen. I have used sew-in heavy weight Vilene and appliqued the panel onto the bag front and vilene so that the appliqued hexagon panel's weight doesn't cause the front to sag. It's got a lime green lining. There are other layouts you can do with the hexagons even in a strip only 3 hex wide. It doesn't take long to stitch these and I love the modern look.

Well that's the catch up on my hexagons. I am making another page on the blog for English Paper Piecing. I'll put some details about methods, there are several different methods now. I'll also add sources for free template downloads and the latest handy gadgets, so stay tuned.

DIAMOND PROJECTS NEXT

I am working with diamonds now, they have a 6 point join in the middle, so a little more precision is called for.  I have some nice Christmas fabrics too. The projects are: A little tree decoration and a gorgeous Yule Star made from two sizes of diamond. You can applique this to a cushion or make into a festive wall hanging. If I can work out how to do it I'll post up the templates - but if not email me and I will email you the printable pdf.

My other projects? well, they are taking a slight pause! My Building Blocks Quilt blocks are all done - just sashing to add. And the Applique In My Garden quilt is waiting in the wings.. For Christmas I would like more time please!

Bye for now xx

Walking Foot Machine Quilting a Strip Quilt

 I have had this quilt basted onto Quilters Dream Select thickness Batting for a couple of weeks now, waiting for inspiration and some time.

I am lucky enough to have the computer software, Electric Quilt 7. This software allows me to draft blocks and quilts and their patterns. I am finding it useful for drawing up an approximation of a made quilt so that I can print it and sketch out some quilting design ideas

I think I am going to follow the diamond shape and highlight one section with straight lines using my walking foot. I intend to use Aurifil Thread in a soft natural white, quarter inch apart in the diamond and varied distances in the straight lined background. I have drawn in horizontal lines to the right but I think I will probably stick to vertical. I can decide once I start. I am looking forward to getting going on this and the quilting is a lot easier than free motion, you just need a good radio station! 

Serendipitous Design

My printer cartridge is running low and just look at the print out. I couldn't match the colours from camera to screen exactly but you can get the idea. Look at how the colour travels down the quilt - I love that effect, it would make a great modern quilt, maybe in Rowan's shot cottons as they have a good range of interesting colours, or Kona Cottons. Something to ponder.

Building Blocks Free Motion Quilt Along

I have almost finished these blocks - Hallelujah! I have really enjoyed this process and it has been the first quiltalong I have done which has been good at keeping me on task because I don't want to fall behind the others. But, my goodness will I be pleased to have this done! I only have 3 more identical blocks to make and quilt and then I have to sash it all together. But it will be quilted already so, I am very nearly there.

Here are the blocks I have worked away on over the last couple of weeks:

Basket blocks with wasteful fussy cut flowers!

2 of the four pieced houses

There was an awful lot of quilting in these blocks which gave a lot of opportunity to practice

Foundation pieced spinning square block

I like the fussy cut middle on this block, I quilted around the flower, I like the effect.

The last one of these, the outside border is only there to hold onto as you quilt and gets trimmed away.




There are 3 of these Sawtooth Stars, yet to be quilted, so I will be back with more!

Have a look at my page of Favourite Sewing Tools to see what little gadgets and threads I like to use for Free motion Machine Quilting!

In My Garden Applique Quilt

What a gloomy day! Here's a cheering picture, look at these lovely fabrics from The Fat Quarters online shop. They had a sale and so I picked these up for £1.70 a quarter. They have a loyalty scheme so you can earn points for online purchases.


I'm just here for a quick coffee and progress catch up on my needle turn epic of a quilt.

 This close up shows one of my favourite little blocks. I just love the birds - but they are tiny fiddlers to work on!

That's what I have got so far. This panel above needs two diamond blocks which I am working on and then I can piece that together and another panel will be complete. I have started to make changes, an apple tree to a cherry and these green beans I put in instead of another climbing tomato plant. I shall be sneaking in Charlie dog of course!  There are 3 panels for the middle section of the quilt and they look like the most fun to put together, with tall trees, a house, sunshine and more.  I'll put the pattern pictures up next time. I can't bare to think about how to quilt it!

Until next time, happy sewing x

New Quilting Fabrics and Jan Patek Patterns

Hello Tuesday and Hello new fabric!!

I am a very lucky person indeed! I have received some of my long ago ordered fabric from America. But first these lovelies

These are my low volume fabric choices for my next quilt. I am really interested in working more with modern designs and fabrics and here is the beginning of my next project. It's going to be a tile layout with varied sizes of rectangles. These fabrics are all neutral ranging from grey through to beige and include some linen and Japanese weaves. I need to reduce this pile to around twelve and add one punchy contrast fabric. I am waiting for the shop sale in a couple of days time! So I will be back with my final piece, it's from Rowan so there's a clue. I can't wait to start this quilt. 

In other news I have received these fabrics from America. Ordered some time ago they wait until my husband can bring them back in his suitcase. He is allowed to take progressively less to wear in each trip, why can't he just keep clothes in his desk drawer in USA, then I could make use of a whole suitcase!

The bale is Kansas Troubles, Token of Friendship. What lovely earthy colours. The pattern book is from Jan Patek. I really like her applique style and love, love, love the quilt design on the back here! Why does it just take so long to make everything?! These fabrics were in a sale so I got a great deal but now I feel glutenous admitting what I have bought, some sort of compulsive fabric buying disorder I think!  There is, I am ashamed to say, more in someone elses case! So there will be a further update very soon!

But first these patterns

More Patek patterns, the top right little table runner is so nice. I have some linen and classic muted floral prints for that one.  Ha Ha Ha! I am rich!

Basting a Strip Quilt for Walking Foot Quilting

So just one more picture for today. I have this little Jelly roll quilt, made some time ago. Today I sandwiched it up. I will quilt this using my Pfaff Quilt Expression 4.2. Using the walking foot. My favourite wadding for this kind of quilting is by Quilters Dream, Select thickness. 

How different this quilt could look with an alternate colour value placement. When I quilt with the walking foot, which is my intention here, I like to use starch on the top and backing. A light spray with 505 adhesive spray and then a very light press. That produces a really smooth piece which stitches up with little trouble. I haven't decided on the thread yet, either Isocord or Aurifil.

I will be back with my quilt deign and a progress report.

I have lots more to tell, The ladies visited today and they have some progress to report and I have made progress with 2 projects. A great day, but I have run out of time so I will just have to report back!

Bye for now, and happy sewing

(at this point I shall slink back into the shadows to stroke my new fabric!)

In My Garden Quilt

Wow! What an exhausting day! I'm not sure whether I will sew this evening, think I may pay close inspection to the inside of my eyelids while the tv is on!

When I got home I took a cup of tea and my faithful hound out into the Orchard near my garden.
The trees look naked without their fruits now that they are all picked. We stood together and took in this lovely view. It was a real moment, I wish I could share the heavy dampening air as the mists roll in from the lake and the crow calls. Looking across this freshly ploughed field watching the setting sun I can feel the first chill, the air smells earthy.  As much as I like the bright sunny Autumn days I also long for the chilly evenings when the weather might be harsh and bleak but the fire is lit, my family is around me and I've got thick socks on!

I have been working on my Mammoth needle turn quilt project, In My Garden BOM by Hatched and Patched. (I have provided the link, have a look, really sweet little appliques and embroidered bits and bobs. ) This is not a new pattern design but when I saw it I just loved all the little images and folky style of the applique. But gosh, what a needle turn epic it is turning out to be. There is so much to do in each Block that I have completely fallen behind! Surprise surprise! I really enjoy stitching it though, the pieces are very small so it's certainly sharpened up my needle turn skills.

This is the pattern set for Block 6. Sorry the picture isn't brilliant. I had a nice collection of taupes and neutrals I have collected over time and I thought they would be perfect. I am glad to have other projects alongside though, as it can get a bit dull working in the same palette all the time. And that's not good for my attention span - which as we have already established- is not the greatest.

Here is a picture of 2 rows of flowers as seen in the bottom left area of the pattern. I am using freezer paper circles to gather the fabric circles around. Then I remove the paper and stitch them in place. That creates a nice round shape. I have to confess that probably what takes me most time is deliberating over colour combinations or fussy cutting. Far too long!

Here are my efforts so far. I just love the crooked birdhouse (It is meant to be crooked!) and the sweet little bird on top.

You can also see my little wooden roller. This is a great tool and was a gift from a kind friend. It's for finger pressing or in this case pressing the little shapes or edges under. It's very pleasing to use and means I don't need to work with an iron all the time. Great for travel.

Well that's it for now, I can smell my chicken casserole is ready! I will post up the other blocks I have done for this quilt next time.

Crochet one, Knit one, Sew one

So the end to another week. Look at these lovely sunflowers growing in my garden!

A merry band of visitors have joined me to stitch this week. We had a fun day, the cabin was silent as we all concentrated on what we were doing. The furrows in my brow got deeper as I had another go at crochet when I wasn't needed to teach. My Auntie taught me how to make a Granny Square last year. I made some lovely squares which I have misplaced. Where on earth they are I have no idea. But in searching  I have found another 3 unfinished quilts!! I am laughing as I write this! So I better get those photographed and added to the slideshow/ confessional.

Anyway, I was making this little square and I know the middle isn't quite right but I'm not going to worry, just make another. I'll get better at it. The wool is Aran, predictably I love these Autumn colours.

Knit & Crochet a Wool Blanket

So we have had a knit and crochet day this week. Here's Chris, she is knitting up squares in the same colours as my crochet.

Mum was here knitting too, she's making an Aran cardigan.

It was quiet in the cabin as we were all concentrating, so I put the radio on, BBC Radio 2 churned out some oldies - everyone was singing along. They wanted to take a picture of me concentrating on my crochet - thankfully nobody can operate the camera! That's one skill I won't be sharing!! I'm sure the process of crochet makes me look older!

Charm Square Quilt

Jean finished getting her Charm square quilt together. This is her second square quilt. Learning to join squares seems like a simple concept but matching seams up and stitching so the quilt will lay flat and be simple to sandwich together doesn't happen without a fair bit of work. The Eureka moment hit today and Jean was just so pleased to get a row of squares joined on with matching seams, particularly after a fair few frustrating near misses. It is so rewarding when you can put your knowledge and skills together to solve a problem and achieve something to be proud of. I know you will read this Jean, well done you've got it worked out now!

There's going to be a little embroidery on this quilt next week..

Building Blocks Quilt Along

I have managed to get these done too. I fussy cut the flower shape image, and added 3 leaf shapes. These blocks go into the 4 corners of the quilt, so I have another 2 to go. These are a bit traditional looking but I think with all the other blocks they will look nice.

That's it for now. I am excited as I am expecting 4 packages all to sooth my sew fevered mind!