Class Sewing at Beales

I have had such a busy weekend, working hard on the garden, I love tinkering with the positions of plants and nurturing them into flowering, but with such a big garden the watering and deadheading becomes a lengthy task.

Today I am busily trying to get my list of chores out of the way so that I can focus on my hand sewing class which is tomorrow. I have some lovely pictures of things that the ladies have made but I'm going to focus just now on our current project together.

Needle Turn Applique

I have used my trusty quilting software and produced two patterns for my students to choose from. They are all very good hand stitchers with varied experience so we have one simpler project and one with a little more fiddle! So here is the fiddly one today!

I've put a rail fence block design for the background. I really like this traditional style of applique block. This would be so nice if we had four blocks together for a hanging.

Here are my fine nosed micro serrated appliquick scissors! You can see them here next to my normal Olfa small snip scissors. These smaller ones make a very accurate tiny snip in those little valleys created by a flower shape petal - just seen behind. If I had one complaint ( my husband would say "Only one?") It would be that they should make the finger holes larger and more comfortable. I would recommend these scissors if you fancy a treat, but they will set you back about £22.00. Thank goodness for birthdays!

This is as far as I have got. I hope to have done a little more by the end of the day, ready for class tomorrow. I will need to write up Part Two of the instructions today too so I better had get cracking! I am really enjoying hand stitching this little block and actually I am really enjoying teaching the class. Everyone is enthusiastic and we all have a different preference with colours which is so refreshing. I love that about sewing with other people, seeing how one person puts colours together. It's very easy to keep sewing in your favourite palette, so I am very conscious to keep switching about. I have a tendency towards blue if you hadn't noticed!

Half Square Triangles to beat the Winter Blues

What an utterly horrible day, it's cold, snowing and slushy and wet outside. And that is not very cheering! I am sat by my fire, my toes slowly thawing, wearing my warmest Aran cardigan (thanks mum!).

I woke up this morning, enthusiasm for sewing but none for anything I feel I should be stitching, so I have dug out an old project - another not on the "in progress slide show". Until 5 minutes ago! I'm going to do something with these summery little half square triangles...

And if I can tear myself away from compulsively updating my blog I will go and stitch them together and report back later! 

Sewing in Good Company

Another catch up with the ladies sewing projects in the Cabin and at Beales.

Jean finnished her special quilt for her friend, Margaret. Now that the quilt has been given to Margaret we can put some pictures up.

Here it is finished and laid out for basting to the wadding. Jean used Quilters dreampoly and a spray baste.

Quilted on the machine in straight lines using a gentle zig zag stitch with the walking foot. Jean used Aurifil thread and a quilting needle. The zig zag does add a nice little textural detail and helps with any uneven wrinkles between the layers. Margaret had a special pet dog and Jean wanted to make the quilt personal so I suggested an embroidery in a blank square. We used a design by Lynette Anderson from her book, Quilting Cats and Dogs Just back stitch and lazy daisy. Jean is so pleased that Margaret loved her quilt.

Now Jean is learning to Applique using needle turn and freezer paper techniques. Jean's making a table runner. It's got three panels and now she's on the third panel she's beginning to enjoy it!

Mum's been making a bird hanging with an embroidered heart for Wendy to celebrate her wedding Anniversary. I can't show the finished article because she has given it already!

Here's mum still working through the 9 patch quilts for Kofi and Oscar. We have enough for 1 quilt and I bet as I type Mum has made up the final squares for the second one. Oh gosh, another quilting project! An I have just noticed that Jean and Mum appear to dress to match their sewing projects!

I can't fit any more onto the deisgn wall but you can get the idea. I really like the blue jewel like colours. I think the quilting should be simple as the patterned fabric wont let intricate designs show up too well.

And here we are at Beales, this is Elizabeth and Rachel. Elizabeth has rich gold taupes and black and Rachel is working on hazy pinks and creams. It's been good fun sewing with so many different people on so many different projects. I'm looking forward to going back to Beales next Tuesday, 10 Feb and with Valentines Day around the corner, maybe I should think of a themed project...

Next up will be an update on my own sewing projects. I have 2 new starts and 1 and a half finishes!

Grandmothers Flower Garden Hexagon Quilt

2015 and new projects! My Mother-in-Law, Sue, has a hexagon quilt which she finished at the end of 2014 after 40 years of stitching! I think we can call it Vintage now!

These little Hexagons are 1inch and include fabrics from her daughter's dresses as well as other materials along the way. We laid them out some time ago and Sue has been diligently stitching in the white and cream filler hexes. This is an absolute classic example of a scrap quilt and I do love it. There is fussy cutting and an interesting use of striped fabrics to different effect. I think the light and dark colours add interest. You can see that some flowers have pale petals and so seem to disappear into the background. These elements make for an interesting quilt.

Here is the back, you can see the little stitches and tiny seam. The tacking is black, you can't see it from the front so I am going to leave it in and hope a quilting thread doesn't pull any through. (Eek). This tacking method works well on a small shape and does not pierce the papers so they are easy to take out.

Sue has washed this and some of the sneaky polyester cottons that are included have not shrunk at the same rate as the cotton, so I am mindful of this.

Free Motion Quilting

I have said I will quilt it, which now seems like a daunting task as I don't want to ruin the quilt. After much sketchbook doodling, here is one sample idea. I have left a hex flower shape unquilted in the middle to represent a flower to gauge the scale.

Thread: So Fine by Superior Threads. Ive chosen a blending colour and etched poly thread for strength, etched so it looks like cotton. Its 50 weight and so very fine. This is so that you see more of the design and less of the actual thread. I am using an 80/12 Topstitch needle and the same thread in the bobbin.

Ive decided to use a dense design for the background as it will add stability to the hand stitching plus if I only lightly quilt the flowers they will puff up with a more three dimensional effect. The trade off is that the amount of thread required is "lots" and the quilt will be stiffer than it would if it was lightly quilted, but more robust. Decisions, decisions.

Another option would be a simple Meander, but I just want this to be a little bit more special. I am still thinking about this and I think my swirls are a little bit wonky!

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

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 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.