I love to sew, mainly quilts and bags. I am 66, married to Fred and have one son, Matthew, who is 27. I enjoy embroidery and applique and prefer to machine piece and quilt my projects. I love my vintage Singer sewing machines especially my Featherweight 222K. I’m enjoying treadling on my 201K Singer and I collect Miniature Sewing Machines and currently have three Essex , one Singer 20, one Singer 40, two Vulcan Miniatures and my latest, a Grain. My love of sewing I believe comes from my Grandmother - I still have the drawings she made for me to embroider on tea towels many many years ago!

Wednesday, 15 June 2011

ELEPHANTS, OWLS AND MONKEYS!

Royal Critters - with borders!

I took a close-up so you can see the fabrics better!

Today, after some serious vacuuming of the stairwell and surrounds (I know - more cleaning!!) I managed to get the borders on my Royal Critters quilt.  I wanted to follow the pattern and use the Elephant fabric for top and bottom and the Monkey fabric for the sides, but on closer inspection and after trying to make a first cut, I discovered that the Monkey fabric was printed with the pattern running lengthwise (I only had 30cm) and when I looked more closely at the Pattern photo, it had the Monkey fabric joined so the Monkeys were up the right way!  I wasn't up for that plus to my dismay, all the special fabrics I had purchased in this range (Owl, Elephant and Monkey) were printed askew!!!  I used the Elephant fabric for top and bottom borders, but it was extremely difficult to keep those Elephants walking in a straight line!!!   I went for the Owl fabric for the side borders and it was a little better and then fussy-cut the Monkey fabric for the cornerstones.  If I had tried to use the Monkey fabric they were also printed askew and there was no way they would have lined up for my borders!!  Very disappointing when I think of the price I paid for this fabric!!!

Oh well, it's done now!!  Tomorrow I will hopefully get the backing cut and pieced, then get it all ready for quilting.

Happy Sewing!!
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7 comments :

  1. Susan15 June 2011 at 17:22

    Your quilt is fabulous! I wonder whether all the fabric was printed 'off grain' or you just got a dud batch! As you say, it costs enough- it shouldn't be like that!

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  2. Erilyn15 June 2011 at 18:38

    I agree! But at least you COULD cut and 'paste' and it looks like PATChwork. I remember some wallpaper (years ago) that had a wobble on the drum and it would only match in one place when butting up! The receiver of this quilt will be very happy for years. Congratulations!

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  3. Barb15 June 2011 at 20:55

    I downloaded this patter a while back and so love it, you did a fantastic job!

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  4. Lynda15 June 2011 at 22:16

    Such a cute quilt. Sorry you had trouble with the fabric. It is frustrating to work with fabric that isn't printed quite right.

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  5. Mrs Flying Blind...15 June 2011 at 22:42

    What a pain in the butt- it looks superb though - great 'save' xx

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  6. Kris16 June 2011 at 00:14

    Helen - This quilt is wonderful!!! You did an amazing job keeping the elephants in line!! Sorry the monkeys weren't so cooperative!! :-) Kris

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  7. Crystal Stanworth16 June 2011 at 04:54

    these are such cute little appliques! love your fabric choices.

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