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!

Friday 30 December 2016

I'M A FARMGIRL

Hello!

I received the book Farm Girl Vintage from my lovely friend Erica for my birthday this year.  I have been collecting fabrics and this week I have started making the blocks.


Block # 1 -  Apron Strings

I thought I had made this block incorrectly but when I looked at other blocks on Facebook I found they all looked like mine!  in the book the block looks a little different and I have figured out why.  I will make another one of these and see how that one comes out.

I found the perfect box to hold my blocks

A cute little kookaburra box to house my completed blocks.

My 222k is perfect for these little pieces

Block # 2 - Autumn Star


Block # 3 Baby Chick

I love this block - I did the Chick's legs on my cute little Essex miniature sewing machine.  It only does chain stitch so I traced the legs on the back of my patchwork block and stitched on the lines.  The chain stitch is then on the front of my block.  This is the first time I have tried this method and I'm pretty happy with the results.  Bit loopy here and there but I think it adds to the charm of the block.


Essex Miniature Sewing Machine


Holly from next door is helping me

I'm looking after Holly at the moment and this is the first time in all these years that she has come into my sewing room.  I think she's lonely plus there has been a lovely breeze coming through the door.  The overhead fan is also on!


My friends will have a laugh at this one...... Baking Day !   never happens in my kitchen!!!


Block # 4 Baking Day


I'm thoroughly enjoying the process making these blocks.  Yes they are small pieces (some teeny tiny ones) but I like to challenge myself with different techniques and methods.  I'm not rushing this project, I have all year if I want to take that long!


Block # 5 Butter Churn
Christmas was very pleasant.  We had a cool day for a change (it's usually scorching hot and humid) with some rain showers.  Lovely!  I'm now the proud owner of a Dyson Stick Vacuum cleaner...... and I'm not afraid to use it :-)    It's a great little cleaner - perfect for our home and lifestyle!  Some would say that it's not an exciting Christmas gift......  well I think it's perfect!  I needed a lighter vacuum cleaner and this one is just right! it's very powerful too!



I've had a pleasant few days in my sewing room this week and apart from the Farm Girl blocks I have also made another Majestic Mountain block....
Majestic mountain block - made with recycled cotton shirts

I really must get this one done ! - By Air, By Rail, By Sea.
I'm up to the By Air row
Machine blanket stitch on my Brother Quilters Edition

I did a bit more on the By Air, By Rail, By Sea quilt - two clouds to be exact!   I'm making this one for my brother to gift to his grandson (my great-nephew Amos)  .... I really must get a move on!  I've been making this for over a year now!
Pavlova!  what more can I say? :-)
My sister makes the best desserts!

Cheers from Helen


4 comments :

  1. You've been a busy girl! Kitties are such great sewing companions. Maybe you need one of your own? XO

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  2. Those look like such fun blocks and they are turning out so well. Love those Majestic Mountain blocks.

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  3. Love your fabrics for Farm Girl!!! I have quite a few retreats from now thru May so my plan is to work on mine. I have the fabrics just no ambition to get things cut. I was sewing so much before Christmas to get gifts done and now nursing a nasty cold. I'm sure my mojo will resume at some point!!! Happy sewing and look forward to more block posts!!

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  4. You've made a fabulous start on Farmgirl Vintage, Helen! I've just sat down today to continue on with mine after a bit of a break - I have about half of them done. Making some good progress on your other projects too :-)

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