QUILT GIFTING

Hello!

My sewing has been hit and miss lately...... I really need to tidy the sewing room and then sort out a few new projects!

I made a quilt for my friend's little grandson..... the pattern I have is called Hey Diddle Diddle but it is now called Playtime and is available here from Kariepatch.  I've made a few versions of this quilt but this one has to be my favourite.  As usual I put in some books and I tagged a Peter Rabbit soft toy on to one of the twist blocks.  

I used Matilda's Own cotton wadding for the first time on this quilt and WOW I love it!  It was a dream to quilt (on my Sweet Sixteen) and I love how it came out once washed and dried, so soft and crinkly.

Always include a book! 

Forest Friends for Archie

Peter Rabbit tagged along!

The princess quilt was a gift for a good friend (we did Tuckshop together at my son's high school).  The quilt is for her little granddaughter.  I did traditional cross hatch quilting on this one (on my Brother PQ1500)

Quilt for my friend

I purchased a new Go Cutter die..... the Train .....  this is just the engine on a little tee shirt.

New Accuquilt Go Cutter die!  

Reading pillow

Quilted List Taker

My tee shirt stash had some sizes I needed to use up so I worked up a few for my friend's grandies....

Tee shirts! 

A little friend had his birthday last Sunday so I whipped up a quick gift.  This drawstring backpack is so quick to make.  Finished size is 12" square.  Perfect for a little boy. 

A quick gift - drawstring backpack 

Plus a book!

Yesterday was my 63rd birthday.......  seems like only yesterday I was 21 !    I'm not certain but I think this would be my 7th or 8th birthday.  That's me bottom row 3rd from left.   My mum put on such wonderful parties for my birthdays ......... 

Cheers!

Happy Sewing!!

JANUARY

Happy New Year !

January is not really the month to get much sewing done...... our weather is usually awfully hot and humid.  This January has been a little surprising.  We did have some hot horrible days but just lately it's been quite pleasant.  My projects this month ........

READING PILLOW
GIFT FOR A FRIEND

I love making these Reading Pillows but somehow I got myself confused with the measurements for the pocket so this one only has a very shallow pocket.  A little book still fits so that's okay 😀

BY AIR BY RAIL BY SEA
YES! IT'S A FLIMSY!

I'm pushing myself to get the By Air ...... quilt finished.  I cannot believe this but I've been working on this machine applique project for three years!  YES! THREE YEARS!    I finished up all of the blanket stitch and now have it to the flimsy stage, just waiting for more of the backing fabric as I fell short when I went to layer the quilt.

ZOE ZEBRA QUILT IS PINNED AND I'VE FINISHED
THE DITCH QUILTING 

Although I enjoyed making this quilt, it really was meant for machine applique (I did it by hand) so I'm pleased to be up to the quilting stage now.  I've done the stitch in the ditch quilting so now it moves over to my Sweet Sixteen for the Free Motion Quilting.

HERE'S THE BACKING

THE TEDDY BEAR'S PICNIC
 

My hand sewing project at the moment is The Teddy Bear's Picnic blocks .. pattern by the Red Boot Quilt Company .   It's a lovely project and I'm really enjoying it.  To keep the applique soft, I use the method where you cut away most of the fusible web from the centre of the shape (so on the head of the bear, it's only got the fusible web around the outside edges, I have cut away the middle area.... this makes it much easier to stitch through the eyes and nose.  Here is a tutorial by Pat Sloan.  I do this to the larger pieces but leave the smaller pieces intact.

Siggy Block

How lovely to still be receiving Siggy Block requests.  This one will be on its way to The Netherlands soon.  You can find the information about the Siggy exchange here.  I have been in the Exchange for many years now.  Today I was stitching in a coffee shop but sitting outside so I tried out my new battery powered fan from Aldi.... works a treat!

I sew my siggy blocks on my Singer 99K Hand Crank..... very peaceful and quiet using this machine.  It sews a beautiful stitch.  I like to give each of my vintage machines a project, this keeps them oiled and maintained on a regular basis.

SINGER HAND CRANK 99K

Cheers!

Helen

SWEET SIXTEEN SEWING AT LAST!

I FINALLY HAD A PLAY ON MY SWEET SIXTEEN!
LOVE IT!

Although I've had my Sweet Sixteen since mid October, I haven't had a play on it as I had fractured my left hand just before the machine was delivered.  I did a very small project to start off with as I still need to be careful with my hand.  This is the front pocket for the Reading pillow.........

READING PILLOW - BIRTHDAY GIFT
CHALKBOARD ROLL FOR THE BIRTHDAY GIRL'S LITTLE BROTHER

Reading Pillows are a quick and easy project..... perfect for little readers.  The Chalkboard Roll is one of my "go to" presents for toddlers and pre-schoolers.  I have linked to a version similar to the one I make.  I don't add the chalk pocket.

EASTER SEWING - A TEE SHIRT OF COURSE!

As I need some hand sewing I have started my Easter gifts.  This little rabbit is just so cute and worked up very quickly.  

Brisbane continues to suffer terribly hot and humid weather so not a great deal of sewing to report I'm afraid.  Hoping things cool down in a few weeks but it looks like most of February will be hot.

Happy Sewing!

Cheers from Helen

PLANES, TRAINS...... AND AUTOMOBILES !

IN PREPARING MY MOST RECENT BLOG POST I FOUND THIS POST THAT I HAD FORGOTTEN TO PUBLISH!!!   SO HERE IS ANOTHER CATCH UP, IT WAS ORIGINALLY PREPARED AUGUST 1ST.  OH WELL, BETTER LATE THAN NEVER.......

Hello!

August 1st already !   I've been working on a lot of different projects since my Post last month.  My sewing room is becoming quite crowded with each of my machines busy with something :-)  

I've also added to my machine collection with a gorgeous Miniature Sewing Machine by Essex.

New tee shirt for Amos 

and of course ..... one for Maisy

I joined along with the rest of the crowd..... Garlic Knot block,.......Bonnie Hunter started it!!! and now we're all making them !

I turned my Garlic Knot block in to a mini hanger - I've had the table stand for years!

and here's the back.... I keep thinking I have used up every last scrap of the sewing themed fabrics!

Reading Pillow for a little friend - he loves Ninja Turtles !

A new addition to my sewing corner..... a gorgeous Miniature Sewing Machine by Essex

Isn't she just the cutest thing?!?!

A vintage doily tote bag for a gift

Inside the tote bag.... retro '50s fabric

Apart from the hand stitching between the carriages, the train row is now done!  This is my machine blanket stitch project, I'm now working on the "by air" row.

Car quilt, gifted to our neighbour's grandson

My "Boats on the Open Sea" quilt for my ODIBAG stash
(one day I'll be a Grandmother)

I love making this quilt!

Pinwheel blocks, made a very weird way! for the "By Air, By Rail, By Sea" quilt
place two squares together, sew all the way around using 1/4" seam and then cut apart on both diagonals which gives you four HST's to make the pinwheel units.

Puppy Dog tee shirt

The "By Air" row all ironed on ready to stitch

Pillow Bed - this was fun to make!

Great for watching tele or reading

Cheers!

WHAT A CUTE IDEA!

Hello there!

I have been busy making a few small items for Christmas gifts.......    READING PILLOWS !   from the book "Growing Up Modern"  by Allison Harris of Cluck Cluck Sew.    The pillows finish at 14" square and use a cushion insert so a nice quick finish!   and before my Niece's groan... no these are not for our girls and boys :-)   although one could be in their future ! :-)

Now I'm busy sewing pillowcases !

I am also sewing along with Bonnie Hunter's "Celtic Solstice" mystery but I haven't even finished the first clue and now we are up to clue # 4, but it's not a race and I will enjoy some serious sewing time in the next few days.

In the New Year I will be joining in with the new Quilt-along at Quilting Gallery.  This new one is called Delightful Stars, click HERE to read all about it!

I'll be back.......

Okay, I'm back! .....   finished the Pillowcases......