and sew on and sew forth......

Baby quilt 

Vulcan miniature sewing machine 

Quilts for Project Kin

Market bag

Appliqué tee shirts 

Treadling again🙂

I found this Post in my Drafts🙄🙄🙄.  So here’s a belated update from late last year😃😃😃

PARTIAL PIECING

Hello!

I've been posting on Facebook about the latest quilt I'm working on....  "Peek-a-Boo Bunnies" from Quiltmaker March/April '17.....

Block # 1

The layout in the magazine is a little different.  I'm doing the block frames (sashing) using the Partial Piecing method.  I think it gives the block a quirky look.  I'm also doing my Bunnies in bright fabrics whereas the pattern in the book is in pinks and greys and they use wool.  This will make a good baby quilt if needed.

So anyway, I've been asked about the Partial Piecing method so I've taken some photos today as I added the frame around the second Block.......

My blocks are 9" square before adding the frame.  My strip width for the frame pieces is 2-1/2".  The math for partial piecing is block size plus width of sashing less 1/2" for seam allowances.  So all of my strips are cut at 11" X 2-1/2"

Place first strip along one side, there will be
an overlap of the width of your sashing less 1/2"

Stitch using a 1/4" seam allowance, stopping about 3" from
the bottom of the block

Working anti-clockwise, add the next strip.
The green piece was my first strip, then working right to left (anti-clockwise)
add the next strip.  Sew along the whole strip using 1/4" seam allowance

Add third strip
So my dark green is 1st, blue spot is 2nd and now the green spot.

Now add fourth strip once again stitching
along the whole strip with a 1/4" seam allowance- you can see the first strip is folded back at this point.

Now complete the stitching on the first strip.

One completed block
Block # 2

The thing I like best about partial piecing is that all of the strips are cut the same length.  So no left and right strips and no top and bottom strips at different lengths.

There are four blocks in the quilt so I have two more to hand stitch and build.  Then to decide how big to grow it :-)  

In other sewing news, I made a large Retreat Bag last night.  The Retreat Bag is a free pattern from Emmaline Bags.  I have the small size and use it daily for my hand sewing but it needed a wash and as I'm carrying quite a few projects at the moment the large size will be perfect...

As you can see.... the LARGE is much bigger than the small :-)

It certainly fits lots of projects and I love how the frame opens wide

Side on view.  

The only trouble I had with this bag is that I had run out of the fusible interfacing I usually use.  I found an old piece way back in my cupboard and used it.  Sadly it did not adhere very well but I persevered and got the bag made.  Next one I make I will use the better interfacing and fleece and also a longer zip as even though I used the suggested length for the bag, I would like just an inch or more to hang over each side - makes it easier to grab to open and close.  

Although Brisbane has had some horrible weather lately - very very hot and humid..... we are getting back to more normal days now and hopefully in a month or so we will start to cool down ready for our Winter.  Sewing has been quite difficult in the hot and humid conditions so I'm looking forward to days when I can stay sewing from morning to night !

I'm still having trouble with my left hand (the fractured one) so I haven't been playing on my Sweet Sixteen since the first time.  My hand still gets sore and tingles and can get quite hot in the area around the fracture.  I'm wearing a pull on supportive brace when I sew now.

Happy Sewing!

Cheers from Helen

PEEK-A-BOO

Took a quick pic with my phone so colours are not true but wanted to show you all the "have I got a spare quilt" baby quilt!  A couple of days ago hubby asked me that very question! A friend has become a grandfather to a baby boy and my hubby wants to gift them a quilt.  Lucky for me there were these red work embroidered pieces in my stash (have no idea when I did them!) and then I tipped out my scrap bin and searched until I found enough fabric.... Although you may spot the joined piece on bottom right corner - the spot fabric.

So happy with it - all from the scrap bin!! Going to layer and pin it now so will come back with a finished quilt pic soon :-)

Happy sewing!

Cheers from Helen

HOVERING HAWKS FOUND IN SCRAP BOX!

BLOCK #  39   HOVERING HAWKS

That got your attention!!   I made this block COMPLETELY from my Civil War Scrap Box.  I found the already pieced HST's and some matching squares, so this block came together very quickly.  I decided to crop my photos to show how they will look once "in the quilt" so trust me, all the points ARE there!

Also caught up with Block #  32  CAROLINA LILY....

This block called for set in Y seams, but as I have never done that I used all HST's and rectangles - I used some already pieced HST's in this one too!  I might have a go at the Y seams version later on down the track:-)   I made this one last night and I see my "pressing" is a bit rough!  (top row)   Will have to fix that!

I added to my Civil War stash this week.....  picked up a few fat quarters when my friends and I were on the Quilt Shop Hop on Wednesday.  We had a lovely day, down by the Bay. 

I just need to make BLOCK # 31  EMPTY SPOOLS plus the most current block put up last Saturday, BLOCK # 40  ORDER NUMBER ELEVEN which is an Applique Block and I will be ALL CAUGHT UP!  Thank goodness!  I wonder how many more blocks there are to come?  

The little baby quilt is waiting to be layered and quilted, might get that done over the weekend!

Happy Sewing!!

BABY TWIST

Close up of the "twist block"

Baby size "Hey Diddle Diddle" floor quilt

I was asked by a friend if I would make two baby quilts for her.  Usually I decline, as I have enough of my own quilts to be busy with.... but as I wanted to make the "Hey Diddle Diddle" floor quilt for my Niece who is expecting in February, I thought that I would do a test run on the "twist" block in this pattern.  It's a bit tricky working with this block and now that I've made four of them and pieced them into this little top, I will be making a few changes to the next quilt I make with this twist block.  This Pattern is from Quilt Almanac 2011,  designed by:  Karen DuMont of KariePatch Designs.  As my friend needs two quilts, I will make another one using different fabrics and see how my twist blocks turn out.   My baby size version of this quilt is much smaller than the one in the pattern.  I thought this size would be great to use as a change mat and play mat and by making it this size, it will fit into the nappy bag with no trouble!

I worked on this quilt over the weekend.......  gave myself a few days off on the Civil War quilt but will get back into it soon as I still have a couple of blocks to make to catch up.

My son returned to school today (I know, you can hear the loud screams of delight and applause from where you live!!!)... only seven weeks of school left and it's all over for me at least...  he will, of course, continue with study at Uni or College (fingers crossed!).  

This coming Wednesday my friends and I are going on a bus trip to some quilt shops on the Bayside of Brisbane....  might just have to make a new handbag to take along.....

Happy Sewing!!

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