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!!

AN OLD FAVOURITE...

I was in need of a lucky door prize for my craft group, and I wanted something quick and easy…..  this Quilted List Taker is one of my favourite patterns -  it's a pattern by JCasa Handmade…. you can find it HERE.  I made this one this afternoon.  I just started pulling any Christmas fabric scrap that looked like it would fit and made up my patchwork piece first….

wonky patchwork - just sew it on any way you like!  and then have some fun with crazy straight line quilting!

I add a row of stay stitching all around the outside edge, this helps keep your patchwork intact.  This stitching will be inside the finished seam allowance. 

then I trimmed it all back even with my piece of wadding…….

I didn't get photos of the next steps, but I layered the pieces… and got it all stitched together.    I found a cute antique button in my stash and there you have it!  one lucky door prize!

 

 Check out JCasa Handmade for lots of lovely patterns and ideas!

I have used  these List Takers for years now.  I have one for "everything" and one for "Christmas".  It's great to have everything in one place - for instance in my Christmas one I have my cards, stamps, address list and gift list.   In my "everything" one, I have…. well…. everything!  you know, the stuff you need when you go out shopping!

One lucky door prize done!

Happy Sewing!!

Cheers from Helen

... AND A FEW MORE CHRISTMAS FINISHES......

Yes, I've been doing some more sewing.......   just had to make Chloe a new Christmas outfit too (I was meant to make these shorts, as there was JUST enough fabric leftover from making Bridget's pair).. the shirt is from BigW, lovely quality.

Chloe's new Christmas outfit

close up of the little tree, fusible applique with hand
blanket stitch.

Market Bag for Mahala

Quite some time ago, I made a Market Bag for my Niece Mahala but in typical Aunty Henny fashion, never got around to mailing it to her.  So, today I made a matching List Taker.....

Quilted List-Taker for Mahala
(I had a go at doing free motion quilting around
the fabric details - not too bad for
a first attempt!)
Lovely antique button I found in my stash!

I even attempted to write her name!

Inside the list-taker

Back of List-taker - more free motion quilting.

my attempt at writing "with love" on the
back!

PATTERNS USED:   Market Bag ..   by Artsy Crafty Babe (Rebeka Lambert) .. click   HERE  for link.

                                     Quilted List-Taker ..  JCasaHandmade (Jennifer Casa) ..  click   HERE   for link.

This gift will be in the mail tomorrow!

and just in case you are new to my blog....   Bridget and Chloe are my Great-Nieces and Lachie is my Great-Nephew.  As my son Matt is only 17 going on 18 (big moan here) I have not got to the Grandmother stage just yet!  give me time!  I just hope I can see to sew by then :-))

Dare I say I will be back with yet MORE Christmas sewing?    you never know!

Happy Sewing!!

Helen

HELLO THERE!!

Just a little sewing to show ..

Block # 27  Irish Chain    and
Block # 28  Next Door Neighbour

Both of these blocks made up to weird sizes.  The Irish Chain is just a little small and the Next Door Neighbour block came out a tad big!!

So when I find the time, I will make these blocks again.

It hasn't been ALL Civil War sewing lately.  I am working on the ditch quilting on my flannel quilt tonight.  Sorry, forgot to take a photo - will do so next post.  After I do the ditch quilting I will then do a little meandering all over the quilt.  I'm using  Invisifil WonderFil   Wt 100  and I just love this thread.  It really disappears into the quilt and is a treat to work with.  My Brother Nouvelle 1500  loves this thread too!

My mum's Nursing Home is having a kind of Fair on August 3rd so I'm making a few things to sell and display.  My friend has given me a box of hand made cards and bookmarks (which are always popular) plus my ladies from my Tuesday craft group have put in a few goodies (face washers, hand towels) - I have made some of my List Takers and a Chalkboard roll plus a Ballerina Bag.  I will make a few bags this week, probably Library Bags.  My sister has been very productive ....  lots of beautiful hand made fabric flowers with beautiful beaded stems, gorgeous fabric flower brooches and lavender bags.  Plus she has made a few Softies too!  I will take a photo of our sale table on the day and do a post about it.  I think we will have a very pretty  table ... the main point of the Fair is to have something pretty and interesting for the Nursing Home Residents to look at.  So I HAVE been sewing!

My back is all better now!  even hit the gym this week..   I think the quilting I am planning on doing tomorrow will be the test ....  must remember to relax and drop my shoulders and take lots of breaks!

Well, it's time for a cuppa, will report in tomorrow with a pic of my flannel quilt,

Happy Sewing!!

LONDON SQUARE

Block  # 11  ..  Civil War Quilt
LONDON SQUARE

This block was an easy one to do....  came out right size, no problems piecing it at all ---  I really like this block!  I used the Wonder-Cut ruler to make the HST's.  Too easy!  So, do I have any tricks or tips???

Now, really... what do you think?

MY TIPS AND TRICKS FOR THIS BLOCK....

Not a lot to say but....

Make sure you set out all the pieces before beginning to stitch.  Check out Lillians blog and American Homesteads blog... great step by step pictures!   I had to unsew some of my triangles :-(    It's a bit like putting on mascara... you need to hold your mouth right!!  I lay everything out and THOUGHT I had everything in the right spot, but when I did the sewing, my triangles were facing the wrong way!!

Press each segment lightly.   Trim the ears from each set as you sew.  To attach the final large triangles, just press your centre pieced triangle row in half, then press each triangle in half.  Match up the half way marks, pin and sew.  You should have little ears at each end.  Your pieced block will be 8  1/2" square.  Trim those final little ears and your block is done!  I spray starched and pressed the completed block.

So, what else have I been up to???

I have made a couple of the Market Bags and another List-taker.

Tomorrow I will be building the applique blocks for the Royal Critters quilt. 

Happy Sewing!!

I decided to make a List-taker to go with the Market Bag!

Inside List-taker - Aussie pen and notebook

List-taker Pattern by Jennifer Casa JChandmade.typepad.com

MH and I went to visit with friends today.  I have given their two little girls quilts ... today they sent me this photo...

Brights Baby Quilt

Happy Sewing!

MOTHER'S DAY?

LIST-TAKERS, READY FOR THE MOTHER'S DAY STALL
AT MY CRAFT GROUP

Yes, I know.... it's a little early for Mother's Day!!  Every year we have a sales table at my craft group and every year I don't have anything ready to sell!    Soooooooo, this year I'm getting organised EARLY!

I've made a pile of List-takers and still making more plus I'm going to cut out some shopping bags today.  I'll also do a few Needle-cases and pin-cushions... always popular!

I didn't get around to showing you the lovely items I received in the mail at Christmas...

Quilted raw-edge applique Mug Rug from Mandy
Thank You Mandy - I LOVE IT!! you can check
out Mandy's blog.... SEAMS SEW TOGETHER

Beautiful "suffolk puff" Christmas Card and a cute little patchwork stocking for
the tree.... Thank You Mary!  I love everything!!  Mary has a lovely
blog.... I Piece 2 Mary

The cutest little pink house decoration for the tree...
Thank You Micki!  Perfect timing! as we were
baby-siting little Chloe (great-niece, aged 5) that
week and of course!  a new PINK decoration was
very popular!!
Check out Micki's blog.... IRISH MUSES

Happy Sewing!  oh yes.....  and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

MAKING A LIST AND CHECKING IT TWICE!

QUILTED LIST-TAKER
Design by:  Jennifer Casa
(http://jchandmade.typepad.com/)

EACH GIVE-A-WAY PRIZE WILL INCLUDE ONE OF THESE!!

As I had a few strips of left-over scraps from making the bags, I thought I would try making these!!  Jennifer's pattern is super easy to follow and I had two of these made in a very short time!!
I used two of my antique shank buttons on the fronts (you need shank buttons to twist the cord around!)

To enter my give-a-way, you need to comment on my previous post -  GIVE-A-WAY TIME.

Happy Sewing!