Next WIP - Dino Quilt

Well, I'm back at my sewing machine again!

Man I love it. I wish I had more time to be there. After a full days work and then relaxing at home, by the time I'm really and relaxed and the little ones in bed, by pregnant hormonal self wants to climb early into bed too (and on some nights I do just that!)

I have managed to finish my next quilt top.
Using cute DINO PUNK material, I started on my first HST quilt.



I do wish I had enough material patches to complete one more row along the top. But it'll have to do.
Next will be to find a cute backing material for the reverse side and then i'll start the quilting process.

Hope you like it :)

x

Finally finished!

Looking back at my last post, that was 1st October. Where I first stated that I started this quilt... Yes, so long ago, yet it's not a big quilt. A quilt for a baby!

Well, the number one reason for the long slow progress has been that I am now pregnant :) and have had pregnancy fatigue constantly since then! Yes, I don't tell a lie, the tiredness has been inconvenient... But on the other hand it's been sweet paradise to have so many early nights and fulfilled sleep! Bliss! 

Even though I'm expecting (a girl due in June) ... This sweet baby blanket has been in work for some close friends who are expecting their first child next month. (Also a girl) 

Here are the stages that have taken place since my last post. 

I am working on a quilt, a baby quilt.

 

Each pinwheel block consists of 4 smaller blocks sewn together. So I had to account for seam allowance from the smallest block. 

I needed for each full pinwheel block, 4 solid whites and 4 patterned.

 

Cutting - … urgh! What felt like millions! (in reality was only 280) 

I'm still trying to channel the “happy place” where quilters go to get into the rhythm of cutting and cutting and cutting. If such a place exists. 

 

Then it was to pin the little blighters to make the quarter of each pinwheel. 

Now I could see it coming together … ;D

 

 

Then – was to sew the little pinwheels into actual pinwheels.

 

Think about the centre points here for a minute. You've got folded on folded pieces of fabric. My sewing machine definitely needed a new needle before starting this project (and probably also needs one again now) We got there in the end. After a few tough points when making these little pinwheels. Happy to report no dropped stitches or broken needles though!

 

Then the point was to make it random (easier said than done) 

Excuse all the bad pictures – you can tell I've been working on it in the evening times in different rooms in the house, with multitude of lighting effects and silly Instagram filters. 

 

 Then, to sew the blocks together

I caved and went to the local haberdashery to search for fabric for the reverse, which truth is - one of my favourite places, it's just a place I can spend money in VERY easily! It's easier to go whe I have a definite project in mind, otherwise I just buy everything!

So, reverse side material bought. From the same material collection, but in a colour that was not in the mix on the front of the quilt.

The lady recommended a border as well, I had not thought about adding a border other than the binding, but when she folded it over to show me, it instantly gave it a "finished" feel. Looked great! Great idea.

Once the border was added, I realized that I did not want a binding. I searched online for hints and tips to do the "pillowcase method" and found a great tutorial from red pepper quilts. 

And here - finally ... 4.5 months later... 

My first quilt!

Hey Everyone! Please excuse me if you have seen this already (I posted it to my facebook feed earlier today and have already received some lovely comments :) )

I finished my first quilt! :D hoorah!
What a lesson it's been. I did try, I tried my hardest!

I had 3 lovely fat quarters that I picked up in Detroit earlier this year. I picked them up on a whim, they were pretty and complimentary. After seeing a few people start their quilting 'career' I knew that pointing corners together could be a pain in the neck, and that subtle colours - or similar colours would be more forgiving in the final pattern, so I picked these out as an ideal choice.
Cut into many squares 10x10cms
and then started making strips, measuring and sewing.

Then I sewed the strips together. I had hoped that measuring precisely in the strips would ten work out with alignment when joining the strips together - but, by millimetres some missed the point.

I got advice and researched about batting. But since I only have a standard sewing machine - I got a thin middle layer to be sure that it'd go under the needle and not stress me out  :P
I backed it with standard white cotton, and quilted straight lines 'in the ditch' in the directed that I had actually managed to sew a straight line, and then I used a decorative stitch to quilt in the other direction to cover slightly those misaligned corner points. sneaky me.

 

I had some silky bias tape in my stash already - and by sheer luck I had enough in! so, finally it was edged with this and again my favourite decorative stitch.

It's got a million imperfection and yes, I know its a baby blanket, and yes, it's white - not ideal. But after receiving a quilt for my son when he was born (brought to me by the members of craftpimp) I knew that quilts can be, will be heirlooms. This is what I wanted for this. A summer, light baby quilt. One to keep. Shame its got so many imperfections!

So now, I'll launder it and then it shall be gifted somewhere.
Probably to someone who appreciates handmade things and will embrace those little mistakes and slipped stitches as little quirks.

Hope you like it too!

Blogtoberfest Day #8 - Table Runner - FINISHED!

Woo-hoo! Another project finished!
that's quite impressive for me, two projects finished in two days.

Remember my GUILTY PURCHASE?

Well, it didn't stay ignored for too long! I told my husband the plans so then I'd definitely do it. I cut, pinned and pressed it on Sunday - so half the work was already done. All I needed to do today was to get it to the sewing machine whilst the little man was having his midday snooze. It does sometimes feel like a bit of a race when I'm trying to get things done when the little man is in bed. So, I do think it is a little bit rushed, but I'm happy with the result.

2.40€ for a scrap of material from Ikea, and then just snip it up, fold, press, pin and sew :)

I do still find sewing in straight lines hard to do though! hahaha! Practice makes perfect I suppose!

Hope you like it! (and more importantly I hope the OH likes it too!)

Blogtoberfest Day #1 - Stash-a-holic!

Hi, I'm Nicola and I'm a stash-a-holic!

Guilty purchase of the day ... an offcut of material from IKEA.

It's cute, lovely china blue flowers on a white background. It's a gorgeous thick upholstery fabric and the offcut (150x80cms) was only 2.40€ ... I couldn't resist!

Now, the key really is to use it soon. I find that once I buy something, that if it doesn't get used soon, it goes into the stash and it could be there years!

I bought it not knowing what I'm going to use it for, luckily when I put it on the dining room table - an idea came along. We have a lovely new wooden dining room table, and what we don't have is a table runner. My husband did mention that I should get one, and I have looked - but nothing has stood out. However, I think this could work! I best get the scissors and pins out tonight so I can mark up where to sew!

It'd be really nice to get it finished asap, I have visitors coming tomorrow for a few days, so I'm going to out this on the to-do list for next week! Will show you pictures I promise!

Take Care
Nicola
x