The two sunbonnet quilts are now finished.
They didn’t turn out too badly.
One top finished.
Here it is on the frame ready to quilt.
Close up of quilting.
Quilting round figures.
The two quilts finished and bound.
Just the labels now. I have a few without labels so I will have to have a labelathon.
Details of pattern etc on my original blog.
I tidied the dungeon today. If we are being literal, I tidied half the dungeon.The problem was that, having rearranged the area I sew in I turned round to discover that although I had one lovely tidy section, I had moved everything surplus to requirements down to the other end. This now means I have to start tidying that bit tomorrow. Perhaps I should just place a large dustbin by the door and save myself the trouble.
The flaw in this plan is of course that if I throw out anything it will be just the bit of blue or green I need to finish a project. Not that I would ever find it at the moment but that is a detail. Luckily I get a certain amount of satisfaction creating order out of chaos. That is until I try to find something that is no longer where I knew it was. Still at least the dust bunnies have hopped off for a few weeks and the resident spiders will be spending tonight re-spinning the webs I hoovered up this morning.
Since writing the above I have bought myself some plastic drawers. Now I can see all the small fabric pieces I did not throw away. They are colour coded and perhaps will stay tidy now. The times I have thrown everything out of a very large box in order to find a tiny piece of just the right yellow. No more.
It is amazing how just the act of completing one job, ie the fabric organisation, kick starts other projects.
I have had this quilt on the frame for weeeks if not months but couldn’t find the motivation to finish it. I was looking for something to demonstrate the use of a fabric panel in a quilt and came across a pattern at Blank Quilting. It is actually a pattern for use with the Fashion Beach collection but would lend itself to any of the Loralie Designs panels and other makes too. I adapted it for the Belles Collection of fabrics.
See what you think
Close up.
Simple but effective.
I decided to divide the monkeys from my last blog into two sets, boys and girls. Conveniently there are six of each. With the first one I decided to do a variation on an Irish Chain. If you want to do a traditional tried and tested one see this link for methods .
The link above shows you how to do three different Irish Chains – single,
Double,
Triple.
Mine used 10″ monkey blocks (cut 10.5″) and 2″” squares (cut 2.5″).
Note if you are changing the size to suit your blocks – you need to start and finish with the same row. e.g the blue one above starts with two plain and three nine patch on the first row and the last row is the same. If you don’t do that the pattern will not be complete. The same goes for the patterns across. Symmetry is the key to success. As I had 6 boy and 6 girl appliques I had to do another one as I needed 7. Rows 1, 3 and 5 – 1 applique, rows 2 and 4 -2 appliques. I chose one from the jumbo summer collection as the nearest thing to a baby. He looks as if he is wearing a babygro.
Over all I was quite pleased with the result . I have done a different but still simple version for the girls. . The appliques have enough character of their own to carry the quilt.
Introducing the boys.
Here’s the extra little chap.
Here is the centrepiece.
And again.
Some more quilted monkeys.
The label using one of the plain embroideries in a small size.
I have finished the girl quilt too but you will have to wait a while before I show you.
Now – Designs by Juju have brought out a sock monkey applique alphabet. There is no hope for me. I have lots of ideas on using this so watch this space.
I was trawling the internet mainly to see where links to my blog had come from when I came across yet more inspiration from a fellow crafter. Vicki’s Fabric Creations had a blog on a quilt made from embroideries by Embroidery Connection. They are called ‘Sweet Pea Duckies’ and are irresistible to anyone who likes ‘cute’. As I believe in sharing here is a link to the page in case you would like to try them too. In this blog I will show you what I produced and how.
If you are not keen on the colours ignore them. The originals are digitised in Marathon threads and I use Madeira so they are largely my interpretation with a bit of help from a thread comparison program. I have never yet found one of those that is accurate.
I also did them on normal patchwork fabric and they didn’t pucker – not always easy to achieve.
There are ten of them. Have a look at the links for the rest.
I had a bit of a problem in that I was supplied with the wrong colour charts but a quick email put that right, which is perhaps all you can ask. I only mention it in case you might have the same problem and need to know how to solve it.
I always use a piece of fabric bigger than the required block size as embroidering and pressing often distort the block from perfectly square. I then trim the block to size with my trusty cutter/ruler which is a bit easier than a pair of scissors and a lot safer than a separate ruler and rotary cutter. Being accident prone I was very pleased to find these on an Australian visit and I have found a source in the UK after much trawling of the internet and I now have some spares in case they disappear again. I looked for a couple of years and finally found them by accident. It is amazing how difficult it is to find things on some websites even if you know they are there and I didn’t know where to start.
My first mistake was changing the style of quilt after I had already finished the embroideries. This meant that I had 11″ blocks when what I now needed was 12.5″ blocks. I got over this by adding a frame, taking the final size of each block to 12.5″. I needed an extra 1.5″ total which equates to 3/4″ (0.75″) on each side plus seam allowances of an extra 1/2″ (0.5″) each making each strip 1.25″. Just don’t forget the seam allowances and don’t panic. There is usually a way and If not you change the design yet again. It is rarely an unmitigated disaster.
Pin and sew them in place with the usual 1/4″ seam. The sides will be 11″ each and top and bottom 12.5″. However, do not assume this, always measure at each stage. Seams are not always accurate.
The ducks are sewn together in threes across giving two rows of three so we need something to join the rows together. I used 2″ squares.
To achieve this you need to cut 6 different strips each 2.5″ wide. I needed to cut two of each for the complete quilt.
Three of the coloured strips.
Join three together twice then cut into 2.5″ strips again. I chose some colours from the duck embroideries to draw together the borders and the embroideries.
Yes the colours are the same but I don’t exactly have studio conditions for my photographs.
Join together 18 of the strips, alternating the colours and using a pin to keep the seams aligned until sewn.
Make three sets.
The rows of ducks are then enclosed in the three sections of squares.
I decided that the next border should be the same blue and the same width as the sashing round the ducks, again to bring the bits of the quilt together. Makes it a bit easier on the eye.
I then did different sized borders using other colours from the squares.
Quilt.
Bind and finish.
Being a bit of an afficionado of Loralie Designs, when I saw some of her ‘Very Fairy’ panels on sale at a discount I had to have some. Then I couldn’t decide what to do with them so they were put away with the other UFO’s. This week I finally had another look and decided that I must make something with them. I am not a fan of framing a panel and leaving it at that, it seems a bit like cheating so I had to do a bit more.
As you can see, the basic panel comes with four figures at the bottom. I cut those off and all the little flowers and shoes and appliqued them on after I had stitched borders round the central panel.
The basic panel.
Cut round the figures for applique.
Choose fabrics to match.
Fix to corners with fusible web after the borders have been applied.
Satin stitch around the edges in matching colours.
A bit of a session on the quilt frame and ‘Hey Presto’.
I rather took a shine to the Very Fairy l embroideries too so I did a few of those. If you want one and can’t be bothered to do it yourself have a look at my web site on the Loralie Fairy page. More to be added in the coming days. They take a while but I think they are worth it.
First an update on my Pirate Quilt. You may remember it. If not here is a reminder. Here is a link to one blog. Here is another .
In it the ship is small but it occurred to me that a bigger ship on a wall hanging would also be a useful addition.
I also appiquéd the mariners compass as an alternative to an embroidery.
In a former life I made dolls and when I started quilting seriously I relegated the paraphernalia to a small section of my work area. (This small section is the size of many ‘3rd’ bedrooms in estate agent terms). I have been meaning to get in there and sort it out with the idea of trying to offload the moulds and made dolls so that I can put my frame in the room. It was only after I had done an inventory and photographed all the dolls that I realised just how much ‘stuff’ there is in there. What I really need is someone wanting to start a doll making business who wants to buy a whole working studio. Then I just need to sell the dolls I have already made. In case you think I am exaggerating take a look at this lot. It’s only a drop in the ocean but it’s a bit overpowering.
Kimmie mould by Cindy Marschner Rolfe
From the Joey mould by Cindy Marschner Rolfe.
Another Joey
Angel Love by Cindy marschner Rolfe.
Theodore by Cheri Chagall with Donna Rubert 28″ body.
Christina.
Sylvie by Cheri Chagall.
Mimi by Cheri Chagall.
Crystal.
L’il Boo by Cindy Marschner Rolfe.
Lucinda
Cleo
Yvette
Ivan
Jenny
Emily
Chubbins
Sipho from Donna Rubert’s Flossie mould
June
Theodora from Theodore mould by Cheri Chagall.
Hannah Rose by Donna Rubert
Elmo
Aaron
There are some more on my web site nsaaquilting.co.uk
It’s not just the dolls or even the moulds. There are wigs, shoes, eyes, and goodness knows what else.
I have come to the conclusion that life is too short. There are many more dolls I would like to make but I would have to live several decades more and still be able to lift the moulds – unlikely. Then there is the quilting. So many quilts, so little time.
I have finished two more UFO’s this week. If I am not careful I might run out. I am getting the hang of the quilt frame now although I have decided that there is not really any scope for imaginative quilting. The space available is too small. I need to come into some money to buy a long-arm setup but as I have no rich relatives ready to leave me their worldly wealth I guess it won’t happen. That being the case I am getting to be a bit of an expert at meandering. I don’t have too many problem stitches these days but I have also discovered that washing the finished quilt evens up the stitching in the antiqueing effect. It also makes sure that all the years sitting in the UFO pile in various dusty locations are washed away leaving a clean fresh quilt. It has the added advantage that you know how it will look when it is washed.
The first was originally a BOM by Kookaburra Cottage. This link will take you to the BOM page on their site and lots of lovely examples of their particular style of design. I have loved them since the first one I saw. They are a bit pricey as a pattern which explains why I make more than one from each.
Little Macca’s Farm
Someone once told me I should label my quilts. Nothing looked right but then I got an embroidery machine and I have never looked back. Just give me an excuse and I will make a label.
The other quilt is an alphabet quilt. I wanted to use up all the charm squares of children’s fabric I had accumulated. Looking at it again after all these years I see that I made it into an I-Spy quilt of sorts too.
In case you are wondering how I achieved the ‘wonky’ effect, wonder no longer. Starting with the top of the centre square attach a strip of fabric to the edge. Attach another strip down the right side onto the new shape. Then the bottom, then the left side. You now have an ordinary upright block bigger than you need. Make a template the size you want the finished block then place it onto your straight block at any angle desired and cut off the surplus with a rotary cutter. Easy Peasy.
Mustn’t forget the label.
The monkeys are from Oregon Patchworks on this link. There are lots of variations on the monkey embroidery. This one is an applique but there are some straight forward embroideries on the same theme.
Let me leave you with another set of views from where I live.
View Towards the Beach
The Beach
The Outer Harbour
This week I have been finishing a quilt based on frog fabric. I actually bought the fabric in a shop in Trinidad. There’s a bit of name dropping for you. Before you go green with envy, we went at Easter and it was closed. The only highlight was the revolving restaurant at the top of the hotel. It was a good job we went as there were not too many other people there.
As I finished it I realised that it wasn’t the only frog related item I had made over the years. I once made a quilt and matching bag based on the Peter Rabbit stories. As it wasn’t needed after all I still have it so I took a picture of the Jeremy Fisher alphabet block in faux cross stitch.
Also on the matching bag in normal stitching.
I also, at some time made a couple of frog characters when my Daughters were small. I don’t think anybody actually used them for anything but I haven’t got as far as the charity shop with them yet.
With the quilt as background.
Relaxing on the day bed.
He looks a bit miserable.
This one looks startled.
I also did some embroideries for a ‘Rainforest’ quilt that I never somehow got round to. He is particularly fine.
Now for the purpose of the blog – the quilt.
As you can see it is a very easy pattern. Each small square is 2″ (2.5″ before seams) making 10″ finished and each frog square is also 10″ . The border of each square is either 2″ (2.5″) strips or 2″ (2.5″) squares. Add 2″, 1″ and 4″ borders and bind. How much easier could it be. As long as you watch your seam widths and match the seams it cannot fail to look good.
I think I may be getting the hang of the quilting frame. The size of quiltable quilt on the frame at any one time is still frustrating but at least I can do a good job as long as I plan it. There are times though when I would love to do a really big design. Not,I fear something that will happen in the absence of a win on some game of chance. I don’t think I’ll hold my breath blue in the face not being an attractive look.
See this tip on one of my other posts for the ‘how to’ on seams.
I had occasion to make a wedding anniversary card this week. If you are interested the embroidery comes from Emblibrary.com. under ‘Tweets’. There are lots of different ones. You need to scroll down about 5 designs then you will find all the different tweets. There are patriotic ones, boy scout ones, golf ones, birthday ones etc etc etc. As usual the digitising is faultless.
I decided to change all 15 needles on my embroidery machine yesterday. They didn’t appear to be a problem but some of them had been in rather a long time so I didn’t think it could harm. I was quite impressed with myself. They are usually a pain but once I had loosened the screws I managed to get them all in without a hassle. The reason they are a pain is that the shanks are round so could go in any way except that they can’t or they don’t work. The difference between front and back is obvious if you can see the thing but bionic sight would be an advantage. The screws were the problem. I had been working on the basis ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ but the tightness of some of the screws made it obvious they should have been changed before. Still, hopefully they should be fine for a while now. After all who needs a working wrist.
I don’t know whether anyone else has noticed but the variety in fabric design seems to have declined over the last few years. You may have noticed that my fabric of choice is bright and cheerful and if the colours clash a bit well it wakes me up in the mornings.
Take these fabrics I used in a Sunbonnet Sue quilt I blogged about some time ago.
Now whilst you might not want an outfit made from them, these fabrics work really well in applique. I did wonder if fabric companies are afraid to be too adventurous in case they can’t sell it, the price of cotton being what it is these days. It could be fashion, although the fabric companies by definition set trends. It could just be the recession and general air of depression of course. On the other hand a jazzy bit of fabric cheers me up no end.
Anyway, when fabric with a zing was available I bought it and here is one of the quilts I made with it.
This is a very good way to use up some of the smaller measures of fabric sold by retailers. There is also no reason why the sleeves could not be a different fabric. Another way of doing it would be to sew strips of fabric together or crazy patch some pieces from odd scraps. You could even use the logos from old tee-shirts or design your own and use printable fabric to make lots of miniature shirts. Only your imagination can hold you back once you start down that road.
See how it’s done? A rectangle of fabric with a neckline cut out and two more smaller rectangles for sleeves. This allows different fabric for sleeves or the same fabric in a different direction as on the striped shirt below.I used embroidery stitches to sew them on but satin stitch would be less likely to fray. It depends whether you like the ‘country’ look. As a rule I don’t but tee-shirts are allowed to fray. In fact walking down the high street I see a few holes might make them more authentic. If you are using the same fabric on the whole shirt you could just draft a full tee-shirt shape and cut it out in one piece. I would suggest you use either the three piece or the whole shirt method as a mixture might look strange. Not that I have ever tried, just making sure you think about it before committing all that fabric.
A few more.
To finish it off and draw it all together, matching corner squares.
Now tell me that didn’t cheer you up on a dismal day.
I have finished the pirate quilt. I wasn’t sure I liked it until I quilted it. It is amazing the difference it makes.
Here it is loaded on the frame. Thread colour chosen, bobbin colour chosen – and off we go
I am still at the meandering stage. I have lots of fabulous ideas about what I would like to do in the way of quilting. Unfortunately they mostly require the full sized area provided by a long arm machine and frame. The main problem is that unless you draw everything out in advance you could get to the bottom border and find you can’t repeat the same pattern as you stitched in the top border. Not only frustrating but also the ruination of the quilt. The reason for this is that as you progress and roll up the quilt under the machine arm the space left on which to work reduces. The only cure is a long-arm setup. Still it beats stitch-in-the-ditch – much more fun.
View of the front and back of the quilt.
The finished Quilt.
Top Left.
Top Right.
Bottom Left.
Bottom Right.
Pilchards.
Walking the Plank.
Ship.
Compass.
The compass is an embroidery from Emblibrary.com
If you are thinking of using a piano key border and loading it onto a frame for quilting it might pay to consider that it may stretch as you roll and quilt so stabilising first will help, otherwise you get a slightly twisted border. Just a heads up so it doesn’t creep up on you and ruin your quilt.
Now I just have to write up the pattern to go to the designer and then onto my web site. nsaaquilting.co.uk
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