A quilt for Nat and Andrew

This quilt seems to be a master of late-ness.  It was finished approximately 12 months (and a little more) after Nat and Andrew got married and then it has taken another few months to be blogged about.  No very good reason for either delay.  

When my lovely cousin got married I wanted to give her something special but I know she is quite particular (in a good way, of course!) so she would have to be involved to ensure I made her a quilt she'd actually like and use.  We decided on one for the double bed in their spare room and a blue, with a tint of purple, colour scheme.  Nat picked out the four lovely simple and modern bi coloured fabrics which feature in the star and I suggested teaming them with the vintage florals (from Sew and Quilt) - I felt we needed to add a bit more colour and movement without overpowering Nat's choices.

I was too scared to make a full double bed quilt (and thank goodness given the way I ended up quilting it) so this one covers the bottom third or so of the bed and hangs down over the end and sides.  I picked out Klona Copen (such a pretty blue) from Backstitch for the surround and binding.  The backing is a snuggly creamy coloured flannel.

I wanted to go for something fairly striking for the quilting, to bring some interest to the large ares of solid colour.  I started with sewing 1 inch to the outside of the central vertical and horizontal lines - making a cross shape.  Then I worked out from there following those lines but with no measurement and random spacing (from around 0.5 inch to 2 inches I guess).  Each line was started from the centre and worked out to the edge.....and then back to that point to sew out at 90 degrees from the last line and so on.  It took forever, and so did tying and burying all those ends.  I am so pleased that I persevered though as the quilt has a lovely texture and the quilting does work as I had hoped it would.  

I think it finished at 75 by 47 inches (around 190 by 120cm).  And I hope it will bring Nat and Andrew many years of happiness.

This last photo is 'just because', it was taken while I was photographing the quilt - isn't it wonderful?  I do love that shade of orange - not that I would wear it or make anything with it, nor do I have anything in the house that colour........but it really looks the height of happiness to me.  What colour would you pick for happiness?

I have been playing with my blog - perhaps you have noticed?  Not everything is quite as I had hoped and I haven't managed to get everything to work the way I had ideally intended - but I think it will be okay for now, and I'll try again another time.  The main area I'm still not happy with is the menu bar along the top - I would really like it to show thumbnails of related posts, and to show+ specific pages of text and photos.......but I haven't figured that out yet. Any comments and thoughts would be gratefully received!  

Free As A Bird Quilt

My, or rather Katie's, Free As A Bird Quilt features Maze and Vale handprinted fabrics.  I started collecting them a couple of years ago - just 2 or 3 fat quarters, a couple of sample packs and a couple of miss-print packs too, bought here and there as a treat.

I didn't have any very definite plans when I bought the fabric, I just knew I loved it and that I'd love to have some.  I think, also, that since Leslie's was one of the first blogs I ever read that  liked the idea of supporting, in a very small way, her handprinting adventures - not that success was in doubt as she is very talented.

Some time last autumn a quilt idea slowly grew on me - after one of my 'pull them out and gaze at the lovely fabric' sessions.  Once the idea settled, probably during the night, I quickly got to work selecting the right co-ordinating fabrics.  A mix of soft pinks and greys, the odd hint of green and a wee pop of red too.  

The design is a disappearing nine patch (in this case 5" squares made into nine-patch blocks - and then quartered and put back together) and I had some careful planning to work out a square size which would minimise wastage of my Maze and Vale and one or two of the other fabrics as I had very little of some of them.  

I was unsure about backing until I spotted the Kokka Swallows flannel from Raystitch.  I guess you'll know by now how much I love flannel and mixing fabric textures and weights (maybe one of the reasons I love my Maze and Vale selection so much since there's cotton, cotton:linen mix and linen in there) - and it seemed perfect for the quilt, especially once I realised it was just the right width so I could make full use of the selvedge to selvedge pattern.

The binding is a mix of the reds used in the quilt and I played safe with the quilting and stuck with my usual not-quite-straight-lines across the width.  

It finished at about 100 by 120 cm (40 by 47 inches) - which seems perfect for Katie, especially since she'll move up into a big girl bed, and out of her cot, some time in the next year or so.........but I'm not prepared to think much about that big girl step just yet.

Once I'd though of the name 'Free As A Bird' it really seemed perfect, I think it suits the quilt and it suits Katie (along with her Sunshine quilt, too, of course) - she's a very happy and independent wee girl.

The other children aren't completely neglected and do have their own made-by-me quilts and blankets but they were made several years ago when I was very much less skilled.  I think that I'll make them each a proper big quilt once they are around High School age (which means Finn needs one soon as he'll be at High School next year, and 11 at the end of this month - I have my eye on this design but will need to consult him and then, if he likes the idea, involve him in fabric choices - which could be interesting given his level of colour-blindness!).

The Stitch Gathering - A Gathering of Stitchers

Wow - I am still buzzing, really, from Sunday.  The Stitch Gathering was such a  special day.  It was a truly lovely mix of people who all had one thing in common - a love of crafting, and especially stitching.  We were such a mix of ages and interests and the day felt very easy and friendly - especially once my class (thankfully in the morning) was underway.....then I relaxed a bit more and began to properly enjoy myself.

I didn't remember, or really have much of a chance in among all my chatting, to take any photos so those from the day shown here are all taken by Jonathan (Jo The Stitch Gathering organiser's photographer husband) - I would have dearly liked to show more, and tell more, and mention more people but really I think there's going to be enough going on below.........I loved meeting you all and just wish I could mention and link to everyone.

We started off the day, which was held at Napier University's Merchiston Campus (just round the corner from Jo's treasure trove of a shop) with tea and coffee and lots of meeting and chatting - it got really noisy once we started swapping our name tags - I got the most beautiful one from Fiona at Poppy Makes (and she got mine), it even has trees on the back, just for me.  Thanks Fiona, I love it and it is hanging on my sewing table lamp........just in case I forget who I am!

Then it was off to the first classes. I had a great group in my Patchwork Bib Class and everyone, despite some being quite new to machine sewing, finished their bib.  I was very proud of them!  Look at those beautiful bibs.

We had a yummy buffet lunch and got the chance for some Show and Tell, a lucky dip (fat quarter of fabric for me, yay!) and time to admire the wonderful embellished tickets - it is going to be quite some quilt once Jo has found a way to sew them together.

How's this for a first quilt? - in progress by Emily

Lynz's Around the Block and Across the Pond Quilt - I really really love it

In the afternoon I got to attend Katy's Foundation Paper Piecing class, something I have wanted to try for quite some time.  It isn't the easiest technique to teach and explain but Katy did a great job*.  I don't have much to show for it.....yet.....I did get a fair way through but it really isn't worth photographing for public viewing yet.  Have a look here at Carol's which she finished on Monday night.  I think I might have made better progress if I hadn't taught in the morning - but I'm not complaining as I really enjoyed my teaching and am sure I learnt enough from Katy to be able to finish off my teapot mat and tackle other projects in the future.

Then it was off to Jo's shop to view the quilts in The Modern Quilt Exhibition.  It was part of Edinburgh's annual International Arts and Culture Festival.  I had a quilt in the exhibition which was completed just in time to enter and will be blogged about shortly (along with many other things on my ever growing list!).  My quilt paled into insignificance alongside some of the beauties on show.  Find out more here.  Jo and her lovely colleague Sarah were handing out fizzy and nibbles and it was a lovely way to end the day (some carried on for a meal out but since it was our anniversary I thought I ought to head home and see a wee bit of John!).

My 'Free As A Bird' Quilt - it will get a post of it's own

We were given bulging goody bags too from a wonderful range of sponsors.  Highland Spring water; biscuits from Nairns; a bag from Liberty and a Liberty Fat Quarter too; a Pilot frixion pen (I use them a lot so know it will be very handy); ten pretty spools of thread from Sewing Machines Direct; beautiful wee hexies from webfabrics; lots from Coats Crafts including embroidery thread, fat quarters and a tote bag; some beautiful liberty from Very Berry Fabrics (who I have wanted to buy from for quite some time); buttons and thread from  The Button Company; fat quarters from Jo's Avery Homestore; and lastly contact information for Beechwood Quilting services (tempting!). 

I can't wait for next year.  Maybe you'll be able to make it?

* I now know that Katy had a pretty long and stressful start to the day - which involved an early-hours-of-the-night drive to Glasgow and back.  But it was all part of a very good cause.  To look after Sarah and her lovely mum.  So good to see them both after their dramas!

Electra's Raspberries and Strawberries quilt

  For the first time ever I'm on time, with something to show, for Lynne's Fresh Sewing Day.  Yay.  I have been working on this commissioned quilt for the few weeks.  My initial brief was for a quilt in reds and pinks, with blocks of colours and the little girl's name on the back.

What was special about making this quilt is that it is for, Electra, who I made a baby quilt for a couple of years ago.  I find one of the fun, and challenging, aspects of commissions is working with fabrics and combinations that I might not have picked if left entirely to my own devices......it is so satisfying  having a happy customer and making a quilt that will hopefully give many many happy years of snuggle time.

The design is a disappearing nine patch - I have wanted to try it for a while and I think it is as effective as I had hoped.  Each square started at 11 inches to give the big block effect we were going for.  The back is Robert Kaufman Wide Spot On matched with Kokka Trefle monkeys - I had used the monkeys in Electra's baby quilt so we were delighted when I was able to find some more on Etsy for this quilt too.

Hopefully Electra will enjoy moving into her big girl bed with her Raspberries and Strawberries* quilt to keep her warm and cosy.

Some details:
 - 45 inches (115cm) by 73 inches (185cm)
 - wadding is Quilters Dream Natural Request cotton
- quilted in slightly wavy lines, randomly spaced
- bound in pink, blush pink, and crimson Klona solids (I couldn't decide which to use!) and hand sewn on the back

* Name suggested by Sheila (bluepatchquilter) - thanks Sheila!

Catching up

I'm playing catch-up here and at home.  I'm not quite sure why but I guess I'll just have to go with it until things settle down.  

We treated ourselves to a new (to us, from Gumtree) cupboard for our inner hall.  It is a fairly rustic affair (expect for the drawer handles which really need changing) with a few bashes and scrapes already but that is perfect for this area which sees so much traffic from us all.  There's not much natural light so it is hard to photograph.  As soon the cupboard was in place I had an urge to make a mat for it.  The large Moroccan bowl came home with John after a work trip last year and I had struggled to find a good home for it but I think it has now found the perfect spot. 

I have joined the new British branch of do.Good Stitches bee - we'll be making quilts for various charities.  Fiona very kindly set us lovely simple blocks for the first month.

I'm just about to start cutting up this lovely lot for a quilt commission.

Lily and Charlie are enjoying the sun and warmer weather.  I do sometimes wish I could laze away the day like a cat does.  In reality I'd be twitchy within about 15 minutes, I'm not all that good at sitting still.  But it seems like such a lovely idea at times.

Little Katie is an active and busy wee soul.  She is most happy stomping around outside and she has so much fun exploring every puddle, doorway, manhole and leaf en route to wherever we are trying to get to.

 I have decided spring is in the air but am rapidly running out of space on the dining room window sill.

I hope spring has sprung with you too.  Wishing you a lovely week.

Last week

The last week has been so busy.  I guess I did lots but it didn't include much sewing.  Rather frustratingly  I have several piles of beautiful fabric hanging around my desk.  They keep catching my eye and taunting me.  I have managed a little rearranging  which is always better than nothing but not a lot else.

The piles are::
:: fabric to make a quilt for my cousin Nat
:: fabric and felt from The Village Haberdashery
:: stash fabrics and my little hoard of Maze and Vale hand printed fabric.  Destined to be another quilt for Katie
:: leftover fabrics from making a quilt for our sofa.  I'm planning to make little floor cushions like these (maybe they are pouffes rather than floor cushions but I'm never very convinced about using that word)
:: partly made bibs, always a pile of them on the go
:: chicopee corduroy for a skirt for me

I have also been planning and discussing a new quilt commission - I had an email recently from the lady who I made this quilt for (the pink and red quilt for Electra, right at the very bottom of a very very long blog post......I was very pregnant at the time!).  Her daughter is now moving up to a big girl bed and she'd like a quilt to fit it.  I am, of course, delighted to be working with her again.  I can't think of a bigger compliment than to be asked to make another quilt.

I'm hoping to accomplish a bit more sewing-wise this coming week.  I hope you have a little time for the activities you love too.  Not that I don't love looking after my family it is just that I love other things as well.