Nine Patch finish

I finished the binding on my nine patch quilt last night. It's made from repro nine patches swapped between friends last year. I used a snuggly flannelette backing, and big stitch quilting with perle in the plain blocks to mirror the nine patch.

I was short on backing so used some leftover blocks to make up the shortfall. I think it's a nice feature.

I was trying to be artistic this morning by taking a photo in the frost. 

I wasn't planning on going to the Sydney craft show this year, it's a busy time at home and work. But when I read that there was a red and white quilt display (100+) there was no question, my mind was made up. So I will be there on the Thursday, probably looking a combination of worn out and excited........I think my red and white hexie bag will need to come along!

Susan x

Quilting and Knitting!

I have been busy quilting my nine patch quilt. To be honest I wasn't enjoying it, I didn't think it would look very good, and I just wanted to get it over with. Then I laid it out to check my progress, and all is good again. I didn't think the cotton I'm using would show up enough, and it doesn't colour wise, but I'm happy with the texture. Now to order another ball of Valdani (because it would have been too easy to choose something readily available!).

I love wearing scarves, but I have been a bit slow on the uptake with cowls. Well, yesterday I bought a lovely one, and immediately came down with the knitting bug. I'm not much of a knitter, I used to knit baby things and the occasional jumper.

I didn't have the right wool or needles, and couldn't get it in Mudgee yesterday afternoon, but I really wanted to knit. So I used these huge 12mm needles from a one off project for a niece, and doubled some 8 ply wool that I had (I don't even know what project I bought it for), and just started knitting. Just winging it, and I think it will be ok if I don't run out of wool! It's a nice natural "sheep" colour.

Happy stitching,
Susan x

Plus one!

Happy Easter everyone. As if a few days off wasn't enough, we have also had some rainy days perfect for sewing and movie watching. So my Plus quilt is finished. I was down to using scraps of backing to get enough for the binding, and managed with about 2" to spare. It started out sunny and clear this morning, and then another lovely storm rolled in.....the perfect backdrop.

After some misgivings about the fabric, it has turned out softer with quilting. Have I mentioned before how much I love big stitch quilting? It has even found a home on someone's bed.......for now.

Next in the hoop is my nine patch swap quilt. Found a lovely soft flannel backing for it, just the right colour to complement the solid squares. Laid it all out ready to baste, and aargh, the backing wasn't quite big enough. I can only blame my own maths on this occasion. So I had a little tantrum about it and then remembered the unused nine patches.......problem solved. One strip of nine patches down the back......and not really as loose and rumpled as the basting looks. I did a lot of extra pinning in the hope that the quilting on the front will correspond with the blocks on the back. Thank you Cheryll for my WONDERFUL safety pinning tool. It got a real workout yesterday and saved my fingers.

I'm off to enjoy the last of the long weekend by putting a roast in the oven and stitch the afternoon away.

Happy stitching,
Susan x

FNWF

I had planned to have the top of my SIL quilt finished, basted and ready to quilt for FNWF. The extra fabric did arrive in time but unfortunately the local fabric shop (it's not a very good shop) has decided not to sell batting anymore so the top will be as far as I get for now. Not very happy about that.

I also spent a bit of time tidying my very messy sewing room, and started sewing together the blocks from the traditional nine patch swap. The blocks have been cut and sorted for ages, just needed sewing. My sewing machine and I have spent a lot of time together lately.........but I'll be ready to get back to hand stitching when I sew the last rows together.

So I got quite a bit of sewing done during the day, but sidetracked in the evening. We have been planning a fire pit for a while, and we finally got an old centrifuge basket from hubby's work. Before........

And after..........drinks around the new fire in the front paddock to start the long weekend.

Hope you find some stitching time over the weekend.

Susan x

Stash shopping

Honestly, I was doing housework, but I have a very large pile of nine patches that keeps catching my eye in the sewing room......making me feel guilty that I haven't done anything with them since the swap finished last year.

I thought I'd start by sorting them into colour groups. The thing about swapping blocks is that you get some amazing colour combinations and some fabrics that you wouldn't even normally pick up. Result.....great variety.....but not every block makes the final cut. Fortunately with this swap there are so many blocks that I think I could make two or three quilts. However, I like a good bit of contrast in my quilts so I've started with the blocks with the greatest contrast. Here are some of them laid out.

I have surprised myself with the setting out. I originally thought I'd try something a bit fancy, at least with the blocks on point, but I've decided to use the simplest setting, just spaced with another 6" block.
With all those colours, choosing a background is HARD, although the carpet colour looks ok in the photo above (but maybe too safe?). I don't have a huge stash of yardage but I did have two particular pieces bought originally for backing which might do the job.

It's hard to capture the colour of the second one......kind of dark teal/grey/olive.......but most importantly, not like any of the fabrics in the blocks. What do you think? Should I give up the ridiculous notion of using what I have and just head straight to the patchwork shop?

Susan x

Bits and pieces

I've just been working on a few different projects. My September nine patches are finished, I'm looking forward to seeing them all together before too long.

Playing with teeny tiny pieces of fabric for Irish Circles. The centre circles are sewn together, and now I am making the small appliqué shapes for the ring and centre corners.

I couldn't resist the community project that Sharon from Lilabelle Lane is working on. It's a beautiful variation of an Ispy quilt, for a little fellow called Blake. These are the novelty blocks I'm sending.

My wonderful in laws are visiting for the weekend, and we are enjoying a glorious Fathers Day and first day of Spring together. After a scrumptious lunch the only decision is whether to nap or sew......

Susan x

Bloggoversary

Thank you Debbie for reminding me that it is two years today since I started my little blog. After my giveaway at the 300th post, I forgot about the bloggoversary.

It has been an amazing two years.....I can hardly believe that I worked out how to make a blog, let alone maintain it for all that time. It has brought so many new friends, ideas and projects.

So thank you for reading my blog, for all your comments and encouragement.

It's been a busy weekend here, but I have finished off my August blocks for the nine patch swap. Only one more month to go.

Hope you have a lovely Sunday.

Susan x

Are you free?

Are you free on Sunday 21st July? If you would like to meet for a day of stitching and scrumptious food, join us at The Plough Inn Cafe in Cassilis. You can see how much fun we had here.. Just let Lea, Raelee, Kylie or me know if you're coming so Linda knows how many cakes to bake!

Thanks for all your great suggestions regarding my hexagon star quilt. I bought a plain homespun for the back, but know in my heart it's not what I want. There is too much time and work in hand quilting to not like the fabric. After a rocky start I kind of like this quilt now, so it can wait on the shelf for a fabric sale!

Still working on my beloved Floral Beauty blocks, and cutting triangles for the border.

And my nine patches for July.....love this dark purple.

Planning to spend some time in the garden today while the sun is shining.

Susan x

FNWF

FNWF wasn't quite as productive as I hoped, but it was good to get back to my hand quilting for a while. I'm hoping to finish quilting my nephews quilt today because it's a lovely rainy public holiday.

Yesterday we went bush walking at Newnes in the Blue Mountains. It's part of the Wollemi National Park, and there are lots of ruins from the old shale oil refinery. It was a lovely day out.

I also finished my nine patches for June. I really liked these two fabrics when I bought them, but not so sure now that they're made up. I guess that's the beauty of a scrappy swap.

Back later with the winners of my giveaway.

Susan x

Visitors

I had a quick visit from two very special "girls" this week. You can read more of their story here.

The Simple Life blocks have been good for portable sewing.

And I can tick off the May blocks for the traditional nine patch swap.

Back to Saturday soccer today, and it's a beautiful day. They are finally forecasting rain on Monday so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

I hope you have a beautiful weekend, and a happy Mothers Day.

Susan x

Retail therapy

My Hatched & Patched gift voucher isn't giving me anymore trouble! And now I have three months of nine patch combinations to make up! A couple of these fabrics were bought at Cottage on the Hill but needed a partner. One of the other girls actually chose the exact same fabric combination that I was planning for May.....so I thought I'd get in early this time.

I have set myself the challenge of not using red for the last two blocks of the swap. Could be interesting.

The blue pairing is so pretty.

I also restocked on some wool felt and threads.....and this lovely shirting (although the light isn't great).

Time to do some sewing I think.

Susan x

FNWF

I had a great night of sewing. Finished my April blocks for the nine patch swap. I was trying not to choose red and cream again........but i'm not so sure of the colour combination this month.

I also had my first chat room with my online group......now there's an experience!

And prepped another batch of Floral Beauty blocks.

I swore I wouldn't watch Maid in Manhattan AGAIN, but I did, and I enjoyed it.

Hope you have a great weekend.

Susan x

March nine patches

I love the quick results from strip piecing. There could be a two tone nine patch quilt in my future.........it's just too hard to choose the fabrics.

Susan x

FNWF

What a great night/day of stitching. I finished the top of my nephews quilt. The pattern is called Fair and Square from Crazy Mom Quilts. Sharon at Lilabelle Lane whipped up another quick quilt top from this blog last night too. It was a very easy pattern to follow.......will definitely use it again. Now I need to think about how to quilt it.

As it turns out I can show you my block for the nine patch swap, I'm just a little early. In 6 months time, 72 little nine patch blocks in a variety of reproduction fabrics will come back to me.

I also pulled out a UFO to finish for Chookyblue's quilt drive Caring With Quilts. It just needs to be quilted.

Unusually, I did not do a single stitch by hand yesterday, but I had a rather nice time with my machine. It really does speed the process up, but I guess you all know that already!

Hope you had a fun and productive night, enjoy the weekend.

Susan x

FNWF

Well here we are in February already, and time for FNWF. I am indulging in a whole day of Friday with friends, working on some different projects. You can link up at Cheryll's blog.

 

 

I started with my first set of blocks for the Traditional Nine Patch Swap. Twelve of these little babies, but they were so quick to make using strip piecing.......under wraps until the end of Feb.

 

I have finally made a start on the quilt for my nephew's 18th in August. The piecing won't take long, but the quilting might. The grey sashing is actually spotty, not plain.

 

And a little more Floral Beauty.

 

So lots to do here. Enjoy your night and the weekend.



Susan x