Bondi Top - Nani Iro fabric

Another garment post!  Don't worry, I haven't stopped quilting (in fact I have three quilts just waiting to be bound and photographed so I can blog them), but I have been on a garment making kick lately.  

This time, I made the Bondi Top, designed by Lindsey from Sew to Grow.  I saw this top on Cath  and knew I had to make a Nani Iro version for myself.  Full disclosure - Lindsey provided me with a copy of the pdf pattern in exchange for a write up - but, as always, this review reflects my honest opinion.

 

This top really appealed to me because it's a simple, casual design, in woven fabric (easier for me to sew with since I don't have an overlocker of my own).  For this top, I used Nani Iro double gauze in En Garden Apricot, which I bought from Stitchbird Fabrics.  I really like the double gauze for this purpose - it's like wearing a cloud, and so much more flattering than quilting cotton.  It was also easy to sew with - win!  I also found the bias tape that I used for the neckline at Stitchbird - I know how to make my own bias binding but buying it was so much quicker and easier!

 

Based on my measurements, I made a size small top, which I think is the right size for me but ended up being shorter than I would really like.  I have a long torso, so I think this is my issue, rather than the pattern, and for the next version, will add an inch or so to both the front and back pieces.  The pattern contemplates a contrast yoke at the back - I just used the same fabric because 1. I am lazy and 2. this fabric is patterned enough for me as is.

This top was really quick and easy to sew up, taking about two hours total once I had taped the printed pattern together (always the worst part of garment sewing, for me!).  I didn't have any trouble following the directions, and Lindsey has video tutorials for the bits that might be slightly harder (like adding bias tape to the neckline).  It's comfortable and cute and I've already bought fabric (more Nani Iro from Stitchbird) to make another version!

Have you found any great garment patterns lately?

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Adventures in teaching - part two

Ok, on with the rest of the classes I taught this year.

 

These equilateral triangle quilts are from the equilateral triangle quilt class I taught at Stitchbird.

 

This is yet another class I taught twice this year, once at Stitchbird and once at Nancy's Stitch Studio.  Unfortunately, I only have photos from the Stitchbird class, but they were both great fun and my students did an amazing job.

 

The next few photos are from the free motion quilting class I taught at Stitchbird.  This was a two hour technique class, and so much fun.

 

I think free motion quilting is one of those things that is really nice to learn in person.  It's truly not that difficult, but having a little bit of encouragement and someone to make suggestions can make all the difference.

 

My students did amazingly well in this class, busting out a few of my favourite designs and then moving on to coming up with their own.  Awesome!

 

Last, but certainly not least, is my Garden for Birds class.  This one runs over six lessons, and is a form of sampler quilt, with students tackling a variety of blocks, piecing and applique. 

 

This class is always a blast to teach, because the quilts people produce are always so different from one another.

 

A few cats crept into these quilts, as well as other more creepy crawly creatures...

 

I would not have thought of doing an all solids version of this quilt, but I love how graphic and modern it turned out!

 

Another cat!  And I love this warm autumnal colour scheme!

 

The quilt above was made for its maker's third baby, who I'm sure will love it!  A couple of people in this class (and in other classes) had only just started sewing.  I love seeing people's confidence grow as they get to grips with sewing, and I'm always delighted when I get to the end of a class and know that people are converts to quilting!  

In this class, everyone started quilting their quilt by the last class, which I really strive for.  I always think it's nice, especially with a first quilt, to at least start the quilting in class.

So, that was my year of teaching.  It was pretty busy (not least because I was flat out at work at the same time), but so enjoyable.  Do you have any questions about teaching patchwork and quilting?

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Adventures in teaching - part one

I've done quite a lot of teaching this year, and I thought it might be nice to share some of my students' work here.

First up are the ladies who took my Modern Baby Quilt class at Stitchbird.  Over the course of four sessions we covered cutting, piecing, assembling the quilt top, basting, quilting and binding.  Everyone did amazingly well, and got to the point of starting the quilting on their quilt in the last class. 

This quilt is super simple, which is perfect for beginners, but has enough happening that class participants can really put their own spin on it with fabric choices and quilting designs.  Seeing the different choices people make is one of my favourite parts of teaching.  While my students were working on this quilt, I made my own version (outside class time, of course).  You can check it out here, together with other previous versions here and here.

Next up is some of the work that came out of my foundation paper piecing class, also at Stitchbird. The pattern I've used here is, of course, Artisania's Lil' Fox pattern, and you can see my class sample cushion here.

 

 I actually ran this class twice last year, because there was so much interest after the first class, and it was a lot of fun.  It is a technique class, so only takes two hours, and participants leave with a partially completed fox block and the skills to finish it at home and tackle other foundation paper piecing projects on their own.

 

I know that a few of these foxes have made their way into finished projects - like these cushions made by Kerry and Bridget.

Another class I taught twice this year was a class based on my Soft and Stable Tote Bag tutorial.

I taught this one at both Stitchbird and Nancy's Stitch Studio, and had a blast each time.

I know, as a student, that it's so satisfying to come out of a class with a finished project, and my participants left each class with a fully completed tote bag each, which was awesome!

I was going to share all of my class photos for the year in a single post, but writing it up, there are a lot, so I think I will spread them over a couple of posts.  Come back later in the week for part two...

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Strawberries and Sugar - the start of another new quilt

Phew - I'm back from my slightly unscheduled blogging break!  It was nice to take it easy for a couple of weeks but I'm planning to be back for a while now.

Can I tell you a (not very secret) secret?  I don't even like strawberries.  But I do think they make for pretty cute prints on fabric!  A couple of weeks ago, I went to Fabric-A-Brac (an awesome event where people pay to have stalls to sell off their excess fabric stash and all the proceeds go to charity) and scooped a bunch of lovely sweet and soft fabrics, including some Cath Kidston prints.  Then I stopped by Nancy's Stitch Studio for their reopening in their new shop a few doors down the road, and adding some more deliciousness to my bundle.

 

A couple of weekends ago I pulled in a few more fabrics from my stash and had a lovely quiet Sunday morning making a big old fabric mess.

 

I need to make another simple square in square quilt as a class sample for my Modern Baby quilt class, so I thought I'd use these fabrics to make something totally different to the other versions I've made.  First I made four blocks.

 

And then I made nine.

The blocks come together pretty quickly and over the last couple of weeks I made enough for a quilt top.

I have now basted the quilt using my trusty pin basting method, so I can use it as a sample for this week's class.

 

Hopefully next weekend I'll get time to quilt it so I can use it to demonstrate binding in the last class of the series.

Fingers crossed!

Upcoming classes at Stitchbird

I really enjoyed teaching last year, and this year I'm very pleased to be teaching classes at two of my local quilt shops - Stitchbird, and Nancy's Embroidery.  I'll post about the classes I'm teaching at Nancy's when their class syllabus is out, but for now I'm excited to share the classes I'm teaching at Stitchbird.

First up is a class where you can learn how to make my super simple tote bag using Soft and Stable (find the class here).  It's a single day class which runs from 10am to 4pm on Sunday 3 May, and participants should be able to finish the bag in the class.

The next class runs over four two-hour lessons, in the evening of 12 and 19 May, and 2 and 9 June, starting at 7.00pm.  Participants will learn how to make a simple modern baby quilt, using a square in square block pattern.  I've used a couple of quite different colour schemes for the class samples, and I really look forward to seeing participants' fabric selections.  You can find all the class details here.

 

The last class at Stitchbird is an equilateral triangle quilt class (details here).  Again, it runs over a series of four two-hour lessons, in the evening of 21 and 28 July, and 4 and 18 August, starting at 7.00pm.  I taught this class last year and it was really fun seeing all the different variations on an equilateral triangle quilt.

I'm also planning an introduction to free motion quilting class at Stitchbird later in the year, and I'll share more about that when more details are available.

My aim with all classes is to share the quilting knowledge I've picked up from other people and from my own experience, and also to make the class fun.  I provide really comprehensive notes, including diagrams, so you don't have to worry about writing things down in class.  My view is that quilting should be fun, and there is usually more than one way to do things.  I like the provide the techniques to achieve precision, but let each person decide how precise they want to be with their quilt.  I also love talking colour and fabric choices (and in classes we will talk about things like print scales, value, etc.), and I really encourage people to develop their own ability to choose colours and fabrics.

If you're local and interested in any of these classes, but have questions, please feel free to let me know!

Guest post from my friend Anne: all the tote bags!

Hi everyone - my lovely friend Anne is guest-posting today about all the tote bags she has made using my tutorial.

Hi there! Anne here, one of Adrianne’s quilting friends. I am lucky enough to be in a quilting group (the Ratbags) with five lovely ladies, one of who is Adrianne.  

I am writing a guest post today about the tote bags I have now become obsessed with.  I watched as Adrianne made the first bag with cat fabric I brought back from Tokyo for her.  Then another appeared for Helen (another Ratbag) on her birthday.

I too am lucky enough to have a hand made item by Adrianne (a laptop sleeve made for Anne's birthday last year).  We had a quilting retreat in September and I watched as she whipped up a bag, which was used in the tutorial, and I thought maybe I should make one.  

A few weeks later upon visiting Stitchbird I found some perfect striped webbing for handles and my first bag was made.

This Alexander Henry fabric was perfect with these straps.

Then after another trip to Stitchbird, I found some fabric that had to be made into a bag, this time for my lovely Mum who helps me with my gardening.

Then the wife of one of my wonderful staff members made enough lasagna to feed me for a week - that was another excuse to make a bag!

 

 

While at Wellington Quilters Guild meeting last Thursday, I saw Helen (another Helen!) who blogs at My Inner Thread carrying a bag that looked familiar.  “Is that an Adrianne tote?” I asked.  “Why yes it is” she replied.

Helen made her own straps using the main exterior fabric from the bag.

I have one more tote planned for my non-quilty friend who may or may not like the handmade item.

How can you not like something handmade!?  My non-quilty friend just phoned while I was typing this and demanded I come up with an acronym, as she didn’t like being referred to as a “non-quilty friend”!  Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks Anne!  Anne has the most amazing stash and she's very generous with her fabric and her support.  Seeing all these lovely variations on this simple tote really makes me want to make another one for myself!  If you've made one, let me know - I'd love to see it!  Kiwis, don't forget you can get Soft and Stable from Stitchbird now.

Another tote bag

Since I made my first tote bag, I've kind of been obsessed with them.  

Soft and Stable is just the bomb for making bags that are sturdy but light.  It's really easy to work with (none of that horrible fusing that you have to do with other interfacings) and gives a very professional result.

 

This is my most recent tote bag - Lyndy from Stitchbird chose all the fabrics (main exterior fabric, contrast band, and lining) and this version will be hanging out in her shop as a sample, because Stitchbird is now stocking Soft and Stable (you can find it here, here and here).  It's rather exciting (and possibly dangerous) to have a local supplier.

I'm planning to make another tote bag for myself using this method, and if I'm in the right mood when I do so, I'll take photos and write up a little tutorial.

Linking up with finish it up friday at crazy mom quilts.