NOTHING LIKE A CHALLENGE TO GET SOMETHING DONE

You may remember Here where I made the massive statement that I would finish 6 UFO's this year.

Well .......I AM ON MY WAY!!

Here's an update.

1. Material Obsession Avalon?

Complete. (Even though the photo is before I have completed the binding.

2. Chevron 

Fully complete.

This was made for classes at Finders Keepers Giftware and Fabric.  It used Layer Cakes. I machine quilted it. I even added a little hand quilting. I'm up to my 4th group of students for this.

3. Whirlygig

Nearly done.  Just need to finish sewing down the binding.

This one made me a little discouraged.  The cutting instructions were wrong in the pattern and even though I had the top finished it sat in the cupboard for over a year.

4. Rotherfield Grey

Fully complete.

Even though this is not a great photo the quilt is beautiful.  This was a BOM from Homestead Hearth.
My sister in law Leanne and I both did this.  We kept each other motivated.

5. Nundle Squares

Fully complete.

This was actually made about 5 years ago.  I think it was our last weekend at Nundle.

6. One Bite at a Time Sampler

Off to Merediths in the morning.

I have been teaching this quilt to a group of ladies for over a year. They are doing a beautiful job.  They are now up to joining the blocks together.  The techniques they have been learning are piecing, paper foundation piecing, machine appliqué and curved piecing. 

My own design.

And just cause I could.

7. Brigitte Giblin Hexagon Quilt

At Meredith's

Another not great photo. It is the bright  one with the black spot border.  I'll post a full size when it is finished. 

8. Material Obsession Mystery Quilt

I need to buy some backing for this and then it's off to Meredith as well.

This was a 2009 BOM.  A mistake in the pattern meant that it has been put away since 2009.  In May I dug it out and worked it out myself.  Had to go to the far recess of my mind for Pythagorus Theorum.

So that's it!

On the way to having 8 finishes for the year.

Funnily enough I only realised it was 8 tonight.

A Little MoRe

From 17/1/16. For some reason I forgot to hit publish.

Update.  Not quite as productive as least week but the idea is to at least do something.

Mum, Caroline and Leanne came today to do some work on this quilt that we are doing together as a block of the month.  

First off we spent a bit of time getting Caroline's piecing up to date.  Now she just has a bit of appliqué and she'll be caught up with the rest of us.

Mark cooked us a magnificent roast in his new BBQ.  Pity that my pan gravy was not the best. 

We got to work on

1. Antique Wedding Sampler

Pieced block 12 and appliqués ready to go.  Also traced and cut out the pieces for Block 6.  Ready to hand piece.  Sorry no photo of this but I'll upload one when the block is a bit more advanced.

ONE FINISH AND A LITTLE MORE

A very productive week has been had.

1.  First Finish of the Year 1/2016

When Finders Keepers first opened and I was working out what would be the first class I would teach to beginners I decided to adapt this pattern from the Material Obsession book. I made two versions of it. Mainly because I bought thefull width of the fabric and had left overs. I used green sashing on one and white on the other.  The white one was finished straight up and is now hanging in the shop classroom.  I decided that it would be better to start with a smaller project so the class could learn how to quilt and it would be too hard on a big quilt.  

I finally finished sewing down the binding on the green one.  Looks pretty good too if I do say so myself.

2. Mrs Billings

 A few more blocks done.

3. Layer Cake Christmas Quilt

Ten years ago when I went to the US I bought a beautiful Christmas quilt book. I'd always wanted to make a one colour quilt since I saw that book.  I had decided on the pattern for the next layer cake class and thought it would be well suited to one colour.  I know this is a dark photo but I only have 7 blocks to go now out of 56.

4. Rotherfield Greys

Leanne and I finished Rotherfield Grey at the 4 day Tocal weekend. When we layed it out on the floor we were dismayed to find that one of the borders looked crooked.  In the end it turned out that the pattern of the fabric, even though cut on the straight grain, made the quilt look wonky.  This weekend we both pulled out that border and replaced it. Leanne was lucky enough to find the same fabric but we cut it to make the pattern straight. Looks much better.

I'm talking about the dark blue border.  It looks so much better. Now off to Meredith  for quilting. 

All in all a pretty productive week.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Ok ... So things are getting out of hand.

Each of these boxes hold a project.

The blue bag and the bottom shelf hold tops ready to quilt.

Tops ready to quilt or partially quilted.

Wooden box holding old projects. Plus Mrs Billings just waiting on its final border. Rotherfield Grey top which is done but I don't like how one of the plain borders makes the whole quilt look skew wif.

I have challenged myself to finish at least 6 of these in 2016.

First two on the list.

• Sew the binding on the large square panel quilt. Maybe give it a name as well.
• Continue making the hexies for the Mrs Billings border.

All these new quilts in my head I want to design and make but not until I've completely finished a few of these.

Hexie Force

A few more done.

Dark - 16/48

Light - 13/52

A long way to go.

Four Days with Di Ford

U Yes you did read that title right.

Four days with Di Ford!!

Well to be totally honest and thanks to Maitland Patchwork and Quilters. 

Two days of free choice sewing and two days of Di Ford Workshop.

Let's start with the UFO's.

Rotherfield Greys

Well this one really can't be called a UFO as Leanne and I are both up to date for this BOM.  We completed the current package which is the square outer border.

It's looking great!  One more side of these to go and then we are up to the last paper pieced stars border.

One Bite At A Time

I've been slowly working on the quilt I plan to teach at Finders Keepers next year. Three more blocks done.  I'll add a photo of the whole quilt when I get a few more done.

Wall quilts

To decorate my lovely new sewing room - Actually I think I might try to call it something quilt related as that's all that really happens there - I decided to finish a couple of small quilts to hang on the wall.

This one is a hand pieced Trip Around The World.  I started it as support with Susan but thought I'd done enough.  Much quicker I think to do this pattern by machine.  Sorry hand piecers.😀 I quilted and bound it on the weekend.

This is a small kit I bought from Material Obsession in their bargain box.  Foundation pieced circle appliquéd on a beautiful piece of fabric. It's something you'd probably use for curtains.  Looks pretty good in the photo if I do say so myself.

I'll grab another photo when I get them on the wall.

Mrs Billings

Still working away on these. Not as quickly as I would like but slogging away. I am enjoying them though but I am keen to start other things.

Current count

DARK - 13/48

LIGHT - 10/52

DI FORD - DI FORD - DI FORD - DI FORD

An absolutely fab workshop.  Probably one of the best I have been to.  Di is the most giving person both in class and out. So generous with her time and help.  There were 20 in the class yet Di did a great job of helping everyone. Probably done it a few times before haha!

Di was happy for us to pick any of her designs.  I had such a dilemma as there are not many of her designs that I don't love.  Mum and Marilyn are working on Sutton Grange. Di's latest design.  Leanne is working on Route 66 and learnt some great fussy cutting techniques.

I changed my mind a few times but in the end decided to do the quilt that I actually bought Di's book for.

The Burnt Quilt

I didn't get a lot done but I'm very happy with how it's looking.

Di had a great technique of tracing the appliqué pattern onto a pice of interfacing so you know where everything goes but it won't get into the way of your thread.

Oh and the birds gotta go.

At the end of the weekend I had lots to show and was on such a quilting high.

As usual MPQ and in particular Robyn have done an exceptional job at organising the weekend.

I'm typing this slowly pretending it's a sneaky whisper. - I've signed up for the Antique Wedding Sampler BOM starting in February.  Gulp!!

Just can't help myself!

Yes I've started 2 new quilts this week.

On the left is a Figtree Honey Bun I've had for years.  My friend Cheryl came for a visit and was doing this pattern.  After we got her started I had an impulsive thought and started it as well.

Unfortunately when I went into Finders Keepers on the following Tuesday I fell in love with "Beauty Queen" by Jennifer Paganelli hence the new quilt on the right. Very happy with it. Adjusted a Brigitte Giblin pattern.

Also keeping up with this.

DARK - 5/48

LIGHT - 6/52

Jo x

Mrs Billings Coverlet

Since I've been so distracted with my newish BOM - Rotherfield Grey I've struggled to keep motivation to finish the last hexie border on Mrs Billings.

I've decided its time to make a little plan to get them completed.

There are two different pattern sets that need to be done.

So the total done are

DARK - 3/48

LIGHT - 6/52

They are looking pretty cute.

So the plan is to get one done every night.

Of course I'm still working on a couple machine projects as well.

Jo x

2013 update

Well it's time again for my yearly update. Yes very slack of me I know.

Quilting 

As is usual I have quite a few things on the go at the moment.

Rotherfield Greys

I recently couldn't resist buying Di Ford's beautiful new book "Primarily Quilts".  And of course like normal I want to make every quilt in the book.

My sister-in-law Leanne and I are doing this BOM from Homestead Hearth. As usual great service and beautiful fabrics. One of the patterns from Di's book.  Month 1 wasn't too much of a stretch with fussy cutting and hexies but month 2 is something neither of us have ever tried.  Borderline Perse!!

 

 This was/is a bit intimidating but using the tip from the book we photocopied the fabric. Cut out the pieces we liked and tried them out.  A dress rehearsal.

Now to needle turn them all in place.

Drayton Hall

Shhh I'm doing this one too. About to cut the first centre hexies.


Mrs Billings

Nearly finished.  Making hexies for the last border.

Spin

Pieced quilt kit from Material Obsession.  A bit of a trip up with a faulty cutting instruction but I'm getting around it. Very pretty fabrics.

Not too busy.....really.

Progress Update

I logged onto this blog today and am a bit dismayed that I have not updated since January.  Shame on me.  And its not like I haven't had anything to say but that is probably the problem.   Finally after years of preparation which included buying a block of land.  Buying another block of land after hubby saw it on a bike ride. Accepting an offer on first block of land.  Sale failed due to banks not financing as high a precentage on rural land.  Accepting another offer on first block of land. Sale failed due to banks not financing as high a precentage on rural land. Finally 2nd block becoming registered with Lands Department.  Accepting an offer on first block of land. Sale failed due to banks not financing as high a precentage on rural land.  Picking builder and paying deposit. Accepting an offer on first block of land.  SALE FINALISED - which really means money in the bank.  No my copy/paste did not get stuck.  What a saga.

 

So now we are here.

 The photo below is Panorama from the Iphone Camera.  It has made the house look wonky and its straight across not U shaped like it seems.

 

I can't say how much I am looking forward to sitting on my verandahs with this view. A little stitching and a cuppa or glass of wine. I'll feel like I'm on retreat every day.

 

Maybe to do more work on this.

Everythings finally coming together.

Jo

Just what I need.

In case you haven't realised my mum and I often quilt together.  In the past we have done a few quilts together including the never ending project of Dear Jane.

We have decided to start another with the new year (as well as continue on with the older works in progress).

When I went to the states a few years ago I signed up for a couple of BOM's with Homestead Hearth.  They are a great place to deal with, are generous with their fabric, and they package everything up so it is easy to complete.  They also seem to include a lot of the types of quilts I love.

This is the new goal.  And we have a completion plan. Haha.

Mrs Billings Coverlet

Since I have signed up I have found more information about this quilt.

http://www.quiltmuseum.org.uk/collections/heritage/billings-coverlet.html

Wish us luck!

Dear Jane Update

After about 2 years of irregular attack.

But now we have a plan.

Pine for You - Layer Cake Quilt

On my birthday shopping trip to the Central Coast I visited the beautiful Bluberries Shop at Wyong.  This shop has a wide range of fabric and lots of reproductions. Yum! My favourite. I couldn't resist buying a few extra presents for myself. This pattern "Pine for You" by Kate Conklin Designs and this layer cake Figgy Pudding were first on the list.

Well for once I finished the Christmas Quilt at Christmas time. Well, 2 days late doesn't count.

 And it's hanging on the wall.

What an easy quilt to make.  Stack and Whack those Layer Cakes.  Great pressies for next year.  As if!

Holidays

My eldest daughter has started her HSC exams this week. It also seems a great time to have some time off work and help her with motivation/commiseration. Whatever may be needed.



My plan is to finish a few of my outstanding UFO's. They are all outstanding! And there are only a couple of them. Haha.

Yesterday I finished this top I started last year. It is a Lori Smith design "From the Heart" that I did as a BOM from Homestead Hearth. Now that the Aussie dollar is going so well again I may have to look into doing another with them. Everything was marked and packaged exceptionally and it made completing a quilt with such small pieces much easier.

I already had the pattern. In fact, I have a few of hers. I bought them when I was in Houston in 2006 and she kindly signed them for me.

There is always a lot of work in her patterns. For this one all the blocks are 6" which made for some fairly accurate piecing requirements. But I am extremely happy with how it has turned out. I plan to hand quilt this (someday).





The day before I spent the day with Mum and my sister-in-law on their normal weekly sewing day. Oh the luxuries of annual leave. I finished block 3 of the Sue Ross BOM. It went together really well although I did have to 'fiddle' with the last bit of inset sewing. The pink diamonds on the end of the stars had stretched a bit. Bias edges. Anyway its all done now and I am looking forward to the next block. Wish it would come while I am on holidays.





The plan for today is to finish another Lori Smith design. It is only a small quilt. Actually it is only a small quilt and I only cut it out last night so it is not really a UFO (I suppose it is now that I have cut it).

Better get to it.

2009 Sue Ross Block of the Month

First two blocks completed. (Actually I am tricking - 1 & 3 completed). Block 2 is in pieces and is one of the planned projects when I am off at the end of the week.

Colours have all been surprising when the packet is opened but I am always nicely amazed when they go together.

Big week for eldest daughter. HSC exams start on Wednesday with English. Wishing her all the best and also to all of her fellow "victims"..

Button Counters "A Winning Battle in the War of the UFO's"

This blogger "Button Counter" has posted a great idea on diminishing that huge pile of UFO's. Sounds like something I can manage. I have the 5 subject book, I have the containers to store the planned 4 UFO's in, of course, I have the UFO's (I am not going to mention how many - that would be swearing!!) but I haven't quite finished organising the sewing area but it is not far off.

My favourite book of the moment is this gorgeous one by Anni Downs of Hatched and Patched.

Out of which my No.1 project for the Battle of the UFO's is this. I probably cannot call it a UFO because I have only been doing it for a month!

And I have bought a couple of kits of this. Can you believe that I have started my Chrissie shopping.

Beautiful designs aren't they.

I think my No.3 & No. 4 projects will be putting the binding onto my Nundle funky quilt and backing and quilting and binding my Chocolate Chenille Quilt. I have only picked those because they will be easy to complete.