Finish A Long Q2 2017

I didn't do too badly last quarter, managing 5 finishes. A couple of them were quite small however, whereas this quarter they are all much bigger propositions. Anyway, here they are:

1) Triangle Quilt

This is now quilted, so just need to bind it.

2) Wonky Star Quilt

 I'm still waiting for some blocks, but should get this one made for Siblings Together

3) Make your own magic

No progress on this one

4)Lonestar quilt

I live in hope that I'll make some progress on this one !

5)Mod Mosaic

Static!

6)It's a Wonderful World

 No progress here either

7)Star Quilt

I just need to make a couple more locks for this one, so is a more realistic expectation

8)Gnome Quilt

I really need to finish this one, so am going to concentrate my efforts in this direction, once I've finished  my bee blocks.

9) and 10) Baby Quilts

Two of my friends are going to be grandmothers for the first time. So, I'm going to make 2 baby quilts from stash. One will be a hedgehog quilt ( I bought the pattern eons ago) and I'm undecided about the other.

I think that's more than enough as it's fairly unrealistic!.

Mid Century Modern Quilt

A quick post to get this under the wire for FAL Q1. This is number 7 on my FAL Q1 list ( original here).
This quilt started life as a travelling quilt bee with the Bumbling Honeys quilt bee. We each made a starter block ( in theory anyway!) and it was posted around each bee member to add blocks according to our specifications. I specified a limited palette of solids only fabric in a mid century modern design. It more than exceeded my expectations, with some lovely touches.

Sadly I'm very disappointed by my quilting. It looks fantastic from a distance, and I used it as a practice piece. However, I was having tremendous tension problems and the back is dreadful. Fortunately , I'm going to use it as a wall hanging, so the back won't show.It's also quite small so perfect for this use.

Some of the quilting designs worked better than others. I'm not a fan of feathers and prefer the more graphic straight line style.

I added a binding in a black solid fabric which frames it well I think.

I've added a hanging sleeve to the back.

Quilt Stats

Size:46 x 44 inches

Front made from quilting bee blocks

Back : Kaffe Fassett 

Wadding: 100% cotton from roll

Quilted with Glide in grey on top and decob light grey on back

Binding : Bella black solid

Another Siblings Together Quilt

Many moons ago, when Lynne of Lily's Quilts set up the original Siblings Together Quilt Bee, I was given a bundle of Storybook by Kate and Birdie by Moda. I made 2 very similar quilts with this :

I was left with a large number of HST's and a small amount of fabric. I therefore made another quilt with these 'leftovers'

I had great fun arranging the HST's in a pattern I liked but ran out of HST's to make the central panel any bigger ( and I didn't have enough fabric to make any more). I did have a pile of small pieces however, so I added a border of squares ( with a bit of fudging). I also managed to stretch the background fabric to add another small edging border.

I quilted it fairly lightly with a dogwood pattern over the HST's, circles over the inner border and a zigzag over the final border. I used the cheater fabric, which came in the bundle to bind it but could only use a single fold binding in order to have enough fabric.

For the back, I used the last of the scraps and Ikea Nummers fabric

Quilt Stats

Size: 61 inches square

Front made with Kate and Birdie Storybook with white on white architextures by Carolyn Friedlander.

Back: Ikea Nummers fabric and scraps

Wadding: 100% cotton from roll

Binding: Cheater fabric from Storybook bundle

Quilted with Glide in Linen on the front, white Decobobs on back

This is on my FAL Q1 list ( original list here )

Also linking up with Scraptastic Tuesday

Red and White Quilt

This is another FAL Q1 finish ( no 14) ( original list here). Many moons ago I decided to make a red and white quilt but quickly lost interest, as is often the case. I should have been more organised and limited  the blocks to solid only white and red which, in retrospect , gives a more satisfying result, but of course, I didn't do that!. Anyway, I abandoned it . I recently decided to resurrect it as a quilt for Siblings Together rather than it languishing in my cupboard.

I rejected a couple of blocks I had made, because they didn't work, which left me with 8 blocks. I made a ninth block ( Ohio Star) and decided to add a large border rather than make more blocks.

I used the same border fabric for the back, fabric I had bought some time ago. My husband helpfully asked if I had cut up a table cloth to make the border.

I decided to quilt the middle of the quilt with sort of matchstick style quilting as I had not tried this before.The edges I quilted with a freehand swirl

To give it some sort of continuity I sashed the central nine blocks with Kona red and then bound it with the same Kona red.

Quilt Stats

Size: 57 inches square

Blocks made with a variety of red fabrics and Kona snow.

Wadding: 100% cotton from roll

Backing:Pristine Paisleyby Swirly Girl Designs for Moda Club House

Binding in Kona Red

Quilted with Glide in Linen on top and Decobob 80 wt in white in bobbin

Linking up with FAL Q1

Extra Wonky Star Block

I'm Queen bee for the Comfort circle of do.good stitches for March and this is the block I'd like everyone to make .

To begin with, make a 9 1/2 inch wonky star block. ( tutorial here ). The tutorial in the link is for a smaller block but the principle remains the same. This is made with nine x 3.5 inch squares, 8 low volume squares and one brightly coloured 3.5 inch square.

Use brightly coloured scraps to make the star points as in the tutorial above and then join the nine patch together.

This then makes a 9.5 inch block. Make this up to a 12.5 inch square by tilting it to one side and adding wedges to each side.

Sew the wedge on and using a 12.5 inch ruler cut the edge off straight, making it slightly bigger than needed to allow a little leeway.

Carry on round and add wedges to each side.

Add the final wedge and then trim to 12.5 inches

I'm intending to make this quilt for Siblings Together. I think it will make a perfect quilt for a child.

Retreat Bags

Another quick post to show a couple of retreat bags that I have made. They are also no 1 on my FAL Q1 list ( original post here )
The pattern is a free pattern by Emmaline bags and is a very easy make but gives a fantastic finished result.
I made a trial bag first, of the smaller version of the pattern,  and here is the result:

As you can see, it's a little floppy ( no sniggering at the back please!)

And the inside:

I used a fusible fleece but wanted a more structured look, so I've kept this one for myself and made another one for my swap parner ( @sewbusylizzie). This time I used double fusible bosal and it gives ( imho) a better look.

As you can see, there is a difference in the finished look.

And the inside of this one:

I've nearly exhausted my supply of this Tula Pink's Elizabeth fabric, but I think I'll have to buy some more, so I can make myself the larger version.

I'll be linking up eventually to FAL

Lavender bags

This is just a quick post ( because I haven't yet learned how to link up from IG) to show a FAL finish ( no 2 on my Q1 post here ).
Some time ago now, I bought a huge bag of lavender. It was more economical to buy a big bag than smaller ones ( that's my excuse anyway!) and every now and then I make a batch of lavender bags as small gifts.

They are a great way to use up scraps and the recipients seem to like them. So, here are a few more I made:

The Elizabeth one has already been given to Lizzy of @sewbusylizzie at the Threadhouse retreat, along with a matching tissue cover.

I'll be linking this to both Scraptastic Tuesday and FAL Q1 when it's the appropriate time.

Finish a long 2017 Q1

Well, another year and another set of goals. I didn't do quite as well as I hoped last quarter because my sewing was affected by developing tennis elbow ( and of course the madness of Christmas and New Year). I may do a 2016 round up ( if I can be bothered!) but that will be another post.
Anyway to launch straight into this year my following list is another fantasy list, but hey- why not !

1)Sewing Retreat Bag

I'm doing the pouch swap for The Thread House Retreat which is only a couple of weeks away, so this is one I will definitely finish!

2)Lavender bags

I need a few of these as gifts, so again this is one I should finish.

3)Ombre Rising Star Quilt

I have the fabric and the pattern but haven't started yet

4)Rug Quilt

This is a rug in my children's house that I want to replicate as a quilt.

5)Scrap quilt

Just something quick I can throw together as light relief ( hence no photo)

6)Ironing Board cover

I desperately need one of these, mine is an absolute disgrace.

The above were all new projects, but now onto those pesky WIP's :

7)Mid Century Modern

I would have finished this last quarter if not for my tennis elbow. Just needs binding

8)Triangle Quilt

I've made a lot of progress on this one, so this is a realistic finish for this quarter.

9)Siblings Together Quilt

Another one I should have finished last quarter

10)Gnome Quilt

I've made very little progress with this one, it needs some focus.

11)Make Your own Magic

Zilch progress on this one

12)Star Quilt

Sadly, no progress on this either

13)It's a wonderful world

Another static project

14)Red and White Quilt

I got bored with this one years ago, but it would be perfect for Siblings Together.

I've also found a few more abandoned projects:

15)Lonestar Quilt

I started this ( many years ago) as the back of a double sided quilt. Then I realised that I'd never finish the quilt, so made it with an ordinary back and this has languished ever since.

16) Mod Mosaic quilt

Similar story with this- it was destined as the back of Grace's quilt, but was taking too much time , so was abandoned. Again, if I pulled my finger it , it would be a great quilt for Siblings Together.

17)Aeroplane Bag

This is so close to finishing, but I twisted one of the straps and it needs to be unpicked, so got abandoned.

Not a very realistic list I know, because I will probably get distracted by some other things as well. It's cathartic to list WIP's though, it helps you realised how much your tastes have changed!I haven't bothered to list any of my knitting WIP's because the list would as long as this one!