Maybe no Photos

I am back to writing blog posts from my tablet so this may or not work.  There may not be any photos either but you can follow the sewing progress by hitting the Instagram tab at the top of the home page.

We are on a short break which we are both in desperate need of.  It’s been a hectic time for us over the last few months so we hope to have some chill out time relaxing and enjoying the slower pace on the other side of the Atlantic in the Rockies.  

Sadly North America is suffering from lots of forrest fires as the smoke is drifting up to Alberta from British Columbia, causing all sorts of problems. The air quality which is normally clear and fresh giving us clear blue skies and sunny days is thick and hazy and yesterday the sun was shining through a grey veil turning it orange/red.  This may of course be a good colour combination for a quilt.

We have lots to do this time while we are here so I may not manage to get the sewing machine out this week.  Perhaps I might manage some knitting or hand sewing while I sit on the deck or the den with my coffee.   We may of course have to try and travel a bit further afield to find clearer sunny days where the smoke has not yet reached but that may be just too far to travel.

I hope you are all managing a bit of sewing and planning ahead for projects for the winter months ahead.   It won’t be long before the trees start to change their colours - I imagine that might be sooner than normal due to the dry summer we had this year.  Start planning now, clear your decks, sort your stash and choose a nice pattern which will stretch your quilting ability that wee bit further and give you a bit of a challenge this winter. I will post the progress I made with the Modern Triangles on instagram.  

Relax and enjoy - what ever you are doing.  

Satisfaction

There is something quite satisfying when you manage to clear the decks before starting a new project.  Threads all hoovered up from the carpet, scraps sorted and put in the scrap bin, scissors, cutters, threads etc all in there proper storage space and last but not least your machine all cleaned of fluff and a new needle in place.

A sewing space never stays tidy for long and before you know it fabrics will be scattered everywhere, blocks hung on the design wall and threads strewn on the floor - but oh what a happy place to work!

My new project is from the Modern Triangle Quilt Book by Rebecca Ryan 

and I will be using some really funky fabrics which I bought when K and I had a road trip to Jedburgh a couple of months ago to visit Stitchin @ No 1.

So featured on the design wall this week

These are fun blocks to make and just totally different from making squares.

So the finish for this week is Bee-Charmed, have I mentioned this one before?  Half a charm pack of black and white fabrics lurking in a basket, combined with a bright sunny yellow spot produced this 40 x 40 lap quilt.  Its bright and cheery and quick and easy to put together.  I quilted it on the frame using another of my glide threads a nice buttery yellow.  I think it looks a bit like a bumblebee although it has flowers and butterflies in the border and not a bee in sight.

                                                                                                         

I have had very little sewing time since my last post but at least I have a finish and a new start to show you.  Happy Stitching!

What Do You Do on a Wet Day?

Our weather seems to have broken for now and our really good spell of hot sunny weather has disappeared - for now.  I am not complaining, the garden really did need some water to keep the plants blooming for a bit longer.  As I am typing this the rain is rattling on the skylight window and it appears it couldn't come down any faster.  I do feel sorry for those hoping for a dry weekend to take part in outdoor activities.  Techie got wet on the Golf course this morning, but hopefully he had his waterproofs on!

Well what have you been doing today?  I have been tidying the sewing room and hoovering up all the stray threads.  I was quilting on the frame last night which was fun but always produces loads of snippings.  Photos are on instagram on the tab at the top of the page.

I have also had a chance to update my record book, print some photos of my completed quilts and update my computer files and photos.

After lunch my dear hubby brought me some rhubarb from the garden, I had asked for this a couple of days ago but was not really expecting it today.  A large crop to be made into Rhubarb and Ginger Jam.  I always enjoy making jam, its a bit like quilting there is something therapeutic making something for the store cupboard for the winter.

So to the finishes you haven't seen on the blog so far.  You will remember the Flow Charm Pack, the first quilt was completed using half of the HSTs and this is the other one.  They are both the same size and would be ideal for twins I suppose.  I am thinking of donating these to Siblings Together - but I will need to look into this charity further to see if they are suitable for their children in care.

and here they are both together measuring 40" x 50" each

Falling Pinwheels

Fractured Squares

                              

Another busy week ahead so I will leave now and go and serve up dinner, have a good week everyone.

Good Gracious

I can't believe I have been AWOL for such a long time.  As you will realise with the lack of posts its been a bit hectic here since the last time, way back in May.

I will spare you all the details because I know you really don't want to listen to my woes and rants.  Life has been tough for a bit and when things get tough sewing takes a back seat.  We all know sewing is therapy and helps when you are low but so much was happening I didn't even have the time or the concentration to sit and sew.

However it seems that I do have quite a bit for you to catch up on and show you.  So here are some projects I have managed to make progress with in between dealing with family matters.

You will remember as always I am trying to use up my stash and finish off projects in baskets which are not quite complete.  So the Flow Charm Pack was made into HSTs (see post of 20th May)  and these 4.5in blocks were then framed with 2.5in strips on two sides.  This made, what Missouri Star Quilt Co calls falling triangles. I worked out I would probably have enough blocks to make two lap size/childrens quilts.  So here is the first one finished.  

Falling Pinwheels 40 x 52 inches

and a close up of the quilting 

The second one is still a work in progress but here it is when it was still being quilted on the frame.  I've not got much left to do, just a little bit of the binding to stitch down. So I will post a photo next time or look out for it on my Instagram page.

They are both very modern looking cheery quilts, I made up the layouts on the design wall myself and  I am delighted with them both.

Way back in the very early days of my quilting journey I was given a book by my son and his wife for my birthday November 2012.  I have mentioned it a few times here in my blog pages.  This labour of love has been picked up and laid down so many time as it fell in and out of favour.  I was really enjoying making the blocks however through lack of knowledge then and inexperience I very quickly realised I had chosen the wrong fabric to make them.  I did want it to be a bit of a twist and used a fairly modern Layer cake with the idea of using the layer cake until it was finished to make as many blocks as possible.  unfortunately, i didn't think to use some plain fabrics with the result of course the blocks are very busy and there is nowhere to rest your eye!  You live and learn do you not, every day is a school day.

I think there is only a third of the blocks in this quilt

but I am pleased to say the Farmers Wifey Quilt as I call it has been finished, at last...........and not before time! 

Farmer's Wifey Quilt 64 x64 inches

I have a couple of other projects to show you but I think that will do for tonight.  Hopefully I wont be gone for so long before the next post!

Traditional, or Modern

This is not my usual sit down at the computer and write a few words and put up some photos of my work in progress for the week.  I have been mulling over this topic for a few weeks now and have put in a bit of thought to this post.  So bear with me - maybe even get yourself a cup of tea or a glass of wine! 

What type of Quilter are you? We hear so much about modern and traditional quilting and it occurred to me that there may not actually be a huge difference.  Our quilting group has a challenge for the summer months once again.  We have now completed two different challenges -

Seasons in 2013

and Illusions 2016

and this year's challenge theme is Modern!  Yes just "Modern" the only stipulation this time is that it has to be a small quilt measuring no bigger that 24"x24" with a hanging sleeve or corners so that it can be displayed.  As you will agree this theme is open to all sorts of interpretations.  No I have not yet decided what I'm doing!

The definition of Traditional according to the dictionary is “following the customs or ways of society for a long time without changing”.  So in quilting terms I guess it means using square quilt blocks which have passed down through the years such as ninepatch, logcabin, stars, rail fence, bear paw, tumbling block, etc and using warm coloured fabrics with small designs and patterns.  I think these quilts, which were two of my early quilts depict the traditional theme although they were both machine pieced and quilted the only handstitching was securing the binding.

Homecoming

Call of the Wild

Willow Pattern - This one used scraps but had one fabric which featured in every block -
Another class challenge using one fat quarter 

Although not used in these particular quilts, scraps of fabrics from old or worn clothing would be used to make warm three layered blankets and quilts to keep the cold out during the long dark winter months.  Traditional methods would of course be hand stitching - no sewing machines or long arms for quilting.  Each block would be stitched by the fire by hand then layered and stitched or tied to make the quilt.

So what is Modern?  The definition of modern is “something relating to the present or recent times as opposed to the remote past.  In quilting terms though some say modern is negative space, low volume or solid fabrics, improvised piecing.   Pieced or appliqué circles are not unknown, even triangular blocks have made an appearance as have diamonds in rainbow colours and hues.  No borders, binding the same fabric as the background, quilting straight-lines or echos usually on the machine are also features of the modern quilting movement.

So perhaps this one is classed as modern?

Twister - using templates and low volume background fabric, solids and quilted with circles

or these?

Improv Blocks - Quilted in straight lines following the improv angles

Woven Circles using solid fabrics

Refractions - Definitely Modern!

But how would you class this one?

Log cabin blocks in vibrant bright rainbow colours - is it traditional or modern?

In my opinion modern can be traditional too.  What is wrong with using traditional blocks? What is wrong with using scraps? I love some of the traditional blocks, but why not use nice bright modern fabrics, there are some fabulous fabrics available now, a huge colour selection of solids and blenders are now available by all the manufacturers at varying prices to suit every pocket and can can be utilised for the making of a modern quilt.  I am still a piecer or a topper (I am not so good at choosing the actual design to quilt the sandwich) - I love the cutting and stitching together of small pieces of fabric but modern quilting can also be appliqué, confetti, mosaic indeed any medium you care to choose.

I think we should have a new category,  Fusion - ‘the process or result of joining two or more things together to form a single entity'.  The meeting of old and new.  The bringing together of the old traditional blocks and teaming them up with bright new fabrics and methods.

The quilt I am working on this week is perhaps a Fusion quilt.  The Half Square Triangle is  a quick and easy traditional block, but the fabrics i am using are bright and cheery and the background is a low volume white on white modern swirl.  I have a layout which I think is quite modern and I haven't seen it before but it does not have solid fabrics, improvised piecing nor will it have the binding the same as the background.  I'm not sure yet how it will be quilted but it will be called my fusion quilt.

The ultimate goal in quilting is not whether it is traditional or modern, whether it is dark or light whether it is blue or green, cotton or linen.  The ultimate goal in quilt making is your own enjoyment.  The pleasure of making  an item whether it be large or small, whether it is a gift or whether it is to be kept for yourself is the main goal.  The enjoyment comes from the pleasure of making and transfers on to the pleasure of giving it to a recipient who you hope will enjoy the comfort and warmth it will bring to them.  If you are not enjoying the process of quilting, stop and put it aside for another day.  Enjoy your quilting journey whichever label or name you want to use.

If you have managed to stick with me to the end o this post I would love to hear your thoughts and views on the subject.  Drop me an email, or post a comment below. Happy stitching!

Normal Sewing Has Resumed

Last weeks disaster has been fixed.  I received my nice new shiny Acufeed foot earlier this week, a speedy delivery which allowed me to return to the Awesome Ocean and complete the quilting.  The binding is attached and I now only need to stitch it down while relaxing one evening this week.

While waiting for the new part I continued with the HSTs.  Some folks shy away from triangles, however I find it quite satisfying chain piecing and trimming.  It is absolutely essential to trim as you go - it makes for nice neat square blocks when they are all joined together.  

It is amazing how many different patterns can be achieved using HSTs.  If you haven't already tried playing with them perhaps you should give it a go the next time you want to make something different with a charm pack and some solid background fabric.  I have come up with two different patterns - well I think they might be, although someone may have beaten me to it.  I will hopefully show you next time.  I have planned them on EQ7 but a design wall or a large table or floor would suffice.

Our little Grandson and his Mummy and Daddy visited us yesterday.  What great fun a 3 year old is!  The sun was shining and we had a picnic lunch in the garden.  Which prompted me to make something different last night.  A reversible Bucket Hat for S.  I've had the free downloadable pattern from oliver + s for ages.  S and I chose the fabrics together - He liked the spaceships and flying saucers and I chose the co-ordinating stripe.  I think I might have made a few changes if I do it again but all in all I'm happy with the result, I hope he will like it too!

The sun has disappeared this morning but I hope it will reappear soon.  It is so nice to be able to sit out with your sewing or knitting.  I have been enjoying the antics of the young blackbirds being fed by their mother in the garden and the butterflies and the bumble bees are beginning to appear too as the new growth appears on the trees and flowers.   Happy sewing days!

Disaster Strikes!

Last week I did as I said I would - some thinking and some stocktaking.  I found a lot of things I had forgotten I had, orphan blocks, little fishes, charm packs (I don't really like pre-cuts so not sure why I've got them) lots of fat quarters - again not usually my thing, and a few cheap and cheerful Connecting Kits.

So where to start?  Elizabeth Hartman has produced a few lovely patterns and I have used some of them in the past.  I particularly liked the Forest Friends and had used some of the characters in children's quilts.  The little fox, hedgehog and bunny being some of my favourites.  Awesome Ocean is another lovely pattern and I had downloaded it when it first appeared online and I made a few of the little fishes and the octopus with some of my scraps.  They were floundering in one of the baskets.  So without any further procrastinating I set to last weekend and pieced them altogether and here is the result.

So Cute!  Well it is now sandwiched together and the quilting is started, I had big plans for some exciting quilting on this quilt but in the end decided on the straightforward wavy line decorative stitch on my machine. 

Thats when Disaster struck!

I have a Janome Memory Craft 8900QCP sewing machine which I love.  I know of two other friends who have the same machine.  They have had trouble with their Acufeed System.  This system is  a fantastic walking foot system but it must have a design fault.  There is a small pin in the foot which works itself loose over time.  I was hoping it wouldn't happen to me but ...............

I have now ordered a new part and hopefully it will be with me very soon but in the meantime this little quilt will need to wait on the shelf again.

So whats next?  It's one of those Charm Packs, half square triangles again.  It seems to be the go to block for these little squares.  

The sun is shining this morning so I am hoping I might get to sit in the garden for a bit later, although I see one of the acers looks a bit sorry for itself this morning - have we had a bit of frost over night? Oh no, that would be another disaster,  the fresh new buds look to have all shrivelled so it will take time to recover.

I hope you all have time to stop and enjoy your garden as well as having some time to sew this week.