1950s nostalgia

I am so pleased to have this quilt hanging so that I could take a photo of it in its entirety.

I really don't like trying to take photos of quilts on the clothes line - it all depends on too many things to get the photo right (how long is the grass? how long is the

quilt? where is the sun? is the wind blowing? have birds been sitting on the clothes line wires?) So, I think it's worth the wait to see my finished quilt.Of course, having a photo of this quilt does not make my "finished" list for 2010 any larger, but I sure like that its growing!!

Happy times two!!

I am so happy! I finished the 1950s quilt, including a label! I need to hang it to photograph it properly.

And... here is Simply Charming. The latest miniature quilt top.

This also makes me happy. Is that happy x 2?? My top centre flower is leaning over slightly to the right - like a sunflower...

These quilts are going to look great quilted. I must finish all 9 before I cut up the rest of the fabric to make quilt backs and bindings.

Button-ing

The binding is now complete on my 1950s collection quilt. I am in the process of securing all porcelain buttons to the quilt. Gee, what a difference it makes. The quilt blocks look really dimensional.

I have attached around half of the buttons, I hope to finish button-ing tonight. That will be another finished project!!

After I add a label of course...

I can hardly believe this quilt has been nearly 2 years in the making!! tsk tsk I should have finished it sooner.

This is my own quilt design using Robyn Allen-Waters' stitchery designs, so I guess I shouldn't be too mad at myself.

Can you see the scallops

In this photo you can see the back of the 1950s collection quilt, ( I just looove the fabric) and the small section of binding I have stitched down so far.

It really is so 1950s chic!! I can't wait to stitch the entire binding down, so I can add the buttons.

But, we are starting to make convict bonnets tonight at Gisborne Friendship Quilters group. I probably won't get the binding finished then... perhaps tomorrow?

Sorry these posts are so short, but sometimes it is blogging or sewing, and this blog is intended to make me want to sew more...

Where do all the hours go?

Another 3 blocks for Lizzie Mae's. I need to make 16 of these blocks - so that's still 11 to go. I think three or four in one night after work is about my limit though - I almost feel too tired to blog, let alone think and sew!!
One of the fabrics is a bit light, but I might let it go, as it adds an antique-sort-of quality to the medallion.
Then a little bit more on the cross stitch sampler (this is the Christmas one).

Before I can work on the cross stitch next time, I need to finish trimming the scallop shapes on the 1950s quilt which has been beautifully quilted. (Thanks Mum!!)
Where do all the hours go? I just want to sew!!

1950s quilt top completed!!

Woohoo!! I've got another quilt top to give to Mum!! I really wanted to give these 1950s stitcheries the right look. I think the spot fabric is perfect! But, it needed something to break up the great expanse of blue.

I added the appliqued aprons (with cherries on), and then little bunches of cherries floating about.

I framed the centre in a cherry coloured fabric, and then added ric-rac across the quilt.

All I need to do is scallop the edge when it is quilted, and bind it in the same cherry red as the centre frame.

I am really looking forward to a few finished items this year...

1950s again...

All the blocks have borders around them now. I love this diagonal plaid-print.

I have the blocks on pin-boards to inspire me to keep working on them... I guess you know if they are out of sight, they are out of mind. I am trying to do the opposite.

Next I am adding blue spots around the stitcheries. Is it working? I plan to add some applique in the large "open" spaces.

I have drawn up a rough plan, but most things tend to evolve as we make them don't they? I'll just let it grow a bit before I decide on too much.

BTW, I am sticking to the list of four:

1. 1950s collection

2. Baltimore Album

3. Dollhouse BOM (not that I have thought about it for a few days)

4. Jo's Little Women Baskets needs to be finished... but I haven't thought about it either- I am machine piecing the 1950s at the moment

5. I guess I will be working on my designs for my "Ginger" quilt, but I want to start a miniature LoneStar quilt and the new applique pattern I bought at showcase.

1950s comes around again...

Everything comes around again... and I am back into my 1950s quilt. I have trimmed down all the blocks, and I am adding borders. My next task is to work out what size to cut the fabric to go between the blocks.

The flower ruching on the Baltimore blocks is very time consuming. It takes me 2 hours to hand-ruche one flower, then it needs to be tacked on, then appliqued onto the background. There are 4 flowers on the block. I will keep it as evening handwork. I should have known there would be a catch to finishing the leaves and vase so quickly!!

I am keeping on track... and feeling good!!

I love vintage and repro

And so does Violette over at the blog Hand Quilting. She has interviewed various fabric designers such as Barbara Brackman, April Cornell, and Darlene Zimmerman. Sharon and Jason Yenter are still to come, and so is Gudrun Erla.

I feel like I am in love with Violette's blog - it takes my breath away!! LOL!!

Here are some photos of the stitchery patterns I am working on (The 1950s Collection). I have finished about 2/3 of the stitching on each one (none are completely finished - I was missing some thread colours).

Maybe I will have a finished block to show and tell this week!

Finish #1 for 2009

The French Collection quilt

I actually finished this quilt 2 days ago... but haven't been able to get onto the computer!! LOL!!

The close-up above gives a better idea of how good the quilt looks in real life. When the images is smaller (as below) it loses a little bit.





This last picture shows the overall look before binding and buttons.

Now I am working on a new series of stitcheries with buttons "The 1950's collection". I am nearly finished the stitching!!

How to find quilter's blogs

Have you heard about http://www.quilterblogs.com/ ??

You can browse through quilter's blogs to your heart's content.

I just listed my blog there. They don't seem to have a little gizmo to go on the side of the blogs like Quilting Bloggers etc.

I am stitching away on the 1950s collection. I think I am 2/3 of the way finished. Why aren't there any photos? Er.... well... you see... I didn't have all the thread colours when I started. So, while I have stitched nearly all pictures, I need to go back and do the other 4 colours on all of them, then some colouring-in.

You will soon see!!

Update: It took a little bit of a look, but I did find the html for the button (it's under the SCQuilters button on my blog). Thanks Mary.