Almost photographed

Hmm... I just realised I haven't really posted a good photo of La Petite Ecole - Persian Tiles. I still haven't managed to post a good photo. It's quite a big quilt!! I think I've got a good place for this at home!!

I'm ready to snuggle up...

It's important for me to try to take good photos of my quilts for this blog - I have them printed into a book each year - that's a record of my quilting journey.

I've been asked to speak at the Geelong guild in two weeks. They want me to talk about my quilting journey - to bring quilts, and talk about what I do, how I've done it..... everything. And it's the early days that I can't remember so well, and I've given so many of the quilts away now.

The ones I grew out of, the ones I could spare for urgent charity quilt drives, the baby quilts I gave away, or healing quilts... I just can't remember them all. I must try to collate all the photos I've taken in one place.

In the meantime, I might talk about some of my past quilts at different times, just to make a record in this journal, and in this woman's quilting history.

Keep sewing

I am preparing some handwork for Saturday. I'm off to the Willows Quilt-In at Melton with Rosie. It's been a long time since I've been to a quilt-in as a spectator. I'll wear loads of warm clothes. And sew bindings. *grin*

This is one little sucker that will be bound. This is the QAYG tablerunner I started yesterday. It needs the binding machined on.

And this is another that needs the binding machined on.

It's the French-Persian Tiles quilt. Can you see the quilting design? Thanks Mum! I love it!

And what kind of day would it be without pillowcases?

Here are some more with the gorgeous egg fabrics. Now I have 4 pillowcases - 2 of each colourway. I'll use them all on the bed at once.

Maybe I should call it French Tiles?

I definitely feel like I have my quilting mojo back (where have you been????)....

It's going to be great to see this quilt on my bed in such a short time... (right Mum? hint hint - yeah, I know you are busy...xxx)

The outer border is on. I changed it from Carol's design, where the remaining strips and squares were cut up to make a border of little squares. I used a wide border from the "French Quarter" fabric range - it seems to be perfect with the "La Petite Ecole" colourings by French General.

Honestly, I like the modern and vintage mixture of texture and colour in the prints. It will suit a new or historic home decor.

I've attached a label to the backing - fusible web and machine blanket-stitch. I like to do this (when I remember), as it's difficult to steal a quilt and hide its origin when it has been quilted through.

I joined the backing. What a big job when it's a big quilt. The backing needed to be 2.5 metres square, so it takes about 6.5 metres for the back. I know, I could have used a wideback, but I love this fabric. And it goes sooo well with the front.

Look, even the binding is made, ready to attach. I am feeling virtuous. *wink*

No, really. I can't wait to have it on my bed.

Pyjama Day

Just call me a banana because I like staying in my pyjamas all day... heh heh...

Actually, it's not something I normally do.. but by about 2pm I had finished the four sides on all 25 blocks.By this time I felt justified having a shower and getting dressed...

Well, today is a public holiday - what else are they for??

Feeling so relaxed and comfortable, I decided to keep sewing (it's amazing what a difference a heater in excellent working order can make on one's ability to concentrate on sewing!!)

And this is the result - 25 blocks joined to form the centre of the quilt. Finished by 5pm. Yippee!! Then I raced off to dance class, did some other jobs, and thought "Hmm... I'd love to get the borders on this quilt before I see Mum tomorrow morning - I could give her the quilt and get it back on Saturday!!"

Ok, that didn't quite happen. But I did get the next narrow border on before bedtime.

What a productive day!! I can't wait to finish this quilt - I just want it on my bed!!

Oh. Oh.

There's something tempting about a Jelly Roll and Layer Cake still in their wrappings. (Maybe I should have taken a photo? Oh well... I couldn't help ripping open the packaging).

I've been looking and patting the fabrics for a while, taking them out of their storage er... paper bag (Yes, they have been with the other PIGS - Projects In Grocery Sacks - for quite some time) with the intention of making "Persian Tiles" - designed by my friend Carol.

Well, today is the day... I just had to cut them up. I fancied some simple straightforward sewing. I filled three bobbins (as I usually do... because I just HATE it when the bobbin runs out 2 inches from the end of the last seam).

So, I've filled three bobbins, and the machine is threaded... then I realised I had to select which squares to keep, and which to cut up. Then I had to cut strips. Oh. Oh.

So, all I've done is this:

Two sides added onto each of the 25 block centres.