I love little quilts!!

I have really been in the mood to sew by machine lately. It's just as well, because I have so many projects that need to be pieced together and what-not. But, I am working on new things aren't I? It's an irresistable pull to start something new. This is my second finished quilt top in the Lori Smith series "Simply Charming".

Ah, they look so good together! Can you imagine how 9 little quilts will look together?

Here's a photo to indicate scale - we all know the size of a rotary cutter don't we?

Instead of the usual way when piecing (i.e. make a four-patch and join them together to reduce stretching across rows) I pieced in rows. The seams sit so much better on the back.

I also pressed the long seams open, but to make them stay there I used a product called "Mary Ellen's Best Press" - it's a starch alternative. It's new in Australia.

Have you ever tried "Crisp" spray starch from the supermarket only to find it scorches and burns? Best Press really is the best.

Tonight I would like to work on my next little Lori quilt "Delightful Four Patch", and tomorrow morning is reserved for working on the 1950s quilt. Hmm, if I fuse Santa onto my Christmas Countdown tonight, it will be ready to hand-blanket stitch tomorrow night at quilting.

I think that's a plan... Now, how can I fit it all in?

A little update

Just a little update on the Broken Dishes quilt. I made these over the last 3 days. Each block is made of 2 colours and measures 2 inches finished.

This is the second little quilt in the Simply Charming series by Lori Smith. I am rotary cutting and machine piecing this quilt.

I only have 2 more rows to make, then the border goes on, and that's another one!! YAY!!

Next I need to work on the 1950s quilt top, and I would like to finish the Countdown To Christmas.

Yikes! I've got a bit to do!!

It's time for another one...

This is the little quilt top "Homage To Mrs Taft" designed by Lori Smith. It is not quilted yet because I am using a stack of 45 fat quarters to make 9 small quilts, each measuring 16" x 20". I want to use the leftovers for the quilt backs. I need to make sure I have enough for the borders etc first.

The next one I will make features the block Broken Dishes. Each block finishes at 2" square.

A couple of days work

I've been sewing rather than blogging, and now have a bit more show and tell for you!! These are the next 3 blocks in the little Lori Smith series of quilts. The blocks finish 4" when in the quilt.
Okay, here are all of the blocks. The finished quilt will measure 16" x 20". I won't write too much, I want to get back to sewing!!

Counting down

I just love Christmas, and I am throwing up dust trying to finish as many new Christmas decos as I can before December starts!!

Obviously, this countdown to Christmas needs to be finished before the 1st of December, but THIS year I would like to be ready to enjoy all the delights of a decorated Christmas at the start of December.

I machine pieced all the "little quilt tops" for the numbers, and machine appliqued all the numbers on. I bagged out these four little number quilts, now I need to top-stitch around them and quilt around the numbers.

Then I need to make the little Santa block.

I also have another little Christmas piece I want to finish (and start) before December...

This morning a friend asked me how many projects I had on the go... I looked at my list down the side of the blog, and it said 40. She gasped. I shrugged. I finished 28 projects last year, and so far I have finished 16. I have 2 quilts to bind and they will be added to the finished list.

In the big scheme of things, 40 is not really a lot of projects.... of course, I didn't count my PIGS (Projects in Grocery Sacks) that aren't even started!! LOL!!

Do I make you feel better about your stash?

Searching for the peacock

There will be a peacock on this block at some stage... LOL!!

This is one of the blocks for my Civil War Bride quilt. I am posting this partially finished block to show you that despite starting 2 new projects, I am staying on track with this quilt.

I love the colour of these fabrics... I haven't quite decided what fabrics to use on the peacock yet, hence the delay. I expect to be onto it very quickly!!

I already have the next 2 blocks traced, which helps to keep me going with the quilt. Hopefully, if I feel like it's too hard to make the decision on what fabric to use with the peacock, at least I can start on the stems of another block, until a time when I feel like choosing colours.

And another thing...

Here is another new thing I just started! LOL!! I want to make this countdown to Christmas from the Art To Heart book "12 Days Of Christmas".


These are the fabrics I chose. I have cut out the background for the numbers - ready to machine piece. The numbers are partially fused (The fusible web is traced and is on the back of the fabric. I still need to cut out the rest of the numbers).

I have been working on my Civil War Bride quilt... I will give you a glimpse tomorrow along with any new updates on my latest projects.