A little update...

I am still constructing the Garden Song quilt as a sample for my LQS.

It seems to be going very slowly... perhaps it's the amount of reverse stitching I have endured...

I am very keen to sit at my machine at the moment, and just sew like an absolute maniac!! (I really don't have time for unpicking)...

As for handwork - here is a little update on the 12 Days Of Christmas. I am still working the final border. This is a section of one completed strip.

There are four sides to a square quilt (funny about that eh?), thus, I have another three sides to stitch. The thing is, every time I pick it up, the blue pen has faded out. Bugger. And I have to re-draw it... It's not supposed to be a fade away pen, but I guess 6 months is a long time between stitches. Haha.

Right, let's finish the Christmas Quilt before Christmas 2011.

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.

Zipped up

This cute lil' zippy bag was a UFO. 8 of the 9 strips were joined together.

All I had to do was add the last strip, layer and quilt, sew on the label, insert a zip and stitch the sides....

Easy Peasy, and it's a finish! (yes, I am going to count it... hahahhaha)

Satisfaction

I'm feeling quite satisfied with the bit-by-bit quilting of these mini quilts.

How good is it to finish 3 little quilts, then hang them all together??? Well, I can tell you. It IS good. *grin*

Especially after going through a dry spell (the blog has been a bit light-on hasn't it??). The quilt above is Delightful Four-patch - started November 2009, completed May 2010.

I'm rearing to sew at home, but the heater is on the fritz, and it's the coldest we can remember for June. So, if I am at home, I am in bed with the electric blanket and a beanie on, with a book. It's not quite right for the sewing machine... *grin*

Of course I'm also working on a mystery BOM for my LQS that I can't show my progress on... so that's another reason the blog looks a bit forlorn.

Still, I hope to keep you updated soon with another mini-quilt completed. (I do so love seeing these hang on the wall!!)...

Simply Charming - a mini quilt

Aha! I told you the next one finished would also be a mini quilt!! This is Simply Charming designed by Lori Smith.

I do enjoy free-motion quilting.... then I've used geometric machine quilting on the borders.

I love this backing fabric - that's George Washington.

The quilt measures 16in x 20in. I can't wait to have a wall of miniature quilts... I have another 6 just waiting to be quilted.. ("Pick me! Pick me!" They are calling...)