Edgeing

This is part of the next border. I won't be able to work on the quilt tonight - you will have to wait a few days until the next bit is stitched. I am up to the third dark print in the zig-zag outer border.

After that I am not quite sure what I will be doing. It will need another dark striking border so that this light background edgeing doesn't just float away from the outside.

Borders can make a quilt grow very quickly can't they? It's becoming bigger and bigger. This is so much fun!!

What does it mean?

It's growing and growing! I am thinking about the quilting already Mum!! I am not sure whether to add any applique around the "ribbon" type border, or whether to leave it open for quilting.

I will just let it all talk to me as it grows. I have only used one dark fabric in the outermost border so far, I selected another two dark prints to use as well. I want it to feel like it flows around the outside, and changes colour as it moves.

I originally thought of this quilt as "Log Apartments" - a modern version of a Log Cabin (when I started the centre in about 2000). It was the first time I really enjoyed playing with colour, and was successful with my combinations. Since then, I feel I have really grown when choosing fabric colours.

Now, I think of the centre as an aerial view of sarees lying out on the ground drying... or perhaps silk carpets... or perhaps the brightly coloured awnings or tarps etc used for roofing in an incredibly built-up area such as Dharavi in Mombai, India.

This is an aerial shot of Dharavi I found on google. Can you see what I mean?

This next photo (also from google) shows carpets or block-printed fabrics or sarees (not sure which) laying out to dry in the sun.

I started this quilt about 6 years before my first trip to India. What does it mean?

Digging them up

I sure am digging them up when it comes to this ooooold UFO that has been "hanging" around for about 10 years.I have trimmed the centre down (it used to be an odd shape) and used some of the squares on the outer border.

Still more to add to this border, then another round with a flying geese-ribbon border. That's not a very useful description is it? You will just have to wait to see. I would like to finish this quilt this year.

Sew! Sew! Sew! Go us!

The universe is smiling...

I've been experimenting with saree fabrics we brought back from India. This is what I started with....



then I made this block - with the om symbol. It's my first successful attempt at zig-zag machine applique. The universe was smiling at me when I decided to make it!!

I don't want to join this delicate applique with the first section of quilt. So, I started another block.

This will be the tree of life. I plan to join the 2 blocks then applique peacock feathers down the sides to complete a wallhanging.

These girly bibs are for my DH's grand-neice. She is only a few months old, she will be able to grow into them too.

Twins

I quilted this tablerunner and completed the binding on the same night. Do you know what I mean when I say I have been crazy to finish lots of things?

Do you remember seeing its twin? You may notice they are not identical!

More bibs have gone to good homes. These ones are for a baby boy - James. I think he will have to grow into them! Still, from what I hear, lots of gifts for newborn babies only fit for a short while.

A useful bundle

I've been sewing my fingers to the nub preparing for a baby shower! I think I mentioned I am trying to finish all my "Christmas" and holiday sewing before the start of December - that will leave me December to increase the number of "Finished Items" for the year! Hurrah! This is one bib made from a towel.

This is all three for Catherine. We don't know the gender of the baby - so I have tried to be neutral with the colours (but still bright!).

I also decorated these little singlets. (It will be a Summer baby, and might get to wear them on a hot day!).

This one is my favourite colourway. Hmmm.. now the bird looks like it needs an eye. Oh well, it's "arty"!

I bought this little suit and decorated it with... you guessed it another bird!!

This is sure to be a useful bundle for the Mum-to-be.

Keeping busy

Yes, I've been keeping busy... (almost too busy to blog I'm afraid!). My posts seem to be shorter and shorter. Lucky I type fast, otherwise I wouldn't be keeping any kind of journal or record of my quilting and sewing history.

I finished the little bit of hand-stitching required on the kris-kringle pattern folders. (One is for me though!!)These folders are for storing your current project in - or for collecting patterns from magazines, and carrying them around.

Now I have another kris-kringle gift to make!! But, I can't talk about it on here (they might read my blog!!).

I made this pin-cushion (peppermint swirl pincushion) from the free pattern on moda bakeshop. What a nice quick pressie this would be!This next item is NOT a gift, it's for me! It's the latest Heidel chocolate tin. Ahhh.. so sweet! I carry sewing threads and pens in my others.

I haven't bought any in the last few years - the tins were the same. Even the chocolate papers are cute! And you can even eat the chocolate. Fancy that!