Field Study by Anna Maria Horner

I have been a good girl all year and have not bought much fabric.  I have even destashed twice!!  I waited patiently for the reveal of Anna Maria Horner's latest range at Fall Quilt Market and it didn't disappoint.  I have been waiting patiently for Field Study to hit the stores and then I splurged and bought a full FQ set from Pink Castle Fabrics in a 20% off sale.  The doorbell rang early this morning, it doesn't happen often and it was the Postie with some happy mail!

The only disappointing thing is that I am so busy for the next couple of days that I am not going to be able to rip open that plastic and have a proper fondle.  I need to savour that moment for when I have a clear head and some time to sit and drool.  And then it will probably go into a bag with the Good Folks that I'm hoarding until I have the current WIPs out of the way.  I'm thinking a bed quilt if I can be brave enough to tackle a project that large.

Habitat Bowtie Quilt Top Finished

I calculated that it's only taken nine months to assemble this quilt top! I initially did all the cutting and assembled half the blocks in the space of a couple of weeks then it got put aside until a couple of months ago. I've been working on it in dribs and drabs. The rows have been assembled for a few weeks and it only took me a couple of hours yesterday to sew them together.

In regards to the size issue blogged here, I decided to leave off two rows and use them on the back instead. This brings it to a more manageable lap quilt size at 70" square.

I'll be bringing it along for Sew and Tell at tomorrow's GWSMQG meeting.

Care do.Good Stitches - Feb WIP

Care do.Good Stitches - Feb WIP, a photo by A Labour of Love on Flickr.

I love it when a project starts to come together. This quilt is in memory of a green loving friend.

I'm changing tack from yesterday and am introducing the Heath in lilac as a narrow border around the stars, followed by a white border and then the Heath chartreuse binding (if I can get my hands on more). The pale aqua fabric on the right is going to be the last pair of stars.

I'm excited that this is finally getting somewhere. I'll be glad to have this finished as it has been hanging over me for a few months and I was having trouble finding inspiration. Nothing like being re-inspired!

Handstitched Camp

You might have noticed the Handstitched Camp button over on the sidebar. I wasn't planning on doing this course but when registrations opened I didn't want to miss out. The Handstitched Camp is part of a series of online courses on hand stitching. It is an area that I felt lacking in confidence and technique. The course is run by the talented Rachel of Stitched in Color whom I did Curves Camp with earlier in the year. I was really impressed with the way Rachel ran Curves (really thorough tutorials and online support) so I knew this was going to be money well spent (about $70). There's something about paying money that gets me really committed, I don't think I would be so disciplined with a quilt a long.

Things have been a little busy 'round these parts so I have only managed to make a start on the Modern Medallion Quilt. I had to change the centre applique from the original which was a dogwood shape to this square on point. The dogwood didn't work with my centre fabric "It's a Hoot" but I am being very restrained and using mostly fabric already in the stash. This project will be added to at each stage of the course and for me it is the main priority. There will be smaller projects along the way, and if I have the time I will do some of those too.

Here's the colorful combination of floss that I've selected for the next step which is to add embroidered half square triangles and cornerstones. The solids are going to be used in the next round of borders. I must make a move on because that tutorial is coming on Monday!

Have you ever done any online courses?

 

Pretty Lined Drawstring Pouches

A couple of weeks ago I had a niece celebrating her Holy Communion, a niece turning 13, and twin niece and nephew turning 11. Perfect opportunity to use Jeni's drawstring pouch tutorial. I made these pouches over the space of 4-5 days but it should only take a couple of hours to make one. I got lots of interruptions and I made one then decided to make the other three... Wait for fabric to arrive... You know how it goes.

As soon as these were made my kids were asking if they were for them, especially my two year old!

 





This one is for my 8 yr old niece who is very much into pink. Her family have just gone on a European holiday so I hope the pouch was useful for packing some little travel items.






 

In other news the kids have just gotten over a really bad flu virus. I was lucky to dodge that one. I have been trying to find a balance between sewing time and home duties. I find the home duties a real drag and get by on doing the basics. I feel like that's not good enough and I want to make our home more of a priority. I also have the incentive of a house guest next month so I'm aiming to spring clean and declutter one room at a time, I know having a clean house makes me happy (it's just that three littlies can trash it in the blink of an eye).

 

Jane Market Bag do.Good Stitches Secret Swap

Instead of making a quilt, the do.Good Stitches team is participating in a secret swap this month. I spent three days last week (yes, it shouldn't have taken that long) making my swap item.

My partner, Kris, didn't request anything in particular but her color choice was blue and green.

I chose some Liberty and co-ordinating fabrics from the stash and turned them into a Jane Market Bag.

I used some cotton drill between the layers as stabiliser and I used a lightweight interfacing on the Liberty and the pockets. The bag was still a bit floppy so next time I'll try a stiffer stabiliser.

The other deviation from the pattern is the straps were cut 5" x 24". The little selvedges were added for some fun. I also top stitched around the base for added support.

Fabrics used: Dear Stella, Liberty, Japanese remnant for the pockets and DS Picnics and Fairgrounds for the lining.

Kris received her bag a couple of days ago and blogged about it here. Now just waiting in anticipation to see who and what mine will be!

Sew Mama Sew May Giveaway Day

Welcome if you're visiting to the first time, and hello to my regulars.  It's give away time over at Sew Mama Sew and I jumped at the chance to join in on the fun.  Since it's my birthday next week I wanted to celebrate with my readers by offering up these goodies.

I'm going to be giving away two prizes.  Both packs contain a fabric range that doesn't really need any introduction - Good Folks!  The reason I have decided to share this coveted fabric range with you is that the Good Folks Gods have been shining down on me lately and I have managed to acquire the last few prints to finish off my collection.  Happy dance!!

Prize 1:

Three fat eighths of Good Folks prints in my favourite colour pink.

Ric Rac owl embroidery panel

Two sets of vintage style buttons

Purse Frame Bag 8.5"x7" lined in dupion silk (handmade by me!).  

You can use it to store your notions or add a little chain and use it as an evening bag.

Prize 2:

Good Folks Fortune in Sea (12"x22") with matching zip & Gutterman thread

Make It Perfect - Versatile Wrap Skirt Pattern

Monaluna Shopping Tote 17"x14" by Green Bag Lady

HOW TO ENTER:

1.  Leave a comment below letting me know what sewing machine you use and whether you would buy it again.

2.   Leave a 2nd comment if you are or become a follower via Google Friend Connect, stating as such

3.   Leave a 3rd comment if you are or become a follower of me on Twitter (@DoloresALOL), stating as such

Remember to leave an email address or make sure you have one on your Google profile so that I can contact you if you are the winner.  

This competition is open to everyone internationally and will be open until May 25th, 5pm PST at which time two winners will be drawn randomly - the first drawn will win Prize 1, the second will win Prize 2.  The winners will be notified by email and announced on this post.

Good luck and thanks for stopping by!

EDITED TO ADD THE WINNERS:

Draw 1/Prize 1:

Draw 2/Prize 2:

Congratulations to:

No. 16 Michaela &

 No. 221 Crunchy Con Momma!

Destashing - Stash & Treasure Market

I am so not organised for tomorrow's Stash & Treasure Market.  So much to measure and put prices on.  I should've started this earlier in the week, I didn't realise how little I would be able to get done today (it's been a trainwreck).  Looks like I'll be chuffing away this evening.

Destash Teaser

I've been pulling fabrics from my stash in preparation for my destash sale at the Stash & Treasure Market this Saturday.  Besides quilting cottons there's laminate, voile, corduroy, dupion silks & Vintage Silk Japanese Obi's plus patterns, zips, knitting supplies.  You can't even see it all, the blue bag in the back is full of DS stuff!  I'll give you more detail later after I've sorted it all out.

Fabric-A-Brac

I didn't mean to leave it so long between posts! I've got some really exciting stuff to show you though.  Last Sunday I went to the Fabric-A-Brac market for the first time.  Even though I've actually decided to do some destashing of fabric I do not love anymore (more on that later), I was still on the look out for bargains and treasures.  I am very pleased to say that I found both.

Fabric-A-Brac was held in the historic Petersham Town Hall.  Apparently they filmed Strictly Ballroom here which I was surprised to find out since I went to primary school nearby and we used to have our school dance concerts there.  There were a lot of sellers keen to destash fabric, patterns, notions etc.  There was a band Evan and The Brave and even Black Star Pastry selling some yummy baked goods.

As I walked in the first table I went up to had a huge box of FQ's.  Straight away I spotted a FQ of Amy Butler Coriander but someone else was handling it and I thought, bummer she's taking that.  After she paid and left the Coriander was still sitting there, she hadn't bought it at all so I snapped it up for fear of anyone else grabbing it first.  I rifled through and even though this seller had heaps of stuff there wasn't anything that really grabbed me.  $4 later, and on I moved to the next table.

I ran into Belinda and Zoe, kindy Mum's from school.  Belinda turned me around and sent me straight to a table at the front I had walked past.  Her words were "go there NOW".  What a good friend, there was heaps of great stuff for sale on this table.  I had to think about budget and restraint so I only walked away with these items:  

• 1.5m (54") of AMH Folksy flannel $10
• 25cm (10") strip of Fun@Hart for Freespirit A Dog's Life $2
• 90cm (1yard) Echino Glasses $6
• FQ of Liberty $6.  

Seriously, these ladies were destasing heaps of Liberty FQs for $6 and lots and lots of other really cool fabrics.

Finally I was almost at the end when I spotted this blue fabric hanging on a rack.  It reminded me heaps of the Coriander or a Florence Broadhurst fabric.  It has a really beautiful sheen and it was big 2m x 1.5m (78" x 54").  The lady selling was lovely and told me I could have it for $10.  Still, I procrastinated and said that I wanted to keeping looking around and come back.  Literally, I was at the top of the last aisle, I did a quick scan of those tables and didn't see anything that made me want to stop and look so I hightailed it back and snatched it up before anyone else.  I love it, it's so beautiful, the colour has amazing depth and it's just the right weight of cotton for quilting (I suspect it might be a lighter home dec fabric because of the 54" width?).  I don't even know what I'm going to do with it but it's such a big piece that I would love to see it on the back of a quilt.  Anyway, after some morning tea I went to say goodbye to Amy.  As usual she wanted me to show her what I bought.  When she saw the big floral she took one look at the selvedge and told me that the font looked vintage.  Really?  Really?  

So I came home and started Googling.  I couldn't find anything to do with that particular fabric collection.  I keep finding tidbits here and there about Greeff, he was a designer or manufacturer or both but had fabrics printed by Warner and Sons.  It looks like Warners and Sons mill closed in 1971?  So I'm trying to solve this mystery and date this fabric.  Anyway,  I have emailed the Warner Archival Trust to see whether they could give me any information.  How cool though, I'm really pleased with this treasure even if doesn't end up being 40 years old or worth a zillion dollars.

"Ivy Geranium" from a "GARDEN PARTY" Copyright by Greeff Printed in England for Warners and Sons

So all up I spent:  $38.  To put it into perspective, retail prices of quilting cottons in Australia are approx $24/metre, Liberty is $56 (which is why I do buy most of mine online from the US).

IN OTHER NEWS:  Thank you to everyone who voted for me in the SMS Fat Quarter Idol, I did not win.  Congratulations to Tanya!  This is the last week of the competition so your last chance to play along.  The theme is "My Style" so anything goes really and if you're already on Pinterest it's pretty easy to put your bundle together.  Check out the Sew Mama Sew blog for details on how to enter.

I need your vote!

Click here to enlarge

I just saw over on Sew Mama Sew that I've made the top 10 finalists out of 200 entries!  Woo hoo!!  Now I need your vote, there are some pretty popular bloggers there so competition is going to be fierce especially if they have all their followers voting for them.  I hope I get votes because people actually like my bundle.  I am feeling unusually competitive right now!! :-)

If you have a moment would you mind heading over to SMS and voting for me, if you think I deserve it?

Here's a background on the competition.

Taali Wheel Quilt

Remember this quilt I was under the pump to finish last weekend?  I didn't even start until Sunday morning because I flaked out in an upright position on the sofa at 9.15pm! Gee, what a Saturday night party animal I've become! :-)  Well, I managed to get the 4 pieces of the circle completed by mid Sunday afternoon (thanks to an extra day-lightsaving hour from the clocks being wound back).

I thought it would then take no time to finish it off... um, well, no.  I got the whole thing pieced this afternoon.  It's been a busy week of needing to do various errands and I only managed a little bit here and there and then the final trimming took way longer because I was being quite pedantic about making sure everything was going to line up.

I'm quite pleased with how it came out.  I chose these fabrics for Max since I really liked them and I thought we could possibly get away with turning it into a boy quilt.  When I started piecing I was a bit worried it looked too babyish and I was prepared for him to tell me he didn't like it, which was OK since a good friend is having a baby boy soon.  But on the whole he says he likes most of the fabrics, not so much the "pink flowers".  Luckily I pre-empted that and only used that print once instead of twice, it needed that little bit more red.

If I were to do it again I might have all the fabrics running in the same direction around the wheel but the way I cut them with the wedges interlocking had the least fabric wastage.  I bought a FQ of each of these prints (Monaluna Taali from Moona Fabrics on Etsy) and really have not made much of a dent in them.  The solid is a Moda Bella Solid but I didn't get the name, I bought it from my LQS in a sale last weekend.  On Googling it looks like it could be Horizon Blue?

The quilt top measures 42" square and I'm in two minds about making it a bit longer on top and bottom?  I have some time to think about it as I won't be quilting it straight away - I need to move onto the next urgent projects...

Mod Bud Journal

I have my second-last Curves Camp project to share with you today!  It's the Mod Bud Journal which is for Max's teacher who is unfortunately moving over to the school library next term while his new teacher returns from maternity leave.

Front Cover

We were quite disappointed when we were broken the news because his teacher is adorable and I just can't imagine the new teacher being able to fill her shoes.  I've been told nice things about the new/old teacher, so I'm hoping it'll work out OK.

Inside Front Cover

I have personalised this with a little raw edge applique and free-motion embroidery on the cover and the inside cover with her name "Ms Fritz".  I love that she'll have something cute and personal to show off in the staffroom.

Inside Back Cover

It was purely a co-incidence that the journal had a flower on the front, and I didn't even come up with the idea for personalisation until I was already underway with the making.  I just wish I had spaced it all out better, I tried to account for seam allowance but obviously, not well enough!

Back Cover

I showed my niece today, who is also a Kindergarten teacher and she thought it was a fantastic gift (she gets some pretty awesome stuff - perfume, gift vouchers etc).  This journal cover fits a standard A4 notebook which means once you fill up this one you can take it out and put in a new one.

Back and Front

I hosted Lewis' 4th birthday party this morning (his birthday is later in the week) .  There were about 10 boys from preschool (plus parents and a few siblings) at a local park, the weather was glorious and we almost had the park and playground to ourselves.

I feel kinda wiped out now but I'm trying to find some energy for some more sewing.  You see I have an incentive:  Rachel promised a handmade present for all the people who complete one project from each week of Curves Camp.  I've got one more project to go - the Wheel Quilt but have I got the stamina to make a quilt top by the deadline in 20hrs?  I really just want to flake out...

Rainbow Road Reveal

Finally, I've found the time to take photos of my finished Rainbow Road table runner.  Unfortunately it was such a lovely sunny day that even with the blinds down the photos have got a lot of glare.  I would really love a better camera, digital SLR if my fairy godmother is listening? :-)

I had to completely clear my desk/work table so that's why I needed the extra time to snap these and it wasn't until I put my iMac back and downloaded the photos that I could see that they weren't the best.

Having this runner on my work area is awesome because I get to look at all those pretty fabrics and it's protecting my antique table/desk as well.  I already scratched it last year when I was giving the sewing machine a mini-service.

My house doesn't have many homemade projects around, nearly all the things I made last year were gifted to others, except for bonnets and a couple of softies.  My priority is to make some things for us this year!

Here's a shot which shows the Ikea fabric on the back.  It really doesn't photograph very well, the colours are such a great match, charcoal, dusty mauve, pale aqua.

Binding Front

Now onto the binding.  I remember seeing a quilt last year that had a really wide binding so I wanted to replicate that because I really like the look for a table runner and also because I didn't want the binding to be thick and hurt my wrists as I type.

Binding Back

The binding strips were cut 5" wide!! After I attached it I realised the traditional mitred corners were not going to work with these wider strips.  I was tearing my hair out trying to figure out a way around it and had to rip off the binding to start again.  Luckily I worked it out because I really wanted to just get the damn thing finished! You can see that I machine stitched the binding on but this time I used a blanket stitch instead of zig-zag.  I think it came out really neat.

Of course, linking to {Sew} Modern Monday!

Hometown Runner Reveal

I'm very pleased to have a reveal for you.  Whilst guests were arriving yesterday afternoon, I was holed up on my bed finishing off the the binding.  I opted to hand stitch it this time as I wanted a really professional finish since it was going to someone else's home (and my MIL lives in a Retirement Village, no doubt there will be loads of scrupulous eyes from some old school crafters!!).

Not happy with the hand quilting

I really wasn't sure how I was going to quilt this one.  I wanted to show off the octagons and diamonds.  I thought this smallish piece would be a great one to try out hand quilting, so I went to my LQS and bought some Perle and Sashico Needles and came home and had a go at some hand quilting just inside the octagons.  After I did two I really didn't like it, my stitches were too rustic and my MIL's aesthetic is too modern.  I ripped them out and then I tried machine quilting inside the octagons which was looking great but I really didn't want to deal with hiding all those loose tails.

Better view of the straight line quilting on the back

In the end I went back to original source of inspiration here and did some straight line quilting either side of the seams.  I didn't even bother to draw the lines, just used my foot to measure approx. 1/8" to the right of the seam line, when you get to the end you turn it around and go back the other way.  It worked fairly well where the seams match up perfectly, not so great when you have to account for those little seams that are not.  It still looks good and just me being super-critical.

And here's a couple of happy snaps with the recipient.  The pattern and tutorial is the Summer Runner by Cluck Cluck Sew.

Linking to {Sew} Modern Monday.

Hometown Table Runner Pieced

Just in the nick of time, I've pieced together the top of this table runner.  I'll have to get Jack to take his Mum out for a couple of hours tomorrow so that I can get it quilted and bound.  Any ideas on quilting?  I'm no good at stippling and I want it to be fast.

The feral bathroom is screaming out to be cleaned before I go on the school run and to the airport.