Quilting - Seriously

It has been a long wait and a drawn out process with my running of the household, busy job and the trips overseas. After putting in an order in January this year (2011), finally, my Gammill Statler has arrived and will be installed this Wednesday 24th August. I'm very much looking forward to working with the machine and making a lot of quilts. It's the biggest purchase for my hobby, so far. Trying to push a big lump of 3 layers through the small opening of my sewing machine while quilting will soon be something of the past, I hope. The computerised functions of a Gammill Statler has caught my attention, at first. With my educational background and my passion for patchwork and quilting, I can easily identify myself with the machine. It just feels 'right' for me. But I'm yet to find out whether the decision to acquire it is the 'right' one... Somehow, I will ensure that it is and I'm determined...

Wiggly Wheels

I was intrigued about how to make 'wiggly wheels' and, so have decided to have a go while having a bit of idle time during my stay in France this year (May-July 2011). My friend, Celine (she is Belgian who lives in France), took me to a 'tissue' (fabric) shop and I bought a few pieces of fabrics to get started. Without access to a sewing machine, I did all the piecing with hand sewing. I could only sew during the day becuase the lighting wasn't good at night time. I managed to finish ONE block.!! When I got home, it took me a little while to figure out what I wanted to do with the ONE block. One of the cushions in my home office needed a new cover and so, it was the purpose for making use of the block.

Maureen's needle case

Maureen is one of the ladies in the local sewing group near home that I have recently joined. She has always got something little that looks special in her sewing basket. A couple of weeks ago, before we finished up at lunch time, I turned around and saw her cute needle case. After a brief admiration, she kindly lent it to me, I came home and went a little crazy with my scraps and making 6 of the needle cases that afternoon. I have kept one of the cases (with yellow button) for myself and given the rest away.

Practicing the blanket stitch

I would like to feel comfortable working with the blanket stitch on my sewing machine. I have got an applique pattern of a bunch of Tulips that I think would be good for practicing the stitching. On a cold rainy day, while everyone was out watching a movie, I have made this applique on the background fabric from Linda Robertus's 'Dutch Houses' Range, and mounted it on a frame. I'm very happy with the outcome - and I love Tulips. :-) It has been a good exercise. I have gained the confidence and I'm now working on a quilt top with rounded shape appliques comfortably using the blanket stitch on my sewing machine.

Knitting and Crochet Projects

...Work is always busy and home is always busy... and I also like to keep myself busy, but it's not always possible for me to spend time in my sewing room when I'm not working or running the household. Knitting and crochet fill the gap nicely and it's a good way for me to make use of the wool that I have got, among several other craft materials. I, sometimes, choose to knit or crochet on the train to and from work instead of tatting when I'm not reading or working while on the train.!! In the past few months, I have made a crochet baby blanket for Mia, my friend's, Annica, new born baby girl, and couple more Domino knitted pot stands, so far. I'm knitting a poncho for myself at the moment but I don't expect to finish it until next winter...

On the cross stitch front...

My friends, Marita and Marijke, are keen cross-stitchers (although Marijke has recently converted to become a keen hand quilter!!).  They have made beautiful pieces that I always admire. Last December (2010), I went shopping in Valkenburg (The Netherlands) with Marijke and bought two cross stitch kits of my favourtie flowers; Sunflower and Tulips. I determined to finish them for my birthday this year (May 2011), and stitching them in between my other sewing projects, I did. I was pleased with myself. :-) ... During my stay in France, I have decided to work on and finish off some cross stitch kits that I started a few years ago but didn't quite get around to finish them. I'm now a proud owner of a 'special' car keyring. Fuchsia always reminds me of my wonderful trip to the south of Ireland. Also, together with a tatted letter H, I have made a wall hanging for my son, Harrison, from two of the finished cross stitch pieces. I still have more cross stitch kits to work on, enough to last me my life time, I think.!! I find the stitiching relaxing and, now and then, it's a nice break from the sewing machine to be sitting quietly in my rocking chair in the morning sun while I work on a kit.

More on the 'bags'...

Although I haven't updated my blog for quite some time, I have been keeping very busy working on my craft projects while I was in France, and back here in my sewing room at home (in Sydney, Australia). Lately, I seem to enjoy making bags.!! I find that it's a good way of making use of different kinds of fabircs, including the left over fabrics from when I made dresses for myself and friends (I no longer make clothes, just mending them these days), and tea towels that I collected from places that I have been when travelling.  Here are some of the bags that I have made... They are for my own use and for friends who appreciate the craftwork.

At the Show...

I was spending most of my time in France from the end of May. This week is the fourth week since I got back home (in Sydney, Australia). I, therefore, missed the entire Sydney Quilt Show when my quilt was on display. Trish, one of the ladies at my local sewing group, kindly took a couple of photos of the quilt and sent them to me, and here they are...