Katie's Quilt

Katie's son was in the same class as mine when they started kindergarten 4 years ago. We have the same background for our professional training, and so are speaking the same kind of 'language', more or less. And of course, we get along well. Katie had a few attempts at getting this one quilt finished over a span of 10 years, but was unsuccessful. When she first showed it to me, it was partly quilted by a domestic machine. So, I encouraged her to keep going. I even lent to her more pins to pin the quilt.! And, off she went home with the quilt AND more pins.!! Not long after, I have had a think about the quilt a bit more and made an offer to quilt Katie's quilt on the condition that she unpicks all the quilting that was done, so far. A few months later, Katie brought the quilt back to me. I had it for a while before getting around to quilt it as I was keeping busy with quilting for my clients. Katie's quilt is now done and looking beautiful. There is substantial amount of negative space on the quilt top, so the quilting pattern shows up very nicely with darker colour thread. I chose the quilting pattern named 'rosebud_e2e' by Sharon Sweetland for the quilt. Katie's cutting and sewing skills were very good considering it's her first attempt at making a quilt as the quilt top was almost perfectly square [every longarm quilter knows that perfectly square quilt top is hard to come by because fabric does stretch, naturally]. So, quilting this quilt was a breeze for me (and my wonderful Gammill Statler). Katie is now handsewing down the binding, which I also attached for her. I'm pleased to hear that she is very happy to finally have the quilt to snuggle up with this winter.

'Less is More'

I had a good laugh when I saw this picture on the Martingale Blog. I never say 'less is more' and I do have dessert now and then. But, I actually do apply and practice 'less is more' in so many aspects of my everyday life. Nonetheless, the practice stops short when it comes to me buying fabrics.!!!! BTW, I'm a fan of Carrie Nelson and her books. :-)

A Joint Project - Hand and Machine Sewing

My friend, Michelle, has decided that machine sewing isn't her thing but she loves hand sewing. I, on the other hand, will take any opportunity to avoid hand sewing.! Michelle has made all these lovely hexagon flowers from scraps. I was glad to help when she asked if I could put all the blocks together. During the process, we discussed and consulted each other about the fussy cutting, colour  scheme, and layout of the quilt. I, then, made up the backing from the left over fabrics Michelle already had, quilted the quilt top for her, on my wonderful Gammill Statler, of course, and with the new CS6 software, it's fantastic. I chose the pattern named 'Daisies Galore' by Irene Steele for the quilt. After the quilting was done, I attached the binding. It's now ready to be sewn down, by Michelle's hands, not mine. :-) She has plenty of time to finish off the binding as the quilt is going to be a birthday present for her second daughter, Caitlin, towards the end of the year.

Nearly done....

Considering that I have been kept very busy with quilting for other lovely quilters, I'm pleased with the progress up to this point, knowing for sure that I will be able to enter my quilt to this year Sydney Quilt Show by the closing date in a week or so from now. :-)

I was actually trying to get the quilt top, my 'Winter Star Quilt', for the Show done yesterday, but spending time outside with good company and beautiful afternoon weather was hard to resist.... The quilt top is kind of done this evening and ready to be quilted - a quilting pattern has already been chosen.

  

I had to buy the backing fabric from Hawthorne Threads in the US after trying unsuccessfully to find fabric that I had in mind for the backing locally.

I know too well that it would take a lot longer to get the binding done after the quilting if I didn't have the binding ready to be attached to the quilted quilt. I like to handstitch the binding down on the back of the quilt and this step actually takes the longest time for me to complete a quilt.!

Happy Christmas and New Year 2015

Early December 2014, we travelled from our cosy home to places that I'm very much fond of after my first visit/stay almost two decades ago. A very happy white Christmas and New Year, and a lot of fun we did have in the snow land....

The trip has inspired me to start working on a red and white quilt, intended for this year (2015) Sydney Quilt Show's 'Red and White Quilt' Theme Category. I have chosen a variation of the classic 'Friendship Star' block, one of my favourites, as a pattern for the quilt. I put together the fabrics that I have collected from different places. It is a work in progress. When the quilt is done, its name will be 'Winter Star Quilt'....

Key Pouch for Jill's 40th

I have come across Heidi's Fabric Mutt by chance. I really admire her generosity in sharing ideas and tutorials for all things beautiful that she has made. I need something little as a 40th birthday present and Heidi's tutorial on the key pouch comes in very handy. :-) I leisurely made this pouch in about an hour.... Jill is a lovely person to be around (when she is around!). I have added a Paris key ring that I brought back from the trip earlier this year to make the key pouch a little extra special touch for her 40th birthday, which today.

 

Some Phrases - My Favourites

 

I enjoy hand embroidery when I get around to sit down for quiet moments. These phrases are my favourites. They aren't originals. I have seen them in various places. I embroided them and made little wallhangings for my quilting room. The projects were slow going and it has taken quite a few years for me to finish them all off.! Each one has special meaning (to me, of course :-) ). They also remind me of those who I shared some lovely time and wonderful moments with....