26 January 2014

Economy blocks quilt finished!!

It's only doll quilt sized, but it's completed! 

Finished size about 70cm square...



I was having trouble keeping my needle on the right side of the binding, so I decided to try the foot that came with my Bernina - number 5 Blind Hem foot. It has a guide that you can line up with the fold that helps it stay close to the edge.  Although it's not its intended use it worked brilliantly, and made finishing the binding so easy!!

18 January 2014

All stitched together!!

Before quilting...


After quilting... (Not the best pic, though)



Just a little straight line quilting should be enough... 

Binding tomorrow, and I'm calling this DONE!!

17 January 2014

Economy blocks...

So, the big thing on the quilt blogs at the moment is the "economy block" or square in square. I've got a few novelty prints and plenty of scraps, so I thought, why not??

Many are using random fussy cuts from many different fabrics or swaps, but mine are all from the same fabric, utilising the different designs. As per usual, my design didn't fit into the measurements on the tutorials, so I had to make up my own :)

My design was bigger, so I ended up with 4" blocks for the centre, 3.5" for the first round and 4.5" for the second. The finished square is not a nice round number, but as long as they are the same, I'm not too bothered.....


Now, to trim and stitch together an we are done!! :)

11 January 2014

Frosty the Snowman...

I know, I know... Christmas is over, but while I'm still playing with the coffee tins, there HAS to be a snowman! 


He is a slight change of style. His stick arms are painted and coated in nail varnish, and covered with a little snow. :) The body is quilt batting, with one layer at the top and two layers at the bottom, to give some shape. It is then just "sculpted" with scissors to round it off a bit. He wears a scarf and top hat, made from a lid from a spray bottle. It is felted on the crown but only painted an the brim - didn't see the need for felt on both! His face is beads and sequins, and although I didn't have any orange felt for his carrot nose, I think the yellow is close enough - for now...

I used white stretch for his head but used two layers, as it was only single knit and the colour from the ball would have shown through. I also gave him some hair from the quilt batting, although it could have been left off, but it was already glued before I changed my mind! No matter, it makes his hat fit better!! LOL!

Side angles below :




03 January 2014

A trio of Angels - does that make a choir??

I am out of ideas! For Angels, that is.....

I now have 3, so I suppose that could be considered a choir? All different materials but all, essentially, white. I think I'm ready for some colours again!!


The final angel was using some white lace, gathered at the top and "bust" level. She has sheer sleeves with no other embellishment, other than a white ribbon around the gathers. I have no idea what my measurements were, but it is very full! Matching white ribbon in her ponies breaks up the beige-ness.


On another note, I added some sequins to the outside edge of the golden haired angel, for a little bit if bling....




01 January 2014

A change of face...

So, I was not happy with the last Angels head. It was a bit bland, so I made a new one!!

Slight change to the eyes, also, and I have not yet decided if she will have rosy cheeks or not. If so, what colour to use? I don't think pink would be appropriate...


Much happier with this, and I love her funky red hair!!

I also redid the sleeve on the first Angel for several reasons. First, they were too flimsy. I only used one layer of card - 2 layer work so much better! Secondly, I used the knit fabric from the head, which was not working right, either. No matter! I just undid them and made new ones! :)


It still needs "something" but it's heaps better... I wonder if sequins will work?? Now which box did I put them in....... Or maybe I can overlay the lace?? Experiments are needed... ;)