Upcycled wall hanging

A couple of years ago I made a wall hanging. It was Dutch themed, with the centrepiece being a girl carrying some water in two buckets. This was a free foundation pieced design that I stretched out (hence the reason she has a really fat neck!). I added some embroidery to her apron, as well as adding the chains. All the panels have some kind of embroidery, so I didn't want it to be wasted in the bottom of a box, since I don't do handwork very often....

I was never really happy with it. I mean, I liked it, and put a lot of work into it, but it was just a wall hanging....

It wasn't without its issues, either - I ran out of the original blue fabric that I had started with, so two of the smaller squares are a slightly different shade, and my binding was a little tight, so it didn’t sit flat. Original post here - Dutch wall Hanging

So, after playing with it for a bit, I found a layout that just might give it new life - as a pair of cushions!

Now, this is working for me!

But, how do I make it work, and where do I make my first cuts?? I need to think about this carefully, as I only get one shot....

As it turned out, I had some leftover binding fabric and some of the red fabric still in my stash, so I could make a new border piece and make more binding.

My original plan was to cut off the binding, but if I unpicked it, there would be so much more length to play with, and I am so glad I did!!

So, I did some math, and worked out if I cut close to the big centre piece (minus a seam allowance), all I would need was two new strips of red to fill in the missing space. Here goes nothing!!

I still need a seam between the two smaller squares, so why not stitch some binding fabric in at the same time? Yup, I like it.....                   

Now, to balance it up, lets try adding a vertical strip. Yep, I like this, too!!

So far, so good!

Now, for the other cushion front, I needed a new strip of red to fill out the space. I also added some batting, to make it the same thickness:

Good, but its still missing something... I have enough of the binding to put some on the front, so I am gonna go for it!!

Yup, I'm liking where this is going!!

Now, all I need to do is stitch down the binding on the fronts, and think about the backs....

I found a long strip of blue fabric in my stash, so just needed to buy a couple of zippers and put the pieces together. No pics of this process - I was on too much of a roll to stop!

Once the backing pieces were ready and trimmed to size, the backs and fronts were tacked together and the binding stitched to the front. The binding is hand stitched at the back.

And so, this is the final result! I am very happy with how it turned out :)

Finished size 53cm x 53cm

The Force is strong with this one....

My boss is soon to have a baby, so what could I do but make her something special? On her desk is a Storm Trooper and R2D2, so I thought a Star Wars theme quilt would be perfect! :)

I remember seeing a pattern on Fandom in Stitches, and it was a toss up between R2 and BB8, but 

R2 won out. http://www.fandominstitches.com/2010/03/star-wars.html

I enlarged R2 from A4 to A3, and kept the words at the original size. After completing both parts, it was a bit bland, so I framed up R2 in red, and echoed the same for the binding. I would have preferred it a bit wider, but it still looks good (I think?) The backing is a polar fleece blanket from IKEA, but there is also a layer of flannelette to keep stop the grey from showing through the white parts.

I did simple ditch stitching, so you can see the design from the back as well. Pretty cool, huh? I thought the backing would cause me trouble, but it was a breeze to sew - and Bernie only dropped a couple of stitches the whole time. Amazing!

Finished size 70cm x 130cm.

I hope she likes it! I even finished it with a week to spare..... ;) Hopefully, she will send me a pic of the new bubba actually using it, and I can post an update...

Quilt finished!!

Many moons ago, I was given two quilt tops - one I completed a couple of years ago, and this one. As it was hand pieced, I had intended to hand quilt it. I got frustrated with the results I was getting, so I pulled it all out and took it to the machine instead....

http://danaspageofstuff.blogspot.com.au/2011/07/i-think-i-saw-ufo.html

It was quilted with simple lines intersecting through the four squares. The border quilting is a continuation of the lines through to the edges, and bound in a green check. I also cheated in the binding, stitching it by machine. It is definitely not a heirloom! (I haven't yet washed out the chalk lines...)

It has a flannelette sheet as batting, and a flat sheet as the backing, so it's definitely more for the cooler time of year ;) Finished size 170cm x 200cm.

UPDATE : This quilt has been sold....

Quick table centre

Amongst all my fabric, I have some preprinted panels that, I think, were supposed to be placemats?

So, I chose the top one and made into a table centre. It is not quilted, as such, since there is no batting, but I did put some brushed cotton (flannelette) on the back. This means it isn't thick, and definitely not a heat pad, but purely decorative. It wasn't printed square, so I had to make allowances as the design did not allow me to trim too much off ;)

The outside border (the pink one) was added to make it a bit bigger, then the binding in burgundy red. Quilting is minimal, but I did add some hearts into the corners ;)

Kimonos - part 2

So I have been looking at the kimono patterns, since they were already printed - 3 of each style - plus I had all the colours piled up. Since this was a long weekend, I thought I had the perfect opportunity to get them done ;)

After looking at some inspiration pics on Google, I saw many layouts with thin borders and corner stones, so I put a white border on, and added an inner border.... but, I cheated a little ;) I made some strips and put them in as a folded edge. I think this will give it some dimension, plus it's easier to do.

Although many layouts used red and blue, I thought a gold would be better. Searched my stash and found a yellow that worked with all the patterns. I tacked them on by machine to hold them in place. Tested with some navy background to see if it was going to work ok.

So, I have done the horizontal strips, while trying to decide if I want cornerstones or not. I think I can do without, judging by the mockup.

So, I stitched the rows together, but clearly didn't pay enough attention to my original layout, because I put the in the wrong order ;( No matter, though, it still looks ok...

Looking for ideas on quilting, now, so I can get this one finished... It may be a candidate for the Canning Show this year as a wall quilt? I found an ornate stick I can use for the hanger that is the perfect length. 

I'm thinking binding in the yellow also - hopefully I have enough left!

Kimonos

I have always wanted to do a kimono quilt. So, after scouring the net for inspiration, I realised I already had a pattern I saved years ago.  One has 3 different types of kimono, plus another that is more complicated, and includes a head. As a bonus, I can use up some small scraps as contrast, but I can also use some brights and florals to keep it cheery....

Both patterns are foundation pieced, which should help any stretching issue. Each kimono has 3 pieces, so not too difficult. I will make them all, since they are already printed, so maybe I will make a cushion or bag with the other one? Will have to see what transpires....

I have tested the single coat, and I think has worked pretty well, although I think the hair should go down the side of the head, which will be easy to adjust. Alł fabric is from my scrap basket....

Now to test the other ones...

Not too bad, and quick, too! 

Now, seeing them all together, I think the one with the head wins! I can make them as I feel like it, but I need to reverse the pattern to get the stripe on the correct side....

They will not go to waste, though. I see bags or cushions in their future. ;)

Hexagons

KI have wanted to try the "no Y-seam" hexagons from Moda Bake Shop for ages, but I didn't want to make them so BIG. I made a template, and trimmed up some batiks and some navy, and got to experimenting!

This is the top finished, but with all the bias seams, it isn't so flat when I ironed it. Decided to use my puffy-est wadding, and just put a few stitches in the middle of each hexie, along the lines of a tied quilt. I use a feather type stitch with the feed dogs down so I get a cross effect. I was going to leave the tails, but decided against it as it got lost in the patterns.

This is before I put the ties in...

 Found a zip, and all is done! It measures about 45cmx50cm. 

Prizes!!

The Canning Show has been and gone, but I did come away with a couple of prizes. 😊

My "quilt" from last year became a "wall hanging" this year and picked up a highly commended.

My Dutch quilt came third against the one above. I'm surprised, since I thought the other had more impact. 

These guys also came second in the Christmas category.

And lastly, Dorothy and the gang came second in the Recycled section.

I also put in my Witch and pink baby wrap/doll quilt, but they didn't score a prize. No matter, there's always next year. Better get cracking!! 😄

Dutch wall quilt done!!

I finally finished the binding on the Dutch themed wall hanging.... Yay!!

This will be going into the Canning Show with last years quilt, in the same category! Oh well, I suppose it doubles my chances... 😉

Progress on Dutch block banner...

It's had its binding half attached, but my Bernina decided to start slipping stitches, so it's in for a service :( This means no sewing for a week or so. No matter! Plenty of other things to keep me busy.

I always planned to put on a looped hanging pocket type arrangement, so to give me an idea on how it looks, here is my test. The binding is also pinned in place, waiting to go..

I have put 3x weights at the bottom to help it sit straight when it's hanging up. I just made a couple of pockets and popped a 20c piece inside. Will need to stitch those down after I have finished the binding, in a week or so.

Also, the Canning Show schedule is in and I have already circled a few relevant sections that are ready to go, but some others that need to be started. Better get my skates on! ;)

Dutch blocks...

Many moons ago, I started making Dutch inspired blocks, with the intention of making a quit for my Grandma and Grandad. Unfortunately, my Grandad passed away a few years ago, and I lost interest. While cleaning up, I found them again and decided to make a couple more blocks and turn it into a wall hanging. With the addition of the embroidery, it would be too risky to use as a proper quilt...

Slight problem, though... I couldn't find the rest of the background fabric I had used, so I bought as close a match as I could find and made 2 more blocks - the clog and the tulip. My original clog blocks went on the scrap heap, as the colours were just plain wrong.

Anyhow, after some math (I hate math!!) I worked out how to economise with the limited fabric I had. Seems to have worked ok, so far! Not enough for binding, though, but I think I could use a blue to frame it? Will have to check Spotlight tomorrow...

Pinky done!!

I finished the pink bow tie quilt. Yay for me!! ;)

This one is show quality, so I will save it for Canning in November. Fully machine made, quilted in the ditch, binding turned to the front and topstitched close to the edge. Finished size 86cm x 68cm - doll quilt size.....

The back is a printed check, which is awful. The print is wonky, so even though it's cut on the grain it looks crooked. It is so soft, though, and I don't think it's gonna matter in this instance....

More bow ties!

Since the blue bow tie quilt was so quick and easy, I thought I would do another one - in pink this time! Also did all the centres the same, just to see how it goes.

Just laid them out for a quick look, and so far, I like it! I will definitely trim these before I stitch them though. Last time I was out a bit and it ended up a bit longer on one side - I don't think the baby it's going to is going to care... ;)

I have used a combination of quilting cotton, checks and flannelette. All are cotton, just different weights, so we'll have to see how that turns out. Will reposition the blocks until I'm happy, but it's going to work out nicely.

Blue bow ties finished!

After a trip to get some matching thread, the blue bow tie quilt is done! I am really pleased how it turned out.

Just did a simple quilting in the ditch, it's light and airy. Finished size approximately 90cm x 70cm. I think it's going to make a perfect gift for tomorrow's baby shower! My Berenguer baby boy wanted to have his picture taken today....

Shades of blue...

Still cleaning up the sewing room, but managed to put together a pile of coordinated blues. Must admit, though, they aren't all cotton, but they go together quite well so I discounted this as a major issue! 

I went with the 3D bow tie design again, in random sequences. Total of 7 fabrics, 20 blocks, to make a 4x5 quilt. Squares started as 10x10cm. The blue is almost on the grey side - the pic is a bit off colour wise, which I will get a better pic once it's done.....

I have a soft, brushed cotton for the backing and a light batting. Probably not a full size baby quilt, but still a reasonable size for a pram or wrap.....

It's pinned up and ready to quilt, but it's getting late so it will have to wait for another day. ;)