Miniature Block of the Month August 2015 - The Quilt Room

'Jack in the Pulpit' Miniature Block, The Quilt Room BOM

Another month, another miniature block from the FREE Miniature BOM offered by the Quilt Room.  This one is called 'Jack in the Pulpit'.  It was a nice simple foundation block, which I pulled together with NO mistakes.  I think this might be the first time this has happened with this project.  I am using a 'Snowman Gatherings' Layer Cake for this project and the light blue fabrics are starting to run out, so I have had to resort to using the fabrics with the actual snowmen on them.  Snowmen in August .... hopefully, the pieces are so small that they are unrecognisable.



Foundation Piecing - Miniature Blocks, The Quilt Room 2015 BOM

The collection of blocks are growing, but it feels like Autumn is just around the corner and that means there are only four more left.

Pets on Quilts 2015

Also, just a reminder that it is the Annual Pets on Quilts Show next week.  Suzi the cat and I have been working all year to capture a winning photo which will be revealed next week.  We are pleased with our efforts but are realistic in our expectations knowing that we will probably be up against 'cute kittens'.  We welcome your support when voting opens.

Square in a Square Quilt - Mama Said Sew by Sweetwater

Square in a Square Quilt

I have been busy on the sewing machine this week making a 'Square in a Square' quilt.


'Mama Said Sew' by Sweetwater for MODA

This is where it all started.  A couple of years ago I saw this collection - 'Mama Said Sew' by Sweetwater for Moda in our local quilt shop and fell in love.  If you want specifics, it was the red and cream fabrics which drew me in.  It was the start of my 'Nearly Insane' quilt journey.  (BTW - I can report that the Nearly Insane quilt top is now complete - details to follow in a forthcoming blog.)


5" charm squares - 'Mama Said Sew' by Sweetwater

Having now exhausted all the red fabrics, a collection of mixed grey, black and red fabrics remained from a layer cake and fat quarter bundle I acquired, which I loved just as much, but were not candidates for the Nearly Insane quilt.  Searching around the internet I have never seen a quilt made from this collection which ever disappointed, so I was confident that whatever pattern I choose it would look great.

I settled on a Square in a Square quilt, with a nice bit of white space to contrast against the graphic style of the Mama Said Sew collection.  I cut the layer cake into four 5" squares and sewed them onto a larger 9.5" square. I had decided that during the construction I would make sure I had some generous BONUS half square triangles to make another quilt.


Square in a Square Quilt - 54" x 72"

I made 48 blocks and the final dimensions are 54" x 72". Having hand sewn the Nearly Insane quilt, I am still surprised how quickly a quilt comes together when you use a sewing machine.

Bonus Half Square Triangles - 'Mama Said Sew' by Sweetwater

So here are the bonus half square triangles.  I think they might turn into a chevron quilt - I will keep you posted.

With this quilt top finished I think it deserves to join up with Crazy Mom Quilts and Confessions of a Quilter.
 

Miniature Block of the Month July 2015 - The Quilt Room

Miniature Block of the Month July 2015 - The Quilt Room

For the past few months I have been a bit late completing my BOM, but this month The Quilt Room were slightly delayed themselves, only posting the details of the Miniature Block of the Month for July yesterday.  Today I have had a bit of time to get it done and it came together quite easily.

Miniature Block of the Month July 2015 - The Quilt Room

I find flying geese blocks quite easy with the foundation method, but  it doesn't look as if I have been very generous with the seam allowance at the edges of this one.


Nearly Insane Quilt borders, with Suzi the cat

Meanwhile, progress is being made on the Nearly Insane Quilt borders.  They are all together and I am slowly applying them to the main quilt.  This Nearly Insane progress is due to the 2015 Tour de France.  I love to relax and stitch, whilst I watch the cyclists work up a sweat in the French countryside.  I might be 'nearly insane', but those cyclist have to be 'completely insane' to endure 3 weeks of relentless cycling. 

As you can see all that effort on their part has completely exhausted Suzi the cat.

4th July Independence Day Patriotic Mug Rug

4th July Mug Rug

Happy Fourth of July!  OK, so I am in the UK and naturally it is not one of our Public Holidays, but I love the colour scheme of red, white and blue and I felt the urge to make something quick and easy. As part of the Mini Doll quilt swap, I had received a lovely selection of Civil War reproduction fabrics from my swap partners, and in my stash I had a lovely blue starry fabric, which fits the patriotic quilt theme perfectly.


Patriotic fabric scraps

Just by using a few squares of fabric I had enough to cut strips for three scrappy mug rugs, two for my swap partners in the Mini Doll quilt swap, and one for myself.

Foundation Piecing - Carol Doak paper

I used my Electric Quilt software to draw up a simple log cabin pattern and I printed it out onto the Carol Doak foundation paper I bought a few weeks ago.  It is working great in my laser printer, I just have to remember to replace it with normal paper once I am finished(!).


Foundation Paper Piecing - Pressing with the iron

Foundation paper piecing is very satisfying when it is going well.  With a log cabin pattern I was only working with straight lines and with a quick press with the iron at each stage, the block was coming out a dream.

Quilting a Log Cabin block

With narrow strips and thick seams I kept the quilting simple by stitching in the ditch and in the centre square I stitched out a star.  Mine is currently sitting in front of me by the computer with a cup of tea - yes, the same stuff that started the American Revolution!


Fourth of July Mug Rug 6" x 6"

'Idaho Lily' Simple Whatnots by Kim Diehl



'Idaho Lily' - Simple Whatnots by Kim Diehl

Doughty's Roadshow fabrics are back in town - 10.30am until 2.30pm, in Thornbury, Bristol, 27th June 2015.  It was this time last year that I shared my purchase with you, a bundle of 'Hearthside Seasons' fabric by Kim Diehl for Henry Glass which I planned  to use for my 'Dear Jane' quilt. But I can't start the Dear Jane quilt until the Nearly Insane quilt is finished, which although close, is not done.


'Winter Blessings' Kim Diehl fabric

Meanwhile I have been developing my relationship with Kim Diehl fabrics, which includes the arrival of the 'Winter Blessings' half yard bundle this morning.  All the backing fabric, the main fabric and block fabrics have been purchased for the Dear Jane quilt, but I will not let myself start until the Nearly Insane quilt is done.  The intention was for my sister and I to do the Dear Jane quilt together, but she has stormed on ahead and has completed 135 blocks already.


'Idaho Lily' - Simple Whatnots by Kim Diehl

To keep me quiet I have allowed myself to do one of Kim Diehl 'Simple Whatnot' quilts.  They are only small and this one, 'Idaho Lily' is mainly half square triangles and some applique.

'Idaho Lily' - Simple Whatnots by Kim Diehl

There is only so long I can look at this fabric, so having done one, I am ready for another.

 

Nearly Insane Quilt - Update #5 June 2015



Nearly Insane Quilt - Electric Quilt image

It is a while since I mentioned anything about my Nearly Insane quilt progress, so I thought a post on the blog would set me into action.  I have taken this image from my Electric Quilt software to show the final layout, and this image is now on my sidebar.

Nearly Insane Quilt - Zig Zag border

I am pleased to say that I have pieced together all the zig zags required in the border.  From my last post you will have read about the false starts I had with this.  I think they contributed to a lack of motivation I had for the border, which is why they have taken such a long time.  Do you ever suffer from lack of interest in your quilt borders?  I had hoped to keep up with this whilst I was completing the blocks, which I did until there was a change of plan. Anyway, they are together, I just need to insert a cream border and either side of the zig zag and then the top is truly finished. That is all I need to do ...


English Paper Piecing - removing the paper

I am still removing the paper from the English Paper Piecing and there are large areas of the quilt which are looking revitalised without the tacking stitches showing through. At the final count there were 6032 pieces in the quilt - all those 6032 templates are in the process of coming out.

Suzi the cat helping with the quilt borders

With all the supportive help I get from Suzi the cat, I expect there are 6032 cat hairs to remove as well....

Miniature Block of the Month June 2015 - The Quilt Room

Miniature Quilt Blocks - Quilt Room Free BOM

We are half way through the year and I am pleased to say that I have kept up with the FREE Miniature Block of the Month currently being offered by The Quilt Room. Each month I pull out my shoe box with my fabric selection and a new block joins the group. I am starting to think how I will set them - at the moment I am thinking of putting them on point.  The fabrics I am using are mainly from 'Snowman Gatherings' by Primitive Gatherings and I see from a few online stores that there is now 'Snowman Gatherings II' available.


Miniature Quilt Block- June 2015

I quite enjoyed the June block.  I only had to undo one line of stitching!  With the foundation piecing the flying geese have come out perfectly. Not quite a star this time, so to keep on theme I have included a tiny star print.

Suzi the Cat

Suzi the cat hasn't featured on the blog lately, so here is a photo for all her fans out there.  It is only June, but we are starting to think about the August extravaganza - Pets on Quilts 2015!   

Miniature Doll Quilt Swap - May 2015

Miniature Doll Quilt Swap - Marcia at Grammy Quilts

As you will have seen on my blog, early May was spent making a Mini Doll Quilt for a swap organised by Humble Quilts.  I was ahead of the game as I was abroad in late May/ early June, so having sent mine off before I left, I was looking forward to returning home to see what was waiting in the post.

Miniature Doll Quilt Swap - Marcia at Grammy Quilts

I wasn't disappointed. My swap was from Marcia at Grammy Quilts. Did someone tell her I LOVE scrap quilts?  She calculated that she has used 124 different civil war shirtings and reproduction fabrics, which seems amazing for such a cute little doll quilt.  There are some particularly cute red and white ones in there which would have been great in my Nearly Insane quilt....

Civil War Reproduction Fabrics - Grammy Quilts

Not only did she send me the pretty doll quilt, but she very kindly sent me some civil war reproduction charm squares for some future projects - a lovely mix of shirtings and repro fabrics.

Civil War Reproduction Fabrics - Constant Quilter

Also waiting in the post was another parcel from my other partner, Wendy at the Constant Quilter. Having read my blog and hearing about the shortage of civil war reproductions in my stash, she also felt sorry for me and sent a lovely selection - it seems to have every colour you could wish for! How generous everyone has been.


Miniature Doll Quilt Swap - Marcia at Grammy Quilts

What perhaps pleases me the most is that the quilt Marcia made me fits my mini quilt stand perfectly.  This has been sitting dormant for nearly two years waiting for a miniature quilt. Like everyone, I really enjoyed making the little miniature doll quilt.  Thanks to Lori for organising it and keeping it simple. It was my first swap and with all these lovely fabrics, roll on the 2016 Miniature Doll Quilt Swap!

For a peek at all the Mini Doll Quilts hop over to Humble Quilts!

Miniature Block of the Month May 2015 - The Quilt Room

Miniature Block of the Month May 2015 - The Quilt Room

I have just been catching up with myself again.  The Quilt Room have issued their FREE Block of the Month foundation pieced star for May 2015.  This month there was a log cabin centre. It is only the fifth block I have made, but it feels as if I should have a lot more.

Carol Doak's Foundation Paper

I am continuing my search for the ideal foundation paper.   I was visiting the 2015 Malvern Quilt Show last weekend and Creative Grids had some of Carol Doak's Foundation Paper on sale.  It is a US, rather than UK, standard size paper but I purchased it knowing that. It doesn't say what weight it is, but it feels like lightweight drawing paper that I used to have in primary school. Thanks to Marly and Annie for their thoughts last month.

Malvern Quilts UK 2015 - Judges Merit Award



'Welcome to my Stash' quilt - Judges Merit Award

A while ago I showed you all a half square triangle quilt I had been making and had long admired.  Once it was finally finished, it was just in time to enter it into the annual Malvern Quilt show.  When you spend so much time alone stitching it is always nice to share what you have done by displaying your work.

Judges Merit Award - Malvern Quilts UK 2015

On arrival at the show I was delighted to see a rosette against my quilt - a Judges Merit Award.  There was no feedback, but I think I am safe in saying that my quilt probably had the most variety of fabrics in it! LOL


Half Square Triangle Quilt

 

Miniature Doll Quilt Swap - May 2015

Miniature Doll Quilt Swap - May 2015


A few weeks ago Lori at Humble Quilts put out a call for a Doll Quilt Swap. I fancied making a mini quilt.  I fancied doing a swap for the first time.  I resisted the first call, but by the second, I caved in.  So I signed up. There were a few rules, but the main one was that it should be Civil War reproduction fabrics and that it should look like it 'time travelled from days past'. 

Judie Rothermel and Jo Morton Civil War Reproduction fabrics

Once committed I went about choosing fabrics and a design for my miniature doll quilt swap.  However, it appears that I don't actually have any Civil War Reproduction fabrics (yes, I was surprised too, perhaps I should have checked first) so it meant searching online for some fabrics and waiting for them to arrive.  To add to the fun I ordered a pot luck  'Civil War bundle' from the Laughing Hedgehog.  I was really pleased with the selection they sent, which included some Jo Morton shirtings and some Judie Rothermel civil war reproduction fabrics.

English Paper Piecing - Irish Chain Quilt

 I procrastinated for as long as possible by doing a lot of online research about civil war quilts, but with the unexpected fabric search and knowing I had to send it abroad, panic set in.  I also knew I only had a few windows of opportunity to get the project done.  Finally, I ended up stitching an Irish Chain quilt, hand stitching it using English Paper Piecing.  Living in the UK, my knowledge of the American Civil War is largely based on what I learnt watching 'Gone With The Wind'.  Following through on this theme, Wikipedia informed me that the colours red and green are used symbolically throughout the original book by Margaret Mitchell.  So along with this and Scarlett's Irish descendancy, an Irish Chain seemed appropriate. 

Hand quilting - cross hatch

Conveniently, the UK government had decided to have an election early in May which gave me hours of stitching in front of the television watching the results come in through the night. Once hand pieced, I made up the quilt sandwich and I decided to hand quilt it with a cross-hatch, to add that 'days gone past' feel. Naturally this took longer than anticipated as it always does, but it was a joy to do and I am really pleased that I took the time to make this little quilt.

Mini Irish Chain Quilt - Doll Quilt Swap - 16" x 20.5"

Just to add to the panic, I noticed on the internet that several quilters taking part in the Doll Quilt Swap had already completed their quilts and had received them.  I am pleased to say that once labelled, this little quilt is now heading across the Atlantic to a recipient who is part of the swap.

Thanks Lori for organising the Doll Quilt Swap!  You will be able to see all the Doll Quilts made in the swap in a few weeks time over at Humble Quilts.

Joining up with Confessions and Crazy Mom Quilts.

 

Miniature Block of the Month April 2015 - The Quilt Room

Miniature Block of the Month April 2015 - The Quilt Room

We are a few weeks into April and I have only just remembered to do my Miniature Block of the Month, currently offered FREE by the Quilt Room.The blocks are turning out to be a collection of stars and on this occasion I merged some of the pieces to get a more satisfying shape.  I am still struggling with foundation piecing - I managed to cut all the pieces backwards and still had to unpick some .... I will keep trying.


Layout Paper - foundation paper alternative?

So far I have been using regular A4 computer paper for my foundation paper, as I print out the patterns in my Electric Quilt software, but was struggling with its heavy  80gsm weight.  I went on a tour of the aisles at our local stationery store to see if there was an alternative I could put through a printer.  The best I could find was layout paper which is slightly lighter at 50gsm.  This works fine through the inkjet printer, but was not so happy in the laser printer.  Have you found any alternatives?

Joining up with Design Wall Monday

Anna Maria Horner Liberty Fabric Feather No #4



Liberty Fabrics - Anna Maria Horner Feather

These Anna MariaHorner feathers are so addictive.  I thought I would make a little mug rug feather from some Liberty Tana Lawn scraps. The reality is I don't have Liberty Tana Lawn scraps and who does at £22.50 / metre?  The fabrics are so lovely that instead of cutting a set of them up, I thought I would showcase just one, and for this project I used Poppy and Daisy from the Liberty Art Fabrics collection.  The background is a French General solid.



Machine Quilting - Angela Walters Diamond Pattern

Also, I felt like I would be wimping out by just meandering the background again, so decided to try something new.  I am not short of books of machine quilting and this time I reached for Angela Walter's 'Shape by Shape' Free-Motion Quilting book.  I found a great diamond pattern - great because it is made up of straight lines, so I could stitch it without having to lower the feed dogs.  I also liked it as it has an art deco style which fits nicely with the historical Liberty print. I had to mark the fabric with a water erasable pen, but it was worth it to get the lovely all over pattern.

Detail - Machine Quilting Diamond Pattern

I haven't used Liberty fabrics for quite a while and had forgotten how lovely and crisp the finish is.  Putting the binding on this one was a dream.  I also added some corner pockets on the back so that it could be hung as a mini quilt on the wall.  It won't be on my wall, as this one a is gift.

Liberty Mini Wall Hanging - corner pockets

See more feathers here, here and here
Linking up with Confessions