Blog Archives

Mexican Fiesta Eggs - Rouenneries

31/8/2014

A few weeks ago I took this quilt top over to Jeanette at J-Quilts and just look at the wonderful quilt I've collected from her! I'd made this a few years ago, when I taught a class at my local quilt shop. This quilt pattern is called "Mexican Fiesta Eggs" and was made using a Jelly Roll called "Rouenneriers" by French General for Moda. The pattern was part of a programme called "The Breakfast Club" which was held at my local quilt shop. Each month you were given the cutting directions and a total number of 2.5" strips of fabric that you needed. Of course you could just cut the strips yourself and use your stash, but it was much more fun to use a Jelly Roll and Moda certainly has a huge selection to chose from...

...this was longarm quilted in an all-over "Baptist Swirl" design, and Janette used another French General fabric for the backing. I'd already made binding for this quilt from some left-over strips from the original jelly roll, and machined this into place. One of my labels was sewn diagonally into one pf the corners on the back of the quilt, then the binding was folded over to the back, and slip stitched by hand using ladder stitch...

...and here is the finished quilt, with the binding sewn to the back of the quilt by hand. The finished size of this one is approx 42" square. Every time I go to Janette I pick a different quilting design, and tomorrow I'll post pictures of the OTHER quilt I collected from her recently, that was made with another range of fabric by French General - and another all-over quilting design too ;)Unfortunately I don't know whether these patterns are still available, but if you are interested, then I'd suggest contacting your local shop for more information.

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Christmas Night

25/8/2014

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Before I packed away the applique paper that I'd recently ordered from Patchwork Chicks, I thought I'd do some more applique before I got out my sewing machine for a bigger project! This is another kit designed by Lynette Anderson - "Christmas Night" - and again, the kit contained everything I needed - background fabric, ribbon, embroidery thread, scraps of fabric for the applique, and even the hand painted buttons that are used to embellish this picture once the stitchery and applique are completed. Once the design had been traced onto the background fabric I was ready to start. The frame was also bought from Lynette...

...once again, some wadding is added between the stitchery and the backing board, which ensures a snug fit and pads it out a little bit too. Buying the frame at the same time as the kit was a brilliant idea, as it meant I could get the whole project completed without it going in my "to-finish-later" box. This one will be used to decorate my lounge at a more seasonal time. It did seem a bit strange sewing Christmas project in the summer!

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Beehive Kit

24/8/2014

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This kit was one of my many purchases from the Festival Of Quilts this year. I like smaller stitchery projects, as they are portable and easy to stitch in the evenings when I'm watching TV with Mr F. "Beehive" was designed by Lynette Anderson, and this kit contained everything I needed - the stitchery design, background fabric, fusible stabiliizer and a selection of embroidery threads. I traced the design using a brown Pigma Micron pen, fused the stabilizer on the back of the fabric, and was ready to start stitching. This design was stitched with 2 strands of embroidery thread, and I used a size 9 John James embroidery needle...

...I'd also bought a round wooden frame for this kit - so as soon as the stitchery was finished, I was able to frame it straight away. Once the stitchery was completed, I added a layer of wadding between the stitchery and the backing board, to give it a "3-D" effect. I'd trimmed the background fabric, and used a running stitch to gather up the the fabric, so it fitted around the back of the frame without any puckers. And now it's finished and ready to hang on the wall. This seemed to be a good place to take a picture as there were lots of bees busily buzzing around the sweet peas, but none of them stayed put when I got my camera out! Lynette has these kits and other designs too from her shop, the Little Quilt Store, and you can order them online.

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The Orange Tree

23/8/2014

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Last year at the Festival Of Quilts in Birmingham I bought a gorgeous kit to make a cushion, The Orange Tree, designed by Lynette Anderson. The kit included all the fabrics needed (Secret Garden, also designed by Lynette, for Lecien) and a hand painted button to embellish the cushion. The front of the cushion was soon pieced together, and then I traced the design using a brown coloured Pigma Micron pen...

...I made a start on the stitchery while I was staying in Birmingham for this year's FOQ (I needed something to keep me occupied in the hotel in the evenings!) and it wasn't long before the stitchery part of the cushion front was completed. DMC embroidery threads were used for this project...

...next was the applique - I'm really not a fan of needle-turned applique, but I'd watched Lynette and Teresa using this applique paper at FOQ and thought I'd give it a try. I ordered this from Patchwork Chicks after I'd returned home from FOQ - the shapes were traced, cut out, and fused to the wrong side of the fabric. I used a glue stick along the edges of the fabric, then turned the fabric over very carefully. Lynette uses apliquick rods for this method of applique. A couple of dabs of glue held the shapes into place whilst I slip stitched them into place with a neutral coloured silk thread and finally embroidered the lintel over the door and the windows...

...the cushion front was quilted very simply (stitch-in-the-ditch was perfect for this) and the hand painted button was sewn on as a final flourish. I made the back of the cushion using the fat quarter that was included in the kit added with some fabric from my stash, as I prefer an opening with a zipper. Single-fold binding covered all the raw edges (I hope Lynette approves of my changes to her gorgeous design)...

...and here is the completed "Orange Tree" cushion - as you can see, it has pride of place in my sewing corner in the garden. I really have enjoyed stitching this, and can't believe how much I've enjoyed this method of applique too!

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Jolly Farm Quilt For Luke

21/8/2014

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A colleague had a baby a few months ago, and I was invited along to his naming ceremony last weekend. What to take as a gift? Ohhhh that was a hard decision ;) This fabric seemed to be the ideal choice for a simple baby quilt for a little boy - it's called "Jolly Farm" and is by Henley Studio for Makoweruk. I chose a selection of Aurifil threads for the quilting. First of all the 3 layers were spray basted together, then using a Clover Hera marker I marked out a 6" grid, which was then quilted with white thread (I really do love Aurifil thread - it glides through my machine, and it has a beautiful sheen to it too), then I quilted through the grid again (I didn't mark it out the second time, I just quilted it by eye), using the turquoise thread, then finally quilted through both grids using the green thread. I used the same colour thread in the bobbin as in the machine, so the quilting is the same on both sides...

...a smart orange stripe was used for the binding, and really lifts the colours in the fabrics. A label machined into place in the top corner was the finishing touch, before hand-stitching the binding to the back of the quilt. This style of quilt is great for showcasing prints that are too nice to cut into small pieces, and either side of this quilt can be used...

...this was such a simple and quick project to make, especially if you're in a hurry or working to a tight deadline! As it was made with all cotton fabrics and cotton wadding (I used "Quilters Dream" wadding, select weight) it can be easily washed in the machine and either tumble dried or dried on the washing line. I trimmed each of sides by about 4 inches, so the finished quilt was rectangular rather than square. I just hope Luke enjoys being snuggled up in it as much as I enjoyed making it!

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FOQ 2014 - The Shopping

20/8/2014

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Well here is the blog post you've all been waiting for - the shopping! There were so many goodies to tempt me, and I'm sure I could've bought far more than I did, but I was very busy helping Lynette on her stall, so didn't get a chance to buy too much else! As you can see, Lynette had some scrumptious things on her stall, and I just couldn't resist this cute toadstool charm to adorn my scissors with. I've recently been using Cottage Garden Threads, and as they are usually only available from Australia, I thought I'd make the most of getting a few skeins while I had the chance. Lynette had some beautiful stitchery kits, and I thought some smaller projects would be ideal for me as Mr F keeps complaining about the growing mound of quilts that are taking over Foreman Towers...

...this stitchery kits contained all the fabrics AND threads that were needed, and Lynette had a selection of wooden frames to but them in too - well it would've been silly not to get them, as once they're stitched, these can bee instantly framed and ready to hang up on display! I bought some more of these super zippers (one with a key is for a particularly special project, but more about that in a few weeks!) and lastly this gorgeous bundle of fabrics complete with a wooden embroidery thread holder - it's a kit for a quilt designed by Lynette that is featured in "Simply Vintage" magazine, and I was lucky enough to bet this edition from Lynette - and as soon as I arrived home I contacted The Fat Quarters as they stock this, and I've now got a subscription set up with them so I don't miss out on this fantastic magazine...

...I visited The Fat Quarters for some weaveline (a thin cotton interfacing to fuse on the back of stitchery) and managed to also get some glue-pen refills, and couldn't resist these gorgeous red bag handles. I'd already got bag handles on my list, and as usual paid a visit to The Eternal Maker stand to get some more. These lime green ones are to go with some batiks that I'd bought a few weeks ago, and I adored these red/white spotty ones! Another favourite stall for shopping was Cross Patch, and they had some stunning stitchery kits, and this one "Circle of Love" by Rosalie Quinlan came home with me too...

...I always make a visit to Kaleidoscope Books and this year was no exception - the 2 most recent books by Nancy Halvorsen, Table Please Part 1 and Part 2 were quickly purchased, followed by a quick trip to Kaleidoscope Fabrics, and I bought a bundle of 10 fat quarters of gorgeous turquoise batiks and added a few half metres to co-ordinate with them ready to make a quilt for a very special person (shhh it's a secret!! so can't reveal too much about that project just yet!) and finally a trip to the FOQ wouldn't be complete without a bag kit - and this one was from the Monkey Buttons stand. The sample on display was made up in Lynette Anderson's beautiful fabrics, and this kit had just been put together while I was waiting to be served. It contains some beautiful blue fabrics, and a grey textured woven fabric that really is lovely. Now I just need a few days of sewing time so I can make a start on some of these lovely projects!

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FOQ 2014 - Hilary Beattie

19/8/2014

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I first "discovered" Hilary Beattie's amazing work in 2013 at the Spring Quilt Festival at Duxford, and I've been "stalking" her work ever since! It was great to see her again this year, although I caught her as she was very busy restocking her stall early in the morning before the hoards of quilters came marching through the doors! Hilary's work is incredible, and watching her during a demonstration is so exciting - she has boundless energy and creates the most wonderful pictures. Oh and I am EXTREMELY envious of a couple of my quilty friends, Sarah and Val, who apparently are doing a workshop with Hilary very soon - they are lucky devils!!

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FOQ 2014 - Philippa Naylor

18/8/2014

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This FABULOUS quilt was my absolute favourite out of all the quilts that I saw on display. This is called "The Good Life" - and was designed, pieced, appliqued and machine quilted by Philippa Naylor. It is really stunning. I'd seen a sneak preview of it before on FB (Philippa is launching a new book VERY SOON!!). Philippa was at the show on the Sunday, doing some free-motion quilting demonstrations and I managed to get a couple of pictures of her in action! In September I'm off on a week long residential course in Yorkshire with Philippa again (I really am VERY lucky as this will be the third year I've been on a residential course with Philippa!) - I'm off there with two of my quilting friends, Helen and Linda, and I really can't wait!

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FOQ 2014 - Sewing Machines

17/8/2014

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FOQ has just about EVERYTHING a quilter could want to feast her eyes on! fabric, threads, notions, quilts - and SEWING MACHINES! There was a wonderful selection of sewing machines on display this year. As my blog followers know, I'm a Bernina babe, and this year there was an exciting new arrival - the Bernina longarm. Sadly I didn't get a chance to try it out! Anyway, here are some pictures of all the wonderful sewing machines that were on display at FOQ - and although they all looked superb, I'm staying faithful to my Bernina - much to Mr F's relief!! (Ohh and by the way, I had coffee one morning with Lynette and a VERY nice lady from the Bernina stand, and she was wearing a super lanyard - which gave me and Lynette a great idea, and I'll share that with you in few days!!)

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FOQ 2014 - My Favourite Stalls

16/8/2014

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There are simply hundreds of stalls at the Festival of Quilts, and it would be impossible to take pictures of them all, so here is a selection of my favourites! The Fat Quarters is based in Northumberland, and Kim and Debbie are always so friendly and helpful (I do lots of shopping from their website and from their stall at FOQ too - look out for the pictures of what I bought from them this year!!) and Cowslip Workshops is based down in Cornwell, and is run by the very lovely Jo Colwill. Her stall really looked fabulous..

...Monkey Buttons sell a great range of bag patterns - the blue one in this picture was made using some of Lynette's beautiful fabric, and looked stunning. Monley Buttons are based in the Midlands, in Wolverhampton. It was so lovely to see Mandy Shaw of Dandelion Designs again too - she has a shop down on the South Coast, in Hailsham. All these stalls have great websites, so if they're too far to visit, they're not too far for a little bit of internet shopping ;)