Over the weekend, I pushed everything I should’ve been doing to one side and concentrated on getting this video out!
And now it’s finally here!
So enjoy. Enjoy. Enjoy!
Happy Sewing Friends!! xx
Tag: Modern Blocks
I’m in love!
CONFESSION:
I’ve fallen head over heels in love with the Friendship Star block.
It’s just so pretty!
Plus the name of it is just simply sweet and deeply symbolic.
I love this block so much that I’ve decided that my next video tutorial will be how to construct this block!
*insert party-whistle sounds*
In an ideal world, I would’ve already had this video underway.
However, life isn’t that fair.
Struggling under a weight of university work, travelling for an hour and a half to and from university and just basically living, I haven’t even had time to properly wash my hair let alone bring my sewing machine back to life.
I freely admit that I’m torn between using my time to do uni work and to sew/film.
My quilting hobby/practice is my life. It’s what I live and breathe for. It’s where I’m most happy. Most safe. Most creative. And, most importantly, 100% free!
So yeah, I’m struggling to put something else other than that first in my life.
The current invisible brick wall that separates me from my practice is a heavy one and I’m losing the spark that helps me keep creative and on my toes…
WOW!
That just got deep really quickly!
And yet, I feel that I really needed to say it; to get it out of my head and into the void.
I feel ever so lighter…
So for now, six little Friendship Star blocks cling forlorn on my wall as I enter in and out of my Sewing Room.
‘I will get to you, I promise’, I say to myself every time I wistfully look up at them…
And perhaps, someday, I will.
No pressure.
Happy Sewing Friends! xx
The Unexpected Quilt
This past weekend I was invited to demonstrate some quilty techniques and projects at my local Spotlight, in celebration of their National Craft Month.
Although the crowd was small, I had a lovely relaxing time sewing, chatting, learning and sewing some more.
Among many things, I demonstrated how to cut, piece and join these three 9-Patch blocks:
– The Shoofly
– The Snowball
– The Friendship Star
And it’s with the Friendship Star block that I found myself unexpectedly started a new quilt…
One of the projects I was asked to make was a quilt featuring the Friendship Star block as its focus.
So I chose these colours: Navy and Cream Homespun paired with an awesome Cynthia Rowley Prism print.
The print fabric really helps the ‘star’ part of the block to pop out! I love it!
So I’m six blocks in from a potential 25 to be made.
I’m not sure when that will actually happen…
Uni started back this week and I’m already crushing under a new wave of assessments and deadlines.
This weekend is out as I’m taking a mini-break to our nation’s capital – Canberra – to get me some culture! (We’ll be visiting lots of art galleries and exhibitions!)
I’m so impatient to get this quilt going, as I know it’ll be a beauty once it’s finished!
Plus I’ve already promised it as a display piece for my lovely friends at Spotlight…
Hmm, I think I see some late nights looming in the future!
Happy Sewing Friends! xx
Excuse Me, My Quilt Nerd Is Showing!
I tell ya, there’s nothing like receiving Quilt Show entry forms in the mail to get you back into the swing of quilting again!
After a lull of about three weeks or so of near to no sewing or quilting, it was a wonderful feeling to get back on the machine.
I admit that over the past weeks, I’ve been giving more of my time to my YouTube channel than to my sewing machine. This is due to –
a) a lack of enthusiasm
b) the horrid Australian humidity that’s been hanging around
But once that burning desire to get stuck into some quilting rose up in me early this morning, I was truly back in my ‘happy place’!
So over the course of the day I got lickety-split into finishing my Sydney Quilt Show entry.
Before basting the mini-quilt up, I instagrammed a photo of the heart-racing intricacies that are on the back of the quilt-top.
So divine! So intense! So lovely!
I absolutely love the way that the shapes fit and conform next to each other as well as the differing lines and textures the seams create! But at the same time you can differentiate the shapes that form the block… (Excuse me, my Quilt-Nerd is showing!) It’s these little things that capture my heart and passion for patchwork (and quilting!).
After today, I believe I can honestly say that I am hands-down, cross-my-heart in love with making mini-quilts! They’re easy, fast, non-fussy and oh-so cute!
I tried to capture just how small this little mini is when I was quilting by comparing it with the size of my hand…
This quilt is itty-bitty and I love it!
I’ve decided that the quilt will be entered under the name Golden Trail – I think that works best.
It’s currently hanging up to my left ready for me to lovingly finish hand-stitching the binding and hanging sleeve!
Excitement is at its maximum tonight!!
Oh gosh.
I just love quilting!
Best hobby ever!
Oops! There’s my Quilt-Nerd showing again! 😀
Happy Sewing Friends! xx
Sewing Room Tour!
If you’re a regular reader of this darling little blog, you may have notice that I didn’t post up a weekly WIP update on Monday, as I have for the past month or so.
This is mainly because there is nothing to really update you with i.e.. nothing has changed since I last wrote about my WIPs. (My laziness/procrastinating ways are finally showing!)
However, this week I feel very proud to introduce to you a tour of my sewing room!
I love this space!
It’s where I feel the most comfortable.
Where I feel the safest.
The most inspired.
Freely creative.
And connected to the rest of the world.
In the video I show you where I sew/quilt (duh!) but also where I write, shoot, edit and publish my blogs and videos.
It may not be the best kind of sewing space as some others may have (look up ‘sewing studios’ on Pinterest and you’ll know what I’m talking about!) but I’m thankful for my mum giving up her little study space for me to have my very own little sewing space!
I also made a second video with some other extra bits I couldn’t quite fit into the first Sewing Room Tour video.
If you want to check that out, click right here!
Happy Sewing Friends! xx
TUTORIAL | Square-in-a-Square Block
I’ve had this video tutorial in the planning for a while – ever since I filmed my Fast Forward Quilting video last year in early September, where the Square-in-a-Square Block features.
The Square-in-a-Square Block, in my opinion, has to be one of the most easiest, quickest and adaptive blocks available for all levels and types of quilters.
It can be made into any size, using a range of differing centre-square and sashing measurements and can be made into a block as traditional or as modern/quirky as you wish it to be!
Give it a go and see what you think!
Way back in 2006, when I first became interested in making quilts, I used the Square-in-a-Square Block to make my very first quilt!
So essentially, this block was the very first block I had ever constructed!
If you’re a beginner I hope this little tutorial, in some small way, can help you in your own patchwork/quilting journey!
Happy Sewing Friends! xx
WIP Weekly Update | #3
Okay.
Confession time.
I haven’t done as much as I had hoped for this past week on the Rail Fence Quilt.
I did do a few more lines of quilting here and there over the days but not to the point where it’s worthy for a WIP photo opportunity…
In the moments after I finished writing the previous sentence, I had a quick squizz at my quilting efforts on the R.F Quilt and felt compassion. (Weirdo alert!!)
So here is an up-to-date ‘progress-report’ image…
Yeah….there’s not much difference from what it looked like last Monday.
I also must confess that I have been giving my time to another (new!) project.
I received an email Saturday morning from the NSW Quilting Guild containing information and forms for this year’s Sydney Quilt Show.
A more-than-mild wave of panic washed over me at that moment.
I hadn’t at all begun planning my entry for this show; the thought had always been at the back of mind but nothing else!
Although the Show isn’t until early June, it’s always nice to have things on-the-go from an early start!
Of the categories in the show, one or two stood out: Amateur Small or Wall Quilt (minimum size 40cmx40cm) as well as an Open category named Miniature (a quilt with a scaled down pattern with a perimeter of 200cm).
So early Saturday afternoon, I picked out a bunch of pretty and modern fabrics and raided my quilt book library for some block inspiration.
I had the thought of pairing two contrasting modern fabrics together and patch them together into a ‘traditional’ block formation.
In one of my favourite patchwork/quilting books, 130 Mini Quilt Blocks by Susan Briscoe, on page 46, I discovered an itty-bitty version of the Snail Trail Block that had a finished block size of 12.7cm or 5”! Perfect!
I have made this block before a few years back so I felt pretty comfortable tackling it.
I quickly drew up a sketch to make sure the colours would sit well together – and they did!
The next hour or so I cut out all of the tiney-tiny pieces and begun sewing mini squares and HST together.
Four blocks were completed by yesterday; they were quickly sashed together and the quilt top is now ready to be quilted!! Whhhaaattt?!?!
(You know, I’m really liking this Mini-Quilt making thing – it’s quick, easy and non-stressful!)
The size of the quilt top measures 46cmx46cm or 18”x18” and fits into both Show categories as previously mentioned. I’m just not sure which one I’ll choose yet.
I’m also torn on what I’ll name this sweet little mini; I have two in mind…
Golden Trail
— OR —
Yellow Brick Road
Which one would you choose??
So there we have it.
Perhaps next week I’ll have more progress on my R.F Quilt to show and not have to confess that I’ve been distracted (again!) by other things.
Happy Sewing Friends! xx
WIP Weekly Update | #2 & Rail Fence Block Tutorial
Jeez, a week sure can creep up on you in an instant!
I’m deeply baffled at how it can be the fourth-ish week of the New Year already! *WOW*
In the last seven days since we spoke, some quilting progress has been made to my Rail Fence Quilt…
Predictably, I’ve started quilting my usual straight-line formation. (It’s easy and I’m lazy!) I’ve opted for a pattern quite similar to the way I quilted my Jacob’s Ladder Quilt, but on this one the quilty lines are a lot closer creating more of an intense surface design and texture.
To go along with this R.F Quilt, I’ve filmed and uploaded a very simple and informative tutorial on how to make the Rail Fence Block. I tried to make it as down-to-earth and helpful as possible especially for all you beginner quilters out there.
Let me know what you think of the video – I’m 100% open to any positive constructive criticism. I would love to know what I could to do improve my teaching skills and/or production/filming/editing skills.
Do you have any suggestions for quilt blocks that you would love to see me demonstrate?
Comment below and I’ll definitely take your ideas onboard!
Well, it’s now time to go and enjoy this glorious summer afternoon with a lovely icy-cold beverage, finger-licking snacks and a heart-warming rom-com!
Happy Sewing Friends!! xx
WIP Weekly Update | #1
So I thought to keep me honest and on track with my WIP* New Year Resolutions, I would try my very hardest to post every Monday updating my progress on getting these quilts finished.
Whether this is a good or bad thing I haven’t worked out yet!
Believe it or not, I have made some headway in completing my Rail Fence Quilt. (You know, the quilt top with all the spots…)
During the week, I blew out my fortnightly budget by buying a whole lot of batting in preparation for all of these quilts I need to finish.
I set out the same afternoon and patiently basted up the R.F Quilt and it’s now ready to quilt!
Along the way, I also took some time out to start filming a little tutorial on how to make a very simple Rail Fence Block (perfect for all you beginners out there!).
This, unfortunately, is still in the editing process and will hopefully be ready to upload near the end of this week! Whoo!
So, without procrastinating anymore, I think it’s time to get quilting!
Happy Sewing Friends! xx
* WIP = Works In Progress
2014 Quilting New Year Resolutions
I’m not normally one of those resolution-kind-of-setting people making plans at the beginning of each New Year and then failing two weeks later…
So when I made up my mind to set out some quilting resolutions for 2014, I made sure I would choose goals that I knew I would happily follow through on.
(I may regret this!)
I start so many new projects each year, each month, each week, each day that it’s absolutely ridiculous!
Worse yet, three quarters of these projects don’t get finished or are ever seen again!
This year, that changes!
I have a total of six quilts that I’ve ‘started’, all at different stages of the quilt-making adventure, that I resolute to FINISH over the course of this year.
I may even go to the point of saying that I need to get all these finished before I start a(nother) new project! (Oh no! Can I take that back??)
So, there are four quilt tops that are ready to be sandwiched and basted ready for quilting and two stacks of completed blocks that need to be pieced together.
Some of these quilt tops may seem familiar…
From top left to bottom right –
- This is a small lap quilt or baby quilt I began two years ago using the Rail Fence block along with some sweet polka-dot fabrics that I was madly in love with at the time. I’m thinking, once I’ve finished it, I’ll put it up for sale in my madeit store. Watch this space!
- The next one is my Scrap-Happy String Quilt! I accidently made this quilt a whole lot bigger than I originally intended to last year after ‘trying’ to demolish the never-ending growth of my scrap fabric! I freely admit that the size put me off from ever wanting to get it finish. And yet, I know that when I do get around to finishing it, it’s going to be B-E-A-utiful!
- Two years ago, I tried the endless struggle to not let my fabric scraps overwhelm me! (See previous quilt top!) So when I discovered an awesomely scrappy-kinda-quilt PDF pattern by Anna Maria Horner, I sung out loud the Hallelujah Chorus and pressed print! I have no idea why I didn’t get the chance to finish this little gem: the size is like a lovely cozy lap quilt and I simple adore the crazy mix-match of the prints together! (Hmm, that’s a head scratcher!) But the ball has been set into motion again and this little sweetie will be finished!
- This would have to be the BIGGEST quilt I have pieced together! Seriously this quilt will be a beast when it’s finished! I remember I found the pattern to this quilt when I had a craving to tackle a quilt featuring curved piecing as well as one where I could only use block colours. Bingo! This quilt was perfect! The original design for this quilt came from Jen Carlton Bailey and her quilt 5-HTP Squared. I started this quilt (named Colourplay) this time last year (January 2013) and I distinctly remember that as it got to the part where I needed to baste and proceed onto quilting, the harsh Australian Summer decided to get even. In that week alone we suffered through 40-45C+ heat. Every. Single. Day. Because of this, I was put-off from quilting it (which I was also internally dreading because of it’s size!) and conveniently forgot all about it until a few weeks ago when I decided to commit to some silly New Year resolutions lark! I know completing this quilt will challenge me. I know that I’ll need to be as strong as an ox to quilt it. And I know that I’ll need to be so much more patient than I already am to reach that moment of completion! I say: bring it on!
And now onto the quilt blocks that are ready to be pieced!
- At the top is my stack of Craftsy’s 2012 Block of the Month blocks that have, so unfortunately, been sitting on my sewing table over the past year, yearning out to be finished! This was and still is my very first Sampler slash Block of the Month type of quilt. It symbolises a lot of new skills that I learnt along with some simply wicked modern fabrics that I do and will always love!
- Although I identify myself as an Australian, I’m also a self-obsessed Anglophile and absolutely adore the thought of quintessential British living! If given the opportunity to live in another country apart from Australia, I would choose England hands-down! From Sydney to London is my ultimate dream. Full. Stop. Thank you very much! So to help immerse myself into that dream, I started to make some Union Jack paper-pieced blocks with the intention to make a tip-top Britishy quilt all for me! Yeah…obviously that hasn’t happened yet. My quilt in progress was inspired by this quilt made by Amy Smart at Diary of a Quilter.
Alternatively (833 words later!), you can watch me display and chat about each of these quilts here…
Other Quilting-related New Year Resolutions I’ve got in the bag include –
- Entering local quilt shows, in particularly the Sydney Royal Easter Show (application form submitted this morning!!) in April and the Sydney Quilt Show in June.
- Challenging my quilting skills by attempting block patterns that force me into a spinning vortex of stress and anxiety!! *Falls into a foetal position*
Sooo, watch this space for these WIPs or ‘Works-In-Progress’!
I’m pumped and ready to get going!
Have I inspired you to get your unfinished quilts and projects out and onto the road of completion? Let me know and we can discuss our progresses together!
Happy Sewing Friends!! xx
PS. Happy New Year!
3and3quarters 