Quilting Owl

After a self enforced time of rest and relaxation not to mention lack of motivation, I thought it was time to get moving and start sorting out some of the accumulated piles of fabric, projects and magazines in the studio.  The really fun part was working with the piles of fabric although this did lead to lots of distraction. The magazines which were to be found everywhere throughout the studio and house were then put into order. Then it was time to tidy my hand stitching corner and while I was watching some cricket work on some more blocks for a long term project, the 1718 coverlet I have divided this project into sections and this is Section 1 and 2. Now the new addition will be blocks 44 and 48.   A little progress. In the sort out I also came across another long term wip, the Farmers Wife project - 72 blocks finished and only 39 to go.  This is a true scrap quilt and my personal challenge is not to use the same fabric in more than...

Suz at Patchwork N Play  is having a party where we get to show a piece of our favourite fabric - you know the one we say we are saving for that special project but like it so much that we don't really want to cut into it.  Well I have lots of these type of fabric favourites but one that immediately sprang to mind is this - Till next time Frances

I have had a busy week but here are just a few bits and pieces.  I finished quilting and machined the binding on a soft blue baby quilt and now I just have to hand stitch the binding and finish stitching the binding on "Redlynch Village".  Next it will be time to write a few patterns - this job always ends up taking far more time than I would like as I would much prefer to be stitching. Earlier in the week I taught a class which included strip piecing log cabin blocks and here are a couple of blocks which I managed to photograph made by Karen and Jenny. Peter and I have invested in a lecture series entitled "How to Listen to and Understand Great Music" given by Prof. Rober Greenberg.  This makes extremely entertaining lunch time viewing and something I have enjoyed watching while stitching. I am currently finishing a large project with a deadline but somehow I have allowed myself to be distracted by these fabrics - I must sharpen my "focus" and get bac...

As the rain poured down outside it was good fun making Barbara Brackman's second block in the Civil War Quilt series.  I am glad this project is so popular and it will be great to be able to stitch along with everyone. Block 2 "North Star" The next job on the list was sewing on the binding of another small project in pretty mauves which I have been working on for the last couple of days.  This finished it was time to start hand stitching the binding and think of a suitable name for the mini quilt - still working on that! I also invested some time in selecting fabrics for the next project on the class "To Do" list.  I have been wanting to work with this wonderful floral fabric for some time and decided today was the day so chose a few fabrics from the stash to complement it.  I ended the day cutting and sewing lots of strips ready to work on tomorrow. All things considered a good Sunday despite the rain which is something we have seen a lot of in ...

I know that selvedge quilts and pin cushions have been very popular of late but Peter has found another use for the selvedges I cut from my fabric - he uses them for garden ties. There hasn't been many spare moments lately but when I can find one I usually add some stitches to my Pies and Tarts EPP quilt which is slowly growing.  I really enjoy playing with the blocks on the design wall and every time I finish another block I get to play a bit more and rearrange them all. When I feel less than motivated I play with fabric - what fun! I just found this photo taken at the last Sunday Stitchers meeting showing the progress Jenny has made with her Bali fabric applique quilt.  It is looking wonderful and I believe there is still another border to be added. Till next time Frances

This week I have been cutting and sewing some fabrics from a Moda French General range and put together a quilt top which is now pinned up and ready to quilt.  This fabric had worked its way to the bottom of my current heap and when I came across it I knew instantly what I wanted to make - sorry about the mystery!!   I had a great deal of fun selecting fabrics to cut out and prepare new pies - I am really enjoying using these contemporary fabric ranges for such traditional piecing. Today I was sewing lots and lots of triangles using a Wilmington fabric range of soft blues with a stripe.  Another busy but very enjoyable week stitching and playing with gorgeous fabrics - its a tough life but someone has to do it!!! Till next time Frances

After an excessively long wet season - over 6 months of constant rain - it is probably not surprising that a lack of sunshine has contributed to my mood being somewhat in the doldrums.  I don't seem to be able to summon up the energy to finish off a lot of my projects so instead I thought I would indulge myself with the fabric stash and if the urge and inspiration came then I won't feel guilty about starting a new project - Then again I could just stop procrastinating, put on some stirring music like opera or an audio book and go back to the sewing machine and finish the quilting on the quilt I have made from this selection - I guess its nice to be spoilt for choice! Till next time Frances