Raffle quilt for Sunraysia Patchwork Friends

A few years back, at our quilt show, Judy from Cornerstone Creations donated a fabric pack. It was beautiful and was just sitting there without any plans to use it. I suggested we use it to make a raffle quilt for our next exhibition.

So off I went and calculated out a plan.

Dragged in some members to help sew it. Then it became a group effort.

The centre of the top was completed without too much trouble. 

I took it home and added the borders.

Choosing the backing. I chose the denim/floral looking one. I didn’t realise it was a directional print when I bought it so it will just have to go on sideways. BUT when I went to iron it and trim up ready for the quilt frame the lovely store had cut it 2” too short. That’s not all. It was cut so crooked I would have had to cut off another 4” to straighten it. Not happy Jan. Therefore it definitely wasn’t suitable for a frame. So back to the lovely Spotlight to get it replaced. Oh no!!! The last piece they had was 12” too short.

Now  to choose another fabric. So I went with the same print but in a lighter colour blue. It was on special for a cheaper price and as I didn’t have the receipt, it had been handed in to the quilt guild’s treasurer who was on holidays in Queensland, they were only going to refund the lesser amount. I took the opportunity to buy another 75cms to put it the right direction and convinced them to give me back what I had previously paid. I only had to add $7 but I would be keeping the leftover fabric.

The rush was on because I had the quilt frame booked and needed to drop it all off. Well, now at home to iron and trim up again. Wide backs are not folded straight and yes, it was crooked again. Luckily the staff member had cut a bit extra and by the time I had finished trimming it was 1” less than what I had paid for. As I had bought an extra 1/2 metre we were safe.  Dropped it off to the quilt shop.

Okay, I’m ready to quilt this. The quilt shop hires out the frame for you to quilt it yourself. The staff load it, line it up, fill the bobbins and roll on each and every row for you. You just have to press start and follow the groovy board for one side to the other. As I only wanted to quilt within the braid panel due to the flange and sashing it was to be a little more precise than a basic edge to edge. I did a simple flower vine. 1 1/2 hours later and the centre braids were done.

I took it home and finished it. I decided to quilt in the ditch down each flange to hold it nicely and stitch around both sides of the sashing. Then I cross hatched the border which made it look like a lattice.

 This light colour backing worked better than the first choice as you could not see the sewing thread on it.

Here it is before I dropped it off to the next person to hand stitch down the binding.

Thanks to all the helpers for stepping up.

Also, thanks Judy

https://newsfromjude.blogspot.com/

for donating the fabric pack

and Mandy @ Lesley Mays for donating the time and help for the quilting frame

https://lesleymays.com.au/

Betty’s charity block and a placemat

 It’s time to make Betty’s block. I have been advised to make a practice block. Well, I am so glad I did. Those angles were a challenge. 

So now what to do with it. Another placemat of course.

Now for the right block. Betty cent the centre square fabric and we were to choose the other 3 colours.

. 

I got there in the end but ,oh my, it was tough. We were also asked to not trim the block down as Betty will do this when she has all the blocks.

Fiddle cloth

My friend in the UK needed a fiddle cloth making for a friend of hers. This lady was a silversmith and cannot do her skill anymore. She has been a friend for 30 years and a special gift was wanted.

So out came my scraps for me to have a play. I use a hand towel for the backing and to give it more texture..

I am really happy with how this has worked out. I’m sure it will be loved.

I put it in the post and WOWZIE…… It cost $35 to send.

Aqua placemats for RSC

 Out came the aqua scraps and were joined together to make some more placemats

JULY is AQUA

It is such a pretty colour. These went together really quickly.

Christmas Hexy placemats, scrap placemats

 I attended a tutorial at our group to make some fun placemats.

I had a few Xmas stitcheries I had won in raffles many years ago from retreats I had been to. So when this tutorial came up at my quilt group I thought it was time to use them.

This was an easy project to make and fun too. I have donated them to Meals on Wheels for their Xmas gifts.

Then I used all the leftovers to make 5 placemats for Meals on Wheels.

Playing with leftovers.

 Having a play with my leftovers from the mystery weekend. I had extra blocks made,  then the blocks for the step outs and the scraps of fabrics. I didn’t want to put them back in my stash or in the bin so I have designed a small quilt.

This was the design of the mystery but on a much smaller quilt it didn’t suit.

Then there was the op point look. I didn’t like the look of some rows not having the white through it so I kept playing.

Then this layout happened and I am happy. The border swirls are the leftovers from the flip corners on the blocks. I haven’t trimmed them yet but will trim to 2”. I also added the set in side and corner triangles in a small dot fabric.

Time for some crochet OCTOPUS

I had a play with some crochet and decided to make an octopus. I had made one a while ago and liked it. I hadn’t stitched the eyes on yet. So I completed that one. She has a bow on her head.

And made 2 more. A friend wanted a blue one for her daughter’s friend so that’s a good reason to get stuck in.

My friend also took the pink one as her daughter just had a baby girl .

BLOGGER PHOTOS ARE WORKING

AMAZING

PHOTOS ARE UPLOADING FROM MY IPAD.

IT’S WORKING

I’M SO EXCITED

 

Edited with sock photo. Time to work with some knitting.

 I have wanted to knit some socks for quite a while and have friends make them for me. Many years ago, I’m talking 25 years, I tried using double pointed needles (unsuccessfully). Tossed them aside and didn’t try again. It’s time to put my big girls pants on and try again.

After buying a nice sock book, watching many tutorials and searching google I decided now is the time.

Winwickmum has a knit along for basic socks.

https://www.winwickmum.co.uk/2015/04/sockalong-yarns.html

I bought this yarn from Bendigo Woollen Mills. 

I have taken my time and even did a test swatch.

I tried the circular needles, but I just couldn’t manage so I went on to the double pointed needles (DPN). Tossed my surprise I managed and without any holes.

So here is my progress. 

I got a little lost when decreasing along the heel so I have put it away until I have time to sort out which row I am doing.

Overall, so far, I am extremely happy.

My friends little bag and some scrap placemats.

 My friend recently made a wristlet bag. I thought it was a great idea for a quick trip to the shops or to put your rotary and scissors in. 

It is an easy design which makes 3 pockets.

I just used the left over fabric from our scrub stitching pouch

Then I made a 2nd one using up the selvedge scraps off my table.

I think I used a bit too stiff an interfacing but they are still ok.

While I was cleaning off my table, instead of packing or throwing away the scrap fabrics, I made up 3 charity placemats. Last year we donated 150 to meals on wheels. I am not focussing on them like I did last year but I will still make them throughout the year.