Stitching by hand

In between sewing by machine and putting some hand quilting on my sisters hexy quilt, I've been creating a couple of samples for my Diploma.  This term we're studying colour theory and I for one did not know there was soooo much written about colour - it's truly fascinating - so we've been cutting and pasting and painting and colouring and stitching........

Last week was red and fly stitch.......

This week was blue and french and colonial knots.....

I found out on Sunday that I've been sewing french knots incorrectly - oops - but then I was shown how to do a colonial knot which results in a larger knot, so fills in more space - scores!!!

Next week is yellow and buttonhole stitch, so that'll be interesting.

While I was faffing about today, I made up next month's project for my classes - and we're going to make a zipped, lined pouch - I stuffed up the base though - made it too wide, so will have to make it again - I also have to write the instructions - I'm supposed to be doing that right now but I got distracted ;)

I copied the stylised flower shapes and drew them on the left hand side of the pouch with fabric markers - I messed up placement a bit but I don't think I mind - I really love that floral fabric...unfortunately I now only have a piece about 4" x 11" left :(

Steppin' out with the Farmer

I pulled my book out today and saw that it's been 2 months since I made any of the Farmers blocks - I think I'd had enough of them and as the next few are either foundation pieced or involve a huge number of pieces, it seemed like a really good idea to put them in the shelf for a holiday.  Anyway, I did manage to complete 3 - Blocks 85 - 87.....

Square dance

Squash blossom

Star gardener - this one finished 1/4" bigger than expected!

I also noted that's it's been almost a year since I started this quilt - and given the disparate sizes of the blocks it'll likely be a few more years before I can muster the enthusiasm to put it together : \

24 to go..........................

WIP Wednesday - well it would be, but now it's Thursday and the link is closed :(

omg - I knew it had been a while since linking up with WIP Wednesday at Lee's, but just saw that the last time was 9th Feb - definately a long time between drinks!

So obviously there's a little bit of creativity going on in the meantime - most of which relates to the Textiles course I'm doing, but I got a few things done outside of that too :)

I have a finish which started about here....

Totally inspired by this

Here's the back........

there's actual sunshine in Melbourne today!

I finished up another quilt...

I'm in the process of adding hand quilting to this next one...

Completed some farmers wife and projects for school, sewing bees and my teaching classes...

I also managed to complete a few quilting commissions on the long-arm too - I'm sure there's more but it's been so long I think I'd be here forever finding all the photos!

Anyway - pop on over to Lee's and check out everyone else's awesome WIP's - huge amount of inspiration out there :)

Project of the month classes

My wonderful ladies have wowed me again with their projects - the one here is the cushion cover with the whirleygig centre.  My version is here....

......and here's a selection of theirs....

I know there's more somewhere on my pc but I can't quite find them at the minute.....

I love how everyone puts their own slant on their work - from fabric covered, fussy cut buttons to adding ribbon, frills and binding - great job ladies - excellent work :)

Still kicking...

In between countless other jobs, tasks and naps, I've been putting together a quilt to welcome a new baby into the world - he actually arrived a couple of weeks ago so I'm a bit behind the 8 ball......

Now, way back when, when I found out that my friend was expecting, I said I'd make her a baby a quilt so what colours would she like?  Like the good irish wife she is, she said 'green and orange' and so a collection of said hues was made - and a week or so ago, I came across this awesome quilt top here and in a fit of inspired sewing..................

........................got this far.........

I'm thinking this needs sashing and cornerstones (the border I have picked out is green, aqua and white tartanish - should have included it in the photo but not sure if it'll be the one)

I'm thinking white sashing but not sure what colour for the cornerstones - according to the colourwheel, the triad would include purple, but there's no other purple anywhere in the fabrics, then maybe I could use brown (there's brown birdies and owls) but it's a bit 'meh'......decisions, decisions..................

Any suggestions?

Stitching day

Busy weekend just gone - I spent Saturday in the company of new friends, Sunday morning in the company of old friends at a Christening - and Sunday afternoon on the couch having a nanna nap in front of the fire....

Cathy, of Cabbage Quilts, had a sewing day at her house (I missed the first one) so I got to put a couple of faces to names and meet some more lovely people....

Miriam of Yellow Roses, Chris of A little bit of Chris, a little bit of....., Michelle of The Quilted Tortoise, Kathy, Deb and we were joined later by Bronwyn of Whippet Good and Emma from Treehouse Textiles.

We had a wonderful day - much show and tell (no photos of anyone elses work - forgot my camera but Miriam has some photos on her blog...), much chat and eating sublime meringues and macaroons and before we knew it, it was 5.30pm and time to go home....the intent is to meet regularly to spread a little quilty/crafty love - so looking forward to it - it's fantastic to have more quilty friends close to home to share our collective passion about our craft.

I finished a quilt.....this will go into either Etsy or Madeit just as soon as I've priced it....

mix of fabrics from dear stella, lark, amy butler, michale miller, etc etc - must take another photo as this one doesn't do it justice...organic machine quilted straight lines

the back - it's a decent size - 62" x 72" and there's a few hand stitched lines too, in grey perle thread

I've also finished the machine quilting on this next one (this one is a gift for a very special person) and have started the hand quilting - its going to take me a while....

Now, must go and create the Project of the Month handout for my classes - it's Quilt Labels this month so I've made a few using different methods......everyone should put a label on their quilts :)