EB Round Robin Quilt Swap - fabrics

These are the fabrics I am using for the EB Round Robin Quilt Block Swap. The swap involves 12 participants making up the same 12 inch quilt block in everyone else's fabrics. Once eveyone gets back their 11 blocks plus the one they make themselves they will have 12 quilt blocks in their fabric of all different designs (like a sampler quilt). Then we just have to put it together as we please! My finished quilt is going to be for Miss M's big bed when she moves out of the cot. I have a fat quarter bundle of the fabric collection 'Riley' by Anna Griffin which I am using.

Most if not all of the other participants are going for creams/whites as their backgrounds I think but this is my background fabric for all the blocks - bright enough? YES!

And the following are the fat quarters that I am using out of my bundle for the rest of the blocks - we send off one fat quarter of the background plus 2 fat eighths of different fabrics for contrast.

Take-a-long quilt . . .

I am thinking of adding something like this little quilt to my 'shop' as a "Take-A-Long" Quilt that you can roll up into a little bag. It measures 85cm x 100cm so a decent size for taking to mum's group or the park for bubs to lay on, plus also good as a comfort blankee or cradle size quilt. I put the quilt top together last night after dinner and sandwiched and FMQ it today at lunchtime while the kids slept - it seriously was a quick little one to make up! Just need to do the binding.

Quilt top

Backing

Close up of FMQStill learning . . . a little bunching on the back from the FMQ

Quilt finished and a good day out

Apologies firstly for the terrible photos. This was about 10pm last night, inside under the lights. I really should have got a better shot today outside but the weather has been cold and miserable and we are finally getting some decent rain.

I finished the binding while hubby watched the footy.

I took this quilt to the craft fair I had a stall at today and received lots of lovely comments. It was terrible weather but luckily we were inside. I had a great day, with lots of new and returning customers from a previous craft fair which was really great to see. Some people were even seeking me out because of comments from friends from the last craft fair with others asking which craft market I was going to be at next which was very positive! I also caught up with a friend of a friend who also had a stall at the craft fair today and makes the most gorgeous little softies and gifts with chenille. You can find Leah here.

FMQ finished

I started FMQ this quilt yesterday lunchtime and had drama after drama with the tension on my machine, I was getting very annoyed and had to do lots of unpicking. I wasted so much thread and gave up. I got stuck back into it last night determined to get it done and after more tension issues, more unpicking, finally I finished it - with hubby saying 'are you coming to bed - its late!' lol It wasn't that late. I don't know what was happening with the tension, I got the setting all right and then about half way through the bobbin my machine would crack a wobbly and I would have to change the tension to the complete opposite settings - its was driving me up the wall! Anyway, its finished now, just waiting on my binding material from the FQS that hopefully is at the post office today! I love the crinkly effect the FMQ gives the quilt.

Quilt top

Close up of back
Back of quilt - I just went with plain natural coloured homespun with a simple strip of random colours a quarter of the way up

Quilt top finished

Finished off this quilt top this morning (just needs a good press). And happy enough with the sashing colour. Went with a natural coloured homespun, but do find it quite see through. Am planning on using some of the same for the backing mixed up with some larger panels of some of the strips of fabric somehow, not really sure yet. Undecided on what colour thread to FMQ with too. Either a creamy colour like the homespun or go with something like a really really pale pink, which I think will look really great on the back, might even have a go at some little butterflys or dragonflys or something, need to look into the FMQ a bit more for some tips on that though ; )

A new quilting project

I have been wanting to get into another quilt for a few weeks now but have been so occupied with market sewing that I haven't had the chance. I knew exactly what I wanted but couldn't find a pattern I like so decided to have a go at making up my own pattern. I wanted to use the jelly roll that I had bought recently (see previous post) so wanted to make up some simple blocks using these strips. There are 7 different 8 inch square blocks, with a total of 20 blocks in the quilt. I am planning on adding strips of plain white or off white material between the blocks as well as around the edge to really make the blocks stand out. Then FMQ again as I really enjoyed doing that with the last quilt.

So I drew up what I wanted and spent an hour or so working out the calculations and checking and double checking all my measurements (I felt like I was back in school!) lol

Cut and make up these blocks which actually turned out to all be the right size - yay!
Now I just need to get my plain fabric I want for in between the blocks and around the edge and work out what i want the backing piece and binding to be. It should measure when finished 40" x 52" (approx 100cm x 130cm), so a good size for a cot quilt. If all goes to plan I might even do a tutorial for this one as it has taken no time at all to get to this stage, jelly rolls make it so easy!

Its been a busy week!

This is what I have been up this past week or so getting ready for this weekends art & craft fair that I am having a stall at.

Lots more 'Tilda' dresses, now in 2 sizes; Size 1-3 & Size 3-5.

And something new, some little skirts. I am a little unsure of the sizing as I was just guessing here with these as I made the pattern up as I went so have sized them as; Size 2-4 & 3-5 as being an elastic waist they can be pretty adjustable to fit a bigger range and I went with a pretty generous length.

I have a confession - I LOVE FABRIC! lol

These fabrics are just stunning, the colours as so gorgeous!

WIP Wednesday

This past week I have been busing working on drafting up new ideas for my shop and getting ready for upcoming markets.

And, then spending the evenings knitting away little beanies - sorry my models couldn't manage a smile ; )

I also had a big tidy up of my sewing space which is still just a small card table in one corner of my office, but I managed to organise everything into containers and stack all my books and patterns across the back of the table.

And I sorted out my fabric stash. The biggest container is actually full of nappy making stuff, I really need to use it - I have a huge amount of bamboo, hemp and maiden mills fleece that I need to get stuck into and make some more nappies with or something. The other two tubs contain all my other fabrics.

I think I need to make something other than shop stuff. I am in a bit of a sewing lull I think, maybe another quilt on the horizon soon, or get stuck into some summer sewing for the kids.

Is it a bird or duck?

So I drew up this little bird over lunch while the kids slept and decided to make up a little softie. I think it needs a little more body and a little less neck, lol. This is the first time I have made a softie and also the first time at doing applique and using the blanket stitch on my machine so all in all I think it turned out not too bad, although Master T thinks its a duck - quack, quack!

Busy

I have been busy this week sewing up these pretty dresses ready for the markets on the 1st Sunday or next month. I am not sure how they will go locally at the markets here so what doesn't sell then I am planning on uploading to my new madeit store that I am in the process of setting up. These are all a size 1-3. I am currently drafting up a larger size to fit size 3-5. Am not sure yet whether I will go any bigger at this stage with my clothing or keep my size range at 5 and under.

WIP Wednesday

Well, it's been a week since my last post which was also a WIP Wednesday, does that mean I have achieved not much this week??? Well, I did finally (nearly) finish Miss M's cardi. I am not totally happy with the fit, a little shorter in the body than I would like and a little long in the sleeves, but oh well. Just to decide now if I will still add in the blanket stitching around all the edges in a contrasting colour, something like the pink wool in the photo??? Maybe even some embellishments of some sort.

This is my sewing space. A little card table in my office that is impossible to work out most days. I seriously need to sort out some storage and get a much bigger desk. The overlocker is currently situation at the kitchen table, so am moving backwards and forwards between these two work areas at the moment. The storage tubs under the table are full of fabric and haby bits and pieces and the dresses sitting over the machine are waiting to be finished.
Quilting inspiration - I 'sort of' like this pattern I found in an old quilting magazine. I am looking for a design to make a quilt for Master T's bed now. Something pretty big, probably double size and something that will last a while. I also found some gorgeous designs by Miss Marzie that would look fantastic in the boys room.

And finally a couple of vintage patterns I picked up last week. The dress/top looks really comfy, a good one for pregnancy wear or nice and light for hot summers, but I wonder if I will ever actually make the lingerie one???

WIP Wednesday

I thought I would have a WIP (work in progress) Wednesday post with what I have been up to over the last week since finishing off Miss M's quilt. I have been busy sewing and crafting ready for upcoming markets and have built up quite a good stash of bits of pieces to sell now, just need to add my new labels onto everything!

New overlocker - I am so happy with this purchase and I got it for an absolute bargain too!

Some recent purchases on Ebay

Some new fabrics for my stash; Heather Bailey freshcut, Anna Maria Horner Garden Party & Good Folks, FreeSpirt Rose Diamond & Dogwood Festival and a fat quarter of some beautiful Babushka Doll by Kokka

Some more pretty dresses needing to be finished off

New labels - very exciting!

Swap Fun!

Cass over at Snailblazer is running a swap. For all the details click the link and come and join the fun. Basically it involves making 10 of the same handmade item, which you then send to here along with an extra envelope for her to send back to you your 10 goodies from 10 other people. Confused? Click the link : )

First Quilt Completed!

Its finished! I have finally completed my first quilt, which is for Miss M. I found it quite enjoyable and already have plans for many more projects! I love the design and this fabric is growing on me more and more. The pictures really don't do it justice, the prints are so bright and beautiful on the fabrics. The fabric is Soiree by Lila Tueller and the pattern is Hip Baby by Busy Bee Quilt Designs which I purchased from the Fat Quarter Shop. I also had the help of some great blog tutorials; Free Motion Quilting with Oh Fransson! and Binding with Emma at Sampaguita Quilts.

Quilt Top

Quilt Back

Close up of binding and FMQ

More of the FMQ

Pillowcase Dress Design

This is a new dress I have been working on. It is based on the pillowcase dress style, but I wasn't too keen on the ribbon idea for straps so went with this instead. I have used elastic along the front and back, but as you can see by the pics of Miss M, I need to shorten it slightly as it is a little wide. I tried it on Master T also (who is nearly 3) and it fits him well also as a very short dress or longer style top (again too wide slightly at neck). So just a quick adjustment to the elastic will also make it slightly more gathered at the top, but am gauging it will fit from approx 9months to 3 -4 years - which is exactly what I was aiming for. If I have customers wanting it in a dress style for an older child, it will be easy enough to add length to the pattern without the need to adjust the top part.