Empty Spools Update!

Well Susan told me to just get on with it - to baste, quilt and bind the empty spools quilt.  So I am!




I used some Jinny Beyer Palette fabric for the backing.  I am using cotton perle yet again - this time cream - to quilt with big stitches round the spools and in the border.  


This is how it looks so far

The cats, Saffy and Emily, both decided my photos needed a bit more excitement with a walk through.  Emily even stood on the quilt but I thought that was going a bit far as she hadn't cleaned her feet yet from going outside.



I had hoped to finish but duty called and we had to attend a few events to celebrate my daughter's last day at the local Primary school after seven years and mine too after twelve....New chapter in our history coming in September and I have to go and buy lots of new uniform....ouch!





Nicky


measurements 
block size 6" finished
quilt size 31.5 finished


fabrics
Lily and Will 
Kona Ash
John Louden pastel polka dot
Jinny Beyer Palette for backing

Scrappy spools block taken from 
Great Scrap-bag Quilts by Jan Halgrimson



quilting
Big stitch in cream cotton perle

previous post
http://mrsssewandsow.blogspot.com/2011/07/hexagons-hexalong-hexathon.html

The orphans have found their home!

My little orphans from yesterday hung for a brief time on my design board before they (and a few other good hearted and clever people) suggested what next!  Thanks for your suggestions people - you help me out so much!

The answer that vexed me so was ....do nothing! I'd run out of ideas because it was finished already!  

Well I did layer, quilt and bind it but essentially it had been complete and as several of you have suggested it is my new table topper.

The big picture

 The detail

I got the opportunity to use some of those gorgeous new threads in pink, peach and green in that centre square.  And the pink and green are stitched around the baskets and the accent sashing.  The binding is a pinky stripe cut on the bias.  I am posting a bit later this morning as I wanted to stitch it all down at the back and then had to get my photos.

Hope you like these shots of my topper in action - ok not so much action as just being there!

The style of these baskets goes so well with my Art Deco teacups - which I adore and only get out for special friends.   The teapot is a silver plated one that belonged to my grandma or possibly my great grandma.

Tea anyone?

Nicky

I'm linking up with Quiltstory's  Fabric Tuesday, see my sidebar for their button.

Basket quilt finished!

As you will know from a recent post I have been dithering pondering about how to quilt this basket quilt - well those days are over and here it is in all it's glory....

The back is also pieced and although I tried to centre it I seem to have missed that target by a smidge.  As smidges are quite small I am trying not to worry about a little wonkiness here and there....between friends!

I have so far kept to just outlining my baskets in cotton perle and the border has the opposite - in-lining if you like!??

I was considering further decorative quilting on the background but for now at least I have decided against this to let the fabrics speak for themselves without distraction.  This quilt was made in tribute to the lovely fabrics so I have to defer to them...

The binding is two similar fabrics - one large scale, the other small scale flowers

My label is embroidered on the front in back stitch but not all the way though as this is a double sided quilt and I didn't want to end up with an unsightly mess on the other side

I am pleased with the outcome of this little quilt. It is a showcase for fabrics I love and it does that job pretty well I think.  I also love the simple quilting - I'm hoping you agree that it doesn't really need anything more.  My embroidered label is up front and visible in a contrasting thread - not so sure I want my stitching that visible but hey 'tis done and I'm not so bothered I want to unpick it and redo it.

So another UFO completed - that makes 3 (or 4 if you count the galaxy quilt as two quilts in one) and 9 to go I think...oooh that's a challenge!




Nicky

Back to baskets!

I did get my UFO baskets quilt sandwiched together with it's pieced back and pondered for a while on how to quilt it.

The pondering is over and I have gone with my new love of big stitching in cotton perle.  So far I have been outlining the baskets with a green/gold sort of colour. 

I have quilted round all the baskets and just inside the border but I have yet to decide about how to quilt the border itself.




Not sure whether to quilt the background a bit more in between the baskets - I could probably get away without it but for decorative purposes I may want to add a little something.....but what?!


Time for more pondering - I like a good ponder, don't you????


Nicky 

Cyril the Sailor Duck!

Here is Cyril the Sailor Duck all finished and ready to play with his friends

In the end I went round my applique with machine zigzag, then in big stitches in cotton perle.

I did some more big stitcherie round the rectangle and in the borders I did hearts, circles, straight lines and a flower!  I also stitched the name of the quilt in the border - just need to add my name and date to the back and the label is done - yeah! 

Buttons from my collection, both old and new, adorn Cyril's trousers and shirt, the small border patches, dot the 'i's and set everything off to a tee!  

I have used several techniques from Carolyn Forster's utility stitch workshop in this little quilt - it just seemed appropriate.  


I think he looks every bit a Cyril but now I need to make his mate the little dog in the series as this was both quick and fun!  Now you all think I'm quackers, don't you??


The trouble is you are probably right!


Nicky

Sorry - posted late due to problems with getting onto blogger and uploading photos!

The end of the Galaxy!

No doom laden post this!  No, indeed not, but a finish instead!  Please excuse my excitement and little joke....




The Front

The Back

I have added more quilty stitchery in those lovely blue and grey colours that I bought recently and I think I have covered sufficient ground to ensure that all stays in place.






The Detail

It is bound in leftover scraps, which doesn't sound very nice but actually I think it looks great.   As it was leftovers this is not bias binding but just straight grain instead.   Must do more scrappy binding! 

I am over the moon about this quilt (heehee) which is my own design and has just sort of evolved as I went along.  I am just so excited - I love it so much!  Have to say using pre-used fabrics makes for a soft cosy feel.




Nearer my year end target - one more UFO down!  Haha!   Maybe I should add a little green man somewhere??


Nicky




This quilt has a history: 


1  http://mrsssewandsow.blogspot.com/2011/04/lonely-star.html
2   http://mrsssewandsow.blogspot.com/2011/05/lonely-star.html
3   http://mrsssewandsow.blogspot.com/2011/06/galaxy-of-stars.html
4  http://mrsssewandsow.blogspot.com/2011/06/in-galaxy-far-far-awayis-quilt.html

Another little package through the letterbox...

Yesterday this is what came through my letterbox

Can you guess why I needed these lovely colours?  Where are they for?

No I'm not going to show you today but soon I hope...soon!

Are you like me?  If you see a whole lot of colours on-line but you don't know which one to get as you cannot match the colours to what you are working with - do you just order the lot?  

Couldn't resist it!  But then I like collecting things so cotton perle thread is my new collection.  

If you use cotton perle thread for quilting, which is your favourite colour?

Nicky

Carried away....!

I am a bit carried away by this quilt so again I am posting about the galaxy quilt.  Yesterday I was trying out some BIG stitching in grey cotton perle thread outlining those stars.  


Although this is quick stitching I have not finished but I can let you have a sneaky peek....

I love this style and speed of stitching and thanks to those who suggested it to me - I am 100% in accord and special thanks to Mary from Molly Flanders for helping me decide on the colour!


Not too long before the big reveal I hope!


Nicky

Doubled again - rose dream!

When I picked this project up again I had thought I didn't like this block that much and that was why I had only three blocks finished, but guess what?   I find that now I do! 




No more it is just the 'sitting by the swimming pool' project!  It has also become the 'sitting in the car during music lessons x 2' and the 'evening listening to the Complete Smiley on BBC i-player ' project too!  






Hence the further leap forward: 3 blocks (see here ) became 6 blocks (see here)  and have become 12 blocks completed!  One third finished!  Yes, I said one third!!

I am focusing on the half-full glass, Marina!  Yeay!  


My next target will not be double again - sorry but I don't think I can keep up that pace, the tip of my finger is already tender with all the hand sewing - but instead six more blocks, which will take me half way!  Yipee!  And I have them cut out and ready for stitching...












Nicky

Utility Stitching - progress but not quite finished..

I have posted about this little quilt here but now I have a bit more progress to share with you.

Last time it looked like this:

Now it looks like this:

I have not completely finished my quilting as yet but I have finished the Amish Wave/Baptist Fan quilting in the border and so have been able to bind this one.  I picked out a different plaid fabric, in similar colours and made my binding on the bias - love checks on the bias, don't you?

I will finish off the quilting in the strips as and when I feel the urge. 

I can tell you that I love big stitch quilting in cotton perle and that I am a big fan of fan quilting!   So thank you Carolyn Forster for another fun workshop!  And I'm looking forward to seeing your new book on Utility Stitching!

Nicky