Pumpkin and black mini in progress

After months of making charity quilts I recently made a mini quilt from the Quilts and More magazine, which then inspired me to make another.  This pattern is called Nine Patch Checkerboard (22'x22") from the Jo Morton book Little Favourites.  The pattern in mini quilt books are not always true scaled down miniatures, but this one uses 1.5" squares, and that was sufficient challenge for me at the time!

I figured it would be "easy" because there were mainly squares v triangles...however trying to square up the block was a bit dicey.  I definitely need a new small ruler with more 1/8" lines marked all along the ruler.

I also struggled to find much variety in my black fabric.  In the end the final block uses two different scraps of black fabric, in order to get enough to make a block!  As some of the fabrics are quite colourful and busy I ended up ordering a larger piece of black from Elm Grove Patchwork for the borders.  I found that I have a substantial collection of pumpkin and cheddar fabrics, so really had fun auditioning the different prints for the tiny border.  

 

My birthday plant from last year has a new flower and a second one down closer to the base about to come out.  I think this is a peace lily, but no matter what it is, I just adore the colour of that flower!

 

Happy quilting Sue.

Carolina chain on the dark side with a mini chevron.

I have used all the light and bright coloured blocks from the leaders enders Caroline chain box.  Sew now was the time to tackle the dark blocks - I say dark, but I mean those blocks made with neutral fabrics that ranged from cream to coffee toned to beige.  

I tried to add a bit of sparkle by using red blocks, but the bulk of the blocks were made with blue and green fabrics and a sprinkle of brown.    

I am very happy with this finish, but I did decide to make it bigger than the previous version, so it would be teenager size for my prefered charity.  That meant making extra blocks but it was worth it. For the side triangles I used a very old fern print fabric I picked up on special years ago, which has been a great backing fabric.  I love picking up blue fabrics on special for backing, as they are universally acceptable to everyone!

My friend Karen was the one who introduced me to blogging many years ago.  At the time I was living in a new city with small children.  It enabled me to feel connected and enjoy quilting at a time when sewing time was hard to come by.  Karen had a special birthday coming up, so I very quickly made this modern chevron mini quilt to pop in the post to her.  Honesty it is the quickest quilt I have ever made, out of necessity as I didnt know it was her birthday, but I really wanted to send her something handmade.  I popped a few other things in the parcel and by complete fluke and the good grace of Australia Post it arrived on her birthday, which was fantastic! I love orange and blue together so I was very happy with this scrappy chevron quilt, especially as the orange fabrics were all donated scraps from another quilty friend.

Happy quilting Sue.

Antique mini quilt, pattern by Ann Hermes

After a lot of searching on my blog I found a single  image of this mini quilt, which I apparently started in March 2017.  I don't know how long it took to put the border on, but I am sure that it was the border that was the reason it spent two years in the naughty corner!

I like things to be symmetrical and I just had to accept this was not going to happen with these tiny pieces.  The important thing is the quilt is  now completed (after pulling the house apart to find a matching scrap of blue for the binding) and I am happy!  Because it is blue and white all is forgiven :).  This mini will appear on my lounge room wall after our exhibition in late May....something else will have to come down, but its time for a change!

Pattern by Ann Hermes based on an antique quilt, published in American  Patchwork and Quilting magazine February 2011, finished size 17" x 17".

Happy quilting Sue.  

Round up of my finishes for 2017

Finishes for 2017 = 10 quilts, 1 wall hanging, 9 mini quilts, 2 table runners and 2 bags!

 Red and white pieced Dresden (double bed)

Midwinter churn dash (double bed)

 Meet me in Barcelona (single bed)

 Scrappy red/green Log Cabin (single bed)

  Vivid Grid (single bed)

Snowball quilt

Photo quilt (commission)

 

I Spy kids quilt

 Cot quilt

Log cabin neonatal quilt

Wool wall hanging (Linen Closet design)

Star mini quilt (x 3)

Mini churn dash by Red Button Quilt Co.

Jo Morton mini (nine patch)

Jo Morton mini (framed toile)

Jo Morton mini (cabin corners)

Spools mini (Thimble Blossom pattern)

Mini rainbow repro Dresden

Spring table runner (Jacquelynne Steves pattern)

Applique table runner (Norma Whaley pattern)

Green sheep cot quilt

Makers tote bag

Sew Together bag

Marvelous Mini Monday ...more tiny blocks

I had been putting off making these 36 patch blocks :(

But decided that the easiest way was to strip piece them.  Worked out fine for the red version of my Marvelous Mini Monday blocks. 

Thought I would try Trip Around the World style in rainbow colours for my scrap version.

But I didnt like it.  So after much procrastinating (and many weeks) I had another attempt.

Which is fine in my book.  

Did an audit of my blocks and worked out what was missing and which ones needed resewing...because I had lost most of the points.  

 Still struggling with the log cabin in red.  Not thrilled with the scrap version but its done.

Final photo of the scrap version of the sampler blocks.

No idea why but the flying geese have given me the most problems.

Still they are all done!

Happy quilting Sue.

Out of the deep dark stash

I have come to the conclusion that when fabric has been in your stash for more than ten years, using it somehow is better then not.  I won this fabric....I know that was more than ten years ago.  

 The prints are on the bigger side, so I figured showcasing them in a snowball block was a good idea.  Plus it is a quick and easy block to make.
 The camera doesn't do the colours justice, they are olive green not grey blocks.  

I have a few stripes of the tan fabrics I used in the corners left over, so will try and make a simple border, then look for a print to buy as a border.  There is nothing suitable in my stash, but thats OK, it was free fabric!  It is already a nice lap sized quilt, but would like to make it a bit bigger if I can find something I like. 

  

I found this Dresden mini in a box.  It only needed the centre appliqued on, so I did that.

Then quilted and bound it. I am keeping this one for myself!  

In another box (can you tell I am cleaning up!) I found 16 spool blocks left over from my Bonnie Hunter leaders and enders spool quilt.  I couldn't bring myself to throw them out.  

So I quickly quilted and bound them, now I have a little table runner and a mug rug :)

Happy quilting Sue.