Piecing, plenty of applique (with some tips) and AQC

The last couple of weeks have been quite busy here, so not very much sewing has been happening. Above is my latest finished Jane Pizar block. These blocks are fun to make; especially choosing all the fabrics. JP blocks finish at 9 inches and are all hand pieced or appliqued.

I have made a good start on this month's Noah and Matilda blocks. The first is finished.

The next block I am working on has 30 something berries that will be less than 1/2 inch in diameter. To stuff or not to stuff.....that is the question!! Lol

My first completed block every month is always the Chester Criswell block.

This month it is block 20, Margaretta Harris's block.

This is how I prepared this block.  I started by tracing 1/4 of the block onto freezer paper, then folding the FP in 4 and stapling the 4 layers together to keep them from slipping as I cut the shapes out.

I only partially cut along each channel.

Next I ironed the fp onto the fabric

and traced along all the stitching lines.

Next I joined all the lines and basted around each ring of fabric that would be staying.

Before stitching I cut out the centre, leaving a seam allowance to turn under. Each channel was then carefully cut in turn, starting at the innermost channel, before it was stitched.

For the outermost channel I pinned the tip of each curve to keep it in place while I stitched.

And finished!!!

Last week Melbourne hosted the 10th annual Australasian Quilt Convention.

The quilt which won the National Best of Australia award was made by Janet Treen (Quiltsalott blog). Photos of the quilt on Janet's blog here.

I bought one pattern..

The pattern is based on a small section of the Rajah Quilt which is held in the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra.

I purchased a few smaller pieces of fabric, mainly for Jane Pizar.

Wishing everyone a Happy and Blessed Easter.

Next Noah and Matilda Block

Finally I have the 4th March Noah and Matilda block completed.

I made it a little differently to the pattern.

A fussy cut pansy between




two broderie perse flowers

and a sweet little bird!

Now on to April's blocks.

Have a great weekend everyone. :)

Mountmellic block 1 finished.

This year Quiltmania magazine is publishing a Mystery Quilt, designed by Di Ford, called Mountmellic. 

I have completed the centre medallion using all French General fabrics.

I've made a start on lots more applique

In a previous post I showed a photo of the French General fabrics I selected to use on Mountmellic, Di Ford's mystery quilt in Quiltmania. I finally made a start! All the flowers and leaves for the broderie perse have been chosen and I have started appliquing them down. The fabric I used is a chintz-like print from La Belle Fleur. It has been lightly tea dyed to match the background as closely as possible.

I also chose to receive the BOM fabrics from Threadbear. I will make the quilt up in these fabrics as well, but (at the moment!) I plan to just make the centre block from my French General fabric collection. It has been fun to sort through fabrics, just restricting myself to French General fabrics, and make choices for all the parts of this block.
Part 2 has been released already, so I need to get a wriggle on! Lol

I have also made a start on block 19 of CCCQ

This one won't take too long.

I've also started selecting fabrics for 3 of the next 4 Noah and Matilda blocks.

The 4th block is much more intricate and will require more fabrics. It even has some embroidery!! :)

Photos and news from in interstate holiday in my next post.

There is also quite a bit of secret creating going on here. :)

Sarah Morrell is finished!

Its over 4 years since I started the quilt, but it "only" took about a year and a half to complete the top.
I purchased Sarah Morrell as a BOM from Threadbear.  At the time I had no repro fabric stash and no idea how to put together fabrics to create a quilt like this!
I was lucky enough to take some classes with Di Ford at Needles and Pins while I was making the quilt. Di's help and inspiration was invaluable!

Now for some close ups of a few of the blocks. (Lots of photos!)

Katrina did a wonderful job with her quilting.

I love the feathers...

And on my favourite block

Love his extra feathering.

All of the blocks were hand pieced or hand appliqued, except for this triple Irish chain. I chickened out and machine pieced this one! Lol Those pieces are 1/2 inch squares!

 Some blocks were appliqued using needleturn.

Many others were stitched down with hand buttonhole stitch using a single thread of Gutterman cotton.

I love broderie perse!

Lots of fun with fussy cutting many of the pieced blocks.

My very first experience with hexies!

My first flying geese!

On the back I used a strip made with some of the left over fabric.

I am very glad I stuck with this quilt, made every block and finished the whole quilt! It was a wonderful learning experience which has led to a renewed love of hand work, a new way of looking at fabrics for fussy cutting and lots more quilts (well, the start of many quilts! Lol)



The roses are in full bloom in my garden.

Not Blogging, Sewing.

Well, it has been a while since I have blogged. I have lots of sewing to share, so this will be a long post!

Today I finished this quilt top. The design was inspired by the setting for Jackie's Blogger's Block of the Month quilt.  I have used the same centre block and a slightly different Ohio Star block with the nine patch blocks.

I have taken advantage of the cyber Monday sales to get some backing fabrics to finish this quilt and the 2 Blogger's BOM quilts I am making. Lots more sewing ahead when they arrive in the post!

Speaking of arrivals in the post...

This parcel arrived yesterday from Christine.  Christine, of Once Upon a Quilt, had a giveaway on her blog, which I was lucky enough to win! :)
Lots and lots of scraps!!!

I know exactly what I am going to use them for...standby..

Yesterday I finished another little quilt top.

While Karen was in USA she was given a package of  mini charm packs. Karen gave us Friday sewing girls each a pack and challenged us to come up with something.

 Field Notes by Blackbird Designs is a new fabric due out in February next year.

I decided to add yellow and cream fabrics and make pinwheel blocks.

 Next I added sashing and cornerstones.

Then a border to finish the top. I haven't decided on a backing fabric yet.

I can see the end of panel 2 of Trailing Vines! :)

Not far to go till I can join the first 2 panels together!

I have been doing a bit of experimenting with an applique project.

Still a work in progress.
The background is a linen blend. The appliqued fabrics are Liberty. I reversed the green fabric to get a more faded look. With the quilting I hand quilted around the applique and I am trying to get the look of dandelion seed heads with the background quilting.

I may change them...

Here is the same design with completely different fabrics.

No quilting on this one yet.


Earlier this year Cathy started a quilting group that I have been attending once a month for the last few months. We meet in each other's homes and share our love of making quilts with some food, lots of laughter, inspiration and friendship. Recently we had our Christmas breakup at Treehouse Textiles. Emma and her Mum, Sarah, run workshops, have a little shop and create delicious food in serene bushland surroundings on the Mornington Peninsula.

A view from one of the windows.

We had a gift exchange.

I made a small padded camera bag....

with 1/4 inch, fussy cut hexagons..

We enjoyed a delicious lunch. It was a beautiful day so we ate outside.

Michelle gave us a lesson on foundation piecing. I have tried this before, but it was just a straight line of triangles and I remember being quite confused!
Michelle prepared a pattern for us and gave clear instructions.

Once I got the steps clear in my head I was on a roll! However, clearly I need practice at machine sewing curves! Lol 
I have a quilt pattern in mind to get some more practice.
Thank you for a wonderful day Ladies! :)

 Some more for Treehouse views to finish..

Have a great week. :)