I'm back, with a new project and much more...

Well, it has been far too long since I updated my blog! There has been plenty of sewing happening, so I will start with my most recent start and come back with some more posts of what else I have been doing.

I have bitten by the clamshell bug!! I have never made clamshells before, so got some advice from others about what might be the best way to go.

I decided to make my own clamshell template from template plastic. I found an old Mathomat one of the kids used at school to draw a 2 inch clamshell.

Next I traced several clamshells on to freezer paper and tried applying spray starch with a paint brush and ironing over the curved edges. I didn't have much success with this. The freezer paper got soggy and stretched. Now I am using glue to stick down the folded edge.

I plan to make just a small quilt with an Alison Glass Ex Libris in the centre and surrounded by clamshells. I have an Alison Glass border fabric that I plan to use also.

For the clamshells so far I have chosen a mixture of Alison Glass, Cotton and Steel, Karen Lewis Textiles and Maze and Vale fabrics.



Since I finished the 2 quilt tops in my previous posts, I have mostly stuck to making progress on 2 projects.

The first is a new project using a pattern by Jen Kingwell. My Small World originally appeared in the Spring 2015 edition of Quiltmania. It is now available as a separate pattern. Below are parts 1 and 2 completed. I have almost finished part 3. I will do a new post about this quilt. Its been lots of fun!

I  have been continuing to work on Mountmellick, Di Ford's mystery quilt from Quiltmania last year. These little blocks are for Part 4. I have 2 sides attached and just the other 2 to sew on. Stand by for a separate post about Mountmellick too!

You may notice the photo above was taken in a plane. We recently had a short holiday in Tokyo. There was some fabric shopping in amongst all the sightseeing!! Of course there will be a post about our experience in Tokyo too!!!

Back soon! :)

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.

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.