Block-a-Palooza progress

I'm loving the block-a-palooza.  I've learnt how to make geese in 2 ways now.  I like that the triangle method (not sure if there is a technical name for this) wastes less fabric, however the rectangle and square way (oh yes I'm so well educated in these matters!!) is a lot easier to do in my opinion.  Anyhow here are blocks 2 & 3.

This just had some many little squares, but although it took an age to cut and sew it is definately my favourite block so far.  I love the colours and how well my seams match up (not perfect but really good for me).

More flying geese.  Not really seeing how these are going together at the moment, but it is exciting to think that they will all look good together when they are all done.

Need to be patient until thursday now.

Designing my own quilt

Here is a question, I have drawn my own picture of the quilt that I am going to make.  I haven't copied it from anyone, but how do I know that this exact same design hasn't been done before? It's not complicated so I guess it may have been but I haven't seen it. For now I am going to say that I designed this quilt until I hear otherwise.

Anyway here is the basic block that I am using for my Diamond Pathway quilt.

I am using the Moda Hushabye fabric that I used before as I had plenty over and I really like it.

Really looking forward to the next block in the Block-a-Palooza tomorrow. I hope that it has another technique that I haven't tried before, it's going to be a great learning project.

Block 1 for the Block-a-Palooza

My first block for the Block-a-Palooza is complete.  I'm really excited about this quilt I think it is going to be really great. 

If you're interested in joining in with the fun or would like to see the other variations that people have done go to the Flickr page.

The next block is on Thursday, hosted by Elizabeth Hartman at Oh Fransson!. I love this blog it's definately one of my favourites.

WIP Weekend

Hi there, as promised here is my first installment of a Work in Progress Weekend.  First things first my sister came over yesterday so we took a trip to my local fabric store, with 4 children in tow (just in case you were wondering not a great idea!).  I needed to get some solids to go with the sunkissed fabric for the Block-a-Palooza.

This is a fat eighth bundle and it is just so cute.

This line is really pretty and such summery colours I can't wait to cut it.

Here are the solids I went for, the pink was supposed to be Golden wheat so I guess more orangey, but they didn't have anything so I went for pink instead.

Finally here is what I'm working on at the moment, mug rugs for the teachers at school

The one on the right is personalised so I haven't shown all of it, but basically the wording is handstiched.  The one on the left is Moda Tweet Tweet fabric. These are so much fun to make and are so easy and quick.

Have a great weekend all.

sunkissed is here!!!

I'm so excited, my sunkissed fabric arrived this morning for the Block-a-Palooza.  I was getting worried I would miss the start but oh no, I'm ready to go.  I've got some solids too, not the ones suggested but they do go so will make my quilt look a little different to the rest which may or may not be good we'll see.

I'll take a piccie tomorrow and post the pile of beauty, oh I love fat eighth bundles they are just luscious.

Fabric Friday!

I have decided that I am going to follow on from some of the blogs that I have been reading and have a feature about fabric on a Friday.

This week it's all about Amy, Amy Butler that is.  I got this little stash bundle in an online sale, it's from the Love collection.

I planning on making some mug rugs for the teachers at school to say thank you from the boys.  I have started them already as I want to make sure I get them all done by July!!

I think I might also have a Work in Progress Weekend as this is when I get most of my sewing done, so I will share what I am making on sunday.

Oh and don't forget to check out the Moda Bakeshop Progressive dinner.  There are some really great giveaways to be had.

Not been around but I have been busy

Realised that I did'nt have enough fabric for the back of my Amy Butler quilt so it has been put aside for a while.  But this gorgeous fabric came in the post the other day.

It's Moda Hushabye and I've decided that this is more suited to a baby quilt, so I did a lot of cutting, a lot of sewing and voila here is the finished quilt.



and check out my first attempt at free motion quilting.

and finally the back.

I really enjoyed making this, and surprisingly there was something really satisfying about hand sewing the binding in place.  It is by no means perfect, you may be able to see the slight wonkiness on the right but I'm pleased overall with my first attempt.

Making Progress

I managed to cut all my squares today, well I say squares I'm not entirely sure how accurate they are. This cutting accurately thing is proving more difficult than I anticipated. I'm certainly feeling very motivated with quilting though, each new stage brings something even more exciting to look at as the fabric changes into something new.

And here is the quilt top all sewn together.



I am going to make the backing from the left over fabric so all I need to get is the wadding, then to embark on the quilting which scares me the most.

My local craft shop has a fabric sale today so going to have a look at that, hopefully won't spend too much money!!

Cutting Fabric is Fun.....

I am really enjoying slicing through fabric, it makes a really satisfying sound. Here's the 1 1/2 inch strips all cut up..

and here they are sewn together.

I have decided that I prefer pressing seams open, I'm not sure why, they just seem to lay flatter. I'm liking how this is looking so far, not sure how perfect my 1/4 inch seams are but I guess I'll find out later on.

Been looking around other blogs and think I might try the Block a Palooza that starts on 24th January, just need to find the fabric......

The Pattern is Chosen...

I have decided which pattern I'll use for my daughters quilt.  It is a baby blanket by Vanessa at V and Co from the Moda Bakeshop.

I have also bought the fabric I am going to use from the John Lewis sale. It is Daisy Chain by Amy Butler and also Midwest Modern by Amy Butler because I needed 1 more fabric and this went the best I thought.

The pattern uses a Moda Honey Bun and I do love everything about Moda (the fabric, the precuts, the Bakeshop!), but this fabric was on sale so I'm going to have to cut it up into 1 1/2 inch strips.  Can't wait to get started, I think I'm starting to see why quilters hoard fabric as I can't stop looking at it!!!

2011 Here I Come!!

My first ever blog post, how exciting.  I'm hoping that 2011 will be the year for me to learn how to quilt.  I love many crafts namely knitting, crochet, scrabooking and paper crafts and general sewing, but I have never learnt to quilt.  Having finally had my gorgeous daughter last year I now feel the urge to make her a quilt.

My first try at quilting was a present for my mum for Christmas, 2 placemats and a table runner.  The placemats were from a book called Sew Liberated. They weren't perfect but I was pleased with the result.

Need to go and decide what I am going to make for my daughter now.

I don't expect too many people to read this blog, not to start with anyway, but if you do happen upon me you are very welcome.  Please do say hi. I'm hoping to find lots of help and inspiration along my journey from the lovely world of cyberspace.

Much love
Alison