Showing posts with label Pin Wheels. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pin Wheels. Show all posts

Monday, 18 January 2016

CATCHING UP

Saturday Inspirations


I can't believe that we are into the third full week of the year already, and that I'm failing miserably with at least half of my New Year resolutions (sigh). We only have 23 sleeps until our first holiday, instead of losing 2 lbs a week I'm fairly sure I've put them on, I wasn't even looking at anything new until I had finished all my UFOs and existing commitments yet it would appear that I've accidentally on purpose signed up for 2 BOMs, but so far so good with updating the blog once a week so not a total loss.

This Saturday saw our first group meet up of the year, it was jam packed full of exciting news, lots of show and tell, oooohs and aaaahs over all our new purchases and of course an abundance of wonderful quilting.

First up is Val with this gorgeous quilt in a selection of Lynette Anderson fabrics, the design itself is very simple in its layout but works really well at showcasing the beautiful fabrics.






There were mixed feelings as to whether or not the pattern Val chose to have quilted, got lost in the overall design of the quilt and the fabric placement. We all thought it looked lovely, but I do understand that the idea or picture you have in your head of something doesn't always reflect the finished product in its physical form.






Caroline is still working on her amazing Bargello Quilt, you can find all the details about it here in one of my previous posts. 






Carrie has developed a taste for Pin Wheels and can knock them out at lightening speed, something I am very jealous of because they appear to be a process I just can not get my head around. Try as I might they never turn out right, my points get lost, they aren't matching in size honestly I give up with them, but Carrie has it mastered and they are gorgeous.






Although she is working on building up her stash of Pin Wheels it wasn't her task on Saturday. This week saw the return of one of our old favourites Saturday Stars, a class we all took together and where we all became friends, although most of us are nowhere near finished the mammoth quilt itself. It is a class that was put on at the Quilt Room in Dorking, although no longer running you can find the details of all their other workshops here. Like many people Carrie has a particular fondness for Moda fabrics which is reflected throughout this quilt.






Next up we've got Sue, who has been working on this amazing quilt called Stonefields by Susan Smith, originally a commission for a film it is made up of 121 different 6 inch blocks finishing 96" x 96" with a flying geese and hexagon border.




As far as I am aware this quilt is only available as BOM, if anyone knows if it can be purchased as a whole I'd love to know!! Sue purchased hers through The Running Chicken however it is no longer running. Sue has put some serious hours into this quilt so far and it really is a sight to behold....









 


Finally we turn to the efforts of Kerry Q, who has multiple projects on the go, as well as all her wedding planning (whoop whoop) I'm amazed she has the time to fit it all in. Kerry is working on a secret project for someone special using a mix of Cycles of Life by Maywood Studio and a selection of old shirts, so far her efforts look like this 




Kerry has also been working on restoring some little hexies she found with some things that belonged to her Nana, she's also been adding new bits to them and is thinking about making a cushion or two.






I have been working on some English Paper Piecing and hopefully I can share that with you later this week. 

Happy Quilting
Kerry xx



Tuesday, 19 August 2014

SLOW PROGRESS.....

Borders and Fillers


It's been an aaaagggee since I have had some spare minutes to sit down and update you on the various projects I have been working on. Life just really got in the way over the last few weeks, I have had some big life changes and upheavals which have really knocked my sideways - Oh and Festival of Quilts squueeeellll- but I am feeling much happier and getting back on track, so here we go.......

You may recall I have been working on something special for my wonderful Daddy who turned 50 at the beginning of August, unfortunately I am still working on it, hence this posts title!!









As this isn't a set pattern I am following but rather finding inspiration here and there, then putting together my own design I was finding gaps and spaces between some of the sections already quilted, that I really needed to fill. So I headed back to a previous quilt I had started as part of a class and took on the mighty chevron border!!

It looks very technical but in reality it is very straight forward and is extremely effective when finished.






The first step is to cut a pile of strips 5 1/4in in length in a variety of fabrics. I tried to get in as many of the fabrics I had been using throughout the quilt top for continuity's sake and also chose to cut mine in widths ranging from 1in - 2in to create a more visual border. You can of course use just one or two fabrics and stick to the same width.


(picture 1)



The fabric strips simply get placed on top of each other, one at a time, and stitched along the longest edge, alternating sides with each strip. With the exception of the first pair which is attached along the shorter edge (picture 1) The more you add, the longer it gets!!




So that was a few borders taken care off, now for some fillers...
At last months quilt group meet up, Carrie was cutting and stitching copious amounts of Pin Wheels, which looked ever so lovely and she assured me were very easy to make......lies!!! After a few of them took a dive out of my quilt studio window I found a method that worked for me and here it is in pictures.
















And here are both these bits partially in action.....





Happy Quilting 
Kerry xx