Easy Swap UK Mini Quilt - DONE!

This summer I signed up for my first ever swaps and, with my usual over ambition and enthusiasm, I didn't stop at one!

The first of these was the Easy Swap UK hosted by Nina of Bossy Oz.  The brief for my partner was either red, black and white, or rainbow plus low volume.

I went with red, black and white just to try something a wee bit different.  I added some light grey to the mix too.



Last year I participated in the Little Blogs Quilt Bee and Celine of Espirit Patch had requested foundation paper pieced (FPP) pineapple blocks.  I was intimidated by trying a new technique but soon realised FPP is easier than it looks and a guaranteed way to deliver clean lines and matching points.  You can see my first block from that bee here.

As my mini was going to be for someone else, someone I had not met, I wanted it to be something a bit special but still not too complicated to sew.  I instantly thought back to the pineapple block. My partner had said they liked log cabins too and I thought there was sufficient similarity between them to go for it.

I opted to quilt the mini using "Stitch in the Ditch".  I was using white thread and it was inevitable that I would be successful on the white fabric and wobble on the black.  However, it was my first time doing quilting like this and, again, I wanted to try something a bit special as it was a gift.  I didn't think my usual stipple would compliment the design at all so I braved it out. The front looks good and the back looks ace!

I sent it off to my partner along with some perle cotton in matching colours so she can use her favourite shades in other work.

Buzz Buzz - 7

The Little Blog Quilt Bee has been a highlight of my sewing year.  Last February, Lou of I'm Studio Lou gathered a crew of merry bloggers, each with small numbers of followers, to encourage skill building and blogging friendships.

Over the last year we've challenged one another to make a variety of blocks and there's some fabulous quilts emerging from our efforts.

I've never participated in a bee before, and have loved every minute.  I have really been pushed out of my comfort zone, which has made me better at sewing in the areas I'm more familiar with.  Firsts for me in the bee have included:

• Cutting pieces to 7/8 of an inch - no room for my usual slack approach to a quarter of an inch seam here!
• Flying geese
• Foundation paper piecing (not scary or hard - it makes life easier and points more precise - hurrah!)
• Using white 
• Oakshott (so lovely, thanks for letting us have a go Nessa!)
• Templates

And so much more!

Here's a run down of the blocks I've made:

Wonky star for Lou of I'm Studio Lou

Wonky churn dash for Joanna at My Quilts and Other Stories

Friendship star for Natalie at Love Natalie 

Jewels for Claire at Cor Blimey Claire E Poppins

Posies for Vanessa at Nessa's Place

Pineapple block for Celine at Espiritpatch

Scrap block destined for bigger things for Sheila at Chez Budsmam

Purple scrappy trip for Gina at the Occasional Quilter

Anna Maria Horner feathers for Roseanne at Not a Floral Girl

And the last, for the extremely patient Alison at Patchwork Alley

You can see all the blocks these super folk made for me here.  

The best thing about this bee has been sewing along with lovely people who have all championed and supported one another to get better at an activity we all enjoy.  I've gained so much from this ladies so a massive THANK YOU to you all!