Linking up with Work in Progress Wednesday with Lee at Freshly Pieced
Showing posts with label Stitch Gathering. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stitch Gathering. Show all posts
Wednesday, 28 January 2015
Stitch Gathering Jelly Roll Quilt 2
I've been powering on through this quilt and have now completed half the rows for the top. Four to go!
Linking up with Work in Progress Wednesday with Lee at Freshly Pieced
Linking up with Work in Progress Wednesday with Lee at Freshly Pieced
Monday, 26 January 2015
Stitch Gathering Jelly Roll Quilt
I've picked up my eternal WIP, the Stitch Gathering Jelly Roll quilt again recently with a view to getting it DONE!
My normal approach is to cut a bit, sew a bit. I don't think it's particularly efficient however, so decided to take a more assembly line approach to this quilt. I thought it might help me to make progress quickly, even if there wasn't instant gratification.
I did my best, but I have to admit I did give up on the cutting after slicing up the width of fabric strips. They were tricky customers and I was bored of just cutting - I wanted to see a finished row!
I'm going to gift it to a friend when she gets married later on this year.
My normal approach is to cut a bit, sew a bit. I don't think it's particularly efficient however, so decided to take a more assembly line approach to this quilt. I thought it might help me to make progress quickly, even if there wasn't instant gratification.
I did my best, but I have to admit I did give up on the cutting after slicing up the width of fabric strips. They were tricky customers and I was bored of just cutting - I wanted to see a finished row!
And progress has indeed been forthcoming. In the last week, I've completed two and a half rows of the 8 needed for this quilt. Compared to my August 2013 to September 2014 progress (1 row), I think that's pretty good!
I feel like the skills I've developed over the last year will make this a better quilt though so maybe I was right to wait. I just can't wait to see it finished now!
Saturday, 26 July 2014
Scrappy Days - How I organise my leftovers
Recently, I have been working on reducing my pile-o-scraps. The fabric fund has been a bit depleted after making my Sister's Choice quilt (for which I collected lots of love purple, pink and grey fabrics) and I have decided I need to use the fabric I have instead of buying more just because I like it.
Recently, I decided it was time to sort them out and put them to use.
At the Stitch Gathering last year, I attended a class on making scrap patchwork squares.
The class suggested hand sewing, which meant you could use really tiny pieces. However, I thought at the time I would like to have a go using the sewing machine and approach this as a method of using up scraps. So I had a go.
The pieces are all sewn together using a quarter inch seam, which means that scraps which are less than an inch across are pretty useless and just add bulk. These squares are cut to 5".
I have also recently had a go at EPP and have sorted through my pile of scraps for pieces which can be used for 1 inch hexagons.
Turns out they have to be roughly 2.5" square, which is handy as I have a lot of squares and strips in this size from other projects.
So, all of this has led me to devise a new system for organising my scraps (which I am now doing as I go). I've started using sandwich bags labelled with a Sharpie to house my organised scraps.
I am a hoarder in all areas of my life and fabric is no exception. I have kept all the itty bitty tiny bits from all of my projects.
Recently, I decided it was time to sort them out and put them to use.
At the Stitch Gathering last year, I attended a class on making scrap patchwork squares.
The class suggested hand sewing, which meant you could use really tiny pieces. However, I thought at the time I would like to have a go using the sewing machine and approach this as a method of using up scraps. So I had a go.
The pieces are all sewn together using a quarter inch seam, which means that scraps which are less than an inch across are pretty useless and just add bulk. These squares are cut to 5".
I have also recently had a go at EPP and have sorted through my pile of scraps for pieces which can be used for 1 inch hexagons.
Turns out they have to be roughly 2.5" square, which is handy as I have a lot of squares and strips in this size from other projects.
So, all of this has led me to devise a new system for organising my scraps (which I am now doing as I go). I've started using sandwich bags labelled with a Sharpie to house my organised scraps.
- Anything less than 1.5" square is pretty useless and can be disposed of without guilt.
- Anything more than 1.5" and less than 2.5" square (roughly, they don't have to be square, but do need to have a minimum width of 1.5") gets sorted into colour coordinated bags for making scrappy blocks. Eventually, I hope to turn these into a rainbow quilt. I am also saving white and low volume scraps to use as sashing on this quilt. A very long term project I think.
- Anything big enough to cover a 1 inch hexagon is being basted and added to the pile of hexagons I am saving to make a hand sewn scrappy EPP quilt. Again, I will probably arrange these to make a rainbow.
- Anything larger than this is being neatly folded and kept in my scraps box for use in other projects. For example, I recently raided this for some low volume scraps for my Little Blog Quilt Bee block for July. If I can, I'm cutting out 5" square pieces to add to my charm pile.
- All strips of 2" or more are being kept in one bag together.
- All strips of less than 1" are being kept for ribbon for wrapping gifts. However, I see these being disposed of (either re-housed or chucked) as I am yet to wrap a single present using these. Some of them are so lovely though, I don't want to throw them away.
So, that's how I am managing to find new fabrics, ideas and quilts in my leftovers and make the most of what I have. Quilting is a rewarding but dear hobby, so it's nice to satisfy my need to reduce waste and add to my stash.
Anyone have any other scrap busting/sorting tips?
Monday, 6 January 2014
Merry Christmas - 2
In January? One Christmas just isn't enough for me, and this week we have been spending time down south with FH's family.
Back in March, I blogged about a scrap of swatch fabric I procured to match my FMIL's lovely new curtains. I was going to make a cushion which matched the curtains to sit on their swanky new settee. That was in March and on the 26th December, I finished the cushion!
I designed it in May, and made a mock-up cushion. This was partly to practice and partly because I could not find the swatch for weeks. I had put it in a "safe place".
Well, I finally finished it over the holidays (another of my 23rd December finishes) and gifted it this week:
And now in situ:
We're having a brilliant week visiting family and touring the county. I was taken with a new stool in the house of FH's aunt. She found it in a charity shop - isn't it lovely? It's hand quilted across the top.
That is the end of all my Christmas project gifting, so onwards and upwards to 2014 projects!
This year I have some goals in mind. Firstly, I need to finish up this quilt I started at the Stitch Gathering:
I don't like having more than one project on the go, so this is on my mind.
Secondly, I need to make my sister a purple quilt. She has been most supportive of my interest in quilting, mainly because she is very keen to own one! This year though, she is doing me an extra special favour by being a bridesmaid at my wedding, so it is only fair she receives an extra special gift.
Thirdly, I need to make some bunting with this cassette fabric for the wedding reception.
So, in January I plan to start the bunting (at least the design and five triangles) and continue my shopping spree in which I will collect all the purple fabric required to make a special quilt for my sister.
Better get cracking!
Linking up with Melissa of Bittersweet Designs for A Lovely Year of Finishes:
And with Kelly of My Quilt Infatuation for Needle and Thread Thursday
Back in March, I blogged about a scrap of swatch fabric I procured to match my FMIL's lovely new curtains. I was going to make a cushion which matched the curtains to sit on their swanky new settee. That was in March and on the 26th December, I finished the cushion!
I designed it in May, and made a mock-up cushion. This was partly to practice and partly because I could not find the swatch for weeks. I had put it in a "safe place".
Well, I finally finished it over the holidays (another of my 23rd December finishes) and gifted it this week:
We're having a brilliant week visiting family and touring the county. I was taken with a new stool in the house of FH's aunt. She found it in a charity shop - isn't it lovely? It's hand quilted across the top.
This year I have some goals in mind. Firstly, I need to finish up this quilt I started at the Stitch Gathering:
I don't like having more than one project on the go, so this is on my mind.
Secondly, I need to make my sister a purple quilt. She has been most supportive of my interest in quilting, mainly because she is very keen to own one! This year though, she is doing me an extra special favour by being a bridesmaid at my wedding, so it is only fair she receives an extra special gift.
Thirdly, I need to make some bunting with this cassette fabric for the wedding reception.
So, in January I plan to start the bunting (at least the design and five triangles) and continue my shopping spree in which I will collect all the purple fabric required to make a special quilt for my sister.
Better get cracking!
Linking up with Melissa of Bittersweet Designs for A Lovely Year of Finishes:
Wednesday, 28 August 2013
Stitch Gathering
On Sunday I attended the Stitch Gathering retreat in Edinburgh. It surpassed all my expectations and was an excellent day of sewing fun. It was wonderful to sit and sew with so many great people and accomplished stitchers.
It started with me driving ALL BY MYSELF to the venue. I arrived ridiculously early as it had taken me 25 minutes to park the car the day before (did I mention I'm new at the driving?) and I wasn't taking any chances with being late.
So, I was first in. I met some lovely people over coffee before being presented with the first of LOTS of gifts. It was pretty much Christmas if you like sewing.
The first surprise from the Stitch Gathering team (headed up by the ever so kind and supportive Jo Avery) was this goodie bag.
Over the course of the day, between goodie bags, lucky dips and a swap I ended up with 17 new fat quarters of lovely fabric, as well as a pooch of Liberty scraps. How generous is that?
So on to the name tag swap. I was astounded with my partner's thoughtfulness. Brenda, who until the day was a stranger, had been assigned my nametag. Not knowing the first thing about me, she had looked up my name in Gaelic, which apparently means white wave. I did not know this and am so touched by what she made me.
And it turned out she loved cross stitch, so I was on a winner too!
My first class was crazy patchwork with Sheila. Behold the fruits of my labour!
Turns out hand sewing might not be for me, but I love how it looks so fully intend on cheating and making more of these stash busting beauties on a machine. This technique finds value in the tiniest of little scraps and turns them into the vital bridge from one corner to another. Again, it was lovely to spend a couple of hours sewing in the company of fellow enthusiasts.
I happened to be sitting right next to the display wall where all the embellished tickets were hung. These are going to be sewn together into a quilt which will be raffled off next year.
There was some serious talent on display.
And some not so serious....
I'm allowed to say that - it's mine! I was petrified of cutting my ticket and wanted to play it safe. I think I went a little too safe, but I did use fabrics from my very first sewing class which is how I had heard about the Stitch Gathering in the first place so it was appropriate and had a story to tell (if only to me).
There was a show and tell after lunch. This is my favourite piece and the inspiration for the next project.
My second class was with Fiona and involved learning how to make a jelly roll quilt. I really should have thought about the design of it before the class because it seemed to take me a while to get going but once I did I was on a (jelly) roll...
I adore the fabric I chose and think it is going to be a really striking quilt. I've pretty much decided to keep it for myself. I have not kept anything I have made on my quilting journey but I don't know if I can part with something so "me". Here's what I managed to accomplish during the class:
Unfortunately, I have another project to be getting on with (to a ludicrous deadline - there's a pattern forming here) so this is going to have to go on the back burner. I just hope I don't forget all Fiona's expert advice!
The day ended at the Avery Homestore in Edinburgh for a private viewing of the Quilt Show hosted during the Edinburgh Festival. Here's some of my favourites:
There were lots of other beautiful quilts on display, but I did too much chatting and not enough photographing! They all had a note on them discouraging you from touching them, which was fair enough but extremely difficult. They were so tactile and inviting.
The day was over in a flash and I can't wait until next year. I'll definitely be signing up again. I was so apprehensive about it but I really need not have been. It left me feeling confident in my abilities and proud of how far I've come while still relishing and recognising the challenges of the classes I had chosen.
I'll leave this post on a high note of some of the lovely fat quarters I acquired throughout the day.
My fat quarter swap bounty - it's blue and white! For more on why that's important, stay tuned for my next post in which I will be showing off some actual sewing.
These bundles were actually tied up with string - definitely a few of my favourite things.
So, I was first in. I met some lovely people over coffee before being presented with the first of LOTS of gifts. It was pretty much Christmas if you like sewing.
The first surprise from the Stitch Gathering team (headed up by the ever so kind and supportive Jo Avery) was this goodie bag.
Over the course of the day, between goodie bags, lucky dips and a swap I ended up with 17 new fat quarters of lovely fabric, as well as a pooch of Liberty scraps. How generous is that?
So on to the name tag swap. I was astounded with my partner's thoughtfulness. Brenda, who until the day was a stranger, had been assigned my nametag. Not knowing the first thing about me, she had looked up my name in Gaelic, which apparently means white wave. I did not know this and am so touched by what she made me.
And it turned out she loved cross stitch, so I was on a winner too!
My first class was crazy patchwork with Sheila. Behold the fruits of my labour!
Turns out hand sewing might not be for me, but I love how it looks so fully intend on cheating and making more of these stash busting beauties on a machine. This technique finds value in the tiniest of little scraps and turns them into the vital bridge from one corner to another. Again, it was lovely to spend a couple of hours sewing in the company of fellow enthusiasts.
I happened to be sitting right next to the display wall where all the embellished tickets were hung. These are going to be sewn together into a quilt which will be raffled off next year.
There was some serious talent on display.
And some not so serious....
I'm allowed to say that - it's mine! I was petrified of cutting my ticket and wanted to play it safe. I think I went a little too safe, but I did use fabrics from my very first sewing class which is how I had heard about the Stitch Gathering in the first place so it was appropriate and had a story to tell (if only to me).
There was a show and tell after lunch. This is my favourite piece and the inspiration for the next project.
My second class was with Fiona and involved learning how to make a jelly roll quilt. I really should have thought about the design of it before the class because it seemed to take me a while to get going but once I did I was on a (jelly) roll...
I adore the fabric I chose and think it is going to be a really striking quilt. I've pretty much decided to keep it for myself. I have not kept anything I have made on my quilting journey but I don't know if I can part with something so "me". Here's what I managed to accomplish during the class:
Unfortunately, I have another project to be getting on with (to a ludicrous deadline - there's a pattern forming here) so this is going to have to go on the back burner. I just hope I don't forget all Fiona's expert advice!
The day ended at the Avery Homestore in Edinburgh for a private viewing of the Quilt Show hosted during the Edinburgh Festival. Here's some of my favourites:
There were lots of other beautiful quilts on display, but I did too much chatting and not enough photographing! They all had a note on them discouraging you from touching them, which was fair enough but extremely difficult. They were so tactile and inviting.
The day was over in a flash and I can't wait until next year. I'll definitely be signing up again. I was so apprehensive about it but I really need not have been. It left me feeling confident in my abilities and proud of how far I've come while still relishing and recognising the challenges of the classes I had chosen.
I'll leave this post on a high note of some of the lovely fat quarters I acquired throughout the day.
My fat quarter swap bounty - it's blue and white! For more on why that's important, stay tuned for my next post in which I will be showing off some actual sewing.
Monday, 12 August 2013
Brown Paper Packages - 3
I've been on a little spree recently as my birthday money was burning a hole in my pocket.
For my next project, a 65th wedding anniversary quilt for my Grandparents, I have been stockpiling blue and white fabrics.
The ones on either end of this bundle have already featured, but the others are some recently purchased fat quarters. Now, if only I could decide on a pattern. I thought I would use the opportunity to make a Scrappy Trip (which I really want to do and thought it might be fun sticking to a colour scheme, while still keeping it random). However, FH saw this bundle and commented on how busy it was, so now I'm thinking maybe I will have to buy either some blue or white fabric to create large areas of negative space. Maybe a Swoon quilt? Suggestions would be most welcome and appreciated, but please go easy on me - I'm still learning and this needs to be good. It is, after all, for two very special people.
WALKING FOOT!! QUARTER INCH FOOT!! HOORAH!
In a fortnight I am off to the Stitch Gathering. One of the classes I am taking is about how to make a jelly roll quilt, so I had to get one.
I saw this jelly roll on an American shop website and decided it was the thing for me. However, the international postage was going to make it crazy so I needed to find a UK stockist. Cotton Patch came up trumps and was also the source of my new cotton batting for BIG quilt and one of the two projects mentioned above. I'd never shopped there before, but it's great.
I can't wait to get going!
For my next project, a 65th wedding anniversary quilt for my Grandparents, I have been stockpiling blue and white fabrics.
The ones on either end of this bundle have already featured, but the others are some recently purchased fat quarters. Now, if only I could decide on a pattern. I thought I would use the opportunity to make a Scrappy Trip (which I really want to do and thought it might be fun sticking to a colour scheme, while still keeping it random). However, FH saw this bundle and commented on how busy it was, so now I'm thinking maybe I will have to buy either some blue or white fabric to create large areas of negative space. Maybe a Swoon quilt? Suggestions would be most welcome and appreciated, but please go easy on me - I'm still learning and this needs to be good. It is, after all, for two very special people.
WALKING FOOT!! QUARTER INCH FOOT!! HOORAH!
In a fortnight I am off to the Stitch Gathering. One of the classes I am taking is about how to make a jelly roll quilt, so I had to get one.
I saw this jelly roll on an American shop website and decided it was the thing for me. However, the international postage was going to make it crazy so I needed to find a UK stockist. Cotton Patch came up trumps and was also the source of my new cotton batting for BIG quilt and one of the two projects mentioned above. I'd never shopped there before, but it's great.
I can't wait to get going!
Wednesday, 7 August 2013
Work in Progress
I have been working on the BIG quilt for what feels like forever.
I decided I should press open all the seams to avoid bulk and then square up all the corners and sides.
And this is a block I have made but can't say anything else about. How dull!
EDIT 13th August - I'm so touched by everyone's kind comments about my block. To clarify, I don't think it is boring (simple maybe, but not boring). I meant it was a yawn that I hadn't said anything else about it - it is a secret! Thank you everyone for your encouragement though!
Linking up withLee at Freshly Pieced Liz at Shush - I'm Quilting and Kelly ay My Quilt Infatuation for Needle and Thread Thursday (Edited):
I decided I should press open all the seams to avoid bulk and then square up all the corners and sides.
On every one of the squillion squares. Okay, there's only 120 but it feels like more. I've done half so far.
Now, I like to finish one thing before moving on to the next, but the Stitch Gathering is fast approaching (woo!) so I thought I better get going on my ticket and badge (I might never finish the BIG quilt and I can't let it stand in the way of sewing greatness and me).
Being, as I am, extremely out of practice at embroidery, I decided to play safe and sew the name in cross stitch, but I've added a little quilt for fun.
The name has to remain a secret until the day, so this might be the last shot of the ticket for a while.
And this is a block I have made but can't say anything else about. How dull!
EDIT 13th August - I'm so touched by everyone's kind comments about my block. To clarify, I don't think it is boring (simple maybe, but not boring). I meant it was a yawn that I hadn't said anything else about it - it is a secret! Thank you everyone for your encouragement though!
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