Stained glass wrap

I’m loving this stained glass wrap from the spring issue of For the Love of knitting.

It’s my train project at the moment. Although I am sitting in the car, it’s raining and the boys are playing hockey!

Lace jumper

I finally finished this lace t-shirt. I knitted it from this book very easy lace

A 9 Patch Project

So what should I do with the 9 patches?  Lets start with a simple wall hanging or mat.

This is a nice small project and great to practice your quilting – I wanted to practice my feathers, which I find quite hard.

Materials

9  x 9-patches (I used the Outer space ones and arranged them so that the “world” block traveled across the quilt)

Backing 20 inch square

Wadding / batting 20 inch square

1 fat quarter for the binding
Instructions

Layout

I have arranged the 9 patch blocks so that they tell a story – you can arrange the blocks is a way you love.

project 1 layout

Sew the 9 patch blocks together – 1 row at a time and then join the rows together (just like a big 9 patch)

Quilting

Place the backing right side down, then put the batting on top of it and then your quilt top.

Baste the 3 layers together.  I like using basting spray, you can use any method of basting to keep all the 3 layers together – you could use safety pins or use a basting stitch (big tacking stitch)

You can quilt in the ditch, go across the diagonals and use a walking foot.  I’ve used my darning foot and played with feathers.  This is a great project to practice your quilting.

quilting pattern

This is what it looks like on the quilt.

 

quilting on the project

Add the binding

Cut the FQ into 2.5 inch strips – sew them together so that they are enough to go round your project.

Fold the binding strips in half length ways and sew the binding on – put the raw edge to the edge of the project and sew down.  I then flip the binding over to the back and hand stitch down on the back of the project.

project finished

 

New sock club yarn has arrived!

The next www.strandedinoz.com.au sock club yarn has arrived (perhaps I should knit up the last one!!)

This is such lovey pink… Which should I do first!!!

Cute Robyn Pandolph designed bag

Last year I was lucky enough to do a workshop with the amazing Robyn Pandolph – she is a designer for RJR and has her own range of fabrics – they are very dreamy and romantic.

Her style is very romantic and her latest collection has been inspired by Paris – just lovely.

Robyn does l0ts of quilt designs which feature a lot of hand applique that is done using the needle turn technique.

I’ve never been a fan of hand sewing – so needle turn was a but out of my comfort zone.  Robyn has a really nice way of doing needle turn – its about the look and not the quilt police – and having fun with it.

She uses freezer paper as templates and a sharpie to draw round them – she uses water soluble glue (Roxannes) to stick the pieces in place – and then sew it down .. and not super worried about tincy little stitches that cant be seen – its about the process and what can be seen at a distance not close up.

So this is my first real attempt of needle turn – and I actually quite enjoyed the process – and could even do more (not sure about a full complicated quilt just yet though!!)

Any way here is a pic of my Robyn Pandolph designed bag – made by me!!!!  It is quite clever and designed using 2 fat quarters and some pieces for the applique.

So this is the front.

bag front

and here is the back …..

bag back

 

 

9 Patch Project Swap

I have just loved getting all the swap parcels – and even nicer to unpack everyone’s swap blocks.

A huge thank you to all of you who added additional blocks for charity quilts – I’ll post tops as I make them.

We had a lot of traditional 9 Patch‘s – I love all the different fabric choices.

Here is a picture of all the blocks laid out on the dining room table.

Jan Swap blocks

Don’t they just look fabulous together… your share of the booty are winging their way back to you via Australia Post.

Looking forward to seeing your blocks next month – want to join in?  Go to the 9 Patch Swap page

Needle turn appliqué by the Yarra

I’m waiting for my oldest munchkin while he does his rowing. It is a beautiful day – I found a lovely caffe to sit and have a coffee watching the world!
So I pull put my appliqué … Is this a bit quirky or grandma?

The Nine Patch Project

I love the Nine Patch block – from the traditional to the complex …

The traditional nine patch block

This year I wanted to give myself a challenge – how many different 9 patch blocks could I make?

Follow my progress on

Secret Sister Christmas Swap

I love a good swap – and one of the best is this Christmas one.

My secret sister had a broken ankle – in 2 places no less. Well if you are going to do it, you might as well do it properly!!

So all my parcels arrived – month by month…. Put away in a fantastic bag.
And then we had lots of fun unwrapping them (Chris who is 5 just needed to take over!!)
Lots of great things- and the most lovely Christmas Stitchery – sorry this isn’t pictured here as I popped it it the Xmas decorations box so that I wouldn’t forget to show it off next year!!

Thank you so much.

A New Year

We are back onboard… and ready to go for another new year.

Yes, I have some New Years Resolutions

To be healthier … isn’t that what we all want, thinner and fitter (this is always my first one and the new healthier me starts today – I am even going to the gym after work today!!)

Finish some projects …. I have quite a lot of PHD’s – Projects Half Done!!!

Minimise the purchase of stash for me (the shop is something a bit different!!)

To make more fun things – and write them up!!!

The Nine Patch Project – I’m a bit hooked on the traditional (and not so traditional) 9 patch – how many different variations can I make in a year??? and what can I do with them? theninepatchproject.wordpress.com

So over the holidays I tried to finish some things off – this jumper was one … http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/panbe-dress

Yes!! I finally fihished it