Goose chase is very nearly finished

Seem appropriate to be working on a goose chase quilt as Christmas approaches.  I can honestly say I have loved every stitch of this quilt and although I am mega excited to get it done I will miss working on it.  I have done a simple 1/4 inch quilting on all the goose blocks, clam shell for the sashing and baptist fan for the border.  I used Aurifil 28wt thread in pink, aqua and antique white, gorgeous thread to work with.  Hand quilting is a labour of love.
My next quilt will be a more traditional style using these gorgeous prints from Kansas Troubles. I haven't finalised exactly what I will be doing but I am thinking about stars.  
Hope you all have a lovely holidays.

Last but not lease the binding

We are nearly done.  All that remains of our cushion project is to attach the binding.  I have this tutorial all written and photographed for you however a couple of weeks ago we had a flood in our house, our living room and conservatory were worst effected and at the moment we have no floors as such and a mass of drying machines in the house..  My sewing area has had to be packed up and our computer which I have all the tutorial on is not usable.  I had hoped it wouldn't take too long to get things back up and running but no we anticipate another 2 months plus of disruption.   I don't want anyone unable to finish their cushions so here is an excellent tutorial to help you on your way.  I hope you share some photos of your finished cushion.

http://www.sewmamasew.com/2011/02/how-to-make-a-basic-pillow-how-to-finish-a-pillow-with-binding/

Happy sewing xx

Granny Square Cushion back

Hi everyone I hope you have all got the front of your cushion complete and are ready to make your back.  This is a really simple way to do a cushion back I use it all the time.

Lets measure your front take a note of that figure, Mine was 18 1/2 inches.  For the back I like to add 8 inches to that figure so I came to 26 1/2 inches x 18 1/2 inches.  ( quilting makes a big difference to the block size )  so go a head and cut a piece for the back and then cut that in half.  I have two pieces 18 x 13 1/4 inches.

Now we need to hem those pieces width ways.  Measure 1/2 inch from the top fold wrong side of fabric to wrong side of fabric and press and then re fold that 1/2 to conceal the raw edge. Pin in place.

Top stitch that hem both the top and bottom edge 1/8 on an inch in from the edge.

Now lay your two pieces on your cutting mat right sides down, Line them up so that they measure the size of your cushion front. Your pieces should overlap. 

Pop your cushion front on top rights side facing up and pin in place.

Finally sew around your cushion with a 1/8 seam to secure all your pieces together.

Now all thats left to do is make and attach our binding and we will do that next time.  Have fun. 

Great Granny Square continued

Well I hope you have all completed your centre Great Granny Square block and are ready to continue on and get the front of your cushion cover completed.  This next stage is quick and easy.  First off lets add a border to our block.  I chose a 4 inch border but the size of your border really depends on the size of the cushion that you would like.  I added the border fabrics to opposite sides first using a 1/4 inch seam then trimmed the excess fabric and then added the remaining two sides, trimming the excess at the end.  I now have a completed cushion block.

Lets make a quilt sandwich.  Lay your backing fabric down ( right side facing down) then your wadding and finally your complete quilt block.  Your backing and wadding need to be at least 2 inches bigger all round than the front block.  Pin or bast and we are now ready to quilt.  

Don't be afraid of quilting please you have 3 choices now and all of them are great.  You can hand quilt, straight-line quilt with a walking foot or free motion quilt.  I choose to free motion quilt.  I lowered the feed dogs in my machine. changed my foot to a darning foot and off I went trying to keep a consistent flow.  

I then trimmed off the excess wadding and backing fabric.  I like to add a 1/8 inch seam around the edge just to keep everything where it should be, you don't have to do this it's up to you.  

Next time we will be making the backing to our cushion make sure you wash your backing fabric for this stage.  Happy sewing.

Great Granny Square block

Hi everyone.  I hope you have al your supplies together and and are ready to start.  If not don't worry I am sure you can catch up this is a quick project for sure.  This is what I have done so far.  If you have any questions please ask I am sure I will have left some things out.
First off lets get the fabrics for the central block cut.  You will need 25 2 1/2 inch squares of print fabrics and 12 plain 2 1/2 inch squares and 4 2 1/2 x 7 1/2 inch rectangles.

Arrange your blocks into a pleasing pattern.

Sew your rows together using a 1/4 inch seam.  You can pin together if you wish.

Once you have all your rows sewn start joining them together using a 1/4 inch seam.  Press each row as you go and line up your seams.

Now add on the remaining end rectangles.

Give another press and then trim up.  Line up your ruler 1/4 inch from the points of the print fabrics.

Tha da your centre block is complete.  

Next time we will add the sashing and do our quilt sandwich. Have fun and I will see you in a few days.

Sew Along Come and Join in.

I'm hosting my very first sew along.  Come and join in.  We will be working through the process of making a Great Granny patchwork cushion cover.  They are great beginners projects.  So quick and easy.  Let start by getting our supplies organised.

You will need to have the following

Self healing mat
Rotary cutter
quilting ruler ( I use a 6 1/2 inch x 24 inch)
pins
pencil.
iron.
ironing board.
sewing machine.
1/4 inch sewing foot.

Walking foot ( or free motion foot if you are going to do free motion quilting)  If you have neither don't worry hand quilting is a great option for a cushion and the small size means it will come together  quickly.

Good quality cotton sewn thread. I use Aurifil 50 weight.

Approx 1 metre of quality cotton for the backing and background.

 24 inch square piece of cotton wadding.

5 inches width of fabric for binding.

and assortment of 2 1/2 inch squares of quality cotton prints in a co ordination scheme ( I am going to use a charm pack of Honky tonk fabric square and cut them in quarter)

Hand sewing needle.

I think that is it.  Get your supplies together and we can get started the week after next.  If you are struggling to get everything you need let me know and I might be able to make up some kits.

Wordless Wednesday

Where Have I been and What have I been doing

Hi everyone it has been a long time.  In all honesty I just haven't felt like blogging.  Life has been full on and I have made the big decision to pack up my sewing business.  It doesn't happen over night but the process is well underway.  I have a little sadness that it is ending but am excited and relieved to be moving on.  The thought of being able to sew what ever I want rather than a conveyer belt of bibs and  purses etc etc is good.
I have been feeling quite homesick of late we have been living in the Channel Islands for 18 months and although I do like some aspects of life here it is just not home.  I miss the accents, the casual chats with people who you just meet, the friendly hello in the morning from everyone, fresh air, hills, mountains and the humour.  
I plan on baking loads, working out and sewing loads of quilts.  Here are some of my recent projects.

End of the month and what have I done?

Hi everyone can you believe it's the end of January?  ( thank goodness I hear you cry)  January can be a difficult month for all sorts of reasons the weather for one and all the darkness.  I have been a busy bee in my studio and in between all my wholesale work I have been getting a few hours quilt making in.  I thought you might like to see.

 

My fist red and white quilt top completed I love it and can't wait to get it quilted.

Next is my snowball nine patch, so pretty.

A little baby scrappy log cabin quilt top.  I used a duck egg cotton for the sashing.

And a scrumptious Goose chase quilt top.

I think surrounding myself with all these beautiful fabrics has made my January go by very quickly.  Which quilt is your favourite?

Making a Quilt Sandwich

Now this is my first tutorial so please be kind .  I was basting my latest quilt today and I thought it would be a good opportunity to go over the process one step at a time for those of you who are beginners.

This is what I did there are other methods.

First I steam cleaned my floor to make sure it was not going to leave any marks on my fabrics.  Second I layed down my ironed quilt back making sure it was wrinkle free,  I had run out of masking tape so I used some low tack tape instead just to hold it in place.

 Next I layered my wadding centering  it on top of the backing again keeping it wrinkle free and straight.

Centre the quilt top on the wadding right side up smoothing as you, keeping it straight and centered.

Make sure your wading and backing are larger than your quilt top.

Starting in the centre of the quilt using basting pins I  curved saftey pins) basted the 3 layers together.

Thats it.  Don't try to rush the process just work away methodically.  Now you are ready to quilt.

Hope that has been helpful.
Happy weekend.

Straight Line Quilting

Hi everyone, I thought you might like me to share one of my last finishes for 2013.  My fist straight line quilted quilt. The idea behind this quilt was to show the versatility of quilts.

 I love just about every period of quilting from English paper piecing, civil war  quilts with their tiny pieces of fabric to pioneer quilts with quilt blocks that tell the story of the settlement of the west and the journey made by so many to depression feed sack quilts, Retro, and our modern takes on them all.  I appreciate that not everyone is the same.  Some people think quilts are old fashioned and dated. ( gasp)

This quilt was simple in its construction and utilised a palette of pistachio green, aqua, robins egg blue and dove grey.  I straight line quilted it with aurifil 50 cotton thread and bound with pistachio and hand stitched onto the back.

What have I learned about straight line quilting?  Tension can be tricky to get right, a walking foot is essential, it is back breaking and hugely time consuming.  Would I do it again? yes in a heartbeat, the texture is so tactile and the effect is simple modern and breathtaking. What do you think?  i would love to hear your thoughts.

Neglecting my Blog

Hi everyone and thanks for stopping by.  I have been absent from my blog for too long, other things just get in the way.  Life is hectic, the run up to Christmas is more like a looooong sprint but I am nearly there.  I have been doing a few local markets and have been taking orders for christmas delivery.  My facebook page has taken off and its lovely to get comments and likes and messages on a daily basis.  You should come for a visit your very welcome. I am going to try to keep to weekly blog posts in the New Year.
Happy Friday

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Made-by-Mum/614194945272270?ref=hl

What can I do to help?

Hi all I am on a mission.  I want to help more of you to take up sewing or sew more often.  Sewing is such a practical skill that can add a unique and personal touch to your home and those you love. What can I do to help?
What about online tutorials?  What projects would you like me to walk you through?  Sewing patterns are another thought, is that something that would interest you?  or maybe kits.  kits for quilts and other smaller projects?
How can I help?

I have a Plan

Morning lovelies I hope you are all having a creative weekend.  I have been baking oat cookies with cinnamon, such a comforting smell. I have also been hatching a plan for my fabric shop.  I have to start small because I am small ( only 5 ft) ha ha but seriously I want to take it one step at a time and get it right.  I know what I like and use but I have to find out more about you.  What you sew, the notions you use, the tools you might need, and your taste in fabric design.  I would really appreciate your input please give me your thoughts.  I am going to be listing some quilting cottons both prints and solids as well as some organic fabrics and waddings over the next week in my online shop so keep an eye out for new options. I really hope this is the start of a new adventure and I hope I can tempt you into joining me.
Happy Sunday.

A New Quilting shop?

I all I think I can say that Summer is over we have had a fabulous few weeks, lots of beach time. I have had a full on schedule of farmers markets and local shows to keep me going and it has been lovely.  I enjoy the people contact its good to chat with like minded people it sort of gives me more energy.  My business is developing in ways I never imagined and I feel like I am at a bit of a cross roads at the moment should I carry on just the same, making and selling at the same venues the same products or should I take a step in another direction?  I have been considering for quite a while whether I should have a shop to sell fabric and supplies but then we moved to Guernsey and those thoughts had to take a back seat but now I feel a little more settled I am thinking again.  So I hoped that you could all give me a wee hand with my thoughts. Do you think a shop is a good idea?  should it be internet based or actual shop? Guernsey is only a small island so I am not sure it could support an actual shop. What would you like to see in your dream quilt shop?  fabric types? notions? tools/equipment?  etc etc. what type of feel would you prefer? traditional/modern/vintage?  I want to know.
I really appreciate you taking a minute to give me your input.
Happy Monday.

Lined Draw String Bags

Hi everyone.  I am excited to share my latest goodie.  My fully lined draw string bags.  More robust and long lasting.  I have teamed this sugar sweet strawberry option with one of my bamboo bibs and organic teethers to make an oh so gorgeous gift set for a new baby girl.  But they can be used for many other occasions,  as ballet bags, plimsole bags, PJ bags, and after a tone of requests a Christmas sack ( I can make it bigger)  and I can add your child's name.  I have even picked out some fun modern fabric with snowflake detail and candy cane stripe specially for the christmas sack option.  .
Hope you like them and please let me know if you would like to order I think they could be popular.
Happy Wednesday.

Quilt Kits

Hi all how are you?  This week the weather has been wonderful I have been enjoying my little jogs and  longer walks with Sammy covered in sunblock ( fair/ginger hair and freckles).  It has been a funny week.  The other evening I was gathering in my washing from our clothes line when a lady who was standing waiting for the bus started to chat with me about my quilts ( I had a couple on the line ) she asked so many questions and was so interested and then out of the blue she asked me to make her a twin size quilt.  I was totally shocked and still am pinching myself that it actually happened.

The whole conversation got me thinking about quilts in general.  I have been quilting for such a long time that I sometimes forget how scary it can be making your first few quilts, selecting, a pattern, choosing fabrics ( size, scale, colours, themes) deciding on wadding and then gathering everything together.  It can often be too much that it can put the beginner off. So I was wondering if I should be putting together some simple little kits.  I am thinking baby/todder size with fabric cut to size.  Should I include binding and backing fabrics and what about wadding should these be an optional add on to the kit?

I would love to have your input and suggestions.
Happy Thursday.