Monday 31 October 2011

Foundation piecing lessons...

While in Atlanta my DIL and I were foundation piecing.  We both did a simple design to start.

I decided on a Halloween theme for mine.

I love the colours J chose for her block.

The same block can look so different when done in different fabrics!

This is J's little sewing machine - it does very nice stitching...

I then carried on with this tree block....

.... and a little heart block....

... then a house block....

.... all to make this Christmas wallhanging.
We also found a tutorial on the internet to make this little pleated pouch.  You can find the tutorial here.

This is mine with a lilac lining.

J's was a bit bolder!

Wednesday 26 October 2011

Hey guys.... Atlanta calling...

I went to a quilting workshop in Atlanta at the weekend and they were all using this fabric marker pen for needleturn applique - so I am having a go.....

The marks from this pen iron away!

I collected these leaves from the oak trees in the forest in Decatur where my son lives......

Thursday 6 October 2011

Something for winter...

What do you need for winter?  Mittens of course!  Well you do if you live in Bradford - its cold up north!

I started going to Calder Quilters last month (after seeing their marvellous exhibition at Bankfield Museum.  They were reminding everyone to bring their completed challenge quilts for the next meeting and I asked if she could tell new members what it was - and she said we wouldn't have much time to make anything - well red rags and bulls spring to mind here....  The theme was winter and you had to put lace and beads on.... and it had to be smaller than some measurement that I forgot, but mine is very small!  Oh well I had lots and lots of fun making it and I think it will look very cute hanging on my wall!
So here is my quilt - in two parts - Mittens for Winter.  I drew around my hands for a size guide.

The foxy is the only thing I copied from a book - but he is lots smaller than the pattern in the book!
Close up of robin (with embroidered red breast) and holly (with french knots for berries).  And tiny size 15 seed beads to make the snow sparkle.
A close up of the beads at the top of the cuff and the machine quilting for the sky.

A tiny star in the sky.