Monday 30 November 2009

A summer's garden to brighten up another dull day



I really enjoyed making this one - again, like the last quilt it is a raw edge applique one, all done on the machine. I bought the pattern from here but take a look at the website of the lady that actually designed the pattern as I find it really fresh and inspirational.
I did have a few 'how long is this going to take' moments as I was cutting out all the flowers but it was definitely worth it in the end.
As always, you can click on the images to make them larger.

Sunday 8 November 2009



This is the Story Book Farm quilt from McKenna Ryan. I purchased the kit here.
When the kit arrived, each piece of fabric had a fabric number and name on it but it didn't make it clear which block it belonged to!
Tip: On McKenna's website there is a section that you can print off which cross-references each piece of fabric to each applique piece in each block.
The close-up image is supposed to show the washing line in more detail so you can see that the quilt on it was made separately but I've just noticed that the 'shirt' has come loose from the line so apologies for that!
It was all machine pieced, raw edge appliqued and machine quilted. As I didn't want the applique stitch to be noticeable, I used monofilament thread for both the applique and the quilting. Half-way through quilting it, the thread started snapping,. Despite going through every conceivable 'maybe it's this' I convinced myself the only solution was to buy a better sewing machine! Drastic I know, but it worked and I quilted the rest of the quilt without any problems.
Please note: Wellington boots poking out of the bottom right-hand side are not part of the quilt ;-)
Again, for a more detailed look,please click on the images to make them larger.

Friday 30 October 2009

A Jelly Roll quilt



Hand pieced in no time at all. Hand quilting took slightly longer! Pictures taken on a dull day on the Little Island. Backing was a piece of fabric that has been in my stash for years.
Please feel free to click on the pictures to make them bigger.

Thursday 15 October 2009

Some Little Island bags







I have to be careful what I write here now as in a moment of wild abandon I revealed the existence of my quilt blog to a couple of male Little Island work colleagues. Quilting doesn't appear on their radar so unless you can hit it or kick it (balls to both) they don't appear to be interested and may well be having a merry chuckle to themselves as I update my blog with yet more creations.

I have been having fun with Anna Marie Horner fabrics and made two bags - one for Daughter No.2 and the other for Daughter No.1 to take to a party next week as a present.

Note to self: Buttons are good for hiding less than perfect handle ends.

Sunday 11 October 2009

My entry to the Park City Girl Quilt Festival



Woah - I've started a blog just so I can enter Park City Girl Quilt Festival!

It's a coin baby quilt for a work colleague who is due in the next couple of weeks. I entered it in our local agricultural show in August under the 'patchwork and quilting' section and it came first! I shouldn't shout that one too loudly from the rooftops though as I was only up against one other entrant!! The backing is a flannel black and white cow hide looking print. Machined pieced and hand quilted.

I live on a small island between England and France. There is no quilt shop, a very tiny fabric shop with about a dozen or so quilting fabrics and hardly any other quilters that I am aware of. Myself and another friend started the island's only quilt group about 6/7 years ago but we meet irregularly and struggle to get attendance into double digits.
So........practically all of my inspiration and fabric needs are met online.
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