Monday 14 July 2014

Paper pieced quilt

Here are the first three finished blocks.
I have noticed that I am needed to add bits to either the top and bottom to make them into 10" square blocks, as no matter what I do they're not coming out like that - I'm sure there is a reason, but I can't find it as of yet. I recon it will be one of those that will become apparent on the last block.


So three made and three more British animals to go and then six Australian animals to make.

First up is Mr Hedgehog - he has had some added bits on the sides.
I had to re-do a big part of this one as it wasn't right - this is definitely a learning curve and patience is going to have to be employed - that is a definite!




 Then here is Mr Badger - who also had some added bits.


 Then Mr Owl, who is made up of 71 pieces! He will need some more sides added and I'm going to have to unpick the top part as the ears don't line up, I thought I could live with it, but I'm not going to be able to.





Friday 11 July 2014

Paper pieced quilt (in time)

I have been asked to make a quilt featuring Australian and British animals, and after looking on crafty  I found two sets of paper pieced patterns from Quietplay who is pretty much the queen of paper piecing, she does have some lovely patterns.

Anyhow, I bought my patterns and have done a fair bit of tracing them out onto greaseproof paper and because my machine has broken, I've not been able to sew any, but I am borrowing one of the ladies from church's sewing groups machine until next Tuesday, so I thought I would make a start.

Here is the hedgehog that I started last night and I have to say I unpicked probably as much, if not more than I actually sewed. Then I made the mistake of having a couple of beers while I was doing it (rubbish day at work's fault) and then just kept sewing the wrong colour in the wrong place, so I decided enough was enough for last night - this is where I am up to.





Sunday 6 July 2014

New-old machine

My sewing  machine has broken again and for the time being can't afford to get it fixed. I am in one of those catch 22 situation, I need to have a machine to sew my commissioned quilt to earn the money to fix my machine, but need my machine to make the quilt!

I put my gripe on facebook and one of my cousins offered me her Mum's old machine. Then came the logistics of getting it to me,  at which point another cousin offered to drive it over - so not only did I get a new - old machine, I got to see two  of my cousins today. I don't often see my cousins as we are quite a large family, there are 27 first cousins in my family and goodness knows how many second cousins and cousins in law.

The machine is a Jones machine, although what model is I don't know, but if anybody has any idea please let me know.

At one point I plugged the machine in, then went into my kitchen and came back out about five minutes later because I heard a noise, which I thought was the rain starting, only to find the machine running on its own. I think my aunt came for a visit and wanted to let me know that she is happy that I have the machine.

I have had a go on it and it's sews lovely, I am feeling very blessed today!



I also have a finish today, courtesy of my neighbour Roo and her
sewing machine.

That's Roo in the picture and Abbigail helping to model it - she is
such a cutie.