Sunday 22 December 2013

What I've been up to!

Whilst I was off work this Summer on my enforced break I bought a sewing machine determined to start dressmaking again.  What a disaster - I am hopeless at fitting a top or dress for myself - really disappointing as I used to make jackets and skirts without blinking!  So instead of packing away the machine I decided to have a go at a quilt and here is my first one - a Floral Double Nine Patchwork.






Thanks to Paul for standing for ages in the garden holding it up as the grass was too wet to drape it artfully over a bench.





I am quite proud of myself - all cut by hand (with my engineer husband's help with a straight edge) from a variety of fabrics which I bought at Tikki near Kew Gardens - such a wonderful shop and really helpful when you are a beginner.  The pattern is from allpeoplequilts.com the online version of the American Patchwork and Quilting magazine and a fantastic source of patterns and advice.






 
I did fussy cut the roses and I am glad I did - it suits me that they are all the right way up!  I should have taken a picture of us trying to baste all three layers together before I quilted it - that was the hardest part!
 
This already has a home in my daughter's bottom draw, surprising as it is rather vintage in style.  I am starting on a 1600 inch jelly roll quilt next using this ...






Thanks for joining me - I hope to kick start my card making mojo in the new year - see you then!