Opus Tweet new blocks

Three more blocks done, really enjoying the mix of applique, embroidery and stitching.  The layers give so much texture and interest to the pattern, it is lovely to see them come together.

Cappuccino Placemats and Tablerunner

I have also been creating some class samples for our Stepping Stones class which starts shortly.  The same block is used in the Cappuccino Placemats and Tablerunner pattern, so I've made up a couple using some striking black & gold fabric.  I tried two different types of wadding:  pellon in the tablerunner and the Matilda's bag wadding in the placemat.  Both easy enough to quilt with although the bag wadding was stiffer under the machine, but I like the firmer feel for a useful placemat.  This is a fun, quick & easy block, each of which uses only two 2 1/2" wide strips of fabric, with no wastage.

Holiday stitching

We have had a lovely two week break with a week at the beach, where I did some stitching on my Opus Tweet block of the month, so I thought you might like a photo of my version using pretty Tilda fabric.  There is more to it than I first realised as it is an unusual mix of embroidery, applique, embroidery on applique and piecing and uses the newish iron on stablisher from which to cut templates.  It stays in when you quilt, but the glue will wash out, leaving a soft stabiliser within the applique shapes.  I have also been machine quilting the Mariners Compass, halfway - my should is telling me to just have a little break :)

Quiet but not idle

I haven't posted for a while but I have been busy stitching for Christmas and making samples for next year's classes.  At the end of November I attended another Quiltworx workshop for the 2014 Technique of the Month which is called Mariner's Compass.  Four glorious days of non-stop sewing and being fed and watered, bliss.  So here is the finished quilt top, which I am really pleased with and which we will be teaching next year.  Patterns and kits should be available from March next year. 

I have also produced a new pattern for a quilt that will suit beginners as it has big pieces and a variety of blocks within a traditional setting.  I have quilted it with some very simple straight line machine quilting but am quite pleased with the finished result - just have to stitch down the binding.  The pattern and a kit will be available if you are interested. 

Customer Inspiration

One of my customers came in recently with her completed Flower Garden quilt.  She is the lady who inspired me to start the Kim McLean Flower Pots quilt that I showed you a photo of recently.  The background is a very soft grey linen which looks stunning as a backdrop to the Kaffe Fasset fabrics.  Not a great photo, I didn't have room to lay it out flat it is very big.

Out with the old .........

A few years ago I made an ironing board cover from Kaffe Fasset fabric and it sits in the shop and gets well used.  So much so that part of it had worn through unfortunately, so I have just made up a new one in the same design but using Liberty prints.  Love it.  Kits for both are still available.

Eclectic Elements

These new fabrics have also just arrived, funny how they all show up together.  Anyway, my original plan was to make up a simple quilt top and get Peter to upholster an old chair with it.  There is a link from the Jim Holtz blog with a great photo of a few ideas http://timholtz.com/eclectic-elements-fabric-is-here/ 

Will load them on the web soon and will have bundles available.