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Current Projects / Re: A not very Christmassy Christmas Lap Quilt
« on: December 10, 2021, 11:19:52 AM »
@bec Thank you. I just hope I don't ruin it with poor quilting skills! 
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32
Current Projects / Re: A not very Christmassy Christmas Lap Quilt
« on: December 08, 2021, 17:13:03 PM »
I've sewn the rest of the blocks for my 'backing'.
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
I'll true them and sew them together tomorrow....or perhaps the next day.
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
I'll true them and sew them together tomorrow....or perhaps the next day.
33
Current Projects / Re: A not very Christmassy Christmas Lap Quilt
« on: December 07, 2021, 15:45:43 PM »
I've decided to make the backing out of 9 star blocks so if my quilting stitches don't look too horrendous on the back then I'll end up with a reversible quilt....well that's the plan. 
I've done four with a navy background and blue star.
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
I'll do four with a blue background and a navy star and I'm going to use my HST tester for the centre block. (I'll add a border of navy to this block to make it the same size as the others).
....... Well that's the plan..who knows it may be ready for next Christmas.
I've done four with a navy background and blue star.
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
I'll do four with a blue background and a navy star and I'm going to use my HST tester for the centre block. (I'll add a border of navy to this block to make it the same size as the others).
....... Well that's the plan..who knows it may be ready for next Christmas.
34
Sewing Machines / Re: Recommendations for a sewing machine for quilting.
« on: December 06, 2021, 13:57:40 PM »
Thank you for your suggestions.
At my age this will be the last sewing machine I'll ever buy so I want it to be THE ONE!!! 
At my age
this will be the last sewing machine I'll ever buy so I want it to be THE ONE!!! 35
Sewing Machines / Recommendations for a sewing machine for quilting.
« on: December 06, 2021, 07:58:42 AM »
I'm thinking of buying a new sewing machine. My old one is OK for dressmaking but now I've decided I really like sewing I'd like to buy a shiny new one and it would be nice to have one with a large enough harp suitable for quilting.
Not sure about budget... probably over a thousand but less than two... ballparkish figure.
What would you suggest I should start looking at/avoid like the plague within that price range?
Not sure about budget... probably over a thousand but less than two... ballparkish figure.
What would you suggest I should start looking at/avoid like the plague within that price range?
36
Tech Know How / Trouble posting
« on: December 04, 2021, 14:52:43 PM »
I may have trouble posting this in which case you may not see my problem!
I tried to post something with photos but when I pressed post I got an error message so I removed photos and tried again it then said I'd already posted???
Any ideas?
I tried to post something with photos but when I pressed post I got an error message so I removed photos and tried again it then said I'd already posted???
Any ideas?
37
Current Projects / Re: A not very Christmassy Christmas Lap Quilt
« on: December 04, 2021, 14:05:56 PM »
I sewed my blocks together.
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
....Looking at the photo it could do with a proper press!! I only pressed the seams.
The next thing to think about is the backing. I'd need to sew two pieces of fabric together anyway so I was thinking of cutting out my two different fabrics and sewing either 9 large squares to replicate the 9 blocks on the front..... or use the fabrics to make 9 star blocks .....
I'm off to have a cup of tea and a bit of a think....
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
....Looking at the photo it could do with a proper press!! I only pressed the seams.
The next thing to think about is the backing. I'd need to sew two pieces of fabric together anyway so I was thinking of cutting out my two different fabrics and sewing either 9 large squares to replicate the 9 blocks on the front..... or use the fabrics to make 9 star blocks .....
I'm off to have a cup of tea and a bit of a think....
38
In the wardrobe / Re: Zip Opinions Please
« on: December 04, 2021, 13:56:33 PM »
I'm not very good at making sartorial choices for other people but I would say that if the zip is visible and if the lining is maroon then the maroon one looks more like a design choice.
Your gilet looks lovely and would probably work well with either zip.
Your gilet looks lovely and would probably work well with either zip.
39
Current Projects / Re: A not very Christmassy Christmas Lap Quilt
« on: December 03, 2021, 18:05:45 PM »
My new fabric for the star block background arrived the other day. It's the same pattern as the tree block background but it's pale pink instead of cream.
It's now all cut out and sewn into my four star blocks.
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
Tomorrow I'll true all nine blocks and sew them together.
It's now all cut out and sewn into my four star blocks.
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
Tomorrow I'll true all nine blocks and sew them together.
40
Current Projects / Re: Elizabeth Hartman, Dinosaur Quilt
« on: December 03, 2021, 17:58:25 PM »
It's going to be amazing when it's finished.
41
Current Projects / Re: A not very Christmassy Christmas Lap Quilt
« on: December 01, 2021, 19:51:47 PM »A lot of small flaws can be disguised with quilting...
@Lowena That's what I'm hoping
(Small and not so small!) I'm really looking forward to finishing my quilt.... mildly terrified of the actual quilting process but once it's done it will be lovely to cuddle up in it...and if there are any major flaws I can always sit on that bit.....I just hope by bum's big enough!
42
Current Projects / Re: A not very Christmassy Christmas Lap Quilt
« on: December 01, 2021, 16:37:30 PM »When something is handmade i think the imperfections makes it even more lovely, it shows how much love has gone into it. I never worry about perfecting points etc i'd be forever unpicking if i did.
That's so interesting you've said that. I'm finding sewing these patchworks so relaxing that I really don't mind if things don't line up... which for one of life's picture straighteners is quite an admission!
....... when it comes to sewing clothes on the other hand....if it isn't precise I have to unpick it or else I know I'll never wear it.
All I can say is I love this darkside.....
For me I'm finding it very calming, very relaxing, very Zen.
43
Current Projects / Re: A not very Christmassy Christmas Lap Quilt
« on: December 01, 2021, 15:53:18 PM »
@Diane
I was just about to press post when I was logged out!
Thank you. I do like blue.
My blue block is far from perfect but I'm hoping that once it's quilted (and in use), the fact the diagonals don't quite line up won't be so noticeable!!!
Thank goodness those quilt police are under lock and key.
I was just about to press post when I was logged out!
Thank you. I do like blue.
My blue block is far from perfect but I'm hoping that once it's quilted (and in use), the fact the diagonals don't quite line up won't be so noticeable!!!
Thank goodness those quilt police are under lock and key.
44
Current Projects / Re: A not very Christmassy Christmas Lap Quilt
« on: December 01, 2021, 15:28:54 PM »
Speaking of production lines.... I found this Youtube chanel this morning. What a speedy whizz!!! I don't think I'll ever be that proficient.
So.. an update on my star blocks. I laid the tree blocks ontop of the fabric I was going to use for the star block background to get a better idea of the contrast and it just didn't work.
I've ordered a diiferent fabric which should arrive any day, fingers crossed.
The tree blocks are made using CSTs which means you end up with lots of 'spare' triangles. I sewed the pairs of triangles together and I now have a pile of HSTs which I thought I might use in a cushion cover to go with my quilt.
I was at the shops the other day and just happened to see the next issue of the Love Patchwork and Quilting magazine which just happened to have some beginner friendly patterns using HSTs and QSTs. Needless to say I bought it.
I can't start my cushion yet until I've finished the quilt as I want to use the off cuts from the star blocks as well as from the tree blocks.
So I ended up having a play using some different fabric!!!
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
This could be the beginning of a cushion or the beginning of another quilt. Who knows.
I loooove this dark side sooo much
So.. an update on my star blocks. I laid the tree blocks ontop of the fabric I was going to use for the star block background to get a better idea of the contrast and it just didn't work.
I've ordered a diiferent fabric which should arrive any day, fingers crossed.
The tree blocks are made using CSTs which means you end up with lots of 'spare' triangles. I sewed the pairs of triangles together and I now have a pile of HSTs which I thought I might use in a cushion cover to go with my quilt.
I was at the shops the other day and just happened to see the next issue of the Love Patchwork and Quilting magazine which just happened to have some beginner friendly patterns using HSTs and QSTs. Needless to say I bought it.
I can't start my cushion yet until I've finished the quilt as I want to use the off cuts from the star blocks as well as from the tree blocks.
So I ended up having a play using some different fabric!!!
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
This could be the beginning of a cushion or the beginning of another quilt. Who knows.
I loooove this dark side sooo much
45
Current Projects / Re: A not very Christmassy Christmas Lap Quilt
« on: November 28, 2021, 13:27:43 PM »
I’ve finished my five tree blocks. I made the first one in its entirety so I knew what I was supposed to be doing and then did the remaining four as 'a production line' which was much quicker and strangely therapeutic.
I really like this Darkside.
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
I’m about to start cutting out my star blocks.
and then did the remaining four as 'a production line' which was much quicker and strangely therapeutic. I really like this Darkside.
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
I’m about to start cutting out my star blocks.