I’ve taken a little pause from blogging for no particular reason. I’ve still been creating…just not blogging. So to kick off my return to the blog here’s an update on what I’ve been up to.
I’m back now so I’ll see you tomorrow!
No, I’m not referring to the icon on the Sunshine Coast but rather my new quilting project. I have no idea why, but the blocks I am making are called big pineapples. They are certainly big – 65cm square, bigger than a normal pineapple block I believe. I’m such a quilting novice. Perhaps someone can fill in the explanations below in the comments!
With this project I’m trying a new technique for me called ‘quilt as you go’. You see I’m making a queen-sized quilt and I suddenly realised that I would never be able to drag that massive quilt to soccer or tennis to hand quilt while I was watching the boys play so I’m quilting sections at a time and I’m then going to join them all together using the fantastic tutorial on Andrea’s Blog.
I’ve completed making and quilting my first block and I just adore it! This photo doesn’t do it justice. Or – perhaps quilting is like having a baby; you look at your own and think it is just beautiful and perfect.
Here is my first block completed, with tacking still attached. I can’t wait to get started on the next.
I have new toys! Quilting toys that make quilting life soooo much easier. Why was I wasting my time drawing lines and cutting with scissors when all I needed to do was pop out to the shops and buy a mat, a rotary cutter and a fabulous ruler? I love them all so much I stayed up late playing and forgot to publish this post yesterday…when I actually started writing it!
So Quilters, what else am I missing that I simply must get my hands next?
When I re-started this quilt a few weeks back, it was already well under way. But – there was still a lot of quilting left to do. I’ve managed since then to devote quite a few hours to completing this project and I was very pleased to sew the last few stitches while Will was at soccer training.
Ready for the next quilting project!
Back in 2005 when I was pregnant with William I started making a quilt but never did finish it.
Inspired by my recent success completing my first real quilt I decided to pull out William’s baby quilt and have a go at finishing it off.
The panels are all appliqued with ‘under the sea’ creatures, and there are just a few that require some hand quilting to complete the quilt. The edge of the quilt is even complete so I really just need to get stuck in and finish off the last few panels. And the best news is William still loves the quilt and can’t wait for it to be finally finished.
I’ve finally finished my quilt!
I’m very happy with it and can’t wait to get started on the next one.
Tonight on the menu is chicken soup, followed by some quilting while sitting up in bed…just the medicine when feeling very ordinary!
Finally…I have reached the end of the first stage of my patchwork quilt. I have sewed all of the pieces together.
It’s now time to sandwich the wading between this top layer and a backing. Then comes the fun part – the hand quilting. The perfect excuse to park myself on the lounge in front of the television…and just as it’s getting nice and chilly at night too.
So how long do you think this next stage will take? I hate to think!
At long last…it’s starting to come together.
Perhaps this isn’t quite my 16th update on the quilt I’ve been making, but it sure feels like I’ve been working on it for a long time - and yet I’m still at the very early stages.
Tonight I completed my embroidery for the centre of the quilt with two drawings done by my gorgeous boys. They don’t really fit with the other pink and flowery designs but I just love that a little piece of their creativity will become a part of this project.
William drew a picture of a chicken. You see, one of the little girls in his Prep class draws amazing chickens. Will is just so impressed that he has been practicing in the hope that he too might be able to draw a chook. He did a pretty fantastic job I think. Apparently his little friend in Prep can even draw them flying. What a talent!
I traced Will’s drawing onto my fabric and then embroidered it to hopefully do justice to his work of art!
Hamish chose to draw a picture of Tashi, his favourite children’s storybook character.
Isn’t he cute! Am I dreaming thinking that these can fit in my pastel pink themed quilt???
