Superlative ideas

The fourth Saturday of the month Saturday of the month comes around so quickly, it is my favourite Saturday of the month...... it's our Sue Ross class day!  Our mystery BOM has taken us on journey that has surprised us all.  If we are all honest with ourselves, I think we all had a little notion in our head about how our quilts would end up looking but 5 months later it's completely different, in a very very nice way.

We've all wondered how the quilt would come together.  And in true Sue fashion we have options that we can select from to suite our own tastes, designs and most importantly energy levels required to finished.  I have to say I am a huge fan of the below option, so much that I think Sue's effort this month are nothing short of superlative!!!  I am loving the Lone Star centre.

An example of how we think our quilt is not going to finish the way we first thought is Kate's gorgeous Yellow & Red inspiration.  For those of you who know Kate, pink is not an option, so imagine our surprise (and glee) when this perfect fabric combination made it's way down the wooden staircase courtesy of Stephanie!

Above you'll also notice a lovely lady a green top.  She was visiting from Italy and had followed Material Obsession blog and decided to visit the store.  We all agreed that I think her little half an hour playing with Kates quilt in class would have been a highlight of her Australian holidays.  There were several "Bellissimios" quoted!!!  

Stephanie is setting her's in a slightly different layout to allow for her on-point blocks.  I unfortunately don't have a photo of her "fill" fabric but it is the same version of Kate's large diamond but with a soft cream version.  

At this stage I am loving the lone star centre and am going to attempt my patience with this.  However just to be different, I've decided to use my basket and raw edge appliqué Kaffe Flowers in the centre - just another "superlative" idea from Sue this weekend!

Previously I've hinted that I'd have some show and tell for the month.  First up is my huge Boston Commons is now quilted, thanks to the wonderful Kim Bradley.  Now all I need to do is bind it and another project completed!

Second up is a finished quilt top - Best of British.  This is made entirely of Liberty of London and Oakshott Cottons - which I am in love with both equally.  I think this quilt calls for some simple hand quilting through the shot cottons..... but time will tell.

And in closing, Denny finished her amazing puppy quilt and is now working on another version for a very luck baby.  Unfortunately I didn't have any photos but maybe Denny does????

Have a wonderful week.  Ciao bellas, Kim

Lots done just not the blocks.

Well I thought I'd show you what I have achieved, but I just haven't completed the blocks so this month don't forget to send me lots of photos. please excuse the photos as they are off my smart phone- just wish I was smart at taking them
First off, finally finished the upholstery- old french bed head and foot in Linen and buttoned so I have learnt some new skills. It does look good in "real" life.

 
Next have made the holiday wardrobe

Also thanks to Denny who jumped right into the machine quilting (and so impressed me with all her work) and has helped me get the monkey off my back I made a simple baby quilt for my new niece Thea  and quilted it, only took 2 days from start to finish so I have no excuses any more, but I do need to sew the binding but thought this was a nice job for the plane. Again not a great picture but you get the idea. Also used some of my fancy stitches on the machine, which was great too. Now when I get home I will try quilting my Swoon quilt who knows I may even finish it before I get to the next class

Well have some lovely classes and put lots of photos on the blog for me until then.

Ciao Marg

Puppy quilt complete

I am pleased to note that Hugo's quilt is complete and she is really pleased with her new blankie. The colours and textures of the Kaffe Fassett fabrics are just perfect for a developing puppy's mind. 

Puppy Quilt ready....but machine not.

The Kaffe Fassett puppy quilt is ready to be basted. The backing and binding and batting have been bought and I've got some variegated red thread for the top and cream for the bottom.

But..........my lovely new one-year old Bernina 550QE has quietly chucked a tanty and the motor which controls the stitch length stopped working. According to the Bernina people, a broken needle "got in there" and seized the motor. 

This never happened to me in thirty years of broken needles with my mechanical 1060 Bernina, and I wonder if it something new with the newer computerised models. I mean, if a needle breaks and "gets in there",  presumably one is meant to take it out. Question: How? Turn the machine upside down and shake it? I don't think I've got the upper-body strength. Poke around? And more to the point: Where? Where does the jiggery-pokery take place? What do you gals do when this happens to you? All suggestions gratefully welcomed for future reference. 

Anyhoo, that being said, I am all ready and waiting for when it does return to get on and quilt the Puppy Quilt. Now, I could haul out my Ole Faithful mechanical Bernina if all else fails, but I do so love the hum of the new one.....

D  

New Love

I have found a new love, in the form of Oakshott Cottons from the United Kingdom!!!  I am not usually an on-line purchaser, I prefer to support local shops.  However curiosity got the better of me and I ordered them on-line (in my defence you can't get them here in Australia via retail).

All 68 colours arrived quickly, my hands fumbled as I rushed to open the box and what a delight.  They are shiny, smooth, silky, they are divine.  Unlike other shot cottons I have worked with previously, these shot cottons are stable to sew with, they don't warp or stretch out of shape easily.  There still is a little bit of loose threads but virtually minimal compared to others - particularly if you take extra care and cut as straight as possible.

Skipping my self imposed rule "Two Steps Forward, One Step Back" on Monday I could not resist any more and starting cutting.  Here is a sneak peak of my new favourite, it's going to be called The Best of British..... can anyone guess why?

Happy sewing, Kim