Star tips

There has been progress!  I've made the quilt top for baby Austin and am very happy with the finished look…. now just for the finishing part.  It's a completely different look to Sue's as I have used just 4 repeating fabrics plus also I have used the same fabric in the pointy triangle so that it really pronounces the blue….. I think it's a pretty good option for a baby boy quilt.  Red binding, red coyboy fabric as the backing (current plan any way).

However I just wanted to give a couple of bits of advise if you are doing this block.  Pin pin pin….. I didn't and the points for the pointy triangle aren't exactly exact.  I think that there is are so many bits of bias in this block that it is easy - either that or the template is a little out.  Pretty much all of my 9 blocks are out about 1/8", but I didn't pin any and was rushing.

Look closely and you'll see what I mean.

Loved Carolines block and you are making great progress.  And loved loved loved Dennys quilt label tips, I'll now just have to find the cord to the printer in amongst the boxes and give it a go myself.

Happy sewing to all.

Kim

On a roll...

Ok, so I might be avoiding those dizzy geese, but look what I  managed to finish off last night!

One basket of flowers done (thanks to team Hexy Ladies for advice, and apologies for the lack of ironing!)

Unfortunately there are work deadlines looming so not sure how much more sewing will be achieved before the next class but good to get a couple of those blocks finished off.

Caroline

Sawtooth Star

Better late than never...

After last week's class I have spent each evening hand stitching the pesky bits of this block, and then a magical window of opportunity opened yesterday, 2 boys actually slept at the same time for over an hour. I seemed to be moving forward...

Then everyone went to swimming this morning and there were another couple of hours to myself in the quiet.

And look what I managed to finish!

Or on point

Although it doesn't stand up to close examination I'm pretty chuffed I actually managed to get it together!

Now onto those Dizzy Geese (but first to get those little boys to sleep again....so far 45 mins of bedroom silliness - wish me luck!)

Caroline

How to make water-proof labels on fabric using an ink-jet printer...

I am so excited since I discovered how to make water-proof labels on fabric using a computer to design and print them. 

You can choose any font, size, border or design for you label. If you can produce it on the computer, you can print it onto fabric!

Step 1: Design your label, centre it on an A4 page and print it off.

Step 2: Cut the fabric for your label about twice as large as the label, using the printed design on the page as a guide. Include an extra inch or so at the top for where you place the glue because you will want to trim that bit off.  

Step 3: Glue your fabric onto the printed sheet, about 2 - 3 inches above words. Any type of paper glue will do. Be sure to glue the fabric at the top of the page as printed, because this is the leading edge when it goes through the printer. You can see how wide the glue strip is at the top of the page where the fabric is folded in the picture below. 

Step 4: Place your sheet into your printer paper-tray. The fabric should be on the side which gets printed. This may mean that you insert the fabric face down or face up in the tray, depending on your printer. 

Step 5: Print the page and this is what pops out.

Step 6: Peel the fabric off the paper, and iron the words to set the ink. I don't iron the piece that I glued. I trim it off. 

Step 7: Done! -  trimmed, folded and ready to be appliqued...

I use an ordinary HP 6510 ink-jet printer and ordinary ink cartridges. It really is as easy as that. Looking forward to seeing your creations - all with cute labels! - on March 15th.  
xxxDenny. 
PS Both puppies love the quilt, and Hugo is happy to share it with Otto!

Shaky Hands

Sorry for the quality of the photos, but my hands where a little shaky with the excitement of actually being able to sew something after such a long break!  Here are some photos from Saturday.

And here is the sewing process for the stripy block thing…. very technical name!

You sew in quarters of sorts, the two side bits to the centre diamond (of sorts)

Add the little half square triangle (sorry didn't have the left hand side)

Next bottom bit, sew the two sides to the triangle, making sure you have the triangle at the right direction

next sew the top and bottom bits together….. repeat four times then sew the quarters together….

and you get this!  I decided to use the same colour for my triangle to give another effect….

A step closer to finishing a couple of quilts...

Hi all,

Two quilts came back from the quilter this week so they are one step closer to being finished....just the binding now.  The quilts are possibly not the group's cup of tea but here they are anyway. 

The first quilt was a 'Block of the Week' that was on a Barbara Brackman blog in 2012.  It was quilted with a Baptist Fan design. 

Next was a quilt that I also put together in 2012 from Quilt Mania.  It was custom quilted and looks quite good even if I do say so myself.

Very jealous of the nice neat and tidy sewing rooms I am seeing on the blog....anybody want to attack my room?  I daren't post a picture in case it puts you off.  Will discuss on Saturday.  K

Oh to actually get something completely finished. Oh hang on I did

Hi girls

This is a long one...

I had so many plans to get soooo much finished but didn't seem to get much done. then again after doing this post realised did get a few things done but just had too much to do :-)

Had a very messy sewing room so decided that needed doing.

yes that is my stash, which I also decided it needed cleaning, reorganizing and refolding and using!!!!

So new paint job, curtains and new carpet, which the dog likes (as you can see just at the front) and then decided to do some quilting....

Well with the mystery quilt I did my first corner and yep may have made a mistake, and even without the mistake, I under estimated how much fabric it needed so waiting on more to come.

Then started finishing the boarders of the last Sue Ross BOM and then remembered how much I dislike doing sooooo much appliqué so it goes on and on and on... but all the setting out and cutting is done so now have decided to machine appliqué, much better idea!!

Still no basting of my triangles or swoon quilts as ran out of basting spray and batting

Then remember this

well it just wasn't doing it for me so I have added another row to make it bigger, and decided to do this...

I think this is better but happy to have critique. Although its done now, so maybe just critique to add another boarder :-)

Did manage to finally finish the Sue Spargo Imperial blooms and yes there are safety pins in for the quilting I will do soon ish but at least its basted.

then remember this one

 Well trying to decide if this black and white is the next layer with the stars . What do you think. Is it doable ?

Do have one completely finished article which are these cushions for my sister and they are now in her home.

Now don't know what I touched but I can't uncentre this so will finish up.  So got some sewing done over summer even with the 40 degree days but no where near what I thought I could get done. I am happy as the room was cleaned and if anyone sees me buying material STOP ME.

Now to maybe start my frog, swan and bird blocks

See you all soon M

No more sleeps

So perhaps the last blog title was a little misleading in some ways.  It was only one more sleep until I had kitchen cupboards……. but several more sleeps and I have a kitchen!!!  Well minus the plumbing and lighting, but as a friend said "washing up is overrated, and lights only showcase the mess!".  Splash backs also need to be tiled and range hood installed, oh plus cornices and lights….. but end is in sight.

Laundry…. will be functional once the washing machine reconnected….. again a little bit of tiling still required.

Tonight I can cook in my kitchen, I will have to get out the user manuals to figure out how to turn everything on, but to say I am a little excited is beyond words…….

Unfortunately upstairs nil activity as yet, so can't access my sewing stuff.  I am  hoping that this will change in the next fortnight.

See you all soon, ciao

Kimbo