Working away

Alas, no photos today.  And.... no I haven't forgotten about my blog either.  I've been working away on a couple of quilts which I plan to enter into exhibitions and the exhibition rules state that no photos are to be publicly shared before the exhibitions.

It's also been a bit disheartening that the exhibitions have been moved by several months.  While it is necessary for the good of all, I did lose my sewing mojo and fell into a bit  of a slump for a couple of weeks where I really didn't do much at all. 

Straight after Easter I thought "enough!"  and I cleaned every single little millimeter of my sewing room.  I moved all projects, brought in a bookcase for my books and got everything off the floor and into the cupboards.  The cupboards look so good now, lovely and neat with all project boxes and bags so nice and neatly stacked.

With a nice tidy room, I sat down to sew with my machine.  Some simple half square triangles and four patches.  Aackkk.... what is going on?  The needle kept falling out, there were skipped stitches and the tension was really off, no matter what adjustments I made.  Off to the mechanic it went.  Two issues were found - 1 was the needle clamp screw is completely worn and I am awaiting a new one and - 2 the tension disks had a build up of lint in them. 

Now I am working on a small (45in square) quilt for a "0" birthday in May.  Still no photos!  Yesterday, I tested my newly serviced machine and it purred as I pieced together the backing, binding and hanging sleeve for this '0' birthday project.

I am also hoping to get a binding sewn in the evenings on a 'catch all caddy' that I made two weeks ago and then I should have some sort of show'n'tell next week.

Thank you for stopping by and checking out my blog! :)

Succumbing to Serendipity

During this peculiar time when we are to be "self isolating" and practising "social distancing", some great quilt shops/companies are putting out fun things we can do while stuck at home.  What good quilter doesn't mind getting a fun pattern, which uses up stash scraps and makes something fun?

Moda Fabrics and Miss Rosie's Quilt Co have provided the pattern Village free online for Quilters  worldwide while there is a global pandemic going on.

This pattern makes good use of 5in squares, perfect for all of those batiks I have stashed away! 

The bundle of yummy batik 5in squares comes from an impulse buy in April 2019 at the Australiasian Quilt Convention.  They simply leapt into my hands as soon as my eyes saw them.  With 171 pieces in the pack, I then had to cut another 130 pieces out of others in my stash.  I had no idea that I had 130 bits of fabric which co-ordinate together!

The background is a Moda Bella Solid, which makes the house fabrics really pop.

Seems like I can start immediately!!  I think it's serendipity.  I've been looking at house quilt patterns for ages and this one seems to have fallen in my lap!

And..... here's the first part... the roof tops..... all cut, ready to chain piece.

Here they are, all ready to meet the walls....

Then came the cutting for the walls.... look at all of that glorious colour!

To be closely followed by assembled house fronts

The roofs met the walls...

Now they are turning into a "proper" village....

oohhh - love, love, love.