Used and Treasured

You know how some stories and memories become even more endearing over time? I believe this is the case with many quilts too.

No, this isn't a quilt I've just secretly whipped up, but one which is two years old now. Some of my early readers may remember me sharing this story back in 2011. Here's the shortened and updated version.

Six months after teaching myself to quilt I bravely ordered some fabric from the US - oh the wonderful range of fabrics to choose from and prices less than half what we have to pay "Down Under" in Australia. As soon as I saw the American Retro blue floral I thought of my Mother-in-Love. After much searching of the internet I settled on the Ohio Star block, fussy cutting the centres to make the most of the print. I ordered more fabric - enough for the back in the lovely blue print and a little in both of the other colours available.

I stippled the bulk of the quilt, hand quilted the interior of each block and machine stitched the outer border in widely spaced diagonals.

I made a card to match and unexpectedly gifted it to her on Father's Day 2011 (the first Sunday in September in Australia). I couldn't bear to keep it hidden away when she could be enjoying it!

Don't you love it when a handmade gift is used and treasured. For a while it seemed she hardly used this quilt except to show it to others. I was delighted to find that it is one of the few things she chose to bring with her in her move to the local aged care facility this year. It lays proudly on her bed. In fact, the staff often make her bed and spread the quilt back side upper on her bed for the backing is so beautiful and bright.

 This quilt, along with the Scrapbooks and photo books I have made for her over the years (and my late Father-in-Love) are some of her most treasured possessions - which blesses me so much.


Sharing at the Blogger's Quilt Festival: Bed Quilts.

Baby Love

All arranged by Miss E to look after "her babies".

Sharing at Capturing Beauty: People, Sweet Shot Tuesday, Tina's WW, Alicia's WW.

Cushion Cover

Working on possible combinations with my fabric strips.

Our new lounge was delivered the day after we finished repainting our main living areas. Some of you may remember
 I was thinking of making cushions covers from my quilt left-overs. Over the last few days I have been working towards that end. I sewed fabrics together, enough for two cushions fronts.

Basting the completed top to cotton quilt batting (middle layer) and back fabric.

Stippling in progress

Stippling from the reverse side. The green thread is the basting (temporary), holding the layers together.

My trusty Janome, over 25 years old, darning foot for stippling.

First cushion front, cut this morning.

A simple envelope closure in progress.

First cushion complete! I know it looks a little large (45cm/18") for the lounge but it's a very comfortable size. I plan to complete the second cover during the week, and buy an insert for it too.

I know I'm always curious about the backs of cushions, so here it is. I didn't have enough of the main print to cover the whole back so added another strip along the top and bottom. I like the variety it gives. The second cushion back will likely be a little different according the fabric I have left.

I'm pleased to see the quilt hasn't faded much, I like them together!

It's two years this month since I taught myself to quilt (although I have been sewing since I was a very young child).
My first quilt (a gift) is still one of my favourites, you can read the story here. Since then I have made several quilts, many of which I blogged about earlier this year.

Over the last few months photography and blogging have been my choice for "spare" time. I love having many interests, with passions to suit each and every situation and season.

Sharing at Good Life Wednesday, Sneak Peek Friday.

For Miss V

Yesterday afternoon I made good progress on the dress and last night I hand-hemmed it, so now it is ready to wear. It is such a pretty dress and looks lovely on Miss V.  She really likes the blue bow at the back but isn't too sure about wearing it (she will rarely wear a dress or skirt by choice). I would love for her to wear it tomorrow for Mother's Day but I dare not ask. I have made it, now she needs to own it and wear it if and when she wants to. I hope it becomes well worn....

It Is Finished!

How good it feels good to have my hexies lap quilt finished, ahead of time for that special gift as mentioned. It is just the right size and I'm very happy with how it has all come together.

 For the "top"edge and both sides I cut the quilt straight across ready for binding, wanting a strong, neat finish. However I couldn't bring myself to trim the bottom or "skirt" off straight.....those cute points needed to remain to keep a certain handmade beauty about the quilt. I had already extended the quilt top past the full width of the backing fabric so I had to be a little creative to back those points. As you can see I used a strip of the binding fabric and I love how it turned out, adding an unexpected feature. The points have been carefully hand hemmed to give the effect I was after.

The only thing left to do now is the label. Something new to think through.......

Baby Pinwheel Quilt

I have had this little baby quilt finished for a while, awaiting the arrival of the special baby it was made for. On Tuesday my friend Erin from Seven Little Australians and Counting gave birth to their 9th baby, a healthy baby boy! Congratulations again Erin, PC and family!

Last night I had the privilege of visiting Erin and baby in hospital and was able to give her this quilt, so now I can show you some pictures of what has been hiding in my cupboard.

At this point I wasn't sure how to complete the edges, thinking of maybe making prairie points as I did with this quilt. However I chose to finish it differently and have been happy with how it turned out.

I quilted it using stippling around the outer edges and straight lines over the main section, highlighting the pinwheels, more easily seen here on the reverse.

I love the mix of fabrics, especially the ladybugs, chosen to be suitable for either a boy or girl. I'm pleased it now has a new home with a precious family and the baby it was sewn for. I really enjoy being able to give something I have made myself.

"Fresh Flowers" Quilt

It's finished! And it's rather pretty I think.

In the early morning light after completion this morning.
You can see the simple quilting lines accentuating the diamond shapes.

 This is the first quilt I have made using a charm pack (5"x5"squares) however I did end up leaving some fabrics out and adding a few extra squares of my favourites, all from Deb Strain's Fresh Flowers fabric range by Moda. Completed size, unwashed is 43" square (110cm).

*** You will find an easy to follow tutorial for making this quilt with slightly different border construction and a little smaller in dimensions over here at Wedding Dress Blue. Deanna has done a wonderful job of detailing how to construct an almost visually identical quilt.

"Nature Play" Quilt Finished!

I love the satisfaction of completing a quilt and being pleased with the end result. For this quilt I have used a variety of Patty Young fabrics and fine tuned the design as I went. Hand quilting with variegated sulky threads worked well for this design and was quite relaxing to do. It's certainly a "happy/playful" feel quilt.

Hour Glass Quilts

Hour glass quilts had never been high on my list of favourites until I came across a stunning red and white one on Flickr by Christina of The Sometimes Crafter. Although I'm not usually drawn to red, I couldn't stop thinking about Christina's beautiful quilt.

It wasn't too long until I had found some suitable fabric on sale at Fabric Shack and was busy enjoying making one of my own. I completed the quilt above last December in time to give to a dear friend who was visiting. I liked it so much I decided I would make one for our family to keep also.

New Year saw me busily working on the second quilt. This is it, above and below. It is so bright and "happy", I love to glance at it in our lounge room, ready for everyone to use.

New Dress

Last night I finished this new dress for my nine year old daughter who loves to wear dresses. Late last year I made her one from the same fabric with a different trim. She liked it so much we ordered more of the same "quilting" fabric when on sale so I could make her another dress and maybe one for littlest sister too.

It usually takes me a few days, working as time allows, to complete a project like this, however the satisfaction lasts for months or years as I gain pleasure seeing the finished item being worn frequently.