January Project

Today I had the shop all to myself, my children were making the dinner as a special treat for me! Sew, what's a girl to do but start a new project with new fabrics.  First, the inspiration for this project came from a pattern in a new book that we ordered in for the shop.  Simply Fat Quarters, a book using all fat quarters and background fabrics; an assortment of both traditional and modern quilt designs. I am using Riley Blake fabrics that just arrived before Christmas and a few others that go perfectly with it!

The most important piece of advice that I can give any new quilter is read the instructions all the way through.  Just looking at a picture of a block and assuming that you know exactly how it's going to go together is a big mistake.  I decided that I was going to use 1/3 yard cuts and make a couple of extra blocks out of two of the pairs.  You see, the pattern calls for a whopping 24 Fat quarters and I only had 10; 24 fq yield 12 blocks, I need to produce 12 blocks so with only 10 fq/5 pairs I need to get two bocks per pair and in the case of two pairs I will need to get 3 blocks.  Does this make sense?  Here is where reading the directions thoroughly comes in handy!!!  I mistakenly didn't understand that all of the 2 1/2" squares are going to be used for a pieced border, I was rejigging my cutting and having a panic attack trying to get all of the squares cut.  When I went to sit down and sew my first test block, lo and behold the 2 1/2" squares weren't used. If I had read thru the directions I would not have wasted so much time having a the above panic attack!!!

Okay, now that I have everyone seriously confused and scratching your heads!  I have to cut the remainder of my fabric, I typically always make one block first before I cut too much fabric.  This is a protective measure, I want make sure that the directions are reliable and I don't need to fiddle with my seam allowance and it turns out exactly how it's supposed to.  Sew with the first block sewn and the results are fabulous, I proceed to cut up that gorgeous pile.  Another item, the orange appears to be very flash!  However, the orange does appear in two of the fabrics and it most definately will help the whole quilt pop.

Ta Da!!!!  Isn't this the lovely, so spring like.  I really enjoyed making this block, tomorrow I will be making more and will photograph some of the steps along the way and show you some of the other blocks.  I can't wait for tomorrow morning to arrive.
Happy Sewing!
Anne Marie

New Idea for the New Year

I have a great idea for this coming year and it's going to be a oodles of fun for those of you that decide to participate.  Starting Saturday, 2 February 2013 I am going to offer those of you that are interested an opportunity to sign up for a UFO monthly get together. We provide the tea and coffee and you bring your own lunch and projects, you have use of the shop from 10:00 - 5:00 and the company of other like minded souls!  There is no charge for this, although a contribution of biscuits or baked goodies will be appreciated because you know how hard it is to keep up one's stamina.  There are so many women out there that don't have the company of a weekly group or don't have the time in their schedule.  I need a minimum of 6 people per session.  This is not a class but an informal get together, you'll find that if you are having a problem with a project then this is the perfect opportunity to consult with other quilters!  The dates are as follows 2/2, 2/3, 6/4, and 4/5.

Free Motion Quilting Class I - Sunday, 13 January
Just a quick reminder regarding an upcoming class on Free Motion quilting.  I have run this class at least twice in the past 12 months and it has been a huge success.  I will teach it once more and then we are on to Free Motion Quilting II in February, the class won't run again until next autumn.  Don't delay and sign up this week!!!  I do most of my own quilting and love the satisfaction of completing a quilt from start to finish.  This class will teach you what to practice and give you hands on experience stitching the different patterns.  You will complete a panel with over 20 patterns that you can practice on after class as well as use as a reference tool for future quilt projects.

Two examples of Free Motion Quilting with no pre marking or in the case of the 2nd picture, I used a connect the dots method!!

Tomorrow I'm going to show you my new project.  It's a fat quarter pattern and I've been cutting fabric this morning and hopefully there will be some sewing machine action tomorrow.  Yippee!!!!!
Happy Sewing
Anne Marie

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Everyone!!!  I am returning from my fabulously peaceful and restful Christmas Holiday, my family was visiting from the United States and it was lovely to turn off the computers and phones and just chill out for two and half weeks.  Recharging the batteries...

Any who, I did do a small amount of sewing over the Christmas holidays.  Most of the work was finishing up projects left unfinished, sewing bindings on and a few clothing repairs -- school uniform repairs to be exact!  I had a great time playing with Lil' Twister and my new Sizzix Cutter.

Charm pack and Lil Twister, we sell both the Lil Twister and the larger Twister template.

Tumbling Block table runner.

I enjoyed both of these table runners, quick and as always a great way to practice my free motion quilting.  With the left over charm squares I made this oven pad for the kitchen, I used 2 layers of Insul bright so it won't matter which direction you hold the pad.

Finished Cushion, just in time for next Christmas! LOL

I finished up my little snow lady just in time for next Christmas, typical!! The more I look at her the more I come up with more ideas on how to embellish the pillow with extra quilting.  The back of the cushion cover is an envelope style closure so I can continue to quilt it through out the year....

Awww, so cute.

I played with my new Sizzix Die cutter and look at this adorable Duck, how cute would this block be in a baby quilt.  Maybe tomorrow I will start putting together a sweet little quilt for display in the shop. These ducks will be available for sale in the shop complete with Heat n Bond already on the pieces.

Until tomorrow, I have a few more items to share but I need to pace myself.

Happy sewing!

Anne Marie