Result!

We have been away for the last couple of weeks and very little sewing has been going on.  But there has been activity, as I sent my 'Happy Days' quilt as an auction item for a fundraiser at The Kite Trust, the charity my daughter works for.  They have an annual showcase, which we were unable to attend, and part of that is an auction of items and promises to raise funds. 

Here is my 'Happy Days' designed by Sarah Fielke. 

I loved making it, but had no real use for it, so decided that it would be great if I could find someone who would love it.  

And I did!  They loved it enough to pay £300 for it - which is a good price for a non quilter to pay.  They're happy and I'm happy.  Result! 

First finish of 2018

I have managed to finish one quilt so far this year.  I've registered for two UFO challenges, and typically, this quilt isn't on either list!  It's a variation on Mile a Minute, and since the MAM blocks wwere already made, it seemed silly not to leap in! 

It's very simple to make.  Just take a MAM square and a white square the same size.  Place on top of each other and slice both at the same time at an angle.  Swap the top left piece for the bottom left piece and sew together so you get two blocks half MAM and half white.  Then arrange them going alternately horizontally and vertically to create the zig zag effect.  Simple!  I quilted it it zig zags on the white to emphasise the design.  

This quilt is on my challenge lists.  It's granny squares and there were only a couple of blocks completed so was a bit of a slog.  I need to quilt it before I can cross it off the list.  Lovely. 

Slippy rulers

Most of my quilting rulers are from Creative Grids, and have little nonslip dots on the back of them, to make them stable when cutting out fabric shapes.  

I hadn't actually appreciated that as much as I should have, till I used my EZ Triangle ruler.  This is a great ruler for making HSTs and flying geese etc, but occasionally it slips a bit and the shapes aren't completely accurate.  Now, I need all the help I can get with accuracy, so if my shapes haven't been cut accurately, I'm on a loser!  I was sure there must be a solution to this problem, and found that there are indeed products you can buy to do this job.  But I didn't want a product I can buy, I wanted an instant fix!  And then I found a tip using surgical tape.  I have micropore tape in my first aid box, so wondered if that would do the job.  

And the answer is yes!  I put two pieces on there as you flip the ruler, and it's fabulous!  Now here's hoping it'll make my quilts more accurate (don't hold your breath!) 

Finally!

I have finally found some time to do sewing for myself!  There have been a few panto related jobs to do (missing press studs, broken headbands, seams that needed a bit of reinforcement etc) but now I can sew for me! 

Something I've wanted to have a play with is this idea to use up MAM blocks.  You take a white square and a MAM square, slice them at an angle, swap the sides and sew together to make a wonky rail fence.  Then, by rotating them, you can make this zig zag design.  

I know there is a block wrong on the right hand side - I've sewn it together wrongly twice, so let's hope its third time lucky! 

Have I been sewing, oh yes I have!

This is the time of year when I'm usually busy with panto sewing, and this year has been no exception. This year's offering is 'Beauty and the Beast' which has been quite a challenge.  Apart from the usual princes, witches, villagers, servants, dame and chorus, there has been a clock costume, a chest of drawers, a candelabra, a rug and a table.  That's apart from two French poodles, a girl who is a blacksmith and a 'masculine' dame's outfit.  Luckily we have a store of costumes, and so some just had to be found and fitted, but the furniture was a real headache.  

Here is one of the poodles - luckily more man than poodle. 

Here is the chest of drawers (I'm very pleased with how that turned out). 

Here is the candelabra (I'm not so pleased with that, but at least people can work out what it's supposed to be!  

The witch turned out well, although the skirt is borrowed. 

The clock is awesome, and was made by the talented Jess, who is currently at college and hoping to study costume design at uni.  Thank you Jess, and why didn't I ask you to do the rest! 

Yay, Bonnie!

Happy New Year to all, and I hope 2018 brings you lots of happiness and fun.  My year has started well, as Bonnie Hunter is revealing her mystery quilt day by day!  I haven't managed to keep up, but I have enough elements to make some blocks. 

Bit of a dreary photo, but the blocks are looking lovely!  I did my usual half of the components, and find I will have enough to make 25 of these blocks.  Twenty five!  Nine down, and sixteen to go!  Plus there are more components to come!  Exciting! 

Slow progress

There hasn't really been much sewing going on here recently.  I know there's been Christmas, which always slows things down, but before Christmas I had a very nasty cold which knocked me off my feet for two weeks!  I've never had a cold like that, and I ended up with earache so bad, I had to get up and take painkillers in the night!  Luckily (apart from a hopefully temporary) deafness in one ear, I'm back on form.  But my sewing is well behind. 

I usually do the latest Bonnie Hunter mystery, and while she has released six clues, I'm only just working on number four!  I only do half the units too!  Not to worry.  She doesn't send the Quilt Police round to check up on you, so it's all fine.  Cutting more chocolate triangles now and I'll catch up eventually.