The Farmer's Wife 1930's Sampler Quilt - October 2016

Can you believe that it has now been 12-months since I started this project! Originally it was only meant to take 12-months for the sew along however the pace was reduced to only 1-block per week by the organizers earlier this year thus adding extra time.  I'm still plodding away.  Instead of sewing my blocks weekly I tend to do them all at once toward the end of the month.  

Here are my Farmer's Wife blocks for October:

04 October - Block 95 - Sylvia

11 October - Block 25 - Crystal

18 October - Block 38 - Golda

25 October - Block 81 - Peony
I noticed that not many participants have tackled Peony.
She doesn't play nicely - she has single & double Y-seams!

Be Scrappy, Happy.

My friend Mary Oram recently designed a beautiful cushion as part of an Instagram competition and won first prize.  I absolutely LOVED the design when I saw it and offered to pattern test it for her:

Mary's winning competition entry.

The pattern was very easy to make.  I used a mixture of low volume fabrics for the background and a combination of yellow, orange and lime fabrics for the crosses. The circles are cut from felt and I have used some Kaffe Fassett Collective prints in the centre of the felt circles.

The top is pieced and the embellishments are ready to be attached.

I used Perle 8 thread to hand quilt the top and to embellish the felt circles.

A close up of one of the circles.  The Kaffe circle of fabric has been attached to the felt circle using needle turn applique and then I have used a Perle 8 thread to attach the felt circle to the top using a blanket stitch.

I have then hand quilted around the perimeter of the felt circles using a black Perle 8 thread.

Hand quilting around the circles.  I have also hand quilted around the coloured crosses using a Perle 8 thread in matching colours (orange, yellow & lime green).

My completed cushion.

And now my beautiful cushion proudly sits on the futon with my other newly made cushions.  The hexie cushions were recently made using "Comma" by Zen Chic for Moda.  I also have two cushions made using Jodie Carleton's fabrics "Bunny Trail" and "The Cat's Pyjamas"

The view from my chair.

Mary Oram's cushion pattern "Be Scrappy, Happy" is due to be released in an upcoming edition of Make Modern Magazine. I assume it will appear in the next edition which is #14. 

You can follow Mary on Instagram, her account is @PoppinsPatch

Craftsy 2016 Summer BOM

Back in July I stumbled across a new Block of the Month (BOM) that Carl Hentsch is hosting on Craftsy.  The pattern was modern and bold and featured bright solids on a black background. 

Over the next 6-months, Carl will release part of the quilt pattern and there is also a free online class teaching you how to make that month's blocks and demonstrating the techniques used for that month.  

Here are the first 3-months:

July 

During July we made the centre medallion which was all Foundation Paper Pieced.

August

August was all about sewing curves.  There were 2 different curved blocks to make, and we had to make 4 of each.  The rainbow blocks were also foundation paper pieced.  It was rather tricky getting all the seams to match up perfectly.

September

September was all about triangles and squares.  The trickiest part was making the flying geese units which made up part of the 4 corner blocks.

I'm now at the halfway point of the project - only 3-months left to go and the quilt top will be finished. I'm absolutely loving how it's looking so far!!

www.craftsy.com

The Farmer's Wife 1930s Sampler Quilt Sew Along - July

Here are my Farmer's Wife blocks for July 2006:

05 July - Block 21 - Carrie

12 July - Block 63 - Mollie

19 July - Block 56 - Marcella

27 July - Block 85 - Primrose

Craft It Forward part 2

Last year I was a recipient in Nessa's Craft it Forward and I received a lovely hand made gift from her last May.  In turn I was to send a hand made item to the first three qualifying bloggers who responded to my promotion. Once they received their gifts they then agreed to host their own Craft-It-Forward on their blogs, and to send out a hand made gift to three different people within 12 months of receiving their item/s.

I only had two bloggers who qualified - Anne Boundy and Filomena Parbery.  I had until May this year to complete my gifts and I just slid over the finish line as May turned into June.

As Anne lives not too far away we caught up for lunch in the nearby town of Kyneton and I delivered her gift in person.  Filomena lives interstate so I posted hers up to her.

I knew that both ladies love Lori Holt fabrics & designs, and that Filomena also loves Bonnie & Camille fabrics.  My sleuthing discovered that both have a fondness for aqua and red.  I wanted to make a gift that was practical so I decided to make the "Stitchy Kit" pattern by Bee In My Bonnet Designs - Lori Holt.

  

The "Stitchy Kit" & matching Scissor Holder which I made for Anne using Lori Holt & coordinating fabrics.

The "Stitchy Kit" & matching Scissor Holder which I made for Anne using Lori Holt & coordinating fabrics.  Can you see the red Secret Sewing Squirrel button?

anneboundyWhat a day! Thank you so much @bendigolioness for my #craftitforward present! #loriholt Stitchy kit - ❤️ the little scissor keeper 😄 More pics on my blog along with your chance to be one of my Craft it Forward recipients 😍

The "Stitchy Kit" & matching Scissor Holder which I made for Filomena using Bonnie & Camille fabrics.

The "Stitchy Kit" & matching Scissor Holder which I made for Filomena using Bonnie & Camille fabrics.  Can you see the blue Secret Sewing Squirrel button?

• 

• sew_filomenaThank you so much Fiona @bendigolioness for my craft it forward parcel. As your card said. Yes I instantly thought what deadline had I missed, I don't remember ordering anything !!! Totally forgot about the craft it forward blog post. It was such a beautiful surprise. I love it all. ❤️ you are one super clever talented lady.

• anneboundyIt's gorgeous! 😍❤️
• bendigolionessI was the same when I received mine. I went into panic mode thinking I had stuffed up & missed a swap deadline & I was too scared to open it. I thought you'd have the same reaction 😂😂😂
• 
  
• I also included some chocolates and a few other items in each of their parcels.  I am looking forward to seeing what items the girls make for their Craft it Forward recipients!

The Farmer's Wife 1930's Sampler Quilt - June

Here are my blocks for June 2016:

07 June - Block 27 - Dinah

14 June - Block 7 - Augusta

21 June - Block 33 - Farmer's Wife

28 June - Block 21 - Carrie

The Farmer's Wife 1930's Sampler Quilt Sew Along - May

Here are my Farmer's Wife blocks for May 2016:

03 May - Block 31 - Eva

10 May - Block 50 - Lady

17 May - Block 5 - Anne

24 May - Block 29 - Doris

31 May - Block 48 - Judy

Georgetown On My Mind Sew Along

#GeorgetownOnMyMindSewAlong

For some time now this quilt has been on my wish list.  I promised myself that I would make it after I had finished my "Circle Game Quilt", so I bought the pattern, mulled over fabric choices and as time and money permitted started purchasing what I needed.

I have decided to use the "Bright Blueberry Park" bundle by Karen Lewis Textiles for Robert Kaufman Fabrics with a charcoal homespun background. I have also decided to add a touch of Kaffe Fassett fabrics to give it a bit of zing.

When I posted this photo on Instagram a few months ago, a few friends asked if they could sew along with me so we have decided to make this an informal sew along and invite everyone else to join us.  Karen @VintageStrings and I will be ready to kick off in July and you are welcome to join us.

There are no set deadlines - you are free to sew along at your own pace, knowing that you are with good company who will keep you motivated and encourage you along the way.  

This pattern can be made using various techniques.  I plan to hand sew mine using my own templates and will be typing up a tutorial showing just how easy this can be.  

If you would like to join in you will need the following to make the quilt top:

• to purchase a copy of the pattern "Georgetown On My Mind" by Jen Kingwell
• 6m (6.5 yards) of background fabric
• 3m (3.5 yards) approximately of coloured fabrics (fat 16th & fat 8ths work well)
• Template plastic, 
• Fine marker - I use a Sewline Trio Colors fabric pencil with ceramic leads 
• Fabric scissors
• 1/4' Seaming Wheel/Quilters Wonder Wheel
• Fabric Scissors
• A sheet of fine grade sandpaper or a sandpaper board
• general sewing items - needle, thread etc etc

Sewline Trio Colors comes with 3 coloured lead pencil points – white, pink and black. Just turn the barrel to select your colour. The ceramic leads glide smoothly over fabric, leaving a nice clean line with no chalky residue. The special grip means it’s comfortable to use with good control. When you wish to remove the marks, simply use a polymer eraser ( there is a small one under the lid) or the Sewline Aqua eraser.  The tip is fine enough to use with a 1/4" Seaming Wheel/Quilters Wonder Wheel

This little tool called the Quilter’s Wonder Wheel or 1/4" Seaming Wheel is a great way to easily and accurately add a ¼″ seam allowance to any template. The wheel has a hole in the middle which is countersunk on the top side. The bottom side is smooth and flat allowing it to move freely over the fabric or paper.  A nice sharp pointed pencil (or Sewline Trio Colors Fabric Pencil) fits nicely into the indented hole so that the seam allowance lines can be drawn using the wonder wheel. This cool little tool allows for a simple and easy way to add an accurate ¼″ seam allowance to templates that do not have them or to shapes that you want to use for appliqué or hand sewing.

DISCLAIMER: This sew along is in no way affiliated with Jen Kingwell or Amitie Textiles. "Georgetown on my Mind" is a licenced pattern by Jen Kingwell and can be purchased from most good quilt shops or from Amitie Textiles (Jen's shop).

Fiona's 4000

Back in April I clocked up 4000 Followers over on Instagram so I decided to host a little giveaway.  As I had just completed my Circle Game Quilt, I decided to offer the winner a custom made mini quilt or cushion cover of their favourite Circle Game block.  

Here is a copy of my original post with the T&Cs: 

@BendigoLioness : "Wow, my counter has just clicked over the magical 4,000 followers! I cannot thank you all enough for the support, encouragement, laughs, friendships & inspiration that you all give me. As promised, I have decided to offer a little giveaway to celebrate. 🍾 I know that a lot of you have shared my journey as I have made my "Circle Game Quilt" over the past 12-months. Many have commented on it, some have conspired to "steal" it 😜 & some have offered to buy it, but sorry, I won't be parting with this baby - it was my therapy after the death of my purr-baby Gemma and has helped me to cope with the anguish of her loss. However, as a way to say THANK YOU I would like to make one of you either a mini quilt or a cushion cover in the colour scheme of YOUR CHOICE, based on one of these blocks (I'll let you choose which one too). Yep, I will custom make it for you! 😃 

To enter: 

1) Regram this picture on Instagram with the hashtag #fionas4000 

2) On your regram tell me how I can colour your world - what is your preferred colour scheme? (Some examples: brights, mono, pink with purple polkadots, low volumes with a pop, whatever YOU want. Individual designers not guaranteed but I will do my best to accommodate your colour preferences). 

3) Please state your preference of "mini quilt" or "cushion cover" on your regram. 

🔸I will close this off on Saturday 09 April 2015 at 5:00pm AEST & after verifying entries will aim to announce the winner during #saturdaynightcraftalong . 

🔸Entries open to all Instagram friends & followers worldwide with a public account. 

🔸No private or giveaway accounts & human accounts only please 🙀 I will contact the winner directly to get further details from you before I start to make your prize.

🔸 For the record this giveaway is purely of my own and is no way endorsed by @jenkingwell . "The Circle Game" is a licensed pattern by Australian designer Jen Kingwell and I have bought the pattern for my personal use."

@nanaani83 - Anita Sharp was the winner

The winning entry was number #6 which was Anita Sharp from Fresno, California (USA). 

Anita is a fellow Kaffe Fassett fan and she requested a mini quilt made from bright jewel tones.  She chose block number 13 and after consulting with her on colours & fabric options, I set about making her prize.  

Anita's finished prize.

#Repost @nanaani83 with @repostapp.

・・・

This thank you is a few days late, and I hope that the lovely Fiona @bendigolioness accepts my apologies.

I was the winner of her 4000 follower giveaway, and she created this incredible mini-quilt just for me! The colors are so vibrant and beautiful- absolutely stunning, and her handwork is impeccable!!!

Miss Fiona also included some Australian tea, an adorable spoon rest, and a variety of chocolates that I have had to protect from the maws of my greedy menfolk! 

Fiona - I absolutely love this package - Thanks from the bottom of my heart!!! 💗💜💙❤😻 

#fionas4000#instagramfriendsarethebest 
Pattern by@jenkingwell 
Fabric by #kaffefassett

The Circle Game Quilt

My completed Circle Game Quilt

Further to my post the other day, I realised that I hadn't provided any specs about my Circle Game Quilt.

The pattern booklet.  Available through all good quilt shops.

Pattern: "The Circle Game" by Jen Kingwell

Fabrics Used: 

• I have used a mixture of fabrics by the Kaffe Fassett Collective which includes Kaffe Fassett, Brandon Mably and Philip Jacobs.
• The black & white spot is "Spot On" design #14868 by Studio RK for Robert Kaufman
• The grey is "Architextures" by Carolyn Friedlander for Robert Kaufman.  I think it was the "Shale" colour. 
• The charcoal is "Quilter's Linen" screen rint D#9864 by Robert Kaufman
• The Sashing - is a Kaffe Fassett print called "Freckles".  It looks yellow in some photos but it is actually a very pale lime green with flecks of red, pink, brown and green through it.

Techniques: Jen's quilts can be made using a variety of techniques and I am sure that everyone does theirs differently.  I estimate that at least 85% of this quilt was sewn by hand.  There were a few simple blocks which I machine pieced but mostly I hand sewed them.  I did machine piece the borders and the sashing.  It has taken me approximately 12-months to complete this quilt.  

Quilting: I have hand quilted this quilt using Aurifil threads in a combination of 40wt, 50wt and 28wt that I ordered through Ms Midge.

The individual blocks:

Block 1

Block 2

Block 3

Block 4

Block 5

Block 6

Block 7

Block 8

Block 9 - this is one of my favourites

Block 10

Block 11

Block 12

Block 13

Block 14

Block 15

Block 16 - another one of my favourites

The finished quilt top:

Here is the flimsy hanging up above my bed prior to being quilted.

Miss Amity's "schexy pose" - it's a shame I had the window open when I took this photo as the wind blew the right hand side, but Amity's pose is just too cute!

Basting & Quilting:

My mother helped me baste the quilt in the craft room at her retirement village.

About to pin baste

Ironing and basting

These are all the Aurifil threads that I used to hand quilt this quilt.

Hand quilting

Hand quilting

Hand quilting with Aurifil

Hand quilting with beautiful Aurifil threads

When I was too tired to hand quilt, Miss Amity took over for me ;0)