Top Tip Tuesday

Give your machine some regular TLC!

Tomorrow is the 1st of the month so, if you are not a regular cleaner of your machine, mark on your diary on the 1st of each month to give it a mini spa day!

Your machine should have come with a screwdriver to remove the needle plate and a small brush for cleaning.  The best tip I came across several years ago was to also use a pipe cleaner.  The one in the picture started out white so you can see it's had some use!  It is great because the lint gets stuck to it so it is easy to actually remove from the bobbin area rather than just move it around.  Also because it bends it gets into all the nooks and crannies.  Be sure to clean the bottom of the needle plate too because you can get lint build up there aswell.

One thing that is not in the picture is oil - my machine does not require oiling apart from at its service but be sure to know if you should oil yours, what oil to use, where it should go and how much.  How much is really important because more is not always a good thing.  Too much lubrication means it can get in the wrong places and worst of all work its way down onto your sewing!

Top Tip Tuesday

Please ensure that whatever you use to mark your fabric that you TEST it first on the fabric you will be marking.

I will repeat "on the fabric you will be marking" because it is really important - just because it came out of one fabric easily does not mean that will hold true for every fabric!

Top Tip Tuesday

Here’s another tip from me for Top Tip Tuesday ....

Clean up your blocks and quilts as you go. Nobody wants to spend ages trimming threads from a whole quilt and so sometimes they don’t!! 

If you check each block as you make it and then each seam as you piece the top together, it really doesn’t take very long and it really does make a difference to the finished quilt 😊😊 

This is a longstanding WIP which I am now making progress on - which makes me very happy!

ZAKKA from the heart :: A Book Review

Now this gorgeous little book arrived just before we headed off on our travels to New Zealand and it has sat on my desk waiting patiently ever since.  

ZAKKA from the heart by Minki Kim

When it arrived, a couple of days before departure, I had a quick look through it and, in my alternate world where I have lots of spare time, I thought I could make one or two of the projects for our trip.  I hastened out to the studio, picked fabric, found my Annie's stabiliser and even got some zips ready.  Alas it was not to be, and I admitted to myself that it was merely a diversionary tactic from actually having to pack!

That being said I would love to plan to make several items from this book.  I love it when books have an at-a-glance photo page of all the projects in the book ....

So much eye candy but so many useful, as well as beautiful items.  Well that is a loose definition of zakka - beauty in the mundane or as Wiki puts it "everything and anything that improves one's home, life and appearance."  As such you would expect the styling and photography in the book to be nice and it really is.

There are a couple of projects that could top my list of makes.  They are the Roll Cake Pencil Case ....

and the Small Dome Purse ....

Each project comes with a detailed set of written instructions and, more importantly for me, a series of photos.  Whilst I love reading when it comes to making I am a visual learner - one picture really does say a 100 words for me so these are invaluable.  And just look at that cute patchworked sewing machine - what's not to love?!

The other big bonus of this book is a set of full size pattern templates in the back ...... that actually came out along the perforated line neatly, instead of tearing into the pattern!  That aside, I do like to have access to full sized patterns rather than having to print out and stick together.

This book is published by stash books, an inprint of C&T Publishing, and available from Search Press in the UK and Europe - click here to take a look!

I had not heard of the author before so it was nice to read more about her in the author's bio at the back of the book and you can find Minki on IG @zeriano

WIP Wednesday :: So many projects so little time!

I am happy to say that I have actually been sewing since the weekend.  I think unearthing some old projects gave me the motivation to get out of my sewing slump and achieve something.  I worked on two of the projects from my Projects to Finish list, but also added a few to the list too!!

The first one I worked on was the Baby Quilt from Samples.  Looking at the fabric that was left, I made another with leftover units from the sample and then decided to make 5 quick and easy bordered 9 patches.  Once I had decided that it really didn't take that long to piece them and then the quilt top.  Why did I leave it lingering for sooo long?  I think because the fabric isn't really me I wasn't grabbed by it.  But now that it is finished I see lots of possibilities for quilting.  I have no photos of this yet because it was a dark wet day when I finished it so rubbish for taking photos.

I think I am going to custom quilt this one using Pro-Stitcher.  It will be my first proper quilt to custom quilt and so will be a learning curve if nothing else.  I have wadding in my studio and I am sure I have backing I can piece for this, annoyingly it is 45" so normal width fabric is just too small, so it really shouldn't even go back on the shelf ...... watch this space!

The second quilt I worked on was my Black and Silver Jelly Roll quilt.  I pulled some black and silver fabric and thought I would add some 2" strips in the opposite direction on both ends of the quilt so that the thin red sashing wasn't on the edge of the quilt.  When I looked at it again I realised that I could use what I already had.

I unpicked 4 rows into the jelly roll portion and then simply turned it around so that the thin red strip was in the body of the quilt.  I have to say I hate redoing things - don't ask me why I would have preferred to have made piano key borders but it was actually so much quicker doing what I did and it really isn't that bad unpicking a little bit.  This is a head shift I need to make.

This quilt is going to have an E2E design quilted over it and I already know the one I am going to use.  The Pro-Stitcher library comes with loads of designs in it both designed by Handi Quilter and other designers aswell.  Saying that there are 1000s of designs out there that you can buy although I did say I wouldn't initially.  But you know how that goes right?  I saw this design being quilted out by a fellow longarmer and just loved it so I gave in!  I haven't quilted this yet and I am looking forward to it.  It is called More Square Drama from Wasatch Quilting.

So I am really happy to have two quilt tops ready to quilt .... and I am determined that they will not sit on the To Quilt Pile that I have.  A finish for Friday?  Probably not, but wouldn't it be great if they were both quilted to show you next Wednesday?!

Project to Finish :: Baby Quit from Samples

In 2018 I did a Christmas QAL over on UKQU and before the block patterns were ready to go out I had to ensure they were right.  That involved a lovely group of pattern testers who were invaluable but before the patterns even got to them I had to make samples to see which blocks I liked the most in real life.

I found three of these sample blocks last week in a bag with the accompanying fabric pieces.  I have no idea where this fabric came from but I had teamed it with Kona White and obviously had plans for a baby or child quilt.  Hmmm 3 blocks doesn't really make a quilt now does it?

I have an idea for how to finish this and actually started cutting right away!  And you see those strips at the front?  They are for the binding.  I am so proud of myself because that is usually the hurdle I fall at and so have decided to get the binding made before I have even finished the quilt in the hope that then I will attach it straight away!

Hopefully there will be good progress on this in the upcoming days ....

For the full list of Projects to Finish head on over here!

2020 - the year to get things finished!

I have a lot of projects on the go - are they still WIPs (works in progress) or are they UFOs (unfinished objects) and when does one become the other?!!  In recent years I have taken part in the Finish-Along but this year I think I am going to be accountable to myself (also I missed the deadline for Q1!).  As I go through my studio and find started projects I am going to list them to a page so at least they are documented and then I AM going make progress on them!!

The first one I found the other day was this jelly roll race quilt.  Several years ago my daughter asked for a black and white quilts with cats on.  I had never owned a jelly roll and when I saw one of blacks and silver I thought I would be able to quickly make up a quilt for her.  However, before the cats were appliqued on she had changed her mind!!

What to do with the resulting quilt?  I would not have used this fabric in this way if it hadn't been a quick quilt but I can't face unpicking it so I have decided to add a little more to the length and then get it quilted.  That can't take too long right?!

40 Shades of Red :: A Challenge Exhibition

As part of The Quilters' Guild Region 11, I was eligible to enter into their challenge "40 Shades of Red" which was to help celebrate the Guild's 40th birthday this year.  I thought I would share a few of  the quilts with you.

Red Moon by Jill Exell ....

The initial exhibition was held at The Weaver's Gallery in Ledbury at the end of May, but I was unable to see it. Luckily it came more locally to me and I was able to see it a few weeks ago in Ullenhall Village Hall.

  Crazy Red by Katharine Guerrier

I was surprised at the number of quilts that were hung and had a lovely hour or so taking it all in.

 Celebration Flowers by Jenny Hall

The challenge was to create a quilt with a predominantly red theme.  There are so many reds and it was wonderful to see so many used in these lovely quilts.

 Red Arrows by Ruth Dobbins

No two were the same, in fact there was huge variety on show, but the theme of red pulled it all together and made for a cohesive exhibition.

The Red Brick Road by Ann White

All different techniques were used ....

Lesley Conning 

And the sizes were all different ....

Red Sails in the Sunset by Amanda Wright 

I think my favourite was this one ....

They Threw Me A Curved Ball by Sheilagh Webb

but then it could have been this one ....

I forgot to get the title of this one but it is by Karen McIlwraith

or maybe I surprised myself and went with this very traditional Storm at Sea ....

Up The Reds by Jane Johns

You see, how can you ever choose just one?  I would definitely recommend taking part in challenges if you ever can.  They make you think outside of your comfort zone and that deadline date is always a motivating factor!

And my quilt?  Well mine was the smallest ....

This is called Improvisationally Red.  Yes, I was one of those sending it in right at the last minute and a name really escaped me!  This was my first foray into improv piecing and I love the result.  I realise I never shared any progress pics here so I will do another blog post all about this little beauty.

OMG - October

Quick in and out today stating my OMG for linking up to Heidi at Red Letter Quilts:

My goal for October is to quilt and bind this feather quilt for my daughter ....

This has not been quilt I have really enjoyed working on but I hope I fall back in love with it during the quilting.  I have to wait for the backing, my daughter was very specific with the backing she would like and it's not even in the country yet, but as soon as it arrives I am going for it!!

Farm Girl Vintage

So despite the weather (think torrential rain and actually it's cold too!), family illness (my youngest daughter has a summer cold and very sore throat) and the general unsettled feeling in my country (for that read it's like we've gone down a rabbit hole and nothing is as it appears) I am feeling rather sociable today so will be linking up with Lorna at Sew Fresh Quilts.  

Just to take a while to sit and visit some of the other people's blog who link up is a very relaxing and enjoyable way to spend some time .... and if there's coffee and brownies thrown in then I am there!  I also have a big thank you to Lorna for her flanged binding tutorial which I used yesterday on my Shakespeare challenege mini quilt.  On that note, yesterday I said:

 "Although looking at the top picture it's really annoying me so I may well unpick and restitch!"

Having been woken up VERY early by my daughter who is ill I had a few hours laying in bed thinking .....  Which, of course led to some seam ripping before breakfast .... but now I am very happy that I did.  Hint:  it was the join on the left hand side, which now whilst a little wavy, is at least even in the two colours!

Last week I offered up a Pay It Forward on my blog and the person whose name came out of the hat was Sue from Sevenoaks Street Quilts.  At some stage, before the end of the year, Sue will get a little something through the post from me.  Hopefully it will make her smile and brighten up her day.  In turn she will Pay It Forward with a little handmade love of her own.

Patchwork Pumpkin Block

I haven't yet shared any of my Farm Girl Vintage blocks on this blog.  I got the book for Christmas and really enjoyed making a few blocks at the start of the year.  I decided I wanted to make all 48 blocks and opted for the 6 1/2" block to make the full quilt.  

Fresh Pears Block

My, self-imposed, timeline was to make at least one block a week, so that all the blocks were done by the end of the year ready to be sashed and quilted in the New Year.  I have never had such a long term project as this but it sounded doable. In week 1 I made the pumpkin - which I loved doing, week 2 were the pears, week 3 was the strawberry ....

Scrappy Strawberry Block

and week 4 the canning block.  So far so good - one block a week was definitely doable, until ...... 

Canning Season Block

other commitments crept in, Home Ed activities started up again, plus swaps plus show quilts and then the completed blocks came off my design wall and then the book got covered with piles of other things ........ until last week.  I already had some pieces cut so one night I thought I would just sew these together and a little chick (still legless) was hatched ....

Baby Chick Block

and then the milk churn was made.

Milking Day Block

So not quite the 26 blocks that 'should' have been made by the last week in June but hey ho!  The number is increasing and they are looking really cute on my design wall.

Farm Girl Vintage Progress report: 6 blocks of 48 made x

Any bookworms amongst you?!

As you may well know it was my stop on the New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop last week and I asked people to let me know their favourite book or author.  Thank you so much for all the book/author recommendations.  As so many people seem to enjoy reading I thought I would collate that list here in case you are looking for some new reading material and/or some new blogs to go and visit!

Books

All Souls Trilogy / Deborah Harkness from Velda at Granny can Quilt

The Kitchen House / Kathleen Grisson from Heide at Heide's Quilt Hugs

Mudbound  / Hillary Jordan from Heide at Heide's Quilt Hugs

Gone with the Wind / Margaret Mitchell recommended by Needled Mom

Rosemary Rogers recommended by Anna Brown

The Graveyard Book / Neil Gaiman from Ruth at Charly & Ben's Crafty Corner

Outlander series / Diana Gabaldon from Kate at Smiles from Kate

World Without End / Ken Follett from Kate at Smiles from Kate

Ender's Game and Ender's Shadow / Orson Scott Card from Yvonne at Quilting Jet Girl

Cutting Stone / Janet Burroway from Rilene

Armand Gamache Series / Louise Penny from Ann Petersen

The Passage Series / Justin Cronin from Ann Petersen

The Grapes of Wrath / John Steinbeck from Stephanie at quilt'n party

Outlander Series / Diana Gabaldon from Amista at Hilltop Custom Designs

The Heritage / John Grisham from Rosa at Rosa Patch - the love of sewing

The Lightning Thief / Rick Riordan from Sandra at mmm! quilts

A Man Called Ove / Fredrik Backman from Sandra at mmm! quilts

My Grandmother Sends Her Regards and Apologises / Fredrik Backman from Sandra at mmm! quilts

Vintage Kitchen Mysteries / Victoria Hamilton from Holly at Lighthouse Lane Designs

All The Light We Cannot See /  Anthony Doerr from Lisa at Sunlight In Winter Quilts

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children / Ransom Riggs from Sharon at Yellow Cat Quilt Designs

A Prayer for Owen Meany / John Irving from Diana at Red Delicious Life

Cider House Rules / John Irving from Diana at Red Delicious Life

Authors

Ursula le Guin from Ruth at Charly & Ben's Crafty Corner

John Scalzi from Ruth at Charly & Ben's Crafty Corner

James Patterson from Jennifer at RV Quilting

Lee Child from Jennifer at RV Quilting

Dana Stabenow from Jennifer at RV Quilting

Margaret Attwood from Amanda at This Mom Quilts

JK Rowling from Laurel at Quilts By Laurel

JD Robb from Quilter

Jeffrey Archer from Sue at Sevenoaks Street Quilts

Bernard Cornwell from Sarah at 123 Quilt

John Irving from Diana at Red Delicious Life

Picture Books from Emily at The Darling Dogwood

Wide Mouthed Frog / Keith Falkner

Caps for Sale / Esphyr Slobodkina

The First Tulips in Holland / Phyllis Krasilovsky

Click, Clack, Moo / Doreen Cronin

Obviously I could not have a post without any pictures so these are pics of a mini quilt I made yesterday.  It's currently on the frame being quilted and will hopefully be finished in the next couple of days. x

Rainbow Rose .....

My Rainbow Rose has bloomed ...... and so I can today link it up to Finish it Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts.  I will also be linking it to the linky party over at Modern Quilters Ireland who are hosting this QAL, designed by Ruth at Charly and Ben's Crafty Corner.  All the instructions are still up there if you are tempted to join in the fun!

Week 3's instructions were to piece the 4 corner sections.  I only managed to make one corner peice in Week 3 but finished sewing up the rest yesterday.  I love how these four blocks look when they are placed together - I think I might make up some of these blocks in other colourways.

I wanted to make this quilt only using fabric from my stash so overall I am happy with the colour gradations.  There are a couple of changes that are more abrupt than I would like but I was not going to go and buy new fabric ..... much as I would have liked to.

This has been a really enjoyable exploration of colour and I learnt other things besides:

::  I had never made HSTs by cutting triangles in the first place - I like this method and it means that you don't have to have two squares made up of the same fabric triangles and, because I will use the leftover triangles there was very little waste

::  I had never used starch in my patchwork or quilting before  - I am not sure that I would use it again because I really dislike the smell and how it clogged up my iron's surface

::  I used grey as the background for the first time instead of white - sadly I am not sure I like it that much!  I'm not sure if it's because it's grey or whether it's because it's this marbled fabric .... whichever, I think I would have liked it more in white.

I started this project with red at the top of the rose and have always looked at it this way ....

Now it's all joined together it's fun to see it with the other colours at the top ....

This is currently 32 1/2" square.  The assembly instructions are coming next week but I was too impatient to wait!  I am not quite sure how I am going to finish this up yet so still have some playing to do.

There were lots of points to join and whilst they are nowhere near all perfect I thought I would share a join that I was very happy with!!

On Wednesday, I offered up a Pay it Forward on the blog, so if you fancy playing along with one, receiving a surprise something from me and in turn sending something to someone else then please do head over there and leave a comment.

Wishing you all a great weekend. x