Craftsy 2012 Block of the Month - March

Last Wednesday I took a day off and had a sewing session with a friend - we're on the march 2012 Blocks of the Month. I would have posted earlier, but we have been going down with a nasty cold virus like a pack of dominoes. I'm only just starting to feel well after nearly a week.

I really enjoyed the string block (I have some pretty skinny strings in there!) - loved the way I didn't have to measure, and actually I decided to not worry if my string s were a bit wonky (they don't look too bad). I haven't foundation pieced anything before and found this simple pattern much easier than I thought it would be.

I've only managed one section of the spiderweb block , but this was even easier. The strings aren't stitched to the foundation fabric after the first seam, so you can get away with not pressing until the end - I particularly liked that! I'm thinking of making a cardboard template though, as the bias edges on the base triangle have definitely stretched a bit.

This week I have been mostly...

At work, but am now off for the rest of Half Term.

I have however managed to create this:

Which I then turned into this:

And which has now become this:

Approximately 230" of bias binding for my tree skirt. (At least, I hope it is 230"..........)

I used the tutorial from the Dread Pirate Rogers which was nice and simple.

The drawing of lines, pinning at intersections, sewing and then cutting took a surprising length of time. I can't say I enjoyed sewing the twisted fabric tube I created, but the cutting was actually quite enjoyable.

So all bets are off now as to how long it will take me to actually sew it on to the tree skirt..

I've got competition

For the sewing machine as well as the computer!

I've not sewn anything much since the dubious block of the last post - I have been trying to tidy up my sewing space a little. meanwhile, with some hand holding, my daughter has managed to make her first sewn item - a patchwork cushion.

She's really proud of it, and did a great job.


What I really want to do right now is make some bias binding for my tree skirt to finally finish it. What I am in fact going to do is some tidying and cleaning. I'm not going to show any pictures as it is bad. Not TV programme bad, but bad enough!

I was planning on bold....

But just seem to achieved ugly! Oh dear.

I'm worried....

about my ugly Swoon Block. Having sewn together all the HST's and flying geese and pressed all the seams open, I laid it out. Unbelievably it isn't looking as ugly as it should given the dreadful fabric combination.

Perhaps its true - you can't make a truly ugly Swoon Block.

1 down, 8 to go....

Well I kept going and finished swoon block 1 (er, about 3 weeks ago).

 I like it, but I am not sure it is how I want my swoon quilt to look. Can't decide whether to bring in some really different  fabrics to make sure there is a big contrast or to keep going with my original pairings.

I'm leaning towards the first option (which is making me very glad that I bought 5 metres of the background fabric "just in case I make a mistake" - I wan't anticipating it being "just in case your first block is a mistake"!).

I couldn't resist...

Any longer - I have joined the Swoon-along. I have a big stack of Amy Butler "Love" fat quarters that I don't know what to do with, and that actually I am not really "loving" anymore. I'm hoping that this couldbe the quilt for them - the patterns are quite bold and are wasted on small piecing and the Swoon blocks I have seen using larger scale prints are looking fabulous.

So after a purchase of several metres of plain white fabric I have all of the background fabric (except for the sashing strips) cut out. Have cut up three of the FQ's and have completed all the HST and flying geese for one block. I've now laid it out  to see if it "works"

and while I actually really like it, I am surprised that the contrast is so subtle - think I may have to rethink quite a few of my other pairings - maybe I need them to clash.......

Oh yes, and I also need to catch up with the Curiouser and Curiouser quilt along blocks too. Think I might be quite busy for a while....

A Finish!

Sadly not my tree skirt - that is at the point of being half quilted (It is my first attempt at free motion quilting, and I am still terrified of it!) It might make it under the tree by New Year.

I have managed though to complete two crayon folders as part of the Christmas presents for some dear friends' 2 little ones.

I fussy cut a picture from some of the fabric used inside and raw edge appliqued it to the front - this way they can always tells whose is whose! That and the different coloured elastics that keep them closed. I considered putting their initials on the front, but I am struggling to find a font that I like that increases to the size I want with the proportions I'd like!

They nearly didn't get posted though - I discovered that my box of brand new crayons mysteriously didn't contain enough to fill them both, so there was a mad dash to buy some more on the way to the post office (I am currently very thankful for Gift bags) where we just got to in time, by the skin of our teeth

(By the way, they are much better than the first one I made - I used a linen fabric for the outer this time and paired it with a lightweight fusible fleece - I also used a lightweight interfacing on the inner fabric and the whole thing works so much better)

Christmas Sewing

I am hopelessly disorganised - and an expert procrastinator, so although I have nearly always have plans to make things for Christmas, it rarely happens - even when I wrap lots of presents early it seems to make no difference at all and I am still up past midnight on Christmas Eve wrapping. (You get the general idea)

This year though, things may be different! I have joined the Sew Mama Sew! Christmas tree Skirt sew along. (Ok so they call it pants but I am sticking with it being a skirt for obvious reasons).

I have actually cut out all the pieces for the top.

And here is a completed block! Block 2 came to life this evening, and I have done a pile of chain piecing as well.

You know, I really think I might stand a chance of finishing this before Christmas.......

Not holding out any hopes on the wrapping though.