My happy new quilt

This last week has been so lovely - but I haven't been tempted away from my sewing!

I've finished the quilt top that I showed you last week - it's only small but I do like it -

The finished size is 42 1/2" square - so makes a cute little lap quilt or even a picnic blanket.

The blocks are made using - http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/660183/sizzix-bigz-l-die-triangles-isosceles-right-3-1-2-h-assembled and the 3"finished square - http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/657608/sizzix-bigz-die-square-3-finished-3-1-2-unfinished 
The fabrics and amounts you need are as follows -
Centre squares - 3 pieces 12" x 4" - more if you are going to cut motifs for each square
Star points - 3 pieces 36" x 4 1/2" 
As I mentioned before I used the lovely fabric from the Fenton House collection by Guetermann for the stars.
White - 27" x 42" for the triangles and squares.
For the inner borders - dusky purple - 27" x 42" - cut into 2" strips and then cut 18 x 9 1/2" and 18 x 12 1/2"

For the sashing, outer border, and binding - 27" x 42" - cut into 2" strips.
- For the sashing cut 6 x 12 1/2", 2 x 39 1/2".
- For the outer border cut 2 x 39 1/2" and 2 x 42 1/2" ( now my fabric wasn't quite wide enough so I had to join an extra piece onto each end )
- the remaining strips are for the binding.
Backing and wadding - 45" square of each

Make the 9 blocks - you can see the layout for each block in my blog on 9th April.
Add the borders to each block.
Then join the blocks with the sashing, and then add the border.
Now this is as far as I've got this week - but all that is needed is to layer up the backing, wadding and top. Quilt by hand or machine - I'm not sure yet how I'm going to quilt - but hope to be able to show you what I've done by next week.
Binding uses the remaining strips, and voila! one small quilt completed
And now for something completely different - but with the same die -

If you join the triangles together in rows of 3, as pictured above, you can make easy hexagons!!

Or using 2 fabrics and staggering the rows you can make a zig zag design -

and that's just a starters - I like the idea of using one die for lots of different effects and projects - so next week I might still be on this die - you'll have to wait and see.

Hope you have a lovely weekend and make something fun.

Angela



Scandi Star Christmas quilt

Hello there - I'm happy to share that the Christmas quilt is coming along very nicely - and here's the photo to prove it -

 

and here is the complete top -



As each block is 16 1/2" this quilt only needed 12 blocks! and so the quilt can be cut and pieced in a day -add another day or a couple of evenings and this quilt will be complete - there is still time before Christmas!!

I used 12 different fabrics from Scandi Christmas fabrics and needed 40cms of each, and there is some left to create a pieced binding.

Cut the following pieces from each fabric using

 1 x 8" square die, http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/657265/sizzix-bigz-pro-die-square-8-finished-8-1-2-unfinished , and the Big Shot Pro http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/656250/sizzix-big-shot-pro-machine-only-periwinkle-w-standard-accessories ,

With the Big Shot and die 657520 - 8 x half square triangles - http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/657520/sizzix-bigz-l-die-half-square-triangles-5-finished-square ,

 4 quarter square triangles http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/657639/sizzix-bigz-xl-die-triangles-4-5-8-h-x-8-1-2-w-unfinished ,

and 4 squares - http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/659838/sizzix-bigz-die-square-4-finished-4-1-2-unfinished .

Mix and match the fabrics - I used dark reds with light greys, light reds with dark greys - so that each square is different.

The piecing instructions are on my blog for 13th November.

When the 12 blocks are completed, and pressed, lay them out in 4 rows of 3 blocks each. 

Join the blocks together to complete the 4 rows and then join the rows together.

I will probably machine quilt for speed and then make a pieced binding to complete - I hope to have it ready to show you completed next week - and maybe some little girls snuggled up under it.

 Well that will be another first for me - a Christmas quilt - hope you like it.

Angela

 

 



Quick Scandi Christmas block

How are you - I hope you're enjoying the build up to Christmas and that you have a lot more fun and enjoyment than stress.

Last year I thought it would be nice to start a family tradition - a quilt for Christmas eve - when the grandchildren can snuggle up under the quilt, in their Christmas pyjamas, and  enjoy watching a film together.

So we are only 6 weeks away from Christmas and I'm just starting the blocks for the quilt! Well that is progress, and even though I might not get it finished for this Christmas, I am moving in the right direction.

So I have chosen these lovely Scandi style fabrics, and plan to keep the design quite simple -

 



 I just love these colours and designs.

I have used the following dies for my star block -

8" square die, http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/657265/sizzix-bigz-pro-die-square-8-finished-8-1-2-unfinished , and the Big Shot Pro http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/656250/sizzix-big-shot-pro-machine-only-periwinkle-w-standard-accessories , to cut

 1 square in red with white stars.

With the Big Shot and die 657520 http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/657520/sizzix-bigz-l-die-half-square-triangles-5-finished-square , and red with cream heart outlines, I cut

 8 half-square triangles.

4 quarter square triangles were cut using die http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/657639/sizzix-bigz-xl-die-triangles-4-5-8-h-x-8-1-2-w-unfinished ,

finally I used diehttp://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/659838/sizzix-bigz-die-square-4-finished-4-1-2-unfinished , to cut

 4 x 4 1/2" squares.

To begin I stitched 2 half square triangles to each side of the quarter square triangle -

and then I stitched these to opposite sides of the 8 1/2" square -



and then I joined the 41/2" squares to each end of two of  the pieced triangles -

 To complete the block these were stitched to  opposite sides of the centre square -

So that is my quick make for Christmas - it is a 16" finished block - so it could be a cushion or a table centre. I am still hoping that I can make a quilt for Christmas - and so I plan to use the same design for all of the quilt blocks, and mix and match the various fabrics I have from the range.

Will it be finished for this Christmas? - I have no idea, but, for the first time ever, I have the beginnings of a quilt for Christmas - I feel quite warm and cosy inside!

That's all for now - have fun.

Angela

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Layer cake quicky

Where has this week gone? Well I was in Dublin at the Knitting and Stitching Show at the weekend - so I think that has made the time seem to disappear. I was demonstrating the Big Shot and Bigz dies for Abakhanhttp://www.abakhan.co.uk/ , and teaching a workshop using the Butterfly die - http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/658629/sizzix-bigz-die-butterfly-4 to decorate a needle case.

So now I'm back and trying to complete the Downton Abbey quilt - my idea of completing it with a plain background just doesn't work - so I am going to have to piece together some more 'whirligigs' to make a small lap quilt - but as I've only made that decision today I can't show you the results this week - but I can let you know that you can cut 28 half hexagons from a fat quarter, with die http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/658880/sizzix-bigz-die-5-half-hex - but you have to lay the fabric all the same way - R.S or W.S up - and do not fan fold

Each fat quarter will make 4 complete 'whirligigs'.

So far I have used 288 half hexagons and my top measures approx. 52" at the widest point and 42" at the narrowest - just to give you an idea of size.

Sooooo - Downton is delayed again - and it could be a couple of weeks before I can finish it - but in the meantime I have something else to show you -

Do you remember this from a couple of weeks ago?

 

 

I said I would let you know  how big a quilt top I could make out of this Layer cake pack of fabrics.

Now I'm pleased to be able to give you the answer and show the started top -

 

 

 

Using this die http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/657622/sizzix-bigz-l-die-triangles-isosceles-right-4-1-2-h-assembled I can make a top approx. 40"/1m square. Obviously if you use a smaller die the size you can make will be reduced.

What can  you look forward to next week - well it won't be Downton or this small quilt - but it will be a quick make for Christmas.

In the meantime enjoy your sewing.

Angela

 



Downton dilema resolved

I'm home again from working at the Knitting and Stitching show at Alexandra Palace, and what a difference a week makes - lights on, heating on, curtains closed. But then candles lit and cosy evenings with lots of lovely fabrics to piece by hand - or machine - maybe Autumn isn't so bad after all.

On my way to the show I called in at the lovely Village Haberdashery shop -http://www.thevillagehaberdashery.co.uk/ , which is a shop I've looked at on line but this was my first chance to visit - it's a small shop but it's full of beautiful fabrics - so I bought just one bundle of fat quarters, which was very restrained. It's  Fly Away by Phyllida Coroneo for Dashwood Studios, and I love the way Kona plains have been added to the bundle - it's a project for the spring - just what project I'm not sure of.

 

 

Now back to Downton - I have decided to make the piecing easy and so have started laying out the fabrics and stitching the triangles together - I cut all my16 fat quarters ( Lady Edith and lady Sybil ) into half hexagons using die 658880 http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/658880/sizzix-bigz-die-5-half-hex  and started to lay out the 'whirligig' design -

then I added the surrounding colours -



then I separated the shapes out to leave me with 6 triangles to stitch -

I then stitched the triangles together - but left the centre 1/4" unstitched -

this is to enable stitching the other piece in (known as a Y seam) to complete the triangle -

Repeat this until you have stitched all 6 triangles -

After this you just keep adding triangles to complete each whirligig - this is how far I have progressed -

When you have stitched all your triangles you can then join them into rows and then join the rows together - I'll show that next week.
Now the question is will I finish the quilt before the end of the series?

I enjoyed working at the show as always - meeting customers,  seeing new fabrics, new projects and I always think that I'll come away without buying anything - this time I was attracted to 'Flexi-frames'

for closing bags - so there will be some bag projects coming up.

 

Whilst working, on The Cotton Patch  stand  (http://www.cottonpatch.co.uk/ ) I decided to see what size quilt I could make out of a layer cake - so using the Big Shot http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/657900/sizzix-big-shot-machine-only-powder-blue-teal and
Bigz die 659853 http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/657622/sizzix-bigz-l-die-triangles-isosceles-right-4-1-2-h-assembled
I only cut the full triangle not the half, and managed cut 6 from each 10" square

 so I now have 252 triangles to make into a quilt for the grandchildren - I'm not sure how big this will be but I'll show you next week.
Until then - enjoy the Autumn colours and keep stitching.
Angela

Adopted blocks 2



 Hello again - technology is driving me crazy today - I keep loosing what I've written and have to start again!!
Let's hope that I manage to complete this now - or I may have to go and lie down in a darkened room!!! or watch the tennis - I love watching Wimbledon - and the quality of the tennis has been amazing -even if some of the favourites have lost, my favourite is still playing, but even if he doesn't win it will have been a good year!!
So to continue where I left off last week - I've included all the dies and codes in case it will make it easier for you!
 
The following Bigz dies are used throughout this quilt, with the Big Shot machine -
657606 Square - 2 1/2" finished http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/657606/sizzix-bigz-die-square-2-1-2-finished-3-unfinished
657620 - Quarter square triangle 2 1/2" x 5" finished  http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/657620/sizzix-bigz-l-die-triangle-3-1-8-h-x-5-1-2-w-unfinished
657610 - Half-square Triangles 2 1/2" finished http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/657610/sizzix-bigz-die-half-square-triangles-3-finished-square
657624 - Rectangle 2 1/2" x 5" finished http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/657624/sizzix-bigz-l-die-rectangle-2-1-2-x-5-finished-3-x-5-1-2-unfinished
657627 - Trapezoid 2 1/2" x 5" finished http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/657627/sizzix-bigz-l-die-trapezoid-3-x-5-1-2-unfinished
I am trying to keep the instructions simple - so use the photo of each block as a guide throughout.

Block 8 Pinwheel

White fabric - 8" x 11" - cut 4 squares and 4 half square triangles
Blue fabric 7" square - cut 4 squares
Pink (and black print) -  8" x 11" - cut 4 squares and 4 half square triangles.
Join together the pink and white triangles.
Join 2 blue squares to 2 white squares and 2 blue squares to 2 pink squares.
Join 2 pink squares to 2 pink and white squares, and join 2 pink squares to 2 pink and white squares.
Lay the rectangles out to match the photo and join together to 4 rows.
Join the 4 rows together.

Block 9 Lotus Flower

White fabric - 16" x 8" - cut 2 squares, 6 half square triangles and 2 rectangles

Orange print - 8" x 4" - cut 1 square and 2 half square triangles

Blue print - 20" x 4" - cut 3 squares and 4 half square triangles

Join the orange triangles to 2 white triangles. Join 1 orange and white square to a white square and join the other to an orange square - join these all together to make a square.

Join the blue triangles to the white triangles.

You will need to look at the photo to see which way to join the blue and white squares to the remaining squares - 1 to a white square and 3 to blue squares - lay them out to make sure that they are correct before stitching.

Lay these pieces out with the white rectangles to create 3 squares - stitch together.

Join the 4 squares together.

 

Block 10 - Star

White fabric 24" x 8" - cut 8 half square triangles and 4 squares.

Orange print - cut 8 half square triangles and 4 squares.

Join 2 orange triangles to 2 white triangles.

Join 1 white square to 1 orange and white square, and 1 orange square to 1 orange and white square.

Join these together to create a square which is 1/4 of the complete block. Repeat 3 times and then join the 4 squares together to complete the block.

 

Block 11 Return of the Swallows

White fabric 16" square - cut 16 half square triangles

Green print and pink print - 16" x 8" of each fabric - and cut 8 half square triangles from each.

Join a white triangle to each of the pink and green triangles.

Join a pink/white square to a green/white square - repeat 7 times.

Join 2 pairs of squares together to make a square - repeat 3 times.

Lay the squares out so that the 'swallows' are spinning around as in the photo.

Join the squares together.

 

Block 12 - Steps

White fabric - 20" x 4" - cut 2 rectangles and 4 squares

Orange print and pink print fabrics - 7" square - cut 2 rectangles from each.

Join a white square to each end of a pink rectangle. Repeat once.

Join an orange and a white rectangle end on. Repeat once.

Join the rows together to match the photo.

 

Block 13 - Checkerboard

Pink/white print - 14" x 8" cut 8 squares

Pink/black print - 14" x 8" cut 8 squares

Join 4 squares together alternating the prints - repeat 3 times.

Join the rows together to create a checkerboard.

 

Block 14 - Windmill

 

White fabric  and orange print - 12" x 7" of each fabric - cut 4 rectangles from each.

Join the orange and white rectangles together to make squares.

Join the 4 squares together to create the windmill.

 

Block 15 - Single Chain

 

White fabric - 24" x 8" cut 12 squares

Pink print - 8" square cut 4 squares

Join 3 white squares together and 1 pink, repeat once.

Join 2 white squares, 1 pink and 1 white, repeat once.

Lay the rows out to create the diagonal chain and join the rows together.

 

Block 16 - Quartered Log Cabin -

 

White fabric - 10" x 4" cut 1 rectangle and 1 square

Pink/white print - 4" square - cut 1 square

Blue/white print - 16" x 4" - cut 2 rectangles and 1 square

Pink/black print - 22" x 4" - cut 3 rectangles and 1 square

Join the white and pink squares, and join to the white rectangle to make a square.

Join a blue rectangle to the white rectangle.

Join the blue rectangle and blue square together and join to the side to create a square.

Join the pink/black square to a pink/black rectangle and add to the square.

Join the 2 remaining pink/black rectangles and add to the square to complete the block.

 

Well I think that was a good mix of  blocks and we only have 4 blocks left for next week!!

It's now only 5 weeks until Festival of Quilts! at the moment the amount of work to prepare and complete before then is crazy!! the new bunting is almost complete and I think it's looking lovely. Then I need to make some new table runners, using some of our lovely new dies and pin cushions - and that's just for a start - the stand is going to look amazing and I'm beginning to get excited ( as long as I don't look at the pile of fabric still to be used, oh and did I mention the 400 plus project packs that have to be put together.

I think I need a cup of tea!

Have fun.

Angela

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Because she truly is worth it.....



This week - in preparation for Mother's Day - 3 quick and easy projects for that Special Mum.

Because lots of Mums like a cup of tea - a new tea cosy, coaster and mug warmer - you can make all or just one of them. I chose bright fun fabrics from my stash - but you could make it from your bits basket - it's the love that's it's made with that counts!

For the projects I obviously used my Big Shot and dies - 2" finished square - http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/657607/sizzix-bigz-die-square-2-finished-2-1-2-unfinished or for even quicker cutting, use this die that cuts 4 squares at a time -  http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/658321/sizzix-bigz-l-die-squares-2-finished-2-1-2-unfinished

and finally the 2" finished half-square  http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/657611/sizzix-bigz-die-half-square-triangles-2-1-2-finished-square.

For the tea cosy I cut 70 x 2" finished square.

For the coaster - 4 squares, and for the mug warmer 4 squares and 6 half-square triangles.

I made a card template for the tea cosy, after measuring the teapot -

 

 and pieced 2 rectangles 5 rows by 7, for the front and back of the cosy.

I cut 2 pieces of wadding and 2 pieces of cotton fabric for lining, slightly larger than the pieced patchwork.
I layered the patchwork right side up on top of the wadding and then covered it with the lining,

pinned and then stitched a 1/4" seam across the bottom of the patchwork, repeat once more with the other piece.
Press the lining to the back, pin all 3 layers together and trim to the shape of the template -

Pin the front and the back of the cosy together and attach a binding around the raw edges.

 

The coaster is 4 squares joined together and then layered with wadding and backing and then a binding is used to finish the raw edges.

For the mug warmer use 4 squares and 6 triangle - join as shown in the photo -

Layer the wadding and backing and then bind as for the other projects. Add a square of Velcro to the points of the mug warmer - one on the front and one on the back .
Projects completed - these took me less than 4 hours to complete - so there really is time to sew something for Mum.
Next week I'm off on my travels again - this time to the Creative Stitching show at ExCel, London.
So if you're in the Docklands area of London during 3rd - 5th April come and see me, and join in a workshop, on stand Y08
Now I'm going to start cutting the workshop kits for the show - so please come and use them.
Angela

 

Jelly roll joy



I have been trying very hard to use up some of my stash of fabric - because I really have no more space to put any more, but there has been a section of fabrics that I have been reluctant to touch - my Jelly Rolls!

I love them - they are so lovely when they are in their roll and it seems a shame to disturb them - but I also worry about fraying and stretching when I'm using them. Now this is frustrating as there are also a number of good books about using Jelly Rolls.
The solution for me is at hand - my Big Shot machine and bigz dies.
As the strips are 2 1/2" wide they will fit on some of the dies exactly - the square 657607, half-square triangles 657611, rectangle 657605, and trapezoid 657615.
Concertina fold the fabric over the blades of the die as usual

With die 657611 you can even lay 2 strips on at a time

As the fabric is held in place by the cutting plates there is no stretching and as you know I love how quickly I can cut enough shapes for a whole quilt.

 

Just a few of the strips  but I'll soon be ready to sew.
With, or without, the aid of one of the Jelly Roll quilt books this quilt will soon be pieced.
Will it be done by next week? I shouldn't think so - I am looking after my grand-daughters for the weekend.
I am quite pleased though - because now it is started it has moved up the list of things to be made ( and as it is a going to be a present for a friend that has to be good news).
So I hope you're all going to be inspired to get those Jelly Rolls undone and made - maybe even before Festival of Quilts - it's only about 5 weeks away!!
Happy sewing,
Angela