Quilt for Claire

Back at the end of November I suddenly realised that my wonderful sister-in-law would be turning 30 in a few days time. I usually do quilts for peoples 30th - and while most people are usually turning 32 by the time they actually get their quilt, I decided that I could easily whip a quilt in 3 days. Also not factoring in that I had a 3 month old to look after - I was determined to get it done!! Well I did not make the 3 day deadline - though I did manage to get it all cut and about 1/2 pierced. Fast foward 3 months later ... and its done. I used Oh Franssons New Wave Quilt pattern teamed with some of Amy Bulters Love Fabric and some Kona Solids.


and the back



I love the pattern (well I do love everything designed by Elizabeth Hartman)but I probably need patterns that are a bit more forgiving with seams lining up. There were a few unpicks involved and not many of the seams line up but I don't mind. A handy tip is to pin from the centre when sewing strips together - at least if your seams don't match it is a bit more even then from starting at the top and then the bottom seams are very jagged.

Front close up


Back close up


I actually hand sewed the binding on this one instead of machine sewing. Very time consuming but I do love how it looks. Little Miss E kept staring at the quilt so i would lay it on the bed and do some of the sewing with her in the middle of it. This quilt almost did not make it to Claire because E loved it so much.

quiet but busy!

oops ... i was supposed to update this right? Been a bit busy the last few months - new job - holiday planning - trying to tidyup the place - trying to use up scraps- buying more fabric!!!
A few weeks ago I was getting ready to migrate my sewing junk pile corner into a new cupboard and I decided instead of putting everything straight in there I would sort things out and finish things! As a result I found I had some old cut up sheets, a pair of pjs with an unfortunate rip, binding and scraps left over from a view different projects. The result .... and a chance to practice my applique - some cute little kimonos and pillowcase dresses made using the patterns of Habitual at http://habitual.wordpress.com/.

First up we have thekimonos. The cute butterfly material is my friends pj pants. So I gave it back to her to give to a high school friend of ours that just had a baby. My friend also took a few more to give as presents! I made them all the smallest size so they are for 6 months olds. Others have been given away and I have 2 left waiting in my emergency gift pile.

Butterflies and Windmills
Balloons, Dots and Diamonds


Kites, Butterflies and Dots

Next is the pillowcase dresses. I made these for 18 month olds - as I calculated when it hits summer in Australia again my beautiful god-daughter Zoe should fit into them. And the brilliant thing is that when they no longer fit as a dress they should fit as a top! So the butterflies and the pink damask went to Zoe and the others are in the emergency present pile. (the dresses would probably look better modelled - but alas - don't know many 18 month old in the same city as me!)