Secret Squirrels

I have a wonderful group of quilting friends.   
This particular group is the first group of quilting ladies that I have mostly never met.

In true quilty style, when one of us announced a new arrival, the chance to help make a beautiful and lasting gift, to someone that will cherish it, was too hard to resist.

When I signed up, we were all happy in our old house.   As the date for the block to be sent back in approached, we were in the middle of moving house.

This meant that hand stitching was on the cards.  I have already dabbled in English paper piecing, so went with the templates that I already had.  ¾ of an inch along each side, these hexys are gorgeous.

I pulled fabric from my scrap bin and used some of the samples kindly sent by AJ.

Four rounds of hexys.  I auditioned a green background, but ended up going for the lighter, more neutral fabric.

Appliqued down.

 

Then the blocks started arriving back with AJ.

AJ did a great job bringing all the blocks together.

Here are some more professional shots of the boy and his quilt, taken by his very talented Mama, Rachel.

Beautiful!!

Bunny Quilt

 A gorgeous little pram quilt is on the frame today.

The fabrics are a little heavier than quilting cottons, but oh so beautiful.

I used matching 40wt Signature threads in both the top and the bobbin.

Stippling.   

It is very versatile and really is allowing me to learn how to guide my machine.  I have upped the speed of the machine a little and am finding the stitches much nicer, and more even.  

Linking up with Gemma at Pretty Bobbins.

A Special Quilt

On the frame today is a baby quilt.

This quilt is on a major deadline, so must be finished today.

I have offered to square and also machine bind this quilt.  This is one Quilt Mama who does not have the time.  Wonder if we shall beat that baby on he or she’s arrival??

I am quilting with an elongated stipple.  

Looking great so far.

Hoping to be able to drop it off this evening. 

Linking up with WIP Wednesday

Look at my rose bush! 

Beautiful blooms. 

I hope you have a great day.


ETA  I did finish quilting this quilt.  

I also attached the binding and then handed it back for some hand stitching to finish. 

 Yay, another happy 

Quilt Mama

Practice Fun

Earlier this week, I cranked the machine and had a play on a practice piece I had loaded onto the frame.

The top is a plain piece of fabric with interesting lines and shapes for me to practice quilting around.

I used a variegated thread on the top, and a dusky pink to match the back.  The back is pieced with busy fabric also.  It hides the stitching from the front beautifully.

I have been learning the ins and outs of my machine and we are quickly becoming friends.  Very few broken threads and not a single broken needle yet (touch wood!).   

In this piece I was concentrating on a couple of things.  As a non stitch regulated machine, I have to listen to the machine, feel it and watch my stitches closely.  How fast the needle is moving, combined with the speed and direction of the machine give the stitches their length.  

As you can see I have plenty to work on.  

Slowing down and getting my rhythm will help, but really the only thing is PRACTICE!!  

 Lets go quilt!