Love on Borrowed Time

Wow it’s only Tuesday and I have several days’ worth of work to get done today. I am preparing for my binding Workshop on Sunday at AQC however I am attempting (attempting?? will have to!) finalize everything today as I will be at AQC from tomorrow.

Isn’t it funny how just when you get stuck into your work, an exciting package arrives and distracts you?

 Windham Baltimore Album by Mary Koval

 Windham New Town Farm-

I will use this one as backing on my Civil War Bride Quilt (yes, I am still making it...slowly)



Yesterday I received some fabric which I had purchased for the back of my Hearts Desire BOM Quilt. I really love this quilt at the moment, and as I am making it, I can already see how splendid it’s going to be and am becoming very particular about every last detail! Obviously I am biased, but sometimes you just know when things are turning out great, so why not share it?

They are both suitable and both are Windham – I can’t believe how much Windham fabric I am using in this quilt, the color’s just ‘work’ for me.

I really like the scrappy look of New Town Farm…as I imagine that this is what quilts probably actually looked like many years ago, but my DDs have given it a very vocal thumbs down. This is OK, as I also fell for these lovely flowers above which will work beautifully on the back. I can’t wait until this quilt is finished…



Lovely stitch work and tension



But back to work for me now…I have fallen in love with my Borrowed Bernina, it’s so easy to get used to.

I have not allowed myself to peel off the protective plastic bits because then it would feel too much like I was keeping it.

It’s a really great machine and I don’t say that lightly because I am so fussy when it comes to sewing machines.

Pushed my other machine out of the way to make room for Bernina

Speaking of fussy, whenever I show my quilts people always ask me about my quilting and are often disappointed to learn that I domestic machine quilt. They want to know where they can get their own quilt quilted like that!

I DMQ partly because I love the process so much and am so involved in my designs that I want to finish them off myself ….naturally….but also partly because when you hand over your quilt to be long arm quilted, you are really investing a lot of trust in the person quilting it for you. And when you have invested as much time in your quilts as I do, imperfect quilting can ruin the whole quilt, and is difficult or impossible to fix. So I just do it myself. However, sometimes you see long arm quilting which is very beautiful and you realize that the right long arm quilting done well can actually improve your quilt top.

I was so happy to learn that Desley has finally joined us in blog land and set up her own blog Addicted To Quilts where she showcases her work. I have known Desley since I started quilting, about 8 years now, and we belong to the same quilting groups. I have always admired her beautiful long arm quilting and her dedication to detail. You know how I love details! I have always said that Desley is one long arm quilter I would trust with my quilts. Do drop by her blog and have a look over her work for yourself. It's stunning.

Basically, I spend so much on my hobby that I often don’t have a long arm quilting budget to work with at the end of it-  but who knows, if I ever got to the bottom of my WIPs, there’s no way I’d be able to quilt them all myself....so that's an incentive! But before tackling WIPs, there's today to get through...

Ok, back to work for me!

Going to AQC?

It’s just one week until my Binding Workshop at AQC! I’m really looking forward to it. Are you coming to AQC?

I will be there for the entire show and look forward to catching up with some of you. I’ll let you know what I’ll be getting up to later in the week.

Last week Debbie from Bernina came to visit me and delivered a Bernina Aurora 440 Quilters Edition, along with all the feet I need for me to get a feel for the machine prior to the workshop.

This is so important because on the day I don’t want to be fiddling around with an unfamiliar machine. There’s too much to get through!

I am really impressed with how helpful Debbie and Bernina have been. I am so used to the temperament of my own machines that having a brand spanking new one in the house has been a bit exciting. Sadly, it’s not for keeps and I will be returning it next week.

I posted my quilts Red Delicious and Dream Fountain off to Paducah last week by Express Courier and am really excited to be part of the show again this year. I was a bit taken aback at how expensive shipping quilts around the world is getting…is it just me, or are the increases getting unreasonable??

On Friday my computer start button, the bit you push in to fire up the machine dropped into the machine and I was out of action. I struggle with computer software on a daily basis, so when the hardware plays up as well….it’s too much. Luckily my suffering DH knows what’s what and went out and purchased a new motor with hundreds of wires attached ( I had a hot flush just looking at this ‘piece’) and then stayed up late fixing the new motor start thing into position. Mr Fix It ! Needless to say I was super impressed. I am very lucky because if it was left to me, I would still be offline.

Today I have enrolled in Quilt University and I hope this will being me closer to understanding EQ7. After all the messes I have made with it, sighs, this is my last attempt to try and make my designs and EQ7’s software compatible.

Has anyone done this online course? Did it help you?

Cold Snap!

It's getting cooler and our cat has fallen in love

with the iron all over again.

And with the cold evenings, it also means that it's time to buy some yarn for those wintery night knits...

Wondering whether to work a blanket or a scarf ??

I'm a Featured Quilter

Every reader of this blog has likely heard of Amy - she’s the generous woman who organizes The Quilt Festivals that we love so much. A great idea generously shared.

Well, this morning I am honored to be a featured quilter on her website. What a thrill.

Thanks Amy!

Super Strip Workshop



Already 10 days have passed since my Workshop with Susan Briscoe. Time is really flying past for me at the moment as I have so much on...it doesn't always feel this hectic, thank goodness!
Now, I haven't done as much piecing work as I would like, usually applique always takes preference. So when the opportunity to do a Workshop with Susan who was visiting from the UK arose, well I jumped at the chance.



I have NO IDEA why Blogger is insisting to tilt this picture sideways. Oh well...



I wasn't convinced about a super strip quilt....but when you have as much fabric as I do, you have nothing to lose. Except maybe a bit of stash. I went for blues, because my range is quite good in the blues and the fabrics I had were 'old' and I knew I wouldn't be using them in any newish applique designs.

I cut strips as per the workshop requirements and managed, in the class, to complete the centre. We could have used a Jelly Roll, but I felt 2.5inch strips were too wide for me, so I made double work for myself and cut up my own strips at 1.5inch, which means that my centre is smaller but I like it.It also means it will take me longer to finisher, but oh well, what's another WIP?

I was really pleased with the results. I'm going to love this quilt. It's going to be an 'about the house' useful quilt. Which is just what we need. I am even thinking of making another in pinks as it is a great way to use fabrics that you love...but know deep down that you will probably never use. I'd rather see that kind of stash being put to use.

As for the piecing, it was nice to dust off this technique as I don't do enough in my quilting repertoire.

Thanks Susan for a wonderful workshop!



Just the centre

adding a few rows at home

23 x Red Delicious Quilts Exhibit in SA

Imagine sitting down for your daily coffee break and reading this in your in-box:

Dear Esther ,
I am sending a photo of some of the Red Delicious quilts that were displayed at the Pt Elliot Quilt Show on the 26 and 27th of February .There were 23 Reds on display, I was amazed to see that so many finished their quilts . We had so many compliments about our lovely display of Red Delicious and there was a few who didn't believe that they all started out from the same pattern as the range of colours was very diverse . We had a photo in the local paper ( Victor Harbor Times) with our President and Vice President standing in front of a Big Red…-snip-

I don’t know what you would do, but I’m still swooning….

Sometimes people ask me why I offer free BOMs.

This is why! What a honour that so many quilters
have chosen to make my pattern.

Look at them...all the same, all so different...

23 x Red Delicious Quilts in one show.

Is this a record?

My heart is beating fast and I am beside myself!

I have never seen 23 of one quilt in any show. As this show was in a different state, I had no idea it was happening and I am completely proud and delighted that quilters I have never met, have made my Red Delicious. Thank you !

Were you there?

Did you go?

Want to send me some pics?

Don’t be shy - I always want to know what my patterns are getting up to!

Thank you so much Mardi, for sending me these images…

Japan: Every Quilter Can Do This

UPDATE: 28 March, 2011
Australia Post has decided not to assist quilters posting out donated quilts to Japan. This is a shame, but I guess there isn't enough publicity in it for them.

Looking through my quilt cupboard...

I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare.    
C. S. Lewis







This is something practical every quilter can respond to, knowing that it will make a real difference. Let's look through our cupboards and finish those WIPs.

Remember: the need is great and any size quilt means that, whatever our quilt pile, we all have something we can contribute.

Naomi Ichikawa, editor of Patchwork Quilt Tsushin Magazine is asking for comfort quilts to be sent to Japan. She says:

It is still bad situation now in Japan. We are still nervous about shaking and radiation, but no way to escape. I start to announce to the quilters to send us comfort quilts for the people who are suffered. I would like to do it to the world quilters. We will deliver the comfort quilts to the people who are very difficult situation. Could you please help to announce it to the quilters in your country?
We accept any size of quilts (baby to adult). New or unused. The deadline would be the end of May or later.

★Send the quilts to:
(after the begining of May）

Naomi Ichikawa
Patchwork Tsushin Co.,Ltd
2-21-2,Yushima,Bunkyo-ku,Tokyo,Japan zip:113-0034
I will appreciate if you help me.
Naomi

(Thanks to Glenda for passing these details on to me. Please pass these details on and list it on your own blog / website / group / forum / noticeboard / meeting hall / etc)

?

Wouldn't it be great if a postal provider offered to ship all our donated quilts to Japan for free?

I've sent an email to Australia Post in the hope that they might step in and assist us in donating our quilts to Japan for this Humanitarian Appeal. As there is only 1 drop off point in Japan, free shipping could easily be facilitated by providing quilters with a 'code' which we could apply to our parcels.

If you are an Australian quilter, please contact Australia Post and ask them to help us help others.

Floriani Applique Technique

Stitch and Wash Applique Technique: a great technique when you are working a lot of applique. I find it quick and easy. It's especially good if you have a lot of small pieces or like creating a 'production line' of shapes. I am using the Stitch and Wash Applique Technique with Floriani brand Stitch & Wash.

Basically, I refer to it as Floriani Applique.Which product do I use from the range? Floriani: Stitch & Wash Fusible - it's on a roll. The label says this:

"Floriani Embroidery
Sewing & quilting Products
Stitch N Wash
Fusible Water Soluble
Tearaway Stabilizer "

There are several brands of fusible water soluble tear away stabilizer. I have never had any trouble with Floriani so this is the brand I recommend. Of course, use any brand you prefer.

This technique is almost the same as the Applique by Freezer Paper Tutorial I demonstrated on a previous post. The only difference is that, instead of removing the freezer paper, you leave the stabilizer in place. This way, the process is a little quicker and you can work rather quickly.

My Freezer paper Applique Technique Tutorial is Here:

The process is the same - simply leave the floriani Stitch N Wash  Fusible Water Soluble Tearaway Stabilizer in place instead of removing it after the shape is created (as you do with the freezer paper).

Trace the shape:

iron it onto the wrong side of your fabric

Starch the seam allowance around the shape, then iron edges over:

the Stitch N Wash  Fusible Water Soluble Tearaway Stabilizer will help you create a neat edge all around. As you can see, I am using Best Press by Mary Ellen which a lot of quilters swear by. I also like Crisp spray starch. Use whichever starch you prefer.

Some quilters like to glue the seam allowance and stick it down .They find this works for them. You can see I do this at times with the freezer paper method. However, I don't do this when using Floriani because I don't like the feel of it. It's personal choice. Experiment and see what suits you.

Simply brush the seam allowance with starch, iron over the fusible webbing and once the shape is set, that's it. Leave the Stitch N Wash  Fusible Water Soluble Tearaway Stabilizer  in place.

Stitch N Wash  Fusible Water Soluble Tearaway Stabilizer softens when washed and doesn't bulk out your shape. If you haven't tried this technqiue because you are worried about leaving the Stitch N Wash  Fusible Water Soluble Tearaway Stabilizer  in place - there isnt any need to be worried. It shouldn't disintegrate or crumble.

Use whichever applique technique suits you best. If the freezer paper and / or Stitch N Wash  Fusible Water Soluble Tearaway Stabilizer applique technique doesn’t suit you, you may prefer raw edge applique. In that case, Stitch N Wash  Fusible Water Soluble Tearaway Stabilizer can help you achieve clean cutting lines, and you simply cut out your shapes without a seam allowance. The shape is then ready for decorative / finishing stitching such as blanket stitch or buttonhole stitch - if you so choose.

Just remember, the attention you pay to details as you go along with reward you twofold when you are putting the quilt top together at the end – so do whichever method you love. When you love the technique, getting it right becomes a pleasure.

My personal love is always the painstaking pleasure of needle turn applique, but that said – I am always looking for new ways to accomplish ideas as well, and I find that Stitch N Wash  Fusible Water Soluble Tearaway Stabilizer applique is a good compromise.