Stashbusting Week 52

Well finished the binding on the tiny 9 patch. Final figures for the year:

Fabric added this week: Nil
Fabric added this year: 197.90

Fabric used this week: 2.40
Fabric used this year: 205.40

STASH REDUCTION FOR THE YEAR .........7.50

Pretty ordinary really but at least I got some projects finished. I intend aiming higher for next year. Thanks Judy for this activity. See you all next year.

Stashbusting No 50

Well, finally finished off another quilt - and a monster one at that. Started this a couple of years ago and got it finished this week. Oh, I'm a happy little vegemite!!!!! I'll finish the year actually with less stash than I started..................long as I don't go near a patchwork shop.

Stashbusting 2009

Fabric added this week: Nil

Fabric added this year: 197.9

Fabric used this week: 20.0
Fabric used this year: 203.00

IN THE BLACK: 5.10 YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My First Quilt ....well my new first quilt

My Statler Stitcher was fitted last week and I have been playing. This is the first off the machine. Lots of learning to do and pretty slow going but getting there. This has been in the cupboard for many years. It was a variation sample for a class I used to teach so wasn't too worried about finishing it.

Stashbusting Week 49

Finished this QS floral quilt this week so more off my Stashbusting. Feels so good to finish some quilts.........means I have to start some more :-)

Fabric added this week: NIL
Fabric added this year: 197.90

Fabric used this week: 15.0
Fabric used this year 183.00

IN THE RED: 14.9 (but getting there)

Finally a finish.....Stashbusting Week 47

Finallly finished off some quilts. Quilted up some more horsey fabric for boys in Victoria. Will post them off this week to Christine of Oz Comfort Quilts.

I also got my Blind (Pinwheel) quilt done and the binding is all finished. Turned out nicely and I'm happy with it. Have quilted a QS but that won't count towards my Stashbusting till the binding is sewn down.....and I will start that tonight.

So I'm happy to report I busted some fabric this week!!!!!!!!!!! So by the time this year of Stashbusting ends I will probably break even or even scrape over the line.

Fabric added this week: Nil
Fabric added this year: 197.90

Fabric used this week: 13.00
Fabric used this year: 168.00

So I'm feeling pretty chuffed.

Another one ready

Got another quilt ready for quilting today. It has been waiting around for me to get some borders on for more years than I care to remember. So today I got the borders on, prepared the backing and got the binding made. The borders aren't the best choice for the quilt but I'm sick of looking at it. And it's one bin emptied! Have a couple of little customer quilts to do and then onto the next quilt......another that has been waiting as long as this one.

Made a decision...........

I made a decision recently......well I guess I remade a decision. About 18 months or 2 years ago I decided to upgrade my machine to a Statler Stitcher, then changed my mind at the last minute. So a few weeks ago I remade that decision and ordered it. Great excitement and I just can't wait.....but I have to as it won't be here till early December. So I decided to get some (more) quilts ready so I would have plenty to practice on. So got borders on two quilts today.

This bargello was started in a class at Creative By the Sea a few years ago. The pattern is by Chris Timms. Well I finall got the borders on today, prepared the binding and it's ready to quilt.

The borders finally made it to my Blind Quilt.........put this together about a year ago........now ready to quilt.

At the beginning of this year I decided I wanted to have these bins empty and off the floor by the end of the year......not much progress as this is how they looked in January and this is how they look today. Oh well, I have got a few projects out of them and they are ready to quilt.......just need to finish off all the others in these bins.......some are many years old.

Yesterday I cut out a kit I got at the Sydney Quilt show in June......it's called Cambridge Square and the fabrics are black and tan and very yummy.

A little bit of sewing

I started this blog as a reminder I've progress I make on my quilting............very little as of late. But today I realised that a swap Christine organised is due very soon so I thought I had better catch up before the day arrives. Isn't it just the best feeling being able to sit down and sew? As I was cutting up the strips for the last 9 patch blocks I began to think of other quilts to make........

Finally a bust - Week 39

Well I haven't been reporting for a long while - in fact I haven't done a report since Week 26.

Finally finished one of my QS quilts for our bed. Nice to have a new quilt finally.

Fabric added this week: Nil
Fabric added this year: 197.9

Fabric used this week: 18.00
Fabric used this year: 155.00

So I'm still not in the black but not too far to go, just need to finish a couple more QS quilts and my figures will look a bit better.

Re-connecting to the world

I feel like I fell of the edge of the earth and just found my way back. I haven't posted here for 3 months. I can hardly believe it has been that long. How can that much time go by and achieve so little. I also caught up with other things I haven't done for a while - like since last April. Oh well, at least I finally got one more quilt done. It was on the machine for a while but now just need to wash and it's ready to use. Will be nice to have a new quilt for our bed.........the one on there at the moment was made about 7 - 8 years ago and getting a little faded, but still lovely and shabby and cuddly. One of my favourite blocks if Log Cabin. I had made one of these for a friend and while I was quilting it was feeling pangs of separation and thought "Hey, this is what you do so just make one for yourself". And it will be great to have a minus to report on Stashbusting.

Stashbusting Week 26

I can report a reduction this week. I finished my Thousand Pyramids quilt and only bought a little bit of fabric - .6 to be precise. Lovely to have another quilt finished and draped over the lounge chair. Year half over so had better get a move on. I did put borders on 2 QS quilts and prepared the backing for those two as well as another smaller one.

Fabric added this week: .6 mt/yd

Fabric added this year: 197.9 mt/yd

Fabric used this week: 8.5 mt/yd

Fabric used this year: 137.0 mt/yd

Balance: Plus 60.3 mt/yd

Another finish

Well, finally finished another quilt. When I got back from the Sydney Show I was very motivated and after unpacking I loaded a quilt and started quilting. Took me a while as life things just get in the way all the time. But finished binding it last night. A machine quilter had shown her quilt on a list I'm part of and I just loved the look of it - so had to make one (as you do). The quilting isn't going to win any awards but at least it's another quilt finished. It has been a very long time since I have done much quilting. Too many other things get in the way and I'm getting very frustrated about that. I bought Kim Brunner's book and DVD a while back and have been itching to have a go at these feathers.....not perfect so no close ups of the quilting. I love how it's turned out. I'm pretty rusty but will keep practicing.

Stashbusting Week 24

Well, what can I say? I can't believe this Stashbusting is so hard. After all my resolve I've broken down again. And I thought I was being so remarkably restrained at the Sydney Quilt Show. When the plane landed we caught a taxi straight to Patchwork Products. Well, for anyone who has been there you will know how hard it is not to buy something.....and she had a SALE on. Not that I let that influnce me. So, got a lovely border fabric and a background and a couple of other must haves. Like these reds.

Then there was the Sydney Quilt Show and all that lovely fabric. Must be going through my red stage (one of many colours) and just had to have these lovely antiquey ones.

Then there was this Black and Tan (my description) kit that I just couldn't resist. The colours are just wonderful.
And then these delicious browns. We all know you can't make reproduction quilts without the browns!

And how could I neglect my New York Beauty. Just had to get these beauties. Hmmm, I got some at last years show for this quilt. Perhaps I should pull all my fabrics that I have collected for this quilt and actuall see how much I have collected so far.................

So, I had a wonderful time and feel so inspired. And I need to be 'cos I managed to go in the opposite direction AGAIN.

Fabric added this week: 50 mt/yd

Fabric added this year: 197.3 mt/yd

Fabric used this week: 6.5 mt/yd

Fabric used this year: 128.5 mt/yd

Balance: Plus 68.8 mt/yd

Sydney Quilt Show

Have just returned from the show which was just wonderful. The quilts were amazing and I'm all fired up and ready to sew, sew, sew. Was so motivated I even loaded a quilt and started it this afternoon!

I managed a few purchases and thought I had been fairly restrained in my purchases........but did fall down in the fabric department.

Got this lovely pattern from Cherry Pie Designs.

This one called Somersby was from Somerset Patchwork and Quilting. I think this was my favourite stall at the show. And I joined their Fabric Club.

Went to a Trunk Show by Michelle Hill. I was lovely to be up close and touch and hold the quilts. It was really inspiring and she was a lovely speaker. Her book was published just recently.

My other little purchase was a Mini Steam Iron. I'm sure I needed it.

My fabric report is in this weeks Stashbusting entry.............

A little progress

Not too much blogging and not too much sewing going on lately, but I'm hoping that will change in about a week. I'm off to the Syendy Quilt Show this coming week which is always exciting. The quality of the work is wonderful and so many quilts to see.

I managed to get the last two blocks of my BOM finished today, after I finished a couple of customer quilts. There are some lovely blocks in here and I feel inspired by a couple of them.....BUT I have resisted the tempation to do anything about it till I get some others out of the way. Can't even report any Stashbusting as I only count completed quilts. Oh, well imagine my progress when I get a couple of them quilted.

Cut the borders for a QS quilt the other night. It has been sitting around for I don't know how long so thought it was time I did the borders. Trouble is I was tired and cut them too short........Lesson Learned: do not cut when tired.

So here is a pic of my 12 blocks ready to be set.........oh and I did sign up for the next Mystery BOM.........I have resisted for weeks and weeks but had a weak moment the other night and ordered it..........come to think of it I haven't added this BOM into purchases. Oh well I'll add the next one in.

Stashbusting Week 21

Well my used total crept up a little with my Jo Morton quilt finished. Still have a ways to go to get back into the red with this Stashbusting.

Fabric added this week: 1 mt/yd
Fabric added this year: 147.3 mt/yd

Fabric used this week: 6.5 mt/yd
Fabric used this year: 128.5 mt/yd

Balance: Plus 18.8 mt/yd

Jo Morton Quilt

Finally finished my Jo Morton quilt. I bought the book and the background fabric at the Sydney Quilt Show last year. Well, this years show os on again in just over two weeks. I remember when I got the book I said I wanted to make every quilt in the book. Hmmm, twelve months later and I have just finished the first......this could take longer than imagined.

I like to take photos of the "Before" and "After" quilt. I'm always amazed at how different the quilt is after quilting.
And this is it all washed and wrinkled....but that doesn't show up in this photo.

Some progress

Well, I got 4 of my BOM blocks done and working on the fifth........so then only two to go!!!! Having a great tussle as to whether I should join the next one. But then the Patchwork Party looks good too and in colours I haven't worked with for a very long time. Only trouble is I have to order from 12 different shops......but it looks very, very nice.

Early start to weekend

I saw on someone's blog (USA) that they have put their Mystery BOM together........which means that Block 12 is due to arrive on my doorstep. Now I was so excited when I started this quilt as I thought it would be super easy to keep each month as I only had to do ONE block a month. Sigh. I have six waiting and the last one due any day. So I thought I would get in this weekend and catch up. So today I cut out all the blocks to give myself an early start to the weekend. So have six blocks cut and ready to go for tomorrow. Roll on Saturday!

I'm Crazy....(as Patsy says)

How come I feel the need to be in everything? Christine is hosting a Nine Patch Swap in Civil War fabrics so I just had to join. Got one lot finished this week and strips cut for the next few. Now, I could have spent that time FINISHING one of the multitude of UFO's, but no - I start another. Oh well, guess that's what I bought fabric for.........

Reproduction Hourglass

I have finally got the blocks together for the Old Chains quilt. Have been sewing bits here and bits there. Amazing what can get done in little bites. Now to decide on a border. Had a play in EQ and came up with 4 variations of one theme.

Reproduction Hourglass

Option 1 Border

Option 2 Border

Option 3 Border

Option 4 Border

I think I prefer Options 3 and 4 and I think I like option 3 the best, I think it gives the quilt movement. I think 1 and 2 are a bit ordinary and don't do much for the quilt

Stashbusting Week 18

Not much finished in the last two weeks, so thought I had better get myself into gear. So quickly quilted this Colourwash Heart made about 9 years ago........only a little wallhanging so why did it take so long to finish it! So managed a whole 1.5 mt/yds this week in my Stashbusting, but hey it's better than the other way.

Fabric added this week: Nil
Fabric added this year: 146.3 yd/mt

Fabric used this week: 1.6 yd/mt

Fabric used this year: 122.00 yd/mt

Stashbusting Week 16

Well, once again I fell off the wagon. And it wasn't even my fault. Got an email from a "Friend" (I'm using this term very loosely here after my blowout) telling me of a great sale on of Civil War fabrics. So I thought I would have a quick look as I did need some backing for my current quilt. Well (gulp) I just couldn't leave it there. Such a bargain at $5.00 a metre!

So now my ins have exceeded my outs. I REALLY will have to do some serious quilting in the next few weeks to amend that. Oh, but it's such nice fabric............and who can resist a bargain.

Fabric added this week: 48 mt/yds
Fabric added this year: 146.3 mt/yd

Fabric used this week: Nil
Fabric used this year: 120.4 mt/yd

New Quilt

I sure wish I could concentrate long enough on one quilt to finish it. Sat down to watch an episode of Simply Quilts while I ate my lunch the other day. A lady was teaching a class on Reproduction Quilts and was showing some of her Antique Quilts. Oh, that looks nice I thought. I'll draw up a block in EQ. Then had a better thought - why not make up ONE block and keep it on the design wall to remind me.

So I made the one block. Looks OK. Pretty quick to make too. So now I have 30 blocks cut out. Why do I have this compulsion to keep starting quilts? I bet I'm the only quilter in the world to do this. :-)

And it looks dull!!!!! The photo below looks better than it does in real life. So hope it improves as I add more fabrics in. I think the background fabrics of some blocks are too boring. I think the busier backgrounds look better and add more interest to the quilt. So may end up with more than 30 blocks

A little sewing and Borders

Well, home from the weekend away and had the urge to do some sewing. While looking thru some boxes the other day for sewing to take to our Night Group I came across this quilt I had made some time back. Wasn't very fussed on the result as I thought it looked pretty plain even though the repo fabrics are just beautiful.

But I hate giving up on a quilt and so put some borders on. Put a narrow 1 1/4 inch inner border on and it immediately looked better.

Then the outer border and hey presto it looks 100%.
It's just amazing how borders can change a quilt so much.

So have made the binding and will prepare the backing tomorrow and it can go into the cupboard of The Great Unquilted.