Tiny and Teeny-Weeny

Recently I wrote about 2 quilts I busted a gut to get to Adri, the machine quilter, on time.  Here is the second quilt,  a kit I purchased in 2003 from The Patchwork Heart  in Penrith.  Usually I don't buy kits but my heart stopped when I saw this one.

 It is from a booklet produced by Kaye England.   Now that my quilt is finally completed I no longer need the pattern so, with Kaye's permission,  I am giving it away.

Inside the booklet there are poems and songs as well as background to the blocks' names and all the cutting and piecing instructions for each of the 12 blocks.  Just leave a comment relating your greatest quilting bargain (see below) and you will be in the running to win.  International entries welcome.   Competition closes Friday 28th October, 2011 at midnight EST Australian.

Adri  has cleverly customized the quilting so that it is a sampler of machine quilting.  And the back is one of my favourite column fabrics.

I was in two minds as to whether I should use it or not, but as I have previously discussed, the fabric will be enjoyed more on a quilt than tucked away in a cupboard.  One of my memories attached to this fabric is that it was a metsieh (yiddish for bargain).  In 2008 it was on sale for $2/yard, unless, of course,  I wanted to finish the bolt.  In that case it was $1/yard.  I walked away with more than 5 yards and a huge grin on my face.

The little guy on the top left of the quilt is a "dragon" made by my son when he was 10.   I think it is cute, but the dogs often mistake it for a possum at night and growl and bark to try to frighten it away.  It must infuriate them that it never budges from this spot.

Apart from stitching down the binding on my quilt, this week I finished off a section of "Hexagonia".

It has been put aside to permit rumination for the design direction.  The 5/8" hexagons seem huge compared to this little project I started:

A pin is next to the 1/4" hexagons so you can get an idea of the size.

Hexagonia

After a lengthy hiatus and thanks to  Cyndi I am able to start back on my 5/8ths" hexagon portable project.

The side edges measure 16" and the greatest width is 31" across at this stage.  I am making it up as I go and ran out of the background fabric in March.  Cyndi, angel that she is, hunted around and found some more for me.  I count myself extremely lucky.  The back of these things always intrigue me,  so if you feel the same way you may be interested in this

The intention is to hand quilt it, so I have been paring back the seam allowance after sewing.  Somewhere I read that this is a big no-no, but since I use at least a dozen topstitches to put each edge of the hexagons together I am hoping it should be strong enough.  Opinions on this are not only welcome, but desired.

Juggling projects is always a problem for the unrepentant starter that I am.  I managed to finish another quick, basket  block from the Beyond the Cherry Tree Album quilt.

Finally, while I was out and about last week I caught sight of the New South Wales state government trying to make a quick buck.

I know we are almost bankrupt, but selling our state (Mitchell) library is going one step too far!

Loose Threads

There are lots of loose ends that need tidying up

 

If I had just tidied up as I went things wouldn't look so bad.

So first off.  About the recent giveaway.  Thanks to everyone who entered.  In particular, to those who became followers, and especially to those who blogged about the giveaway in their posts.

I wish I could send a copy of the book to everyone who wanted it.

I got so much out of the giveaway, so I feel like a winner.  All those fantastic design tips were brilliant.  For every comment I got the opportunity to go and visit blogs  and see profiles of so many amazing quilters.  I saw lots of fantastic sites.  It was a HUGE and unexpected bonus for me.

Of course, when the sewing room is complete I will post some pictures.  Think early 2012 here.

The book was won by Janet from Canada and is on its way as I write.  Check out her blog.  From where I sit, her lifestyle is extremely exotic.

"Hexagonia" has not progressed much.

 

Kate and I were both wildly excited about the idea that she had a fat quarter of the required fabric in her stash.  Right fabric...wrong colourway.  But at least we could put a name to the fabric since I had so carelessly cut off the selvedge.  It is from Harriet Hargraves 1840s Birds and Basics range from 2004.

Now I am just waiting to see if Melinda can find any in her stash.

Uh Oh

My quilt is called "Hexagonia"  and it may well have a hex on it.  The pattern is evolving as I go.  Its principle rule is that it must be symmetrical.

I need another 84 background hexagons (5/8").  So many background hexies weren't in the plan, but then I decided to do some fussy cutting and ... it seemed like a good idea at the time.

Now I have well and truly placed myself in category Type II because all the fabric I have left is pictured below

Will I make it?  I don't know but stayed tuned for the result and a giveaway.

Progress report

Well, I am still beavering away at my stars from the previous post as well as 120+ purple circles for the Beyond the Cherry Tree quilt block#16.  I have brought along another hand project.

If you're wondering about the background to this little project...it's snow!  The hexagons are 5/8th " so this is still quite small, but it should keep me occupied for the next 10 days or so when we travel to San Diego.  I think this is what is described as a portable project. I have included a photo of the car we are driving around in - probably best described as a truck

It is a Chevy Suburban.  One row bigger than a Toyota Landcruiser, it seats 7 and has a huge boot (trunk) space for luggage.  I am surprised at myself for being able to haul it around on the wrong side of the road, at speed, on unknown highways, in the dark,  during snowy conditions.  Can you tell?

That is all in my progress report.  The computer is starting to do fancy things to my paragraphs.  Before I can do any more sewing, I must just hunt down 2 lost socks...seems like that happens in every hemisphere.