Quilting Projects

Sunday, 30 June 2013

A Little Mug Rug and a New Quilt Started!


Hi everyone

I've had a busy week, flitting from project to project.
First up I made this mug rug as a farewell gift for my daughter's teacher.


Teamed with a pretty bone china cup..... her teacher loved it!
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Mug rug measures 5" x 10"


As I am nearing the end of 2 major projects, I decided to start another.


I've always wanted to make a Grandmother's fan quilt.......


I had fun playing with different layouts.  I used 6 fat quarters to make 30 x 8.5" blocks, not including the background fabric.



This is the layout for the center section that I have decided on.
Now to work on the borders - I have already done the artwork and I hope to show you progress in my next post.
Until then, happy stitchin'
Rhianon.


Saturday, 22 June 2013

Viking Longboat Progress


Hello  there

I've had a great week making good progress on the viking longboat piece.
Last time you saw it i was ready to start the hand embroidery.



At this point I had the piece on a slat frame to give me good tension when working the embroidery.  I thought things were going great until I noticed a major error in the drawing of the boat.


Luckily, I managed to fix it without too many problems.

Looks better now.


For the embroidery I used stranded cottons (floss) - 2 strands.





The " hair " for Mr Viking came from an ornamental Highland cow my Mum has. Perfect for the job.


I added a couple of borders and the ornate corners just to break it up a bit.  Ready to quilt now!
If you missed the first post about my viking piece, you can find it here
Now the quilting - the sea was really difficult and I thought I had messed it up at one stage but I just had to keep going....
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So this is where I am up to now.  Just the binding and the rigging to go on in that order.
I'll come back and show you the finished piece very soon.
Have a good weekend and thanks for visiting.
Rhianon.

Friday, 14 June 2013

Stars and Butterflies - Quilting Progress Update


Hello everyone

Sorry I didn't post last week - I had no finish to show and I don't this week but I have been getting a lot of quilting done on this quilt.


This was where I was up to and it was time to work on the cream flower borders.  This was the part I was really looking forward to.


Feathers in the background with tiny stippling behind to make them 'pop'


I am very happy with how this border is turning out.


Corner detail





Next up was a little detail on the flowers.



Now I have all the feathers done in the borders. 


I still have to work on the leaves and the butterflies yet but I can see light at the end of the tunnel.


So far I have spent 36 hours free motion quilting.  It's not as quick as you think sometimes.
Next time I post about this quilt, I hope to have it finished.

Before I go I received my prize from the Bloggers Quilt Festival.  


Aren't they gorgeous?  They came from Sew Fine Fabrics.  Jodi has the most beautiful, unusual fabrics and it was difficult to choose.  Can't wait to do something with these!
Have a great weekend.
Rhianon.

Tuesday, 4 June 2013

Hearts Baby Quilt



I was commissioned to make this small quilt for a baby.  It is designed as a pram or stoller cover.



                                                   
                                                               Appliqued hearts.


                                                    Detail of free motion quilting.


If you'd like to make one of these, I have done a tutorial and you can find it here



I hope you enjoy it.
Off to sew now.........

Rhianon.

Hearts Baby Quilt Tutorial


This cute little baby quilt was made as a pram or stroller blanket but can be adjusted to whatever size you wish by adding more four patch blocks in the center and wider borders.


This quilt measures 26" x 28".
To make it you will need:
1/2 metre of feature nursery fabric
1/2 metre of pale pink
fat quarter of white
fat quarter pale blue
Scraps in matching fabric for the hearts
small amount of fusible ( bondaweb ) for the applique

piece of backing fabric measuring approx 30" x 34"
piece of wadding ( batting) measuring the same as the backing.

Cut 2" strips from the white and the pink.
Sew one pink strip and one white strip together and cut into 2" segments.  I press these seams open.
Make 20 four patch units and sew them together in a 5 x 4 formation.


Next cut 4 x 1 1/2 " strips from the pale blue fabric.


Sew these on and square up your corners. Press towards the blue fabric.
 You could measure your center section to get the exact length of strips you need but for something this small I add the strips and cut off the excess.
Of course I would never do it this way on a large quilt but for something this small. its ok.

Cut 4 x 2 1/2 " strips from the pale pink fabric and sew these borders on. Press towards the pink.
For the next round cut 4 x 4 1/2" strips from the feature fabric and sew these on.


Finally using bondaweb, or any other method of applique. add a few scattered hearts of different sizes in a pleasing  arrangement on the quilt top.  I machine appliqued my hearts on using a close together zig zag stitch.


Now you can make up your quilt sandwich and quilt as desired.
I used Hobbs Heirloom 80/20 wadding.
  Make sure you outline your hearts to make them stand out.
Use the remainder of the pale pink fabric to make binding and finish your quilt.
Enjoy!

Sunday, 2 June 2013

Blogger's Quilt Festival - Winners!

Hello everyone

I am very happy to tell you that I found out this morning that my Butterfly Quilt won in the Baby Category

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Thank you to everyone who voted for my quilt and thank you Amy for organising it all.
Congratulations to all the winners.
Its been a great festival and I thought the standard of work was very high.  So many talented people out there!
Click here to go and see the other winners.
Have a super Sunday.
Rhianon.