Ta, daaaa!!!!

Is nearly 6 years to finish a quilt a very long time?????? Well, that’s how long it’s taken me to finish this one– my ‘Heart and Home’ quilt . It took me ages to find my original entry, but I did and it was 20^th July 2009!! In my defence however, I didn’t actually work on it at all for about 4½ of those years, so it doesn’t sound so bad then eh? I picked it up again last year and finished the top by adding the last two borders (and appliqué corners) and then had it basted together in order to undertake the mammoth task …… why, oh why, to hand-quilt it – YES, hand-quilt. Totally nuts I know LOL Well, it's because I've loved the rustic, country charm look of hand-quilting ever since I saw one in a shop

I started the hand-quilting in February and made steady progress, but became determined before the Easter weekend to get it completely finished once and for all, particularly as I had banned myself (!!!) from starting anything else until the quilt was done – that’s why it’s taken me nearly 6 years though – constant distractions by making all sorts of other smaller things - rag dolls, lots of rag dolls!!!

 

Anyway done it is ….. PHEW!! And now adorning my bed. The hand-quilting isn’t very easy to see, but you can just about make it out

Oh, and don’t forget the label – always label your quilts they say, so I did – be kind though and don’t look too closely at the back of the stitching LOL

So, let me know what you think!

I'm still here!!

Doesn’t time fly when you’re enjoying yourself? It’s been a while to say the least, but hey!

A couple of weeks or so from work following a bit of minor surgery have caused enforced long spells at home, and consequently some sewing time – the silver lining!

I’ve completed a small Valentine theme cross-stitch pillow from a design by ‘The Primitive Hare’ - a bit late, I know! This was a nice easy finish done in just a day, but all being in the one colour helped a lot

And secondly, now don’t laugh at me too much, I’ve finaaallly resumed work on my ‘Heart and Home’ quilt, which I actually started …… wait for it, nearly 6 (yes 6) years ago – I’ve just shame facedly looked back on the blog …. July 2009 was when I started it (check the link for proof)!! I made the quilt top up quite quickly at the time and then it sat, and sat, and sat for about the next 5 years, until last year when I added a further 'Piano keys' border to make it bigger, and then had it ‘sandwiched’ ready for quilting: then finally on Friday last week I made a start on the quilting. Truth to tell; I’ve been putting it off really having decided to hand-quilt it (mad I know!!), but I just luuurrrvve the rustic, country look of hand-quilting – I just hope it’s not going to take another 6 years to finish! Nooooooo!!

It’s probably difficult to see, but this is a close-up of part of the bit I’ve done so far – can you see, around the red heart? You won’t believe how excited I was when I did this …… little things etc. etc LOL

And, from a distance …….

I'll be back soon (I hope!!) to show it finished 

It's finished!

.................... my Heart & Home Quilt top that is!


I still have to buy the wadding and the backing fabric and of course quilt it (the really hard part!), but as all of that will take a while yet, I thought I would show it to you at this stage. I realised when I looked at the dimensions in the book that it's not actually as big as I assumed it was, so I've added an extra border in the red fabric ........ it's still not as big as I would have liked, but I didn't want to keep adding bigger and bigger borders and end up diminishing the middle (and main) section.

I discovered a shop recently who provide a basting service - something I hadn't come across before, so when I can afford it (as well as the wadding and backing fabric), I shall have them do to that part for me. That will ensure a nice neat basting without any folds on the back!! And then I will quilt it myself - not sure yet though whether that will be by hand or machine.

I have to say, I am very pleased with the results - what do you think?

Last block & Car booty!!

I’ve finished the last block of my ‘Heart & Home’ quilt – only the borders to do now!!

I haven’t had much sewing time this weekend as I’ve had a friend to stay, so I’ve been cooking, entertaining etc. instead and this morning, we went to a car boot sale – I haven’t been to one for ages and as the weather was perky, we thought we’d venture outdoors instead of staying in.



This is my car boot ‘booty’, below. A mini wicker hamper basket, which I thought I could line and use for threads or something like that. Then the black frame, which will do for a little cross-stitch embroidery; and finally two lovely little coffee cups; something I’ve been after for a while, but didn’t want to pay much for - I got the two of them for £2.00, so not bad!


................ anyway, back to work tomorrow!!!

Heart & Home Quilt

Well, despite having a shorter weekend (having worked overtime on Saturday) I managed to complete 5 more blocks on my ‘Heart & Home’ quilt over the weekend , which leaves just the one block to do (I’ve left my favourite one until last!!) – the appliquéd flower block! And then borders etc. etc .......... I shall have a little bit of filling in to do too with the neutrals, as no matter how hard I try (and I am using my ¼ inch foot), the blocks still don’t match up exactly and, I’m afraid I made a bit of a hash of the tree block, which means it’s ended up a smaller than it’s meant to be ...... but, hey, if you don’t tell, I won’t!!!!!

Sorry about the top photograph - it was taken at night!!

Heart and Home Quilt

Well, I've finally managed to make a start on my third quilt - I've been raring to get going on it for weeks now! The pattern (below) is called 'Heart & Home' – fell in love with it as soon as I saw it last year!!


............ it will test not only my patchwork and quilting skills, but also my ability to do appliqué! I've done the iron-on type before, but with this, I want to do the proper needle-turn appliqué ....... iron-on is fine for a wall-hanging, but as this is a quilt and will be washed (occasionally!), I think it needs to be sewn on. The pattern version has been made with a range of fabric called 'Madeira', but the shop had sold out of that when I bought the pattern, so I bought 'Wildflower Serenade' instead, which is fairly close to the Madeira range in its colours.
........... and here are the first three blocks completed



....... looking good so far!