Tag Archives: quilting

January, the month ahead

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Based on my 2014 plan, my goal for January is to complete my Riley Blake challenge quilt design. Good news, I have made a start on my first improvisational piecing block – “Sunrise”. RileyBlakeChallenge_SunriseBlock_InProgress

This particular block colors were inspired by the Hipster Pop Orange which was provided as one of the MQG challenge fabrics.

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Linking up for my January goals to “A Lovely year of finishes 2014” (See link-up on the side menu).

One more thing…so I have also started cutting for my February goal the X & + Quilt. See these 90 blocks, I cut these in a matter of 15-20 mins. Want to know how?Accuquilt_Blocks

If you read my blog recently, you would know,  cutting is my least favorite thing….well no longer….this was my Christmas present, MY NEW ACCUQUILT!!!
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I have already used it to make my HST for the Christmas tree block. I love it!

Small Finishes

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Tapa Star Blocks

A while back, I was playing around with designing a block based on this Samoan Tapa cloth (image from island style.net.au) :

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I used the star pattern on the top right/bottom left and came up with two paper piecing pattern designs.  The first one of the blocks which just used solids for the outer shapes is complete. I used the monochromatic green look, and the Architextures fabric that I had in the original design. The design, I recently realized, was similar to the secondary pattern that a Kaleidoscope block makes.
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The second block is underway, which interprets the stripy appeareance of the original Tapa Cloth. I will try to update this post tomorrow with the finished block so you can see it, as it is a little more work.

If you are interested in testing out the paper piecing patterns, let me know. There will be two patterns both blocks are 15 x 15″ (finished).

iPad/iPhone/e-Reader Stands

I also finished up two more iPad/iPhone/e-Reader Stands, that I will be putting in my Etsy store later today. I love these two, the gray one is Riley Blake’s Zombie Apocalypse Fabric + the blue one is a Spoonflower print that has a Doctor Who theme.

Is anyone interested in either doing a link-up at the end of the month or a swap on flickr for these stands? I have had a lot of interest in the tutorial and thought it would be great to either make one as a group or do a swap.  What do you think?  Which one would you prefer?

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Linking up with Amanda Jean @ Crazy Mom Quilts for the first Finish it up Friday of 2014!! And linking up to Kelly @ Quilt Infatuation for Needles and Threads Thursday.

Needle and Thread Thursday

Book Review Tuesday: Pillow Pop

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Sorry this is so late today….I came down with the flu and have been feeling under the weather all day. I know…what a New Year’s Eve right ?? Anyway, after watching several episodes of Doctor Who, I am overcoming my cold to bring you one of my favorite books of 2013. I thought it a fitting way to see out the year.

Review

My two favorite books of 2013 would have to be Pillow Pop and Patchwork, please.

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Title: “Pillow Pop”
Author: Compiled by Heather Bostic
Publisher: C&T Publishing/Stash Books
ISBN:  978-1-60705-478-8

I love sewing pillows. They are a great project to practice your skills. They are quick projects which means you easily get finishes and a sense of accomplishment – great to put in between quilt finishes. Finally, they make great gifts!!

Pillow Pop has a fabulous collection of 25 pillow projects. The projects are all by different people, so that means there is something for everyone in this book. The projects are at varying skill levels and pillow sizes and provide you with plenty ideas for a guild pillow swap or gift for a friend.

Each project is well put together, with materials, cutting instructions, and block instructions. The projects have great accompanied pictures and layout, which make them appealing and easy to follow. At the end of the book, there is a chapter that covers various tips on how to finish of the pillow, and the techniques you may need for the project. For example, how to make HST (half square triangles) or put a zipper in or make an envelope back, the details are provided.

My only caution for the book is to make sure you check for corrections. The Metro project, for example, has at least two errors in measurements. This was frustrating and meant some rework and re-measurement, to ensure I was not going crazy some how misread the instructions (which of course can happen ;-)) .

As mentioned, the book offers 25 projects. Of which, I would like at some stage, to make at 12-15 of those. I think that is a great return of investment. For this reason and the enjoyment I have had in making a couple of the projects already,  I would give this book a rating of 4/5.
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Projects

I have made at two of the projects from the book so far. Both of which I had a lot of fun making and had the chance to practice different techniques.

Sea Spray:  This was made from the “Crystallized” pattern by Angela Mitchell’s (page 82). This was the my first attempt using HST and low volumes.

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The Metro: This project is one of the first in the book and is an easy, quick project. Great for beginners. I used this project to practice improvisational piecing (at least the fabric selection) + straight line quilting.

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I plan to make more of the patterns, as I just joined the Threadbias Pillow Pop Sew Along  (and yes it was in my plan ;-)). It would be great to see you all over there. It starts in January, and there are plenty of projects throughout the year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Give-away

One brand new copy of Pillow Pop will be given away, all you need to do is leave a comment on what is your favorite pillow pattern you have tried or your current favorite craft book. There is a second chance to win if you are a follower, just leave a second comment. A winner will be chosen at random and announced after 6pm next Tuesday.

A disclaimer, all reviews and opinions of the books reviewed will be mine, unless otherwise stated. Please note, I may not respond to all comments due to volume and bandwidth.