And here it is - the 'Back Home Again' top is complete! I knew that once I finished putting the rows together that the rest of it would go together quickly.
Last night at around 12.30 I finished with the rows, and this morning as soon as I'd had breakfast, I set about cutting up and stitching on the final borders.
There are a couple of changes I made from the directions of the original quilt. Firstly, the cutting info called for you to cut the corner and setting triangles in such a way that you have bias edges all along where you attach the borders. I changed it so the edges are on the straight grain.
Secondly, though you can't see it well in the picture, I mitred the corners of the inner and outer border - this wasn't done in the original quilt, and for me, I just like the mitred finish better, especially when using a border stripe like the small inner border.
This will be as far as I get with the top for a while - there will be no quilting just yet. I've already delivered the quilt to the store, so it can be there on display as soon as they open after the Christmas/New Year break. It feels just wonderful to have a project crossed off the to-do list.
Here is the end result of my sewing today (and I don't mind saying I'm really pleased with it). Two rows complete with setting and corner triangles, and one border print set between them. The picture looks really wonky because I just threw the top over the ironing board, and was too lazy to turn the picture to the side. But if you tilt your head, and squint your eyes, it looks really good!
And these are some meringues that Camo and I made this afternoon. Not something I usually undertake, but of course they had a purpose ...Marty and his mates went away to the beach house last weekend. When he came home, he had some of the excess groceries with him, amongst which was a vast amount of eggs, and three whole packages of bacon! Well, the family put in a request for Pasta Carbonara, which I dutifully made on Wednesday night - that took care of a lot of the bacon, and according to my Donna Hay recipe book, four egg yolks. I can't bear to waste, so I put the whites in the fridge, and they became the focus of today's baking. The family declared them excellent, and they'll definitely be on the menu again.Hope you're all ready for Christmas - I can't believe there's less than a week to go. I'll be in the midst of a wrapping flurry tomorrow - I hope my paper supplies last!
Whew! I finished the last of the twelve blocks yesterday. This was another fiddly one - with the centre 6" section containing sixty pieces. All the small triangles were again cut from 1.25" strips - I think my eyes were almost crossed at the end.
And because the blocks were done, today I started sewing the first of the three strips together. I just love the floral fabric in the setting triangles, and the border stripes that come with the kit are lovely too. Now that all the tiny pieces are done with, this should all come together much more quickly.
I've managed to complete almost all my Christmas shopping - not bad for two days effort. I only have two things left to get for family plus a couple of things for the kids. Tomorrow I'll have a looky for myself - and then give suitable directions to Marty :-)
Talk soon! x o x
It's taking me a while to get through these blocks, but slowly slowly I'm making progress. I've only one left to make now. This one I made this evening, and the 6" centre section of the block has 53 pieces. All of the tiny red triangles were cut from 1.25" strips. Very fiddly, but very cute. The next block will be more of the same size pieces I'm thinking. If I'm a good girl I may be able to put it together tomorrow. But first I really MUST get some Christmas shopping done.
And speaking of Christmas, it's slowly infiltrating other parts of our home. Here is a little display from the family room, and this is about as decorated as it will get. The tree has been up in the lounge for ages, and that's where Christmas preparations have stood still. I love my little Mikasa Santas, and some day I'll get some more of these pieces. I'd really like to get a nativity scene in the same range. In the background, the two candles in glass lanterns were gifts from my Thursday girls at the store - very unexpected, and so much appreciated - thank you!I'm off to do some quilting on a Christmas runner, so I'll check back in with you all soon. x o x
Yesterday after work, and this morning, I put together three more of the Back Home Again blocks.
Normally it wouldn't take quite that long, but some of these blocks have LOTS of pieces. The one in the back at right has 57 pieces in a 12 inch block, and the one next to it has 57 pieces in the 6 inch centre section, and then a further 8 pieces to make it up to 12 inches. Very fiddly and time consuming!
I have only two blocks left to make. One is the smaller version of the block in front, and the last one will be very easy, the small version of the first block I made which is quite an easy one. Then I can start putting the rows together, and I'm really excited about that!
In wonderful news, I'm finally starting to feel a lot better. Thank you so much for your kind wishes and concern, you have all been just lovely.
**Ohhh, and BTW, I'm finally adding labels to my posts, so I apologise in advance if old posts get busy popping up in bloglines etc.**
Shortly we'll be heading off to Amy's school netball team grand final. They made it again this season against all odds, and they're definitely the underdogs tonite. We're all so proud of them, and thrilled they've made it this far regardless of the end result. Better run, I need to get organised ... talk soon :-)
This evening I spent some time putting the setting triangles on the small 'Back Home Again' blocks. I don't have heaps of energy, so I'm working slowly. I got them all done though, and tomorrow I'd like to cut out the remaining five blocks. Once they're done, I can get busy putting the quilt top together.I'm loving the fabrics in this project, and can't wait to get more done. It's my goal to have the top complete by the end of the year. Surely I can do it ... really, can it be that hard to find the time?
And earlier today, Marty hung my thread stand on the wall. I'm just so entirely thrilled to finally have the stand I wanted, and all my threads right there where I can see them. I will need to paint the study at some point - I just don't like the colour of the walls in here, but that will have to wait for another time. Ohhh, and Rosaline asked for a side view of the thread stand - I just couldn't get a good picture - I'll try again later.Hope you're all having a great weekend - I have been good and have rested up big. Thank you all for your concern and kind wishes - it means so much. x o x
Yay team! I put together the other two Back Home Again quilt blocks I already had cut out, so I've completed a total of seven so far. I'll have to wait until Tuesday afternoon to make any more, as I've loaned by Easy Angle and Companion Angle to a friend. No problem - I'm sure I have plenty to keep me amused until then. The blocks are so cute, and I can't wait to put the whole top together.
I had planned to make my Buck a Blocks, but while toying with my USA purchases, I found the above pattern. It's by Atkinson Designs, and I remember the very moment I purchased it - I thought it'd be perfect for a fabric I've been so reluctant to cut into. A while back someone had a challenge to use a fabric you just couldn't cut up - and I'd enthusiastically thought of my Lady Liberty fabric. When push came to shove, I just couldn't make that rotary cutter move.
Yesterday was the day, and here is the result of my efforts. I had enough of the fabric to make three runners, so I'll be making up a couple of gifts also. I'm not sure yet how I'll quilt it up, but I'm sure it'll speak to me when I'm ready. I plan to use Mereth's idea of piecing together strips for the back. It's a win-win, using that special fabric, and scrap busting too!
I had planned to be further along with my Back Home Again blocks at this point, but you know how life can just get in the way. Regardless, here is my progress.
In fairness though, I have quilted three quilt tops this week, and worked four days at the shop - though I may think I've gotten little done, when I rationalise it, I've done plenty :-)
Today I'd like to work on the other blocks I have already cut out, and also get a start on some of the Thangles 'Buck a Block' projects I picked up while in the US. I wonder how much I'll get done?
Slowly, slowly I'm figuring out how to have the laptop and the camera communicate with each other. Not that it's really hard, but I'm actually having a hard time figuring Picasa out. It's just a 'new program' thing - I'm sure I'll get comfortable with it eventually.
So, here is my progress to date on the Back Home Again quilt. I've cut six blocks ready for stitching, and they're in the baggies on the left there. I'll take them to the Melbourne Cup stitching day tomorrow. My precious baby featherweight can come out for the day with me. And the block is one I cut out and stitched this afternoon. It's called Coronation Star. I am in love with these fabrics, and can't wait to cut into more of the fat quarters.
This is a 'just because' picture. I found it while scrolling thru the camera files. It's Amy and Camo in Legoland. A girl just doesn't see scenes like this in Australia.Last of all - a quick link. Are there any Southern Cross Quilters out there reading this? Ones that are attending the retreat in Adelaide? My table runner is one of the projects listed on the workshops page - so be sure to check it out :-)
... I'm going to start putting this quilt together. Well - I'll start cutting out anyway. I'm really excited about it too.Have you seen it? It's 'Back Home Again' by Kaye England. I just love the fabrics, they're divine, and isn't the little suitcase for the fat quarters just darling? It's my aim to have lots of the blocks cut out and ready to sew on Tuesday. It's the Melbourne Cup stitching day, and we're sure to have lots of drinks and nibbles, and most of all, great company.Today we spent the afternoon at my brother's house with family and had a lovely time. It's his birthday today - so, Happy Birthday little brother, I hope you had a great day! x o x
And here it is - the 'Back Home Again' top is complete! I knew that once I finished putting the rows together that the rest of it would go together quickly.
