Last Thursday, the weather was much better, so we went to Berwick. We had a potter round the shops, a quick lunch in the nearby garden centre, then we went for a walk on the beach
the sea was still running high after the stormy weather
I couldn't decide whether to have the lighthouse on the right or the left of the photo!
two of my favourites - weathered wood and rusty bolts
trying to be arty with seaweed and rocks!
more weathered wood
the beach theme has continued in the studio, as I have been working on two quilts for Linus, which I had started some weeks ago when we had a Linus day at Borderland Fabrics. The two quilts are the same
once the tops were made, it was time to layer the quilts, ready for quilting. I taped the backing fabric to the table
then cut the wadding to size
the last stage was to add the quilt top, then pin the layers together
there are differing opinions as to whether or not cutting certain things blunts scissors. I think cutting paper definitely blunts scissors, and I also think cutting polyester wadding does too, so I have different scissors for different tasks - from left to right, embroidery, paper, pinking, wadding/general and fabric. Malcolm knows never to use my scissors without asking - but then I wouldn't use his tools without asking!
I also have different pins for layering quilts. The ones on the left were all that were available when I started quilting more than twenty years ago. I then moved on the the curved pins, which are easier to use. The coloured ones on the right are wonderful - they are very thin and very sharp, very easy to use.
as always, I cleaned the machine and inserted a new needle, ready to free motion quilt. I used a big meander in the centre, and a loopy, wandering line round the borders. You can see the stitching best on the back
today, I got organised to trim the quilts, ready to put the binding on. I have folded the quilt, so that you can see the two boards lined up. I also used two rulers
the two quilts trimmed ready for the binding, which I had made some days ago
having stitched on the binding, I folded a bit over and clipped it in place, to let you see what it will look like once I have hand-stitched it on the back
but, what to do with the leftovers?
first, I cut strips of varying widths and layed them out ready to stitch together
the strips stitched and the seams pressed
the next stage was to get out my revolving mat, small cutter and 6" square ruler
the squares are cut on the diagonal - this is the first square
I managed to cut eleven squares ......
then was able to make the last one from leftovers
I put the blocks up on the design wall
these are the leftovers from the blocks from the quilts
I think with a bit of effort, I can make the borders fit round the centre blocks!
to finish ....... little JDthetractor was most annoyed when he saw last night's post, as he said the photo did not do him justice. So he popped out to the studio this morning to pose for me
but he's not just a handsome tractor, he is hardworking as well!!
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