When I was watching a recent episode of The Quilt Show, I saw a new-to-me method of using squares. So after I finished the runners on Tuesday, I looked out this charm pack from my stash
the first job was to sort the squares into pairs, right sides together
then chain piece them
but then comes the strange bit - you turn them round and sew them on the opposite side
which gives you tubes like this one
the next stage was to cut the sets in half. I lined them three at a time on the cutting mat, with the seams to the sides, and cut them
the first three cut and opened out
having done the same with the rest, I took two of them, and pinned them with the seams lined up
having stitched these on both sides, I cut them in half
giving me little four-patches. What a clever technique, so much easier then if I had cut each of the original squares into quarters then stitched them
this is as far as I got on Tuesday - half of the pile done
then yesterday I had to decide what to do with all these squares, so I thought I would make a bag. I remembered this stitchery, made from a kit which I had bought when we were on holiday in Australia quite a few years ago
I then looked out this lovely Liberty fabric to use as the lining (yes, Meredithe, I have finally used some of my Liberty stash!!)
I used fusible web to stick the Liberty fabric to the stitchery
then used the false binding method to finish of the edge of the stitchery. This will be the front pocket of the bag
using the same method as I used for the runners, I stitched all the squares together
I folded the strip of squares in half and pinned it to the design wall, the pinned the pocket on. The square and a half below the stitchery, along with the matching square and a half on the back, will form the base of the bag. Not bad for making it up as I went along! Hopefully I will get it finished over the weekend
I spotted the sparrow and the female blackbird on the bird bath this morning - perhaps they were agreeing that the water was still too cold for a bath!
and the robin was looking very grumpy sitting on the wooden owl which we brought back from Indonesia. The poor owl is slowly rotting away - sitting outside in the British weather hasn't agreed with him!
I took this last photo at the weekend, then forgot about it. This little fishing boat was obviously having engine trouble, with great clouds of smoke belching out the back, giving the scene a misty, romantic look!
I won't be here tomorrow and Monday, as it is Easter. I hope you have a good weekend ....... and don't eat too much chocolate!! Love Anne