frayed at the edge

This and that

When we were in Eyemouth on Saturday, we had a browse round one of the charity shops, and as soon as I saw this bundle, I grabbed it, as it was only £1.50

 

two frames for hand quilting - an absolute bargain!

 

I also bought this storage box in Homebase in Berwick, as it was very reasonably priced.  Malcolm asked me what I would put in it ..... to which I answered "stuff"!!

 

it didn't take me long to fill it with lots of my beach finds

 

on Sunday afternoon I was going to do some fmq, so I had a quick practice, filling in this shape which I had previously sewn

 

I can't show you the whole thing as it is a present

 

but I'll tease you with a little flower .......

 

...... or two!

 

out in the garden, there are real flowers to enjoy.  Last year our passion flower sulked and produced one bud, which didn't flower, but this year it is covered in buds which are producing beautiful flowers

 

a textured appliqué, perhaps?

 

another clematis has flowered

 

and this one has flowered for a second time.  It looks as if the new flower is on the same stem as the old one, but the new shoot had twined round the old shoot

big buds on this clematis

 

and tiny buds on this one

 

hopefully these little buds will produce olives

 

and these grapes will grow a bit bigger

 

I tried and tried to capture bees on the lavender

 

but as soon as you get them in focus they buzz off to the next flower

 

so all you get is a blur!

 

when I was sorting out the flower photos, I realised that I have quite a lot of bird photos that I haven't shared with you, so pop back in tomorrow to see them!

 

A day late!

A wonderful new shop opened on Tuesday ....... but I didn't go to see it until Wednesday.  Why?  Because the owner of the shop is Sue, who used to be one of the group of quilters who met in Stitchin' Heaven (which closed at Christmas) on Wednesdays ....... and the group is now going to meet at the new shop.  So I went along yesterday to meet up with them all again

 

I think the best description of the atmosphere in the shop is welcoming and cosy!

 

there are still some gaps on the shelves, but Sue told me that she has a LOT of fabric arriving soon

 

there is just something about bundles of fabrics in baskets that makes you want to buy them

 

a selection of needles, pins and other sewing aids

 

looking through from the shop area to the classroom ....... can you see what is hanging on the wall in the top left hand corner of the photo?

 

it is Sue's absolutely stunning Mrs Billings!  Malcolm had come into the shop with me, and impressed everyone that he knew it was a Mrs B ....... then he told everyone about the sorry state of my effort!!

these two lovely quilts are also Sue's

 

beyond the classroom is an area which has been dubbed "the husbands' crèche"

 

with comfy sofas for them to relax while their wives are shopping (it's a lengthy business, buying fabric!)

 

they can have a cuppa and browse through some manly magazines

 

and last, at the back of the shop, is the kitchen area ....... you know we quilters need to be regularly refuelled with cuppas and cake!

 

another two views of the shop area, taken from slightly different angles

 

it was so good to catch up with all the news from the other Wednesday ladies, and as always they were happy to share their projects with you.  Margaret's hand piecing is so neat and accurate

 

Annie was prepping apple cores in her favourite Japanese fabrics

 

Ros was prepping hexies (and I was delighted to see how well she looked, as she had been in a terrible car accident since I last saw her)

 

Carolyn was working on a redwork stitchery

 

Avril, who had joined the group after I stopped going, was also working on stitcheries

 

and Frances ...... well Frances as always was working on a spectacular hand-pieced project!

 

I didn't sit down for the first two hours that I was there!  I was so busy exploring the shop, drooling over the fabric and blethering not only to the Wednesday ladies, but also to the steady stream of customers.  And in that time I had two cuppas and a piece of cake!

 

did I buy anything ..... well of course I did!!  First, a bundle of Moda fat quarters, which I just couldn't resist

 

then these four delicious fat quarters

 

which are from this range

 

and finally these super fat quarters

 

which are from this range ......

 

....... and this range.  And the good news is that I had a chat with Sue on the phone this morning, and if you are in the UK and want to buy any of these fabrics, give her a phone  (the number is on the leaflet in the first photo), as she can process a credit card sale over the phone with you, and then post them to you!!

 

I thought it might be helpful for those of you not familiar with the area to take a couple of photos of where the shop is, should you want to visit.  It is just behind this petrol station - this is the view if you are heading towards Morpeth

 

and this is the view if you are approaching from Morpeth

 

there is plenty of parking, and you go through the arch and in the door

 

passing the shop sign on the way

 

once in the door, the shop is on your right ....... only go through the door on the left if you want to buy supplies for your ponies and your pets!!

 

it really is a lovely shop, and I am going back the Wednesday after next for another visit ....... and I can highly recommend a visit if you are in the area.  Just up the road is Heighley Gate Garden Centre, where you can have a lovely lunch, or you can go on into Morpeth, which has an excellent selection of independent shops.  And to finish ...... I took this photo when I was outside - do you think Malcolm may have something to tell me??!!

Getting on!

On Sunday afternoon, I made a start to prepping the hexies, ready for quilting

 

I folded the first edge of the larger hexie in to meet the edge of the smaller hexie and pressed it

 

then folded it over again and pressed it

 

after scorching my fingers several times, I starting using my stiletto to hold the folds in place while I pressed them!

 

the first one pinned, ready to quilt (only another 63 to go!)

 

looking good on the design wall

 

I then turned to my half square triangles, which I had previously marked with my new ruler.  I chain-pieced them

 

as always, I started always with a thread catcher.  I start sewing about ½" from the edge, which means that I don't have to trim off the starting threads, as I would have to if I started sewing from the edge of the square.  Also when I sew straight from the catcher on to the square, it means that the edge won't get chewed up, as often happens

 

the squares stitched then cut apart

 

so was it more accurate using the new ruler?  Yes, the squares all turned out to be the correct size

 

when I got the kit out, I was sure it was to make a cushion, but it isn't, it is a wallhanging!  The centre block will be set on point

 

having finished the square, I prepped the pieces for the appliqué

 

and also made the bias strips for the vine

 

then this morning, I stitched the block together, starting with sewing the squares together in pairs

 

then sewing the first two columns of units together

 

then added the other units

 

the rows sewn together in pairs

 

the block stitched together and pressed

 

the next stage was to add the setting triangles.  This shows the first two stitched on

 

after stitching on the other two triangles, the block had to be trimmed, so that there was a ¼" seam beyond where the setting triangles crossed

 

the three borders added - looking good!

 

I have to say that the instructions are very basic, and this is all the help you get with positioning the appliqué ........ a rather poor photocopy!

 

the flowers and leaves bonded in place and the vine pinned, ready to sew

 

I know you think that we live on a diet of cakes and scones, but we do eat healthy food sometimes!  Tonight we had spiralised courgettes with dinner!

Sewing, knitting ..... and cakes!!

On Tuesday I finished tacking the hexies to the wadding, so that I could then trim the excess wadding off.  I found that it is easier to do it that way, rather than cut out hexies from wadding and try to line them up accurately with the fabric hexies.  On the right are the bigger hexies for the backing

 

I put the first hexie sandwich on my revolving cutting mat, and lined up the ruler for the first cut

 

then I just kept turning the mat to do the next cut

 

by the end of the afternoon, I had made a good start to all the trimming.  The offcuts of wadding can be used to stuff something

 

on Wednesday afternoon I finished the trimming

 

then paired each trimmed sandwich with a backing hexie

 

as you can see, there are twice as many fabric hexies as stitchery ones.  The next stage is to fold and pin the backing hexies in the same way that they are on the stitchery ones, and quilt them

 

having done that, I was sitting looking at the various kits and projects in this storage unit, thinking perhaps I could stitch up a quick one

 

I picked this kit to make a cushion, which I bought in 2000 in Christchurch (that's the one in New Zealand, not the one in England!)

 

I sorted out and labelled the various fabrics (and found there was an extra piece!)

 

the instructions said to put together a strip of tan fabric and a strip of blue fabric and cross cut squares.  Then, the instructions said cut the squares in half on the diagonal, and stitch the diagonal to make squares.  No,no,no!  Those diagonal edges are bias edges, and the first thing they do is stretch!  Before, I would have drawn a diagonal line, then stitched om either side with a ¼" seam, but I recently discovered this ruler.  You line up the centre line on the ruler with the diagonal, the mark the line on either side - it is supposed to be much more accurate

 

but by the time I had marked all the lines, it was dinner time, so you will have to wait until next week to see how the squares turn out

 

we came over to the flat yesterday, and I brought my hexie wallhanging to work on.  The photo doesn't show the true colours, which are much deeper.  I have been working on it on and off for quite a few years.  The original plan was just to stitch all the hexies together on the diagonal, but I got a bit bored, so headed off in the opposite direction, then later on reversed the direction again

 

these are all the hexies that are left, so I shall stick in and get it finished

 

now for the knitting.  I have finished the two snoods.  First the cabled one

 

and second the moss stitch one

 

we had a walk over to town this afternoon, and popped into Miele Patisserie for a cuppa ........

 

......... and cakes.  A lovely sharp tarte au citron

 

and a delicious sweet fruit tart

 

as we strolled on round the town after our cuppa, I had to stop to take a photo of the church spire against the wonderful blue sky

 

and this was the sky over the town at sunset last night

 

we were on the beach yesterday, and I have lots of photos from that, then I have lots more from our walk round the town this afternoon.  I shall have to get them all sorted out for Monday's post!  The forecast for the weekend is sunshine and showers, but hopefully we will get out and about between the showers.  I hope you have a good weekend, love Anne

 

Saving the best till last

There were notices put up at the show that photos could only be taken for personal use, and were not to be put on the internet ........ but I asked some of my quilting buddies for specific permission to share their quilts with you.  First, we have the little quilt that Margaret and I made

 

then my Autumn Breeze

 

you can just see the two baby quilts, which were draped over a radiator, and on the windowsill are the Thistle Stitching kits which several members made after I did a little workshop with the group.  The two lying open at the front are mine

 

my cute little Japanese bag

 

a pair of my nursery cushions in the bag and cushion raffle

 

this is Maureen's whimsical Christmas wallhanging

 

and this is her row-by-row quilt

 

this bright and cheery row-by-row is by Sandra H.

 

I love the way that Tricia has offset her blocks in this stunning applique quilt (and that's my last quilt below it, draped over another radiator)

 

Doreen's exquisite Dresden Plate quilt was much admired (and I was tempted to steal it, as it matches the table runners I made recently for the flat!)

 

and now for the star of the show!  A stunning applique quilt in beautiful Japanese fabrics, made by Barbara, was the clear winner as Viewers' Choice.  Well done Barbara!!

 

and to finish - some of weeks ago, Malcolm and I were invited to a financial seminar by The Newcastle Building Society, followed by a buffet lunch.  But it was on the day that I had to stay in for the telephone engineer (remember, the one who never arrived).  So, Malcolm went on his own ........ and remained on his own, as all the other people who had accepted the invitation didn't turn up (and didn't have the good manners to get in touch with the organisers to say they couldn't be there after all).  Malcolm did stay and have a chat with the financial advisors, but the lunch was cancelled.  Then, this morning, a hand-addressed envelope arrived for him.  What could it be?  A hand written card apologising for the debacle - and even better, a gift voucher for M&S was enclosed!  Good customer service.

Mending

As all my sewing for the exhibition is finished, I thought perhaps I ought to deal with a bit of mending.  This is my absolutely favourite skirt, although it isn't perhaps shown to its best advantage on the mannequin, who is somewhat smaller and skinnier than me (the skirt is pinned at the back so it doesn't fall off!)

 

I like the skirt so much, I bought it in another colour - and that strange thing is, they both needed a little repair in the same place, where the lining was coming away from the base of the zip

 

however, I decided to give up on repairing this cardigan - it keeps coming apart at the seams (a little aside, if I hadn't call the blog "frayed at the edge", I would have called it "coming apart at the seams"!).  So it will now be up-cycled/recycled/transformed into something wonderful

 

for some reason, I keep my mending in the scrap basket,  so once the skirts were repaired, I pulled out this pile of fabrics, and decided to have a bit of fun

 

having cut random strips, I stitched them together

 

then having pressed the seams, I put the piece on the cutting mat, lining up a seam with the 45° line, then used two rulers to make sure that my first cut would give me a 6" square

 

the first square

 

I cut across the rest of the piece, then cross cut to give me these squares

 

then with a bit of reworking of the trimmings

 

I ended up with nine squares

 

I had several strips left - would there be enough for sashing?

 

yes!  All I have to do now is decide what to do with the block!

 

I won't be here again until Monday, as I will be so busy tomorrow helping to set up the exhibition , and then helping out in the kitchen all day Friday (and Saturday).  And just in case I don't have enough to do, Stuart and Alison and their friends The Yates are coming to stay for the weekend!  So I think by Sunday afternoon, when they head off, I will be lying down in a darkened room for a rest, emerging in time to enjoy a chilled glass of white wine before dinner!

Clam shells .......

........ but not the kind you find on the beach!!  I watched an online tutorial at the weekend, on how to use a clam shell pattern to fill in a block.  So yesterday I thought I would have a go.  I got out my practice piece, which is rapidly filling up

 

and made a start by bringing the bobbin thread up.  As this is just a practice, I didn't bother changing the bobbin thread to match the top thread!

 

to start, I stitched a teardrop shape, and echoed round it several times ........ could be neater!

 

then I stitched the wavy edge of the clam shell, and echoed it

 

another teardrop, but this time a bigger gap between the two outer echoes .......

 

because I was going to add pearls.  I haven't done circles like this before, stitching half circles first

 

then coming back and adding the other half - this definitely needs some practice.  Usually I stitch whole circles, which means there is some backtracking to do, but I think gives a neater circle

 

the outer lines added, and a small teardrop worked to fill in the gap

 

a slightly better attempt at the pearls

 

I'm quite pleased with this first attempt!

 

and I like the wrong side too - because of the slight difference in tension, some of the blue thread shows through

 

the next job was to finish off the beading on the Autumn Breeze wallhanging, with clusters of beads at the base of the leaves round the vase

 

and some larger beads on the leaf blocks.  But you will have to wait until the exhibition to see the finished wallhanging!

 

when we are over at the flat, I have been working away on the quilting of the stitchery blocks, and I am now on block 31 ..... jut one to go!

 

I had already cut out the hexagons for the plain blocks

 

and made a good start to tacking the smaller hexies to thin wadding.  There are twice as many of these ones as the stitchery ones, so it may be some time before they are all quilted!

 

Andy Murray is playing tennis at the moment, and has already given us several heart-stopping moments ...... and that was just in the first set!  And then, later this evening, Wales are playing in the semi-final of the football .......

 

Running late!

I spent a good part of the afternoon in the hairdresser's, having my colour restored (yes, I admit it, the blonde isn't natural!!) and my unruly locks trimmed.  When Malcolm picked me up, we headed over to the flat.  By the time we unpacked and ate a delicious takeaway pizza, it was way past the time I usually post at, so just a quickie.  In the evenings, I have been adding some embroidery to the Autumn Breeze wallhanging.  Thick gold stems and tendrils

 

finer gold veins on the leaves

 

French knots down the centre of a small leaf

 

a silver tendril and leaves

 

silver running stitch

 

silver stem stitch on the heart.  I didn't mark any of the shapes, so some of them look a bit wonky ........ I shall simply say they are organic, or whatever the latest buzzword is!

 

I am now adding beads to the fmq leaves.  I only have three weeks to finish it - I had better sew the beads on a bit faster ......

Rain stopped play

We had thought we might go for a walk this morning before we went for lunch, but sadly rain stopped that plan.  At least we had the consolation of a tasty lunch ........ Malcolm's sandwich was pastrami with leek jam

 

while I had ham with apricot chutney

 

back home, I headed out to the studio, and turned on the tv - the diehard Wimbledon fans were braving the rain on "Henman Hill" to watch the Centre Court match, the only one being played,  on big screens

 

while the lucky ticket holders watched in comfort under the roof

 

so, I pressed Mrs B and popped her up on the design wall.  Since I added the large hexagon border, I have been unhappy with it, as the hexagons are too big

 

so I think I will make up some diamond stars like this, and add one to the centre of each hexagon

 

I am stitching the first of the small hexagon borders

 

I have the strip ready for the second side, and I counted out the hexagons that I need for the other two

 

I had already prepped quite  a few of these hexagon pyramids (yes, I like stitching hexies!)

 

they alternate between coloured ones, and calico ones

 

so I sorted out the rest of the ones that I had already prepped, and counted out the hexies I need to make the rest

 

but in sorting out all the bits and bobs that I had cut then not used, I found this pile of squares

 

so perhaps I will add a border of squares before the pyramid border

 

I folded the remaining bigger  pieces of fabrics and put them back in the project box

 

oops, a pile of scrappy bits left on the floor (note to self, please vacuum the carpet!!)  (in case you are wondering why a chose to have a plain brown carpet in the studio, when every little bit of thread shows on it ......... it was the end of a roll, and we got it for a bargain price!)

 

there is probably enough of this fabric for a last border, if I need to make the quilt a little bit bigger to sit on our bed, in top of our comforter

 

these scrappy bits have been put next to the sewing machine, to be used as thread catchers

 

I also tidied up my sewing tin, with my beautiful Japanese silk threads (with two YLI ones one the left)  The little tub of applique pins was given to me years ago by a friend ......

 

....... who also gave me this tin (which describes me perfectly!)

 

it contains this little tape measure - which is much too cute to unwrap and use!

 

having sorted out Mrs B (or maybe I should start calling her not-quite-mrs-B), I got out another project box - yes, it's the Aunts' Quilt

 

I didn't like the outer border on the pattern (dozens of scallops), but hadn't decided what to do instead.  But then recently I saw an idea when I was blog hopping (I can't now remember where I saw it, so if it was on your blog, please tell me so that I can put in a link).  So, a very simple idea, groups of three stems, each with a circle at the end.  After all the machine sewing that I have done recently, it will be nice to sit and do some hand sewing (or rather, lots of hand sewing!).

 

having just proof-read the post, I think I need to use less exclamation marks!!

 

Progress!

On Saturday, I got out my remaining quilt top for the exhibition, and this wonderful orange fleece for the back

 

all pinned, ready to quilt

 

I put the walking foot on the machine, and quilted in the ditch

 

the lengthways lines quilted

 

and the widthways ones added

 

the next stage was to trim the quilt and add the binding.  I found this shocking orange in my stash - I had bought it some time ago when I needed orange for .......

 

my "I found Nemo" wallhanging

 

the binding machine stitched on the front, and ready to handstitch to the back

 

the quilts have to have hanging sleeves for the exhibition.  Normally I use matching fabric for wallhangings

 

but these three quilts will be going to Linus after the exhibition, so I made temporary calico sleeves for them

 

the sleeve pinned in place, ready to be stitched

 

the finished quilt

 

I had another play using the plastic circles, starting with two big circles

 

then adding three smaller circles

 

and finally filled in some of the sections - good fun!

 

and this last photo is for Meredithe - woohoo, I have done some more work on Mrs Billings!!