magic monday

Jun6

It has been some time since I wrote the last post. My parents were with us on a 10 day visit, so family life was the main focus in these days. I was also fairly busy at work, interpreting and translating quotes for the construction company I work for (since 9 years now). And I gave beginner classes at my local patchwork and quilting shop. I have already done 3 Monday classes and my lady pupils are happy – lucky me. But I also must admit, that I enjoy it very much!

Monday was as good as Christmas – my three parcels arrived:

3 colorful fabrics I want to use for backing that I ordered at Hawthorne Threads
High quality piecing and quilting threads that I always order at Quilt Direct
Book Quilting Modern: Techniques and Projects for Improvisational Quilts

Where shall I start first? All 3 fabrics have incredible colors. The moment I saw them, I knew they are a must for my stash. Particularly the fabric on the top from Alexander Henry House Designer from the collection Paloma, La Paloma in Multi. Hawthorne Threads is very nice online shop that concentrates on modern patchwork fabrics. They have a wonderfully designed website, all is clearly arranged and it is always a pleasure to order there.

High quality cotton threads are a must for me. After all threads have to hold the entire quilt together, from piecing to quilting. Unfortunately I cannot buy them locally, but fortunately we have internet. I have found Quilt Direct in the UK, have ordered there in the past and always got a very good service. This time I decided to buy piecing thread from Aurifil 50/2 in 4 different neutral shades. For quilting I also ordered a neutral, the big spool is from Superior King Tut 40/3. I have used in the past this thread for quilting my projects and I like the quality.

For books we have Amazon, once more a perfect marketplace to order make worldwide. The book has wonderful and colorful patterns, I just love the quilting techniques. I didn’t have time to read it, but I certainly looked at all the photos. Please visit one of the author’s blog on Sew Katie Did.

Well, it is time to start again with quilting (after my short holiday with family and making preserves). This hobby is worth everything, a perfect pursuit!

Happy quilting everyone, B.

floating colors – another finished quilt

May23

This week I did my best and finished the quilt. Yesterday my sewing machine had a hard day – quilting for hours. I enjoyed sewing all these parallel lines. It was something else than free-motion quilting. I like both techniques and think it is always good to change the routine. The quilt size is 40″ x 54″.

My next project is a quilt with the same pattern but larger, with more blocks. This one I shall definitely finish with free-motion quilting. So that I can compare the same pattern but different quilting techniques.

Can’t wait to start with it!!

looking back the years and starting something new (2x)

May20

Looking back the years :

A friend of mine gave me a couple of weeks ago some quilting books. I’ve looked through them and thought how much has changed in patchwork and quilting over the last 40 years .

My favourite one is “The Perfect Patchwork Primer” by Beth Gutcheon. It was first published in 1973. The issue is in black and white, includes a few photos and many block illustrations, designs or quilt assembly instructions. The author is a devotee of hand quilting. Machine piecing is OK, but machine or free-motion quilting is unthinkable. The other thing that surprised me, is that in those days there were no cutting mats, cutters or rulers. Only “home-made” templates were available and for cutting there were just scissors. Today we are very spoilt with all our sophisticated tools and various helpers.

Starting something new :

# One : From next week on I shall give classes in machine piecing and quilting. So last week I sew an easy sampler quilt top for beginners. At the same time I made tutorials about basic cutting and piecing of square and triangle units, blocks with flying geese units as well as sashing and borders, quilting and binding. I enjoyed preparing all information and I am looking forward to start with the classes!!!

# Two : While working on the computer I got an idea for a new quilt. A simple design with all the solids I love. It is based on the ideal proportion of the sides of a rectangle : golden ratio. As the top has also a “golden” solid fabric I named it ~~Golden Ratio~~ . Changed my mind, the name is Floating Colors This one shall be quilted in straight lines in vertical and horizontal. The goal for next week (but more probably weekend) is to finish the quilt.

Happy quilting, B.

finally there – another quilt is done

May7

Well, well, well – I have finally done it – the Abstract Dream quilt is finished and thus this week was full of free-motion quilting and binding. It is my very first “big” one quilted on my sewing machine in free-motion style. It was a challenge that needed some cups of coffee. I had a great time quilting it and practicing the style. So I decided to finish one of the UFO’s that I have put aside and that have been resting for some time in my closet. The quilt measures 58″ x 76″ or 148 x 195 cm.

I have listed it on my ~~Etsy~~ and ~~Dawanda~~ shops. S O L D ! !

Happy quilting, B.

A Finished Top and Strawberry Fields

Apr22

Abstract Dream quilt is slowly getting into shape. I finally finished the top. It is once more time to make a quilt sandwich accompanied by a TLB sandwich.