quilting is on hold

Jan12

Since my last post I have pieced units and blocks for my new quilt. I was happy with the progress, but suddenly a change of priorities occurred. My Xmas present came with a delay (and I am not so sure if it is a Xmas gift or not) : a brand new apple computer! So first I have to stuff it with all my files, get used to the new programs and only then I can start my piecing and quilting routine. Here a small preview of the blocks : #1 is all pieced and #2 is at the moment on hold.

And a self-portrait with the dog :

Have a nice week and “see” you soon, Barbora

pillow covers and fmq

Dec3

The last few weeks were very quiet – both sewing wise as well as blogging wise. Even though I have received new fabrics, I didn’t really do a lot. I was preparing some patterns especially for lady-pupils that come to my open classes, taking in account all their quilt design wishes. Nevertheless I made these 2 pillow covers with the Swoon block pattern:

I have used all the rests from swoon blocks I have found and pieced another 3 pillow covers. All pieces are free motion quilted with meanders. Practice is the best teacher!

Pinwheels and broken dishes blocks in orange.

Thanks for visiting and till next time, happy quilting, Barbora

butterfly, thread and fmq

Oct27

There was no spectacular sunrise this morning to take photos, but instead I found a butterfly on the street. He looked like that he is having a rest. But he wasn’t – what I found was just a colorful dead body of a butterfly.

As I am going to Prague this Saturday I was finishing my last pieces that I want to take with me. I made more Christmas Tree Blocks – original design by Christen from Love By Hand. Each block is on its own and makes a nice table decoration or a wall hanging. I have used (as before) Kaffe Fassett fabric designs. Once I had made the quilt sandwich I realized that I do not have any of my “neutral” thicker quilting thread. But I had the exact hue in Aurifil Mako 50/2 as I have pieced the blocks with this thread. I just wasn’t sure if I can take it also for quilting. After some research on the web ( a nicer expression for google ) about threads I decided to stick with this lighter weight thread also for free-motion quilting. According to the motto : learning by doing. Over the years I found out that there are no strict rules in quilting. Each quilter can find its own way, own technique that they prefer, threads that they love. I have also done some experimenting with threads and I always go back to Aurifil Mako 50/2 for piecing and Sulky from Gutermann for quilting.

Here a close up of my meander design free-motion quilting:

And the 2 Christmas Tree Blocks:

Happy sewing, I am over to have a look on Bloggers’ Quilt festival at Amy’s Creative Side. Next time hopefully with one of my quilts!

Barbora

short quilting vacation

Oct17

It has been some time since my last post. I have set aside the cutter, needle, thread and sewing machine and made a short quilting vacation. We have such wonderful weather here in Spain, warm but not too hot, sunny everyday and clear skies. I just want to enjoy the warm sunbeams before autumn takes over. So why stay inside and work? Why not enjoy my free time outside with the doggy or reading a nice book on the terrace?

Swallows are long-distance migrants. They are now preparing for a long journey to Africa where they spend the winter and come back to Europe in the spring. New moon in the background.

Anyway, I did sew a bit. As I am visiting my Mom in 2 weeks time and I was preparing some quilting presents. Now a very big thank to Teje from Nero’s Post and Patch – her Bird on my Pillow was a great inspiration to make presents for 3 little girls in Prague, daughters of my cousins.

And not to forget the two boys. For them I have made airplane pillows. I made them without paper piecing, but used some fabrics before everything matched. The yellow airplane was my first attempt, the second one has better proportions (from my point of view).

I would like to round-up this post with a quote I found on a coffee sugar and freely translated from Spanish :

There are only 2 days when you cannot do anything – one is yesterday and the other is tomorrow. Today is the day to live and enjoy!

So happy sewing, quilting, living, …………. Barbora

Don’t forget the link up with Thursday Threads by Julie 627handworks which is hosted this week by Susan from The Bored Zombie !

more table runners

Sep22

Even though the September weather is wonderful, sunny and warm, I got somehow hooked to table runners. I stayed nearly all day indoors sewing and quilting. Here my 2 brand new pieces :