First Step onto Jacob's Ladder

As I said in this post, I am planning to make a Jacob's Ladder scrap quilt, with the pattern taken from Katharine Guerrier's Scrap Quilt Sensation book.  The blocks are made up of two four patch units and two half square triangle units, with fabrics alternating between dark and light/bright values.

Here's some of the first few four patch blocks I have made:

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Four patch units for Jacob's Ladder Quilt"][/caption]

I have, for the first time, tried my hand at chain piecing - and wow, it does save time!  I whipped up a load more four patch units in half the time, with less thread used and fewer stray ends to clip.  Marvellous.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Chain pieced patches ready to cut apart"][/caption]

For the triangles, I made these using this quick piecing method.  Here's a couple, ready for cutting along the drawn line:



Next step is to sew some of the units together to make the pieced blocks.  I need 49 full blocks, plus 28 half blocks in all!  Not far to go then :-)

Sewing Goals for 2010

I thought now would be a good time to set out my sewing goals for 2010.  Once they're here in writing, I can't go back!

My main sewing objective for 2010 is learning to make quilts.  More specifically, I will aim to:

1. Complete the sewalong "Stay at Home Quilt" from Popular Patchwork magazine.

2. Complete Jacob's Ladder Scrap Quilt from the wonderful Katharine Guerrier book Scrap Quilt Sensation

3. Make a start on a Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt - English paper pieced,  by hand, so not expecting to finish for...oooooh...5 to 7 years or so!!

I would also like to attempt to:

4. Make something I can wear (not high fashion, but maybe a wrap, or some pyjama bottoms)

5. Sew something involving inserting a zip as I have never done this before.

And I can't forget Morsbagging:

6.  Reach target of 100 Morsbags by the end of 2010

I will keep you posted on my progress :-)

Oven Mitt

Well, after accidentally setting fire to my oven gloves last week (don't ask!), I thought I would have a go at making an oven mitt (mainly cos I couldn't find a pattern/tutorial for a double ended glove - can anyone help me out there?).  I used two different fabrics and quilted with some Insul-Bright, then sewed bias tape around the cuff (by hand, natch).  It's not quite perfect because (a) it all went a bit funny round the curve of the thumb and it's rucked up there a bit; (b) I forgot to sew in a hanging loop and (c) it's not quite as thick as I might like (though I am, admittedly, a bit of a wuss with hot things)!

I have plenty of the insulated wadding left, so might have a go at making another one soon.  Practice making perfect and all that.

Here's a pic of the glove, patiently waiting for the peanut butter cookies to be ready to come out of the oven:

The New Love of My Life!

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Pfaff Select 4.0"][/caption]

I will post a proper review once I have had a chance to try out more features as so far only used straight stitch and zigzag but so far I am very impressed, especially with the IDT feed - at last, I can sew straight lines with ease!!

My First Quilt Block!

Having decided to take up quilting for my next sewing challenge, I have finished making my first ever quilt block.  It is a Greek Cross, and the instructions can be found on Marcia Hohn's amazing Quilters Cache website.

I have decided to have a go at Popular Patchwork's stay at home quilt challenge for 2010.  The idea is you make an initial block, then they will show you how to add a different style border to it each month until you end up with a whole quilt top by the end of the year.  The instructions said to make a 12 1/2 inch block for starters and mine is only 12 inches but hopefully I will be able to work out the maths required!!

I know it's not perfect but I am pretty pleased with it for my first attempt :-)

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Greek Cross Quilt Block"][/caption]

The Story Sew Far...

To start off my new blog, I thought I would list all the things I have sewn so far.  Until I listed them, I hadn't realised quite how much I had done!!  So here goes...

• 65 Morsbags


• 5 treat bags


• a cushion cover


• a draught excluder


• 4 stuffed hearts


• a felt ghost


• 3 felt gnomes


• an angel for the christmas tree


• fabric bunting


• a wallet


• 6 patchwork coasters


• a bizarre patchwork animal


• 3 crayon rolls


• numerous beanbags (the s0rt you throw rather than the sort you sit on!)


• 2 pincushions


• a cloth sanitary pad


• a pink felt purse


• several patchwork greetings cards


• a pinny out of a teatowel

And did I mention the 65 Morsbags?!?!?