Jennie's Threads

It's been ages since I did anything to the Skill Builder BOM except for very slowly sewing together hexagons for one of the earlier blocks. That particular block, and the second EPP block from April are close to completion, but not there yet. Instead today I've been working on some of the more recent blocks and learning a few new techniques. Boosted by my new applique tools (you can read more about them here ) I started last night preparing the pieces for the September blocks. I had originally planned applique, but I have quite a few hand sewing projects at the moment and my machine does do a lovely blanket stitch, so I changed my mind. Here is Liberty Floral And Modern Beauty. Two blocks that had me intrigued when the tutorials were first posted were the next two I tacked - curves.... but not your regular drunkard path. Saturn involved an inset circle, and flanges which I've done just once before, and was far quicker than I had thought possible... ....an...

I have some progress to report on a couple of projects I've talked about on a Wednesday before even starting them! First up is the baby quilt (for my Baby): I've now made two blocks of this pattern . I'm using English Paper Piecing to put this quilt together, which although slower involves sitting in an armchair, which my back seems to prefer. But I am still spending some time at my sewing machine. I got her back from her service on Saturday - apparently I use her so much that she should really be serviced every 8 months - there was no grease left (I can't oil her myself) and the fluff had compacted solid..... these are the first three mini Swoon blocks - each one is just 6". The one on the left isn't black, but a deep magenta I've also started piecing the Aspen Frost quilt in some very pretty Downton Abbey prints. But the thing I'm most excited about - this week has been a happy mail week (once I'd gone to the post office to pick...

I know I keep saying it, but everyone is having babies - I guess with the situation at work (impending redundancy) everyone is getting maternity before they go! Well, this is another quilt for another manager. I can take absolutely no credit for any part of this quilt except for the piecing and quilting: the block, the layout, the quilting design... it's all Sharon's ! Her finished quilts were just so gorgeous I didn't change anything - thank you Sharon for a great tutorial and inspiration (as always)! The fabrics are all from my stash: Pearl Bracelets; Kona solids; Art Gallery Indian Summer, Oval Elements, Pure Elements; Painters Canvas; Sketch; Snow Queen; Tula Pink..... with a white tone-on-tone swirl print. The backing is a print from Art Gallery's Luxe in Bloom and the binding is Pure Elements in Parisian Blue. The bamboo is my favourite bamboo cotton blend, the threads are Aurifil - something beig-y for the piecing, white for the quilting on the top ...

After a year and a half and some fantastic blocks, I've just completed the last two sets of blocks for Stash Bee. October's blocks and November's blocks - I love the method for making this block - it's from Moda Bakeshop . We have made some fantastic blocks in that time - some that really pushed my improv-inability.... these are my contributions I won't be signing up for 2014 - I think I have enough on my plate for 2014 already, but if you are interested in joining in then the sign ups are open - you can find more info here . Thanks to all the lovely ladies of Hive 4 - it's been great sewing along with you over the last year and half!

I need a new project like I need a hole in the head! But that has never stopped me before. I've been stalking Pinterest for a few weeks now looking for ideas for a quilt for Baby and yesterday I finally found it. And I knew straight away this was the one , and I knew straight away the colours I wanted to use and the technique I wanted to use. http://design-seeds.com/index.php/home/entry/color-air So these are the fabrics I picked: Painters Canvas; Art Gallery; Lu Summers; Makower; Pearl Bracelets; Kona... I printed off the templates and I'm going to make it using English Paper Piecing.  So far I've started basting. I've also been working on some bee blocks (I'm behind again): this is one of two blocks for Stash Bee for October.  Because my Viking Sapphire is having its annual service, this old lady is having a run out - made in West Germany, smooth as anything! And if you recognise the brown, it's because I used it ...

Yesterday I did a class at our Local Quilt shop that was a little bit different.... Meet Tom!  A Teddy Bear. He is all hand sewn and made of Moda Primitive Muslin in teddy bear brown and cream. He has joints (though I got one of the joints wrong). The head took me all day yesterday, but the rest of the him went very together very quickly while I watched the football this afternoon. I've embroidered my initials on his paw - this teddy is not for Baby - this teddy is for me!

That is exactly what happened yesterday! I got in from work, had a nap and then turned on my sewing machine! I cut, pieced and pressed and before I went to bed I had a 6" Swoon block! The half square triangle units finish at just 3/4"! One block down, two more cut this evening, 8 more to piece. The fabrics are a total mixture from my stash. In this block I've used Pearl Bracelets, and Kona Peony. The background is one of the new Kona's - Shadow - It's a lovely light delicate grey (far better than Butter which I had been thinking about).

October was a busy month and I am exhausted! I haven't linked in a while due to illness and then my only WIP last week being tidying my house - incredibly boring but necessary. This week I've been trying to catch up with some sewing, but all I really want to do is go to bed. This pregnancy thing is hard work! I've made a few more City Sampler blocks. These are nice and easy because I picked and cut all the fabric months ago in a moment of energy, so it's only a question of piecing and pressing. Block 61: Vienna: I lived in this beautiful city for 4 months in 2006 as part of my year abroad for University. I went back for a day during a stay in Budapest last year and it was lovely to be back - the Christmas markets were amazing, but my memories of Vienna are of the heat of the summer, swimming in the Danube and enjoying coffee and cake outside cafes while people watching. I did some studying too.... The fabrics are Kona Canary, Kona School Bus and Oval Elements...

I got this quilt finished last Saturday but haven't had a moment spare to put together this post since. At the end of September I went on a quilting retreat and the project was a Medallion quilt. I'd never made a Medallion quilt before and I have to admit that it hadn't ever really been on my radar as a "must try". I am now a convert. Except for the long seams which I hate sewing, I really enjoyed piecing this quilt top. The central star is templates (which I suffered well). The first pieced border is flying geese and I learnt a fantastic new technique for making four at once - unfortunately baby brain means I have entirely forgotten it.  The next border is square in a square. Had I been doing this at home I would definitely have foundation pieced these blocks, as they were not as precise as I would have liked. And the final border was templates again. There were a few issues with this border, but with a couple of tweaks I had a finished quilt top. Mi...

October has been such a busy month - work, holidays, illness, family. But not as much sewing as I would have liked. Michael and I enjoyed a long weekend in the Lake District - a first and last holiday with just the two of us. The weather was dubious, but when you could see the landscape in between torrential rain showers it was stunning. This is one of my favourite spots in the Lakes - Elterwater in Great Langdale. Last weekend was my little brother's engagement party. This time next year Michaela will officially be part of the family! Yep - I have a Michael and my brother has a Michaela! We're just trying to confuse Mum. In between this I have done some sewing: I finished a baby quilt - Baby Paws. I've been working on the Medallion quilt - this is finished and just as soon as I have the time I'll do a full ta-dah post for it. I've done some City Sampler blocks, but I am a bit behind on these little blocks - the fabrics are cut, but I haven't had...