Jennie's Threads

Month 5 was the month the miracle happened. But first, let me tell you how pleased I was that the month 5 block was a lovely, simple, straightforward one after the stinker that was December! And because it was so lovely and straightforward, I was able to make progress with the next steps. First up, here are my January four: I've been saying from the start that I wanted to applique these circles as I went along, otherwise I would hate it at the end. That didn't happen for the first four months. For the first two I had a good excuse - I couldn't decide between two backgrounds. But by month 3 I had decided, just not done anything about it. But my first week back at my Monday night quilting group (where they have big cutting boards that aren't surrounded by crap like my one at home), I got out the backing fabric, and cut it. All of the squares are now ready and I have enough left over for binding if I chose to match it. The only problem with the background fabric,...

So I'm sure you're pretty sick of me talking about my 365 Quilt Challenge. If you're not, you can read all about here! And here's a picture to remind you! Well that was 2016. Last year, the designer, Kathy of Green Avenue Quilts, ran a block of the week called Etoiles Rouge. I decided not to take part. But this year, her quilt is called Aves (Latin for birds, I believe) and it is totally bonkers! Here's the mock up of it she shared back in October. It was one of those moments where you know you have to make that quilt. The first block was finally released this week and it is the centre of the quilt. Can you guess my colour theme? Unlike the 365, which was entirely rotary cut, this involved foundation piecing. I have developed a bit of a love hate relationship with foundation piecing if I'm honest. I found the freezer paper method a few years ago and I love it. But with a nearly-4-year-old and a nearly-2-year-old (especially the nearly-2-year-o...

Over the last year I have made quite a few Fancy Forest quilt, or variations using just a single block. Every time I've finished one, and shown Mia and Jess, they have been disappointed to discover that we aren't keeping it, and it's being given away. Last summer I decided to make them a full size Fancy Forest quilt, and a full size Awesome Ocean quilt, and it just so happens that Angie @gnomeangel is hosting a quilt along! Conveniently, she is also including the Greenhouse pattern in her quilt along, which I want to make for me, so expect to see one of those in the coming months too. I've planned out my colours and you'll be surprised to see that I'm sewing up a rainbow! The quilt along has a pretty vicious pace to it, and I'm well behind. The plan was to have all the Fancy Forest blocks completed by the end of January, then spend February finishing the quilt, before embarking on Awesome Ocean at the start of March. Well, I've finished the foxe...

Another year of the Finish Along begins and that means it's time for another ridiculously-long-finish-along list! 1. "It's Just a Phase" embroidery: This was supposed to be a Christmas present for my husband but I didn't get very far. His birthday is at the start of March, so that seems like a reasonable goal. 2. Fancy Forest Quilt: I'm piecing this as part of a quilt-along hosted by @Gnomeangel. If I manage to keep up with the pretty sharp pace being set, then I should have all the blocks pieced in the next few weeks, so I don't see why this shouldn't be a finish! 3. Super girl doll: If you saw my post a few days ago, I have already completed super boy, and it was not pleasant, but it was well received. The intended recipient of super girl has a birthday this quarter, so if it gets done, great, and if it doesn't, it may never! 4. Gypsy Wife: I was gutted that I didn't manage to get this quilt top pieced in time for the quilt a...

Last year, you may remember that I sewed along with the Ice Cream Soda quilt along. It was created by Jodi at Tales of Cloth, an Australian quilt shop. Each month I received a tiny little package full of paper pieces, and the plan was to stitch up 8 blossoms (or part blossoms each month). Inevitably I fell behind, but I thoroughly enjoy these blocks. They are quick and easy to stitch, I'm using a totally random fabric selection, and they look so pretty. There's no complex placement so these are the perfect sewing for travelling! All of Jodi's papers are cut from recycled paper, and they are just a little bit lighter-weight than the papers from Paper Pieces or available here in the UK. At first I was dubious, but they are so easy on the hands. I'm also working on the Round You Go quilt, using papers from another Australian source - Sue Daley Designs. These are the total opposite, glossy and slightly heavier weight than most. And you really can tell the difference. I...

It's the end of the quarter and time to take stock. I've also got a final finish to share. Back in October I planned to make some scrunchies for Mia - Christmas Eve was the day! Obviously. I used this tutorial and knocked up three scrunchies in just 45 minutes! The rest of the list is a story of mixed results and reality! I have a total of  11 finishes: Two large quilts: Linda's owls and Pineapple Farm. Two baby quilts: Fancy Forest and Allie Owl : A Christmas lap quilt: Two pouches: An open wide pouch And a see-it-all Always pouch . A hoop , a doll and Jessica's advent calendar (and the scrunchies of course) Not bad for a busy quarter! But inevitably given the length of my list, some projects didn't make it. I was particularly disappointed that I wasn't able to give the girls a quilt each at Christmas as I had planned. Never mind - they'll go back on the next list which will inevitably be just as long! Yo...