A Couple Finishes and Season's Greetings

The presents are all wrapped and under the tree, waiting for the little ones to arrive. One more sleep than my family will all be here, I sound as anxious as a kid waiting for Santa to arrive. Today will be a day of prep for tomorrows big meal. I can smell it already.

My oldest son wanted a 150 quilt, and being the great mom I am I got to work and made him one. Of course no advance notice and only two weeks to make it before Christmas.

150 Canadian quilt

I started with the panel of the Mountie and parliament buildings from Northcott fabrics. The flag panel on the bottom and the cream and black fabrics are also from Northcott. I decided to border the Mountie panel in black and build from there. As my DIL is tall I needed the length. I bordered the flag panel in red and added it to the bottom. Made a few flying geese, well maybe more than a few actually 52. They are 3'' x 6''. A couple more borders and it was a good size 52'' x 74''.

One thing I did learn panels are not square and require careful cutting to make them appear straight and square, but that top except for the geese flew together.

I outline quilted the Mountie, parliament buildings and flag and did loop de loops in the background. Quick and easy quilting. I did more back and forth lines around the geese and ghosted in geese in the geese border. Ribbon candy in the red borders and the final cream border I did figure eights.

ghosted geese that don't show in the picture so well

I should have taken more pictures before wrapping the quilt up. Red and black are the worst colours for picture taking.

Next up was a Christmas stocking for his daughter, she is 9 months old. I have made all my grandchildren a stocking the year they were born. Here is hers. 

Christmas stocking complete with bling.

Now to get down to making desserts. 

Wishing you and yours a Happy Holiday Season and a very Merry Christmas!!!

Medallion Month 12

This months block is an Irish Chain Block. The Irish Chain quilt pattern is one of the oldest and most popular quilt patterns. Barbara Brackman believes the Irish Chain quilt pattern was developed in America in the early 1800s. She states that 1814 is the earliest known date for this pattern.
The Irish Chain is a great quilt for beginners, it's all strips and squares. However I have added HST's to the corners.

Irish Chain Block

Cutting:

Dark fabric:       A  2-  4'' x 4''  

                   B   1- 4 3/4'' x 4 3/4''

Medium Fabric:     C   1- strip 2'' x33'' 

Background Fabric: D  2- 4'' x 4''  

                   E  1- strip 2'' x33'' 

                   F  2- 4'' x 4''

Step 1:

1. On the back of both piece D draw a diagonal line from corner to corner. As per diagram 1a.

2. Place the square on top of piece A. Sew a 1/4'' seam on both sides of the line. As per diagram 1b.

3. Cut on drawn line. As per diagram 1c.

4. Press HST's to dark side.

5. Trim the HST's to 3 1/2'' x 3 1/2''

6. Make 4.

diagram 1

Step 2:

1.Sew strip C and E right sides together. As per diagram 2.

2. Press seam to dark side.

3. With rotary cutter and ruler straighten up one end. 

4. Cut 16 2'' x 3 1/2'' pieces. As per diagram 2.

diagram 2

5. Using the pieces you just cut, lay face up with darker square at top. Place another piece on top right sides together and darker square at bottom. As per diagram 3a.

6.Nestle seams and sew a 1/4'' seam. As per diagram 3b.

7. Swirl center seam and press.

8. Trim to 3 1/2'' x 3 1/2''.

9. Make 8.

10.  Sew two 4 patch units together, matching dark squares at top using a 1/4'' seam.

11. Make 4.

diagram 3

Step 3

1. Cut F in half diagonally. You should have 4 pieces.

2. Finger press a vertical and horizontal fold in piece B.

3. Place piece F right sides together on piece B matching point of F to crease line on B. See diagram 4.

4. Sew using a 1/4'' seam.

5. Open the seam and finger press. Do not use your iron or you will loose the crease lines.

6. Repeat with the other 3 sides of B.

7. Press and trim to 6 1/2'' x 6 1/2''.

diagram 4

Step 4

1. Sew units together to make rows. Sew rows together to make Irish Chain Block. See diagram 5.

diagram 5

I hope everyone is having fun making their blocks. I would love to see any of the blocks you have made, you can post to Instagram using #stitchinathomemedallion2017 

There are two blocks left to make for the Medallion Quilt.

Splash of Colour Progress

I am loving how my Splash of Colour project is looking. The little pop of green adds the wow factor. The Splash of Colour QAL is being run by Myra @ Busy Hands.  You can read more about my pattern choice here.

paper pieced units

I have had to fit this project in with other projects I'm working on. There were 16 of the white with black and white paper pieced units. I use freezer paper to do my paper piecing, no papers to rip off after. The black with white dots is a Cotton & Steele print, I only had a FQ and am now wishing I had more as I would have liked to use it as the binding.

one of 4 sections pieced

After piecing the sections I ran into a small snag. I didn't have enough of the white on white print background fabric. I knew I wanted white for the corner pieces. Not all whites are created equal and I finally decided a solid would be my best bet. I pulled out some Kona snow and think once I get the quilting done it will be a good fit.

Kona corners added although they are hard to see in this photo trust me they are there

Next big decision how to quilt it. At this point I don't have a clue as how I'm going to quilt it.

Linking up with

Midweek Makers

Confessions of a FabricAddict

My Quilt Infatuation

Linky Tuesday

Medallion Quilt Month 11

The block this month is a variation of a star block. A simple change of colour lends itself to the Four Points block. We are again using the versatile HST, with the addition of squares.

Four Points Block

This is a 12 1/2'' unfinished or 12'' finished block.

 All seams allowances are a scant 1/4''.

Cutting:

Background Fabric:                    

                        E  4- 4'' x 4'' 

                          F  4- 31/2'' x 3 1/2''

Dark fabric:  

                         A   2- 4'' x 4''

                         B   2-  3 1/2'' x 3 1/2''

Medium fabric: 

                         C   2- 4'' x 4''

                         D   2-  3 1/2'' x 3 1/2''

Step 1:

1. On the back of two piece E's draw a diagonal line from corner to corner. See diagram 1a.

2. Place the square on top of piece C. Sew a 1/4'' seam on both sides of the line. See diagram 1b.

3. Cut on drawn line. See diagram 1c.

4. Press HST's to the dark side.

5. Trim the HST's to 3 1/2'' x 3 1/2''

6. Make 4.

diagram 1

Step 2:

1. Repeat Step 1 using pieces E and A.

2. Make 4.

Step 3:

Center 4 patch

1. Stitch one B to D right sides together. Press to dark side. See diagram2a.

2. Make 2.

3. Stitch the two units right sides together nesting seams. See diagram 2b.

4. Press. Trim to 6 1/2'' x 6 1/2''.

diagram 2

Step 4:

1. Using the HST's from step 1 & 2, stitch with right sides together, see diagram 3a. Make 2.

2. Repeat make sure to reverse the HST's, see diagram 3b. 

3. Make 2.

diagram 3

Step 5:

1. Join rows. See diagram 4.

diagram 4

I hope everyone is having fun making their blocks. I would love to see any of the blocks you have made, you can post to Instagram using #stitchinathomemedallion2017 

What Happened to October?

I'm not sure where the time has gone. I feel like I blinked and all of a sudden it's November. It's not that I didn't do anything in October, I did. I'll let you be the judge.

There was a mystery tour through my guild. It was a great day with lots of laughter and shopping at some great quilt shops. We went to The Quilt Place in Shakespeare, Heart'n'Home in New Hamburg, E & E's Cloth & Creations in Newton, Cotton Harvest Shop in Seaforth, Ye Olde Quilt Shop in Stratford. A delicious lunch was enjoyed by all at Anna Mae's in Millbank.

two metres of Moda's Basic Grey from the Quilt Place and 4 metres of Northcott solid from Heart'n'Home

three one metre batik cuts from the Cotton Harvest. The blue is for my daughter 

The Northcott blue was purchased for a quilt for one of my grandson's. He wants blue and animals, he is getting both. I have been making blocks using patterns from Lorna of Sew Fresh Quilts. Some are purchased patterns and some are free on her blog.

Brandon's animal quilt so far

Then there's a memory quilt, a cousin and I are making. 

I thread sketched the fishing rod and line

At November's guild meeting I will be demoing Inktense pencils.

this piece of batik with a little Inktense pencil work turned into leaves

I'm also doing a QAL, a Splash of Colour you can read more about it here.

Splash of Colour progress, the black with white dots is Cotton & Steel. There has been some reverse stitching involved in the progress of this one. I may have put the white and black print on the wrong side. All fixed now.

That sums up a little of what has kept me busy in October. After putting it in this post it's no wonder it flew by so fast.

Linking up to Confessions of a Fabric Addict, My Quilt Infatuation

Medallion Quilt Month 10

This months block is the Depression Block and is a traditional block from the early 1930's. In the 1930's the block would have been made from scraps. It is made using only hst's.

Depression block

This is a 12 1/2'' unfinished or 12'' finished block.

All seams allowances are 1/4''

Cutting:

Dark fabric:   A   4-  4'' x 4''
Medium Fabric: B   4-  4'' x 4''
Background Fabric: C  8- 4'' x 4''

Step 1:

1. On the back of two piece C's draw a diagonal line from corner to corner. See diagram 1a.
2.  Place the square on top of piece B. Sew a 1/4'' seam on both sides of the line. See diagram 1b.
3. Cut on drawn line. See diagram 1c.
4. Press HST's to the dark side.
5. Trim the HST's to 3 1/2'' x 3 1/2''
6. Make 8.

diagram 1

Step 2:

1. Repeat Step 1 using pieces A and C.
2. Make 8.

Step 3:

1. Sew together HST units in a row see diagram 2 below.
2. Sew rows together to make block.
3. Press in direction of arrows.

diagram 2

I hope everyone is having fun making their blocks. I would love to see any of the blocks you have made, you can post to Instagram using #stitchinathomemedallion2017 

Shweshwe Fabric - Guest Speaker

My guilds guest speaker was Celeste of Meerkat Shweshwe Fabrics. What an enjoyable speaker! She took us through the history of Shweshwe and it's South African roots. She talked about the influence of Europeans and indigo. How colour has emerged as the youth of South Africa move into the cities.

beautiful array of colours

Celeste is an excellent speaker holding everyone's attention. I can't begin to do justice to the history of the Spruce manufacturing or 'Three Cats' trademark, to read more about the history of Shweshwe go to Celeste Meerkat's website.

we had a full house and getting good pictures of her quilts was difficult.

In the above photo she used both sides of the Shweshwe fabric.

the dots are orange

The fabric is stiff from the manufacturing process and needs to be prewashed before being used.

  

Splash of Colour QAL

I wasn't going to participate in any QAL's as I just have too much going on at this time. Unfortunately my will power wasn't strong enough to resist this one. Who can resist black and white with a splash of colour anyway. Not me! The Splash of Colour QAL is being run by Myra @ Busy Hands.

I have a nice collection of black and white fat quarters that have been begging to be used in a project. Instead of just telling them to quiet down I crumbled.

some black and whites pulled with a splash of colour

I pulled some of those fat quarters out, for the splash of colour I pulled some batiks out. Now the big decision... What pattern was I going to make? 

I opened EQ7 and started playing around, next thing I knew I had three possibilities. Now to narrow it down to one.

Let's see what they were.

number 1 made with hst's. Not bad if I don't say so myself

Next up

number 2. I like the QST's and strips.

Last one

number 3 I have had a compass on my to do list for awhile

A decision was finally reached! Thankfully I only drew up three. I have decided to make number 3, the compass. 

Have you ever felt like you can't take on any more and then you get pulled in for another project? I know I can't be the only one.

Just Free Motioning

When writing my last pattern 'Squared Off' you can read about it here or if you want to make one you can purchase a copy at my Craftsy store. I made a couple test blocks trying out a couple different techniques for making the block. Grabbed the rest of the scraps I was using plus, and made a couple more blocks.

four blocks make a mini

Originally I was going to add a white border but changed my mind. I wasn't feeling the border at all. I basted it and looked and looked at it trying to decide how to quilt it. Sometimes I feel those decisions are harder than choosing fabrics. 

I had been playing with my Westalee rulers as I haven't really given some of them the time of day. So out they came.

Westalee rulers waiting in the wings for their turn to play

Out came a practice sandwich and I granted myself some play time. I almost felt like I was playing in the sandbox after a long absence. 

The template I decided to use for my mini was Spin-e-fex no 4. 

spin-e-fex no 4 flower

I echoed around the flower, then added some sorta straightish lines. I maybe should have used a ruler they would have been a lot straighter. But I think it adds character to the design, at least that's the story I'm sticking to.

some straight line quilting in the triangles

I did use my rulers for the straight lines in the triangles along the outside edges. This turned out to be a quick fun design to quilt.

the back was pieced with bits and pieces

I almost like the back better than the front. I pulled out some extra bits and pieces from my scraps and pieced the back together.

it's home for now is on my kitchen table

Have you ever just let go and played with the tools you have on hand, you may be surprised by the results. I know I was.

Linking up to 

Sew Fresh Quilts

Quilt Fabrication

Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Bloggers Quilt Festival - Guild 2017 BOM

It is time for the Bloggers Quilt Festival, run and hosted by Amy who blogs over at Amy's Creative Side. We are allowed to enter two quilts, I haven't decided if I am entering one or two yet. This is my first entry into in the Bloggers Quilt Festival. The quilt I am entering is one of the latest ones I've made. I love the colours in this quilt they are a little out of the usual for me. Even though it is a sampler it  flows nicely.

2017 BOM

When it comes to the quilting I seem to continue to push myself, I get in the 'zone' and have a hard time even coming up for air. My domestic machine and I are one!

feathers 

curls and loops

flange border

I like the ease and use of a flange border. That little bit of colour peaking out is an extra dimension to the quilt.

Medallion Quilt Month 9

Sorry I'm a couple days late with this. I got my Saturdays messed up, but all is sorted out, just need to remember what week it is. Might help if I looked at the calendar a little better.
This months block is my version of 'Around the corner'. It is an easy block pattern that offers all sorts of opportunities to combine color to create a unique quilt.

Around the corner

This is a 12 1/2'' unfinished or 12'' finished block.

All seams allowances are 1/4''

Cutting:

Dark fabric:  A  2-  5 1/2 '' x 5 1/2''
Medium fabric: B   2- 5 1/2'' x 5 1/2''
                          C   2- 5'' x 5''
Background Fabric: D  2- 5'' x 5''
                                 E  1- 4 1/2'' x 4 1/2''

Step 1:

1. On the back of both piece D draw a diagonal line from corner to corner. See diagram 1a.
2. Place the square on top of piece C. Sew a 1/4'' seam on both sides of the line. See diagram 1b.
3. Cut on drawn line. See diagram 1c.
4. Press HST's to dark side.
5. Trim the HST's to 4 1/2'' x 4 1/2''
6. Make 4.

diagram 1

Step 2:

1. On the back of both piece B draw a diagonal line from corner to corner. See diagram 2a.

2. Place the square on top of piece A. Sew a 1/4'' seam on both sides of the line. See diagram 2b.

3. Cut on drawn line. See diagram 2c.

4. Press HST's open to dark side. DO NOT TRIM.

5. Take two of the above units draw a line perpendicular to the sewn seam on one of the units. See diagram 2c.

6. Place right sides together so that the center seams nest together. Make sure the colours are opposite each other.

7. Sew a 1/4'' seam on both sides of the line. See diagram 2d.

8. Cut on drawn line.

9. Press one of the above units one direction and the other one the other direction. This allows the swirling of the seams. 

10. Trim the QST's to 4 1/2'' x 4 1/2''

11. Make 4.

diagram 2

Step 3:

1. Sew units together to make rows. 

2. Sew rows together. 

3. Press in direction of arrows. 

I hope everyone is having fun making their blocks. I would love to see any of the blocks you have made, you can post to Instagram using #stitchinathomemedallion2017 

My Guilds new BOM

This is the third BOM I have designed for my guild. Three totally different styles., take a look and see for yourself.

medallion quilt 2015 

You can read more about the medallion quilt here. It is currently a free BOM on my blog just look under the tab at the top of this page.

2016 celebrating Canada's 150th

You can read about the Canada 150 quilt here.

2017 irish chain mix

This years quilt is a simple irish chain block with a nice variety of blocks. A few pictures of the quilting I did on this one.

swirls and feathers

more swirls and straight line

some ruler work and simple curves in the geese

straight lines and stippling

Linking up with.

Sew Fresh Quilts

Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Needle and Thread Thursday at Kelly

Quilt Fabrication