Happy Birthday Mum!

The colours are much brighter in real life.

 I have finished the quilt top :)

The pattern is from Blue is Bleu (quilt along 2010).  I only changed the centre panel.  The original pattern uses scraps.  I used 20 fat quarters and had little left over.  The yellow solid is Klona Young Yellow from Backstitch.

The instructions were really easy to follow and the quilt came together quite quickly.  However, I found pressing the seams open a real chore (I usually press seams to one side) but it does make a real difference and hasn't put me off doing the seams that way again.  Also trimming the dog ears off all those HSTs was another task that I didn't enjoy all that much.  The worst task however, was removing all the loose threads from both sides of the quilt.  It took the best part of an afternoon.  I think in future, I must remember to do it as i go along and not leave it until the quilt is finished.

I had the perfect backing - a vintage green striped sheet, but sadly it wasn't big enough.  So I dug out this 100% cotton duvet cover that I bought from TK Max for my upcycled linen quilt (longterm UFO).  The colours go but I don't think the pattern is the perfect match.  However it has to do because I need to get the quilt posted off to the professional quilter today, to have any chance of it being ready before Mum's May Birthday.  I hope that I don't regret my backing choice later on!

The pattern said that the quilt is a generous lapsize but it is far bigger than I imagined.  More a single bed size.  it measures 70X83, four inches bigger than the size given with the pattern (66X78)  I have no idea how I managed that!  All my blocks measured the appropriate size.  Just to give you an idea of the size, the fence panels that I have pegged the quilt onto are 6 foot.

So now it is on it's way to Chris at Father's Heart to be quilted.

flying past!

2012 seems to be zooming past for me!  I have so many posts that I have started and just haven't got round to finishing and posting!

The hubby had some time off work which as usual for him, meant that he ended up being unwell!  Seriously every time he stops working his body shuts down and he ends up ill.  This time it was a fluey-virally thing with ear infection. He is very hands on, particularly with the pre-bedtime routine so I didn't get much sewing done during my time as a single parent.


Then it was the Easter Break.  The boys spent the first week at our family caravan in Hurley whilst I stayed at home and had a good ole sort out of all our cupboards and drawers. Why does tidying-up make such a mess!  For most of the week I was unable to sew because I just had so much stuff laying around.

The River Thames at Hurley (picture actually taken summer 2011)

 I am still busy working on my Mum's Birthday Quilt.  All the blocks are now complete and I am busy putting the blocks together.

This is the centre block, which I have machine appliqued and finished the details by hand.  The appliques are of my Mum's three grandsons.  My two and my Brother's little boy.  I used the templates in "Freya and Fred" by Janet Clare.  I love this book and I really enjoyed putting the little figures together, using scraps from the quilt and an old linen tea cloth. 

I didn't manage to get the panel completely centered but think once quilted it will be hardly noticeable.

Sewing-for-boys sew along update.

Sadly I wasn't able to get February's pattern started, (simple joggers/trousers) other than to trace the pattern pieces.

The March pattern was one that I have been looking forward to making and I have had the fabric ready for a while.  It is "The Easy Linen Shirt".  I have cut two sizes out and made a start on one but have yet to finish.  The Mother's quilt really needs to be my priority at the moment.

April's pattern is also another favourite of mine - "The treasure pocket pants".  I have some fabric from the charity shop that would be good for these.  I will have to try and catch up on the sew along whenever I can.

I only sew in the evenings once the boys are in bed.  When do you sew/craft?

Fat Quarterly Retreat Name Badge Swap

This is another urgent project.  I signed up to a secret name badge swap, which I must post out by the first week of May.  I have made a start, but need to get this finished.  I have gone for a London/Queen's Jubilee theme.