Free Motion Mavericks - Week 361 - Piecing Blocks

 

Unsurprisingly, today has not been a good day for taking photos, so the best I can do is an ironing board shot, looking all the world like the view from a model aeroplane coming in for a crash landing.  I have a definite love-hate relationship with the scrappy strips.  They take ages to make, fiddling around with dog-eared scraps, but without them the blocks would be dull and uninspiring. The narrow blue strip in the middle of the photo was made with a strip a little less than an inch wide, a bit of irregular selvedge trimmed from a piece years ago.  I keep things for years, wondering why I bother, and then end up glad I didn't bin them.

I am now well on the way with piecing the blocks for the wedding quilt, having finished eight blocks and reached the stage where I have a system going.  Just when most people are finishing off projects in time for Christmas, I am just starting and have no deadline to worry about.  We have a quiet Christmas ahead of us, so I am glad to have a project to keep me busy.  I only wish I had more photos to show, but with weather so dull and overcast that I need the light on in the house for me to be able to sew, the camera can't capture the colours and do them justice.  

Here goes for Week 361:-

Many thanks to Gail for linking up last time with her latest finishes.  If you haven't seen her blog post yet, nip over now and see more. 

If you have no free motion quilting to show, feel free to link up and show any project you like.  Here are the usual rules, but feel free to ignore them.  To keep the original emphasis, however, preference will be given to free motion quilting when featuring projects from the previous week.

If you love free motion quilting, whether you are a beginner just taking the plunge, or you have reached the stage where you can do ostrich feathers with your eyes shut and still achieve perfect symmetry, then please link up.

Remember, FMQ is FMQ, whether your machine was made last week, or it is older than your granny.

Here are the very easy and slightly elastic rules:-

1.  Link up with any recent post, ideally from the last week but within the last month, which features a free motion quilting project, whether it is a work in progress or a finish.

2.  Link back to this post in your own post.

3.  Visit as many of the other participants as possible and say hello in the comments box.

4.  The link up will remain open for five days, from midnight to midnight GMT for the long weekend, Friday to Tuesday.

So far quilters from the USA, England, Wales, Australia, Canada, Germany, Holland, New Zealand, France, Macau, Russia, Ireland, Brazil and Sweden have taken part.  The 

first participant from each new country will get a special mention the following week.

Scrappy Strips

One of the most time consuming, fiddly jobs ever, but totally worth the effort.  I have been using up scraps to make 2 inch strips to incorporate into the blocks for the wedding quilt.  When I started, I sorted out a pile of scraps and set them aside in a shoe box.  The jumble of pieces in the box is now rapidly dwindling, so much so that I am wondering whether there will be much left once it comes to making a strip for the border of the quilt.

At the moment I am making great progress with piecing the blocks.  I have already finished six, all measuring 21 inches square, and have three more to make in the same size.  After that I will be making the blocks for the border, twelve measuring approximately 15 x 21 inches, and four 15 inch square corner blocks.  I am hoping to get most of the piecing done before the New Year, and then go shopping for the wadding and backing fabric in January.

It is years since I made a large quilt.  I had forgotten how much I enjoy it. The weather has been dull and dreary, ideal for staying in, but useless for photos.  If the sun shines soon, I shall have to take some photos ready for my progress report later this week.

Andrée is hosting Free Motion Mavericks at the moment, so I am linking up to her blog just in the nick of time before the linky closes!

Free Motion Mavericks - Week 359 - Designing the Wedding Quilt

You might recognise this quilt, one of my all-time favourites.  It has been across the back of the settee for over a week so I can work out how I am going to make the wedding quilt.  The strips between the large blocks of colour work well in giving the quilt a modern look, and I have decided to use this technique again.  Fortunately I have plenty of scraps that are suitable, and I have started work already.  To increase the range of colours, I am also using up a bundle of colour samples, which are approximately four and a half inches square, ideal for two inch wide strips.

Of course, I had forgotten how fiddly and time consuming the whole process is.  I am hoping to make plenty of strips before I cut the larger pieces.  I am trying to plan the layout of the blocks in advance rather than make the blocks first, as I usually do.  Initially I shall be making nine eighteen inch square blocks, and then I shall work out the size and design of the border blocks afterwards.  At the rate I am going I shall be lucky to have it finished by Easter.

Here goes for Week 359:-

Many thanks to Gail for linking up last time with her tree skirt.  If you haven't seen her blog post yet, nip over now and see more.

 

If you have no free motion quilting to show, feel free to link up and show any project you like.  Here are the usual rules, but feel free to ignore them.  To keep the original emphasis, however, preference will be given to free motion quilting when featuring projects from the previous week.

If you love free motion quilting, whether you are a beginner just taking the plunge, or you have reached the stage where you can do ostrich feathers with your eyes shut and still achieve perfect symmetry, then please link up.

Remember, FMQ is FMQ, whether your machine was made last week, or it is older than your granny.

Here are the very easy and slightly elastic rules:-

1.  Link up with any recent post, ideally from the last week but within the last month, which features a free motion quilting project, whether it is a work in progress or a finish.

2.  Link back to this post in your own post.

3.  Visit as many of the other participants as possible and say hello in the comments box.

4.  The link up will remain open for five days, from midnight to midnight GMT for the long weekend, Friday to Tuesday.

So far quilters from the USA, England, Wales, Australia, Canada, Germany, Holland, New Zealand, France, Macau, Russia, Ireland, Brazil and Sweden have taken part.  The first participant from each new country will get a special mention the following week.

Free Motion Mavericks - Week 357 - Colours for the Wedding Quilt

 

Knowing these wonderful fabrics have been lurking in a box for a few years has been interesting.  I knew that sooner or later the right project would come along, and it has finally arrived - the wedding present for Genevieve and Gonzalo.  They are all shot cottons from Oakshott, some of which have been discontinued since I bought them.  I have ordered a couple of extra colours, and may yet order more once I have made a start.  Finally my brain is getting into gear for a big quilt.  There are a few ideas for new quilting designs bubbling under the surface, and I shall be using a few of my old favourites.  It is nice that there is absolutely no rush, so I can enjoy going at my own pace.

Now for some wedding photos, with special thanks to everyone for your encouragement while I was busy sewing the underskirt and the veil.  They weren't the easiest projects to blog about, as I was making things up as I went along and could only post pictures of a whole load of white stuff.  Of course, it was all worth it in the end, as you all knew.

All these photos were taken by Matt Willis, who is an amazing photographer.  He took photos in the church, then stayed with us until the beginning of the reception and left before dinner was served.  He managed to blend in so well that at times we were hardly aware he was there.  If anyone in this country needs a wedding photographer, I can strongly recommend him, and it's worth visiting his website just for the fun of looking at lots more of his photos.

So here they are, already married and signing the register.  Genevieve's friend Sophie and Gonzalo's father acted as witnesses.  In Spain the groom doesn't have a Best Man, it's his father's job, and bridesmaids don't seem to feature either, so Genevieve managed without.

i love this photo of them coming down the aisle, very happy, and probably ever so slightly relieved!

Once we were outside Genevieve was able to hitch up her train at the back with a loop over her wrist, which also meant she had to hold her bouquet aloft.  The bouquet was heavy, so together with the skirt she must have felt the weight.

After spending a while outside the church, all the guests walked to the reception, and the bride and groom followed in the wedding limo.  

By the time we went into the restaurant, Genevieve was ready to go less formal without the bolero jacket.  By now she had discovered how layers and layers of underskirt can keep you warm.

Soon the hall was buzzing with activity.  It was time to celebrate!

Here goes for Week 357:-

Many thanks to Norma for linking up last time with her feedsack pillow case.  If you haven't seen her blog post yet, nip over now and see more.

 

If you have no free motion quilting to show, feel free to link up and show any project you like.  Here are the usual rules, but feel free to ignore them.  To keep the original emphasis, however, preference will be given to free motion quilting when featuring projects from the previous week.

If you love free motion quilting, whether you are a beginner just taking the plunge, or you have reached the stage where you can do ostrich feathers with your eyes shut and still achieve perfect symmetry, then please link up.

Remember, FMQ is FMQ, whether your machine was made last week, or it is older than your granny.

Here are the very easy and slightly elastic rules:-

1.  Link up with any recent post, ideally from the last week but within the last month, which features a free motion quilting project, whether it is a work in progress or a finish.

2.  Link back to this post in your own post.

3.  Visit as many of the other participants as possible and say hello in the comments box.

4.  The link up will remain open for five days, from midnight to midnight GMT for the long weekend, Friday to Tuesday.

So far quilters from the USA, England, Wales, Australia, Canada, Germany, Holland, New Zealand, France, Macau, Russia, Ireland, Brazil and Sweden have taken part.  The 

first participant from each new country will get a special mention the following week.

Free Motion Mavericks - Week 355 - Making Binding

 

Seems insignificant, but this is a milestone!  I am finally on the last stage of a dress for my daughter that I started over five years ago.  It is a made to measure summer dress, so thank goodness she stays the same weight, despite the fact that she has an enormous appetite.  Having looked at my photos, I am slightly horrified by how long it has taken me.  In October 2016 I was halfway there, but then ran into frustration mode in early 2017.  The zip was the bugbear.  Then other projects intervened, and my daughter was seldom at home, especially during the academic year she spent abroad, 2017-2018.  Earlier this year I finally sorted out the zip by adding two lines of extremely irksome handstitching.  A few days ago I finished the hem, and now I am about to bind the armholes.  The end is in sight!

As for post-wedding news, I have now done all the important laundry.  Hand washing the veil wasn't too terrifying, especially when I worked out that the best way to dry it was with the hair dryer.  Once the dress is back from the dry cleaners I am going to have to work out how to store it all.  That will be fun.

Here goes for Week 355:-

Many thanks to Gail for linking up last week with her pangolin quilt.  If you haven't seen her blog post yet, nip over now and see more. 

If you have no free motion quilting to show, feel free to link up and show any project you like.  Here are the usual rules, but feel free to ignore them.  To keep the original emphasis, however, preference will be given to free motion quilting when featuring projects from the previous week.

If you love free motion quilting, whether you are a beginner just taking the plunge, or you have reached the stage where you can do ostrich feathers with your eyes shut and still achieve perfect symmetry, then please link up.

Remember, FMQ is FMQ, whether your machine was made last week, or it is older than your granny.

Here are the very easy and slightly elastic rules:-

1.  Link up with any recent post, ideally from the last week but within the last month, which features a free motion quilting project, whether it is a work in progress or a finish.

2.  Link back to this post in your own post.

3.  Visit as many of the other participants as possible and say hello in the comments box.

4.  The link up will remain open for five days, from midnight to midnight GMT for the long weekend, Friday to Tuesday.

So far quilters from the USA, England, Wales, Australia, Canada, Germany, Holland, New Zealand, France, Macau, Russia, Ireland, Brazil and Sweden have taken part.  The 

first participant from each new country will get a special mention the following week.

Free Motion Mavericks - Week 354 - Sugar Roses

As you can imagine, and as those of you have been Mother of the Bride already know, it takes a while to come back to earth after a wedding.  First and foremost you need a rest, time to catch up with friends, and then there are jobs that have to be done.  I have taken The Dress to the dry cleaners, and when we get reliable weather I shall have to hand wash the bolero jacket and dry it outside.  The veil could do with a gentle wash too, as could the underskirt.  I think I'll be brave with the underskirt and shove it in the washing machine.  It's either that or the bath.  Unfortunately we have really bad drying weather at the moment.  I had washing hanging out all day earlier this week, and I swear it was damper when it came in than when I put it out, and it hadn't even rained.

A more colourful job I have ahead of me is sorting out how to keep the sugar flowers that went on top of the wedding cake.  As you can see, they are far too beautiful to eat.  The cake was made by Donna, who was recommended to us by a friend, and as you can see on her website, her cakes are absolutely amazing.  I asked her to make some flowers to go on top of the cake, and sent her photos of flowers that were going to be used in the bouquet so she could aim for matching colours.  She did a fantastic job, even making tiny little yellow tansies, a flower she had never made before.  If stored properly the sugar flowers should last for years.  I have managed to buy a display dome that I hope will be suitable, and I shall have to work out the best way to arrange the flowers.  Lets hope I don't break them!

As for sewing, I have picked up a needle again, at long last.  After doing some repair jobs on clothes, I am now finishing off a dress that I started over five years ago.  All I need to do is stitch the hem and bind the armholes.  Then I can start on the wedding quilt!

Now for the linky.  Next week I shall be hosting the linky here - it's Andrée's turn to have a week off.

 

Here goes for Week 354:-

Many thanks to Kathleen for linking up last time to show her Alpha Animals quilt.  If you haven't seen her blog post yet, nip over now and see more.

 

If you have no free motion quilting to show, feel free to link up and show any project you like.  Here are the usual rules, but feel free to ignore them.  To keep the original emphasis, however, preference will be given to free motion quilting when featuring projects from the previous week.

If you love free motion quilting, whether you are a beginner just taking the plunge, or you have reached the stage where you can do ostrich feathers with your eyes shut and still achieve perfect symmetry, then please link up.

Remember, FMQ is FMQ, whether your machine was made last week, or it is older than your granny.

Here are the very easy and slightly elastic rules:-

1.  Link up with any recent post, ideally from the last week but within the last month, which features a free motion quilting project, whether it is a work in progress or a finish.

2.  Link back to this post in your own post.

3.  Visit as many of the other participants as possible and say hello in the comments box.

4.  The link up will remain open for five days, from midnight to midnight GMT for the long weekend, Friday to Tuesday.

So far quilters from the USA, England, Wales, Australia, Canada, Germany, Holland, New Zealand, France, Macau, Russia, Ireland, Brazil and Sweden have taken part.  The 

first participant from each new country will get a special mention the following week.

Free Motion Mavericks - Week 352 - Very Newly Wed

Introducing the Bride and Groom, Genevieve and Gonzalo, married last Saturday.  This is my favourite wedding photo so far, taken by my husband not long after we had left the church.  

They just look so happy, and possibly slightly relieved, that they are finally married.  When they got engaged back in May, it was difficult at that stage to foresee how well everything would finally fall into place.  In fact, had we set out to plan the day as it finally happened, I doubt we would have achieved it. 

The wedding itself was held in St. James' Priory, founded in 1129, a church I am very fond of as it is just a couple of minutes' walk from where I used to work, and I used to pop in there often.  The reception was held in a restaurant just 5 minutes' walk away and that has two 13th century halls that we had the use of as function rooms.  In the midst of scruffy, bustling Bristol, we went from one ancient building to another to celebrate the day.  Friends and family came from different parts of England, Ireland and Spain - nobody got lost, and everyone (including the bride) was on time.  The sun shone, old friends were reunited and new ones made.  And of course, the groom was handsome and bride (biased mother speaking here) looked absolutely gorgeous.  Definitely a day that we will all remember for years to come! 

There is a quilt I still have to make for them...

 

Here goes for Week 352:-

Many thanks to Andrée for linking up last time with her Traveller's Blanket.  If you haven't seen her blog post yet, nip over now and see more.

 

If you have no free motion quilting to show, feel free to link up and show any project you like.  Here are the usual rules, but feel free to ignore them.  To keep the original emphasis, however, preference will be given to free motion quilting when featuring projects from the previous week.

If you love free motion quilting, whether you are a beginner just taking the plunge, or you have reached the stage where you can do ostrich feathers with your eyes shut and still achieve perfect symmetry, then please link up.

Remember, FMQ is FMQ, whether your machine was made last week, or it is older than your granny.

Here are the very easy and slightly elastic rules:-

1.  Link up with any recent post, ideally from the last week but within the last month, which features a free motion quilting project, whether it is a work in progress or a finish.

2.  Link back to this post in your own post.

3.  Visit as many of the other participants as possible and say hello in the comments box.

4.  The link up will remain open for five days, from midnight to midnight GMT for the long weekend, Friday to Tuesday.

So far quilters from the USA, England, Wales, Australia, Canada, Germany, Holland, New Zealand, France, Macau, Russia, Ireland, Brazil and Sweden have taken part.  The 

first participant from each new country will get a special mention the following week.

Free Motion Mavericks - Week 349 - Pearls

 

The veil is now completely finished, attached to the comb and decorated with pearls.  The comb is metal (I don't trust plastic combs) and just 3 inches across.  To give myself a surface to sew into, I wrapped a thin strip of the veiling fabric around the top, weaving in between the teeth, and secured it with thread wrapped around in a similar fashion.  That formed a cushion over the metal, over which I then stitched a strip of the satin binding that I had used to edge the veil.

The veil is stitched to the back of the comb.  Finding the exact place to attach it was fun.  Veiling isn't the easiest fabric to handle.  I had to fold across the width of the veil a third of the way down, and then find the central point of the fold.  The veil is approximately 75 inches long, and the measurement from the top of my daughter's head is roughly 25 inches, so when the veil is hanging from the comb the top layer is half the length of the lower layer.

The decoration is made of pearls that I have had stashed away for years, waiting for the opportunity to use them.  Last Sunday night I stayed up late and started stringing the pearls onto some fine invisible thread.  By some sort of a miracle I ended up with this little confection, having started out with no real plan, and with the thread living up to its name because I could barely see the wretched stuff.  The pearl decoration is secured to the comb at each corner at the top, and when the comb is in place in my daughter's hair the pearls hang down over the top of the veil. 

Another job done!  Just as well, now that we have little more than a fortnight to go.

And now for an apology and explanation to anybody who came by last week looking for the linky and ended up disappointed.  Yes, I clean forgot, I totally lost track of time.  This time about a month ago I was tired, and kept getting worse, having a nap most afternoons, and then ending up only being able to get on with ordinary life every other day and just pottering about the next.  Then I started panicking, thinking that if I carried on like that I wouldn't be able to get through the wedding.  Fortunately, I had an eye test recently, and the optician wrote to my doctor because there was swelling around one of my eyes.  This meant I got an appointment with the doctor (no mean feat these days) and was prescribed antibiotics for a persistent sinus infection.  For the past week I have been feeling better than I have done since the beginning of the summer.  Thank goodness, I am now looking forward to the wedding again, and not dreading it because of lack of energy.  Disaster averted!

Here goes for Week 349:-

Well it was a quiet linky last time, so here is a blast from the past featuring beads from my archives:-

 

If you have no free motion quilting to show, feel free to link up and show any project you like.  Here are the usual rules, but feel free to ignore them.  To keep the original emphasis, however, preference will be given to free motion quilting when featuring projects from the previous week.

If you love free motion quilting, whether you are a beginner just taking the plunge, or you have reached the stage where you can do ostrich feathers with your eyes shut and still achieve perfect symmetry, then please link up.

Remember, FMQ is FMQ, whether your machine was made last week, or it is older than your granny.

Here are the very easy and slightly elastic rules:-

1.  Link up with any recent post, ideally from the last week but within the last month, which features a free motion quilting project, whether it is a work in progress or a finish.

2.  Link back to this post in your own post.

3.  Visit as many of the other participants as possible and say hello in the comments box.

4.  The link up will remain open for five days, from midnight to midnight GMT for the long weekend, Friday to Tuesday.

So far quilters from the USA, England, Wales, Australia, Canada, Germany, Holland, New Zealand, France, Macau, Russia, Ireland, Brazil and Sweden have taken part.  The 

first participant from each new country will get a special mention the following week.