Easy Weathervane Block Tutorial by Bee in My Bonnet

Another week, another block. 

This time the Easy Weathervane Block by Bee in My Bonnet. While I agree in theory this is easy, I really struggle with the small blocks, much prefer the larger finished size of 10-12" square. This one finishes at just 6.5" x 6.5" unfinished. 

If you wanted to try the same block in a bigger size, another Quilt Block Boot Camp member suggested this one by McCalls which is 12" x 12" square.

I struggled a little with the requirements in the tutorial. If you are more methodical than visual, here is what you need (excuse the likely late night quick photo in bad lighting!): 

• 1x 2.5" square centre (strawberry) 
• 4x 2.5" square middle sides (gingham) 
• 12x 1.5" square for the corners (strawberry) 
• 20x 1.5" square white 

Really not sure that I will be rushing to make this one again but honestly it was good to know that I will happily avoid small and scrappy blocks!!

See previous posts here:

1. Joining in - with Raspberry Kiss and Hearts
2. Economy block
3. Cross Stitch block
4. Pinwheels 
5. Flying Geese
6. Tic Tac Toe 

Solstice Star Series, Ribbon Star by Fresh Lemon Quilts

Another week, another block - this one is from the Solstice Star Series by Fresh Lemon Quilts. This one is called the Ribbon Star. It was a fun one to make. 

Really need to make some things with all these little (and big blocks). I need a some days in the sewing room to just pump out some cushions, bags, hangings, runnners or what ever I end up making with them!

See previous posts here:

1. Joining in - with Raspberry Kiss and Hearts
2. Economy block
3. Cross Stitch block
4. Pinwheels 
5. Flying Geese
6. Tic Tac Toe 

Ninja quilt for a new baby boy

A friend asked me to make this quilt as a gift for a soon to be born, baby boy. They are obviously into martial arts and would love a quilt made from ninjas with strong colours of black, red, cream and grey. 

The range is Year of the Ninja by Scott Jarrard for Riley Blake. 

I debated over what I was going to do for ages but then decided to keep it really simple - just 5 inch squares and basic straight line quilting. 

The binding is one from Sew This and That (a Brisbane based store I recently discovered that is fantastic!). It is called Marcus Fabric's Quartette Collection and is a lovely cream and black and I love how well it worked together. 

Hope the little guy loves these dragons on the back - surely they would cause nightmares!! I quilted it with Aurifil 2600 silver and just love how it looks on the back. I can't believe it doesn't have any tucks but I will take a look at some basting spray for a smoother finish.

Before I finalised the design, I played with the idea of a disappearing nine patch. Rather than waste my efforts, I turned it into a little cushion and used the awesome zip insertion tutorial by MsMidge for the back. 

Welcome to the world little one and I hope you grow up to be a ninja just like mum and dad!

Open Wide Zipper Pouch - glam style!

When my swap partner - Leanne from Sewn by Leanne - told me her fabric colour was orange, I might have panicked. I really don't have ANYTHING in my stash that is orange. Other than this single solid piece of cotton (which is quite thin, possibly a poplin?). I wanted to make something with her favourite colour so decided to use it for lining a zipper pouch.

I used the Open Wide Zipper Pouch by Noodlehead tutorial - I use this technique so much now! And decided to go glam with this navy and gold fabric I picked up from Spotlight. 

This one is much bigger than the other little hexie pouch I made. Perfect for storing sewing supplies or even could be used as a clutch for a day out. 

Hexie zipper pouch

I'm very guilty of sewing just a few extra things when I do swaps. Just can't help myself. 

I've been looking at making a hexie (english paper piecing) cushion for my daughter. I have well over 100 probably close to 150 little 1 inch hexies made now. I remember Ros from Sew Delicious had made a little mug rug with hexies but thought I would try a little pouch. I really like the more modern spaced look rather than joined together. It was a good way to try the method before making something bigger.

Check out my inspiration board on Pinterest for all sorts of ideas with hexies.

The pouch is only small (whoops didn't take measurements before I sent it but the zip is probably only 6 inches so about that size). 

I adore this sewing themed fabric from Cotton Factory. Not sure if it is on the website as I bought from Instagram. Probably should get some more as I know I will love using it for swaps and myself!

Lined with a very bright Kona solid - Pear from my Aussie Kona Club by Handmade by Emily.

Popped a few little goodies from Daiso in the parcel too. 

Hope my swap partner likes it! If she is anything like me, another little pouch is always handy.

When Quiet Play meets Hour Basket and matchstick quilting ...

You may have seen this shared on my Instagram. I hope that everyone will indulge me when I gush over this one! Have you created something that you are just so incredibly proud of? That you look at and think 'I actually made that!!'. Well this in my project.

I made this for a swap - my partner was Leanne from Sewn by Leanne (go and take a look at what she made me and some crazy silly photos I sent her which are now out there - eeeekkk lol!!!)

Leanne shares my love of Cotton and Steel. Her sewing space is in her kitchen (mine is my bedside table!) so I was mindful not to make something that was too out there and could happily sit in a kitchen or sewing space.

I saw this amazing paper-piecing by Kristy at Quiet Play and knew Leanne would appreciate it (ya kinda want the person who receives it to know about the hours that goes into it!! Not quite as easy as it looks!). 

This is the panel when I finished. I decided it was a bit flat. It needed something but I wasn't quite sure what. 

I haven't mastered free motion quilting yet but when I googled straight stitching, I stumbled across the idea of 'matchstick' quilting. Basically straight(ish) lines really close to each other. 

It gave me the opportunity to play with my new Aurifil cottons (thanks to MsMidge) and I went to town with all the different colours. I can't even begin to tell you what amazing texture this gives the basket. You just can't help but touch it. It does have an added bonus with the handles standing up nice and firmly there.

All it needed was a little more C&S for the lining. 

Honestly, I can't even begin to describe how hard it was to send this one. Lucky it was going to a very deserving person (seriously I'm joking here people!).

Stay tuned in the next few days as I share the other couple of things I made to add to the parcel. 

Tic Tac Toe block by Blossom Heart Quilts

I'm still plodding along with lots of different types of block for the Quilt Block Boot Camp. Learning so much each and every time - ironing seams open versus to the dark side and the scant 1/4" seam versus a 1/4". I've learnt that quilting is WAY more exact that clothing is. WAY more!! 

I loved doing this one - the Tic Tac Toe Block by Blossom Heart Quilts. I could totally see an entire quilt made of this one. 

See previous posts here:

1. Joining in - with Raspberry Kiss and Hearts
2. Economy block
3. Cross Stitch block
4. Pinwheels 
5. Flying Geese

I've done loads more - just need to take photos. I'll do that in the next week and share with you.

Denim owl bag for me!

I know I probably have other bags I could use but when I decided I need a simple tote bag to carry my lunch to work in (doesn't fit in my handbag), I decided I had to make one. My design requirements:

• quick - I think this took an hour?!?
• no interfacing or mucking around, so I choose denim and reversed it
• a little embellishment using this cute woodland ribbon and owl buttons from my Sew Box
• and a lining that screamed me - the linen with owls from the Sew Box

You can see my unboxing video with the Woodland themed box from June here. I was pretty excited about this one. The denim was from a previous month. 

Here is what I came up with!

I think these buttons are my favourite part!! I may hoard the others I have left.