Bowtie Block Quilt

The Bowtie block lends itself to so many desings and styles and it's so quick to make.
I have used it in so many quilts, I am beginning to think it's one of my favourite blocks.

I made this quilt for a male friend who loves browns and blues.  I think it will look fabulous in the decor of his study.

All the fabrics came from my stash and I have been keeping the brown background fabric for a long time; it's the perfect choice for this quilt.



The photo below was taken indoors, so the fabrics look different with artificial lights.
It's been so great using the HQ18 ; having the option to quilt my own larger quilts has removed completly the hesitation in just starting a new project, knowing that it won't just sit as a UFO.

Because my friend lives outside Australia, I decided to do the back of the quilt with an Australian flavour. He'll certainly appreciate it as he has visited here before a couple of times and was very inpressed with this art.

So, what should I work on next ? Still have a few tops to be quited, Farmer's Wife Blocks to make into a top, Barbara Brackman's blocks from last year's blog to make into a top, want to make more bags, pincushions, other cushions, mini quilts, etc, etc.... Love it all !!!!

Bag and Cushions this week.

I haven't made a bag for a while, so picked up these fabrics recently and there you have it !

 

The pattern is a modified version of the pattern "Frenchy Bags" by Ami Butler I had purchased years ago.  The button is ceramic hand-made from my collection.

 

I also made a couple pincushions using a fabric folding technique I learnt many years ago; I want to try a few other blocks which resemble origami techniques.



When I completed my Swoon Quilt  recently I had lots of leftover blocks which I used to make up this cushion.  I have a lot more left to use on further projects.

Noddy wants to show you my newly purchased fabrics.

My friend Lynne who works at the fabric store enjoys tempting me when she gets new fabrics .  I got a lot of their perfect quality discounted fabric for backings and a selection of different styles from Riley Blake, to fresh modern, Reproduction and even non-traditional Christmas fabrics.   What can I say; I just love them all !

Fun weekend of sewing !

 I had a fun time this past weekend. No work commitments just sewing and socializing with other quilters. The group was small enough to get to know people and it was lovely to see girls I had not seen for a very long time and looking at everyone's projects. 

 

 

The girls from The Quilted Crow came down from Tasmania and organised a fun day they called "A Gathering in the Barn" at the home of the well known "Quilts in the Barn" exhibition, in Wonga Park, Victoria.

The shop specialises in Civil War Reproductions and wool applique. They brought along many of their quilts to display, fabrics, kits and other goodies to tempt us.  

We were given four patterns and a needlecase kit  and I ended up buying a large quilt kit and some wool pieces for my stash.


Most of the girls completed their needlecase kit but I had another wool project I had prepared at home.  I don't know if you can see it in front of me what it looks like ...

So here is a close up of the flowers after I completed them at home the next day..

 

Sunday was mostly another sewing day but this time in my studio. I had a well known quilter for company.  Can you tell who she was ?

This is Bonnie K Hunter from Quiltville, who does a Quit-Cam and links up via her blog with anyone who wants to see her sewing, giving tips and talking to us. This is the first time it's been recorded, so it's great to be able to view on demand for those who can't be online when she is live in her sewing room. So while she sewed and chatted to us,  I sewed these blocks and actually completed them and they are ready to go into my next quilt.

I guess it's fun to share our passion with a friend... that's what my daughter does with her kitty Noddy.... He looks like he's enjoying the practice session.

More Quilting and Kit Top Completed

Quilting, binding and label done on this quilt I made for my mom.
I'll be visiting her in a few months's time in Portugal and presenting it to her. These are her type of colours and will suit her home decor.

 

I freehand quilted these blocks and stitched in the ditch around the blocks.

 For the stripped border I did a freehand scallop but for the large floral border I used a continuous line pattern that I used with the stylus.
I have been going through my stash and setting aside large pieces of fabrics to use for backings and in spite of this one not being one of my favourites, it was  put to good use.

So, another quilt done, 10 more (and counting) still requiring quilting.
I am pleased that with each quilt that I complete, it has better workmanship than the previous one and I have increased my skills and techniques.
I have to accept that while I spend time on the Handi-Quilter, I can't be completing tops at the same rate and it's better to take my time and enjoy the process...

Having just said that, I did complete a quilt top;  the medallion is hand applique but the rest of the blocks were done on the machine.

I had purchased this kit years ago at the International Quilt Festival in Houston so it was about time I made it up.

I found that the triangle border did not quite match although the HST are exactly the way the instructions stipulate. It's not going to be a show quilt so I am not concerned about it. 

I have been meaning to show you a couple of areas in my studio so finally took some photos one evening.

I like being surrounded by things that inspire me.... my fabrics, my music, words....

And looking out to my garden and the sound of the birds....

Next time I am hoping to show you another top I have started and will have another quilt in the frame....
So until next time, be creative and feel free to comment...