First Skirt Variation

 

 I have now started experimenting with some of the variations on my A-Line skirt pattern. I am really happy with this. It took a little longer to make, especially the cute little frill at the bottom, but well worth the effort.
I love the bright fabrics!

 

The orange slicks of colour were cut on the bias, so I had to refresh my memory on how to make continuous binding.

 

Not sure why the bottom fabric looks flouro green, but it definitely lime green with a small white dot.

Zipper installation went much more smoothly with this one, thanks to the tips I received from the lovely dressmaker who sold the zippers to me.

 

 Not sure I want to risk getting paint on this one at work.
 

The really cool thing is that I have lots of REALLY bright fabric scraps left over to use in future patchwork projects.

If you're an Aussie, I hope you had a great Australia Day weekend.


FNSI

Well, I tried to work on one of the variations of my skirt pattern as I joined in on Friday Night Sew In. However, I also had one eye on the tennis. Roger Federer is a favourite of mine and he was playing world number one. Thre Australian Open is popular viewing in our house. With Nadal in front, I just couldn't focus on tracing out a new pattern, so sat down and added (almost) two rows to my Violet quilt. This is a very large border and as I have been working on other projects, is taking a while.

Two thirds of the way there.

Hope you time to sew a little this weekend.

New Skirt Fabric and Block 9 Finished

Last night I completed block 9 in my Toes In The Sand quilt. All caught up now and ready for block 10 to arrive.

I found these fabrics from Finder Keepers, the closest patchwork shop to home. I'm ready to start some variations on my skirt pattern.

Thought I would start with these ones tonight. Still perfecting zipper installation. Got some great tips from a dressmaker this afternoon. Hopefully practise will make perfect.

I'm making the most of the last few days of the holidays.

Will work on these ones next.

I'm joining in with Friday Night Sew In? Are you. Click here to sign up.

Summer Skirts

Recently I saw some simple skirts made in lovely bright fabrics. Unfortunately I didn't really like the price on the tag. WAY too expensive.

Then I saw this book in Spotlight and decided I would have a go at making one myself. The last time I made clothes for myself  I was pregnant for the first time. That baby will turn 21 in March. So...it's been while. A simple A-line skirt can't be too hard...right?

There was a bit of experimenting involved, tracing the pattern, making the lining, trying the lining on for size...ooops wrong size. More pattern tracing...hopefully the right size this time. Another lining made and this time it fitted. Hooray! Finally confident to cut out the skirt fabric and begin to sew the skirt and put a zipper in for the first time in years. Here is the result.

I made this one last night. This morning I went back to the shop. This time looking for fabric to make one to wear to work. Something a little darker and more practical .....did I mention I work with children. Light coloured clothes and young children, never a good combination.  I made another adjustment to the pattern and this one fits really well. 

So now I'm keen to try out some variations on the pattern. There are seventeen to choose from in the book. Not that I will need that many.

More Toes In The Sand

I am a little behind in my Toes In the Sand BOM. Ok....I've had two blocks sitting on my sewing table waiting to be stitched and another on its way to my letterbox. Time to catch up. 

Tonight I completed block 8.

Scrappy Maverick Stars Finished

The last few days I have been working on my scrappy Maverick Star baby quilt. I had a few ideas on how to quilt it, but in the end went for a diamond pattern.

I thought it might look a bit flat just making pink stars, so I threw a green one into each row.

I did cut out a stack of one and a half inch squares to make a scrappy border. However, when I sewed it on, it seemed to draw your eyes away from the stars. So I decided on a scrappy binding instead. I had just visited Crazy Mom Quilts and saw the  tutorial on machine binding and thought I would give it a go.

I was a bit worried about how the corners would turn out, but they weren't too fiddly. I would definitely consider sewing binding on like that again.

This quilt is going to Cheryll who organises Blankets of Love.

This is my first finished project for 2014 and I have just emailed Peg at Happy In Quilting so I can join in with OPAM again this year. Its was great to be part of OPAM for the first time last year. It really motivates you to get things finished and nice to pop around to other people's blogs and see what they are doing.

I could hear thunder rumbling late this afternoon. No rain yet...but hopefully tonight. Our lawn is SO brown and crunchy from the relentless heat and lack of rain.

Hope you are getting some work done on your sewing projects...and if you need it like we do...lots and lots of rain.



Maverick Stars

I purchased these books months ago and have been keen to experiment with some scrappy quilts. It's amazing what you can with the tiniest pieces of farbic.

 

I was checking out Kevin's blog and got to see the reveal on his amazing Celtic Solstice flimsy. If you pop over, you will see he is also working on some Maverick Stars. I followed the link and decided this would be a good project to start using some scraps.

 

 

 

I have made eight blocks so far. I don't have a lot of scraps, so I went with a plain background. Lots of fun. This is going to be a baby quilt.

 



 

First project for 2014

I stitched this little project on the way to the beach. I always enjoy making Christmassy projects in January. More time to relax and enjoy.

I have also been working on the third side of the hexagon border of my EPP Violet quilt. Nice to work on this project again. Up to row fourteen of twenty four. 

Can I just add, this is my first post created on my new iPad. A Christmas gift from Mr Stitch. I've had a few technical problems getting used to uploading photos etc. Thought the teenagers would be able to help. However, they were no use to me and I'm proud to say I displayed uncharacteristic patience with technology and worked to out myself!!

So nice to sit in the comfort of a lounge chair while blogging rather than an office chair in front of the computer. How lazy do I sound?

Wishing you all a happy, healthy and project filled 2014.