Baby Squares

When making a quilt from two and half inch squares, (as I'm currently doing) the appeal of 3 inch squares is quite strong it seems. Just that extra half inch - and the fact that a friend had gifted me some strips that size, called my name and I had to make some four patches. Beginning with the brightly coloured squares (second from the edge) I found colours that were either included or co-ordinated well. 

The centre went together quite quickly, then what to put on the border? I auditioned reds, blues, greens and then hit on this one that seems to work, perhaps because it links to the centre green. Since I'm also quilting another quilt that is a bit more intensive in the specific repeated pattern, the simplicity of the orange peel quilting and spineless feathers, which I really enjoy, made this a far easier and quicker finish. 

Here's a close up of some of the bright colours:

And I am so fortunate to have such wonderful friends who share their scraps, or pieces of backing they don't currently have a purpose for. Another friend gave me this cute sheeting that just seemed perfect for this baby/child quilt:

So I guess its on to the other works in progress now - amazing how much fun a small (this one's 45 inch square) quilt can be, very satisfying. I'll get the binding on and pass it on to my friend whose new baby grandson came three weeks early and has spent some time in intensive care.  

Until next time,

Lynn

Generous Scales

Have you heard the story of 'The Rainbow Fish'(c) ? It's a children's book by Marcus Pfister and was originally published in 1992 in German. I didn't know the last 2 facts about it but it seemed only fair to check out who wrote it since I was making a quilt featuring the fish itself.

If you ever want to show children the merits of sharing, this is a great book. It has as its hero or heroine, a beautiful fish which has sparkly scales over its body like this:

The story begins with the fish feeling very proud of its shiny scales (I'm paraphrasing here) but when others admire it, the fish rather jealously guards its scales. The Rainbow Fish, however, begins to realise that its one thing to have admirers, another to have friends. And it begins to give away some of its shiny scales to other fish around it, like this:

If you look closely, the fish in the centre is offering (in its fin) a shiny scale to another fish. 

Where am I going with this fish tale you ask? I have a gorgeous niece who is turning two at the end of this month. Here she is enjoying an ice-cream (almost as big as her!). 

I don't know about you, but in my experience, nearly two year olds sometimes have difficulty in spontaneously sharing with others. So for her birthday, she is receiving from me, a copy of the book and a quilt showing the same story. I was fortunate to spot a panel at our major quilt show back in May this year and so I put it aside to work on at the last minute - no one else does that I'm sure. 

I also wanted to make another quilt with half square triangles - such a versatile pattern I find. But when I looked again at the panel, I realised that the colours I had chosen for the half square triangles seem to complement pretty well. Hurrah, I had my borders beginning to formulate. Of course things don't always go as easily as one might hope, so many calculations, fiddlings and such later, I had the shapes coming together with four extra fish at the corners. 

I have had such fun quilting this - from the stipple in the 'sea', to the swirls on the extra pieces needed to be added to the half square triangles so that the corner fish would fit nicely (sometimes I can see the benefit of a kit all put together and carefully measured by someone else). I even checked into my stash and found a fabric that seemed to have a scaley kind of pattern to it which I thought could work quite well for the backing:

But, as is often the way, I didn't quite have enough, so I used some of the white floral that I'd used on the front as a central piece. I don't think 2 year olds are too fussy about that kind of thing. 

So there you have it, the story of the Rainbow fish made into a quilt for a precious little girl. If you have any littlies in your life I hope you check the story out, it's a beautiful story and book. And of course there are others in the same vein. 

Now, to just put that binding on and sit to hand sew it tonight - lucky its only a small one, not bed sized. I imagine it may get dragged about, shared with dollies and the like, but that's what quilts are for, to be used and enjoyed. 

Quilt Stats:

Size: 40" by 43"

Wadding: 60% cotton; 40% polyester [great for the washing machine].

Thread: Embroidery thread for the top; Superior for the bobbin. 

Until next time,

Lynn

Baby quilt and runner

The novelty squares that were once in a panel are now surrounded by sashing, quilted and bound. Its quite bright, but since its for a second child, perhaps the slightly older one (around age 2) will enjoy it as well. Its always such a boon when I can use my stash as I did here. The panel was in a remnant bin for only $2 (AUD) and then in a second hand shop I found the backing sheet also for $2 (AUD).

Its a simple stipple but with all that colour going on I think simple is best. And then around the yellow border I just had to do a bit of a swirl. 

This is the backing - sweet for a new born, I really like Winnie the Pooh and Tigger! And it was just about the right size, just that two and half inch border needed at each end. 

This is the for grandchild of a friend. Nice to be able to make them for others since I don't have any grandchildren yet. 

Another simple make is this table runner for another friend who has her 65th birthday tomorrow. She has a cat and liked this fabric when I made a runner for my sister-in-law. This is an easy frame of squares and the quilting also just echoing them. Sometimes simple is best. 

Hope she enjoys it. 

The border fabric adds a touch of class - makes it look almost Egyptian. 

Well on to the next project!

Until next time,

Lynn

Hopscotch

There's something about the simple layout of these strips of colour that reminds me of the childhood game of hopscotch - the one where you put a marker on a paving stone and then hopped around the other pavers on one foot to pick up your marker.
I pieced the yellow, teal and grey pieces a few months ago but hadn't got to do the quilting until more recently.

Thanks to the inspiration of Leah Day - (she has a quilting pattern like a scroll that then goes off in different directions), I did a double circle instead, that looks a little like balloons heading off into the sky.

Balloons headed for the sky

I also tried something Leah recommends/uses herself when it comes to quilting - leaves the feed dogs up and simply puts the stitch length on zero. I tried this and sure enough, works like a dream. While I can't say I've ever had much in the way of tension issues anyway, this method would eliminate those.

I've backed it with a piece of batik that I've also had for a couple of years I think.

Backed with a piece of batik from my stash

And so tonight I'll be completing that binding. I like to do that by hand, especially on a smaller quilt. It's very relaxing and satisfying to finish a quilt in that way.
This one is probably destined for a baby - (I seem to come across quite a few) though not a particular one as yet.
This is one finish for the year that I've had on my list for a while so it's good to complete one and cross it off the list. Now, onto the next thing!
Until next time,
Lynn

Goal One, Tick

Feeling quite pleased with myself as its only January 12 and I have my first finish for the year. I feel even better knowing that I didn't even start it until 2016 either. (I just won't think about the couple or so from last year that I haven't yet completed, but they will have their turn).

I'm agreeing that a good name is 'Pink Lemonade' (thanks Bonnie), a simple half square triangle baby  quilt.   

Seems like whenever I go outside to take a photo of a project the wind comes up. It could have something to do with the time of day I complete things and try to capture them. Perhaps I should try in the mornings but when I've just completed something I want to take a photo right there and then. 

I also wanted to make sure I had it quilted today so that I can pass it on to my friend tomorrow. And again, wouldn't you know it, my machine just didn't want to co-operate. I figured it was probably due for its annual service anyway and having done all I could do (new needle, oil, cleaned everything I could get to etc) I just surrendered and took it in to be serviced. I sure hope it comes back on better behaviour. 

So I attached a darning foot to my old faithful basic Janome, dropped the feed dogs and gave it a go, doing a simple loop all over. I don't have a long arm, or access to pantographs, just me and my guiding hands.  Thankfully its a small quilt (34" by 42") and it worked Ok. 

You can see a close up here which also shows that I machine quilted the binding using a little zig zag stitch for a bit of variety: 

As I was trying to use up some fabric that I had already used for at least one quilt, I didn't really want to go out and buy more pink or something that would work for the backing. So I decided to just piece what I had left over. I think that worked Ok. 

I'm going with the thought that certainly the baby won't care, or be aware what she is lying on and I think her first time Mum will just be pleased with the gift. And I'm pleased to be completing project one for the year - win all round!

Until next time,

Lynn

Linking up with One Monthly Goal. 

Pooh and me

I've had a wonderful week - a few days spent in one of the best places on earth to me - Goode Beach in Albany. It's about a 4 and a half hour drive from Perth, but such beautiful coastline.

As you can see from the photo, it was a quiet day at the beach, other than a woman in a black and red bikini. She inspired me that my 'shocking pink' bra wasn't too different from her two coloured two piece. And it was my 55th birthday, so what did I care? I stripped off and entered the opal like turquoise water - it was magnificent - refreshing but quite warm and I revelled in it. The only other woman I passed as I returned along the beach was so busy searching for a signal and then talking on her mobile phone I don't think she'd have noticed if I'd been in my birthday suit!!

So to home after a restful stay with a friend there whose home has magnificent views of the ocean - very peaceful. And back to my 'Pooh bear' quilt for a friend who is due to deliver her son in March. 

I've now added the binding and the stipple quilting in the squares plus a daisy on the nine patches. I took my 'better half's advice' - (he really does often know best) and used a flash inside with a 'day time' globe. Getting better at the photos. I do enjoy the free-motion quilting and gradually am improving, as everyone says it just takes practise, practise, practise. 

I'll link up with Confessions of a fabric addict. 

Until next time, 

Lynn