Mystery Quilts

(Disappearing Nine Patch Class)

For several years we have run twelve hour classes - yes, you read that right! 12 glorious hours of sewing, eating, laughing, more eating and yet more sewing. No housework, no children, no hubbies.  Fresh baked scones with jam and cream for morning tea, lovely sandwiches, fruit and a cheese platter for lunch and afternoon tea, pizza for dinner.  Yummo!

Sharon came up with the sample for this Mystery Quilt and before we had a chance to put it into our class list - the class was full. We will be running it again in a few weeks time for those who missed out for one reason or another.

The pattern was typed up so that each person had to complete a section, before being allowed to continue.  Some speedy people whipped through some sections, so people got a sneak peek.  We did have a couple of people reach the final part, putting it together, but they had to hide what they were doing while laying their blocks out. 

I had to go to work early, so missed a couple of hours of the class, but when I dropped off dinner I was amazed by how much people had achieved.


Have you ever done a Mystery Quilt?  It takes a lot of courage and trust in your teachers!

Till next time,

Tasha

Over Half Way

When I purchased my copy of the Dear Jane book 15 years ago I loved the quilt because I had seen a photo in a book called Enduring Grace and had already decided that I was going to make a quilt like that one day.  It took me about 5 years to collect suitable fabrics and to feel that I had the sewing skills to start.

I made myself start at A1 and do each block in the order they were printed in the book.  At times I wouldn't touch it for several months and then I would have a little sewing frenzy and get a few more blocks done. 

Then we started running a class at Patchwork Pumpkin once a month called The Jane Dears and I started to get serious. I actually joined two rows together. After that I set myself a goal of 4 blocks per month which I actually stuck to for all of 2011. Over the Christmas break I realised I was half way because I had finished Row G and G7 is the centre block. Since then I have finished two more rows plus some of the border triangles. 

 I am still on the journey but the destination is getting closer.  I am trying not to rush the process now just to get it finished but to savour stitching each block as I go.

I design mainly large quilts but inbetween I like to do some smaller projects too like the tablerunner in the next photo.  I started by wanting to play with some foundation string piecing and it just sort of grew from there. Everything in this tablerunner is leftovers from other projects even the batting which I had to join. The bias vine is black and was a bit stark so I did  a feather stitch along it to tone it down a bit.

It's a really great way to use those skinny left over bits of fabric that some of us find very hard to throw away. I blame my mother - she used to keep paper bags and bits of string.  It's a result of living through the depression and sometimes I think there are lessons we could learn from having to live that frugally.

 I wish everyone a Happy and Peaceful Easter Sunday tomorrow and hope you get to spend it with your loved ones and share a bit of chocolate with them.

Happy stitching from Therese.

P.S. I have finished a special Easter gift for my daughter and I will show photos next week.  I just hope she likes it.

Training and Tarts

For the last couple of weeks I have been in training for the Run for the Kids 5km walk that was held on Sunday, 1 April, 2012.  When I began my training, my wonderful trainer told me that I would be doing the 5km walk and I thought it was an April Fools Joke that he was setting up.  No, he was serious.  Well, I completed the 5km in 52mins and 13sec.  I was so proud that I finished.  Miss C came with me and we had a blast.  Melbourne delivered a beautiful day - not too hot, not too cold. 



So what does this have to do with sewing?  Not much, but I did finish my homework, so I didn't have to give Sharon her $1.  We have finished 5 pies and 1 tart and they are looking fabulous.

Till next time,

Tasha

Batty for Bargello

Well, we have done it and we all survived!  Our first Bargello class was such a success, we are planning on teaching the class again next term.  We were supposed to limit the class to eight students, but when nine and ten threatened to cry we squeezed them in too.

All ten quilts looked so different - some people were not quite sure that their fabric choices would work and others were confident that they would be great. 

It can be a bit of a serendipity experience because when some fabrics are cut into smaller pieces it changes them completely.

Even the ladies who were umming and ahhing during the process were amazed  when they had pinned their strips to a design wall then took several large steps back and saw the effect they had achieved.

Therese here :- It was my first full day back at work and I had to go home and have a "Nanna Nap" afterwards but it was a fabulous class.  Thanks Tasha for playing assistant.

Till next time,

Therese and Tasha

Assorted Ramblings

Another week draws to an end and I am stuffed!  I miss my mum :(  She is such an important part of the business and we all need her to be back on her feet asap!  Thank you to all well-wishers - it cheers her up to know that she is loved and missed!

Have you heard the saying 'if it's not one thing, it's your mother'?  With Mother's Day fast approaching - are you looking to make something special for your mum?  We have a gorgeous kit in stock - 'Roses' - a little bit of applique, some easy piecing and a beautiful stitchery 'take time to smell the roses' and voila!  Check out our website for more details (shhh - it may be on special for a limited time).

We have our How Do You Do Bargello? class tomorrow - it was booked out within days of being organised (just like One Direction tickets! Thanks go to my DD for that comment!)  We will run it again next term and will also do a pattern.  Apparently, it is quite easy to do when you know how.  Isn't that like most things, though?

Sharon and I have a friendly competition going at the moment.  We both love the 'Pies and Tarts' quilt from Patchwork with Busyfingers.  Sharon suggested that we each make a 'pie' a week.  If you don't have your 'pie' finished and appliqued onto the background you have to pay the other person a dollar.  No money has changed hands yet, but we are only in our first week, so things may change soon!  Keep an eye out for some photos of our blocks.

Till next time,

Tasha

U.F.O's and Miniatures

Whew what a hot and humid weekend we have had.  Thank goodness for some rain and slightly cooler temps.  It was so muggy that on Sunday I sat in front of the air-con with some hand stitching and that was about it for the day!  My DD even made lunch for us both as I was too hot to move!

UFO's - we all have them! (Even though some don't like to admit it!) I am not sure how old my oldest UFO is though.  I would love for you to leave a comment about your oldest UFO.

One of our customers came to a marathon class four (or five) years ago and vowed that she would go home and finish the quilt!!  Well, life got in the way as it tends to do.  But she recently decided to pull it out of the cupboard and finish it - better late than never.  Doesn't it look fabulous?

Sharon held her first paper piecing class on Saturday, which was a great success!  I think we have a whole new group of paper piecing fans.  Everyone was impressed with how easy it actually is to paper piece and they were all going home to do some 'homework'.

Till next time,

Tasha

I'm Back

After seeing the doctor this morning I was allowed to come and play for a couple of hours but no lifting or moving anything. And after the pain I have been in, there is no way I will be ignoring "doctor's orders". I have been stitching a little bit at home and drawing up some new stuff that I am itching to start sewing but I just have to be patient.

Natasha tells me that everyone has been asking "how's your Mum," so Thank You for all your concern and Good Wishes.  The Epidural procedure seems to have worked and now it is just a matter of giving my back time to heal.



Happy Stitching til next time from Therese