Simply Serene Quilt is Finished

The main goal that I set myself this month was to complete the Simply Serene Quilt that I started at Scrub Stitchin’.  

All that I achieved then was to make the half square triangles, so I had a fair bit more to do this month.

I used a variety of plaids and related prints.  Some of these have been in my stash since I first started quilting in the very early 2000s, others have been thrifted or gifted to me in scrap bags.

Having the design curtain made the process so much easier.  After a bit of a fiddle, I had the lay out sorted.

Next. it was time to decide what to use for the setting triangles.  Some versions I have seen have the cream, others one constant plaid.  In the end, I decided to use a variety of the plaids.

Then, it was the tedious task of joining the blocks into rows and the rows all together.  No, I wasn’t going to attempt the webbing method for this one.  That's looking better.

Next, it was time to add the borders.  I had plenty of the cream for the first one, but not enough of the red for the second one.  A bit of a look in the stash revealed this russet brown that I had acquired somewhere along the way.  It had obviously been an offcut from a backing, as it was double width with a seam in the middle.  The border width was determined by the dividing the fabric left after cutting the binding strips by four.  It worked out perfectly, with nothing left at all.

I was liking the way it looked and thought it would need a rather blokey quilting design.  The one I used came with the software for Elly May, my quilting machine, and I think it suits it perfectly.  Cowboy bits and bobs are not something I would usually add to a quilt, so it is a nice fun design to have a play with.

The backing was made from various offcuts of a wideback from Spotlight.  The colour is a charcoal that is much darker than it is showing here.  I have used it a few times before and I also had some that came from a destash.  A great way to use them up.  I still have yardage for future quilts.

This quilt will be another donation quilt.  I hope the recipient likes it as much as I do.

And, of course, the outside photo.

Mick felt this one needed to have a photo shoot by the potting shed.

Before handing it back to me to fold up.

QUILT INFORMATION

Measurements -70" high x 50" wide

Pattern - Simply Serene by Pleasant Valley Creations.  I made it a bit smaller than the original.

Fabrics - All from stash, much thrifted.  

Quilting Design - Cowboy Essentials by QCT6

Batting - Cotton/Poly

Backing - Left over wideback from Spotlight and a destash

Thread - Glide - Warm Grey 4 on the front and Silver on the back.

Another June Finish

It seems that I am on a roll, already having a second finish for the month.  In my June Wishes post, I said that I would like to finish the Solid Fat Quarter Quilt and that it would take all of one day.  Well, I made that happen.

This quilt was my planned project for Scrub Stitchin', using fat quarters that I had purchased at a charity market stall and a very simple, yet effective pattern.

I managed to get the top pieced while there, which I was rather happy about.

Once we returned home, I made my Main Goal for May to have the quilt completed.  Well, sadly, that didn't happen.  

I did get it quilted, but was too distracted with other things to get the binding on.

Happily, now I can share a fully completed quilt.  It may be later than wished, but at least I can tick it off the list, and yes, it only took one day.

My quilt holder upperer did a stirling job as usual, having to balance on a stool, as the quilt is so long.  You can see the backing in this photo and I used the same fabric for the binding, which was added by machine.  

This quilt will be donated.

QUILT INFORMATION

Measurements -72" high x 47" wide

Pattern - Color Study by Kristene Peterson from Fons and Porters Scrap Quilts Magazine (Spring 2013). A very simple pattern using 2 1/2" strips.

Fabrics - Fat quarters purchased at a charity market stall

Quilting Design - Basketweave by  My Creative Stitches

Batting - Cotton/Poly

Backing - Left over wideback from Spotlight.

Thread - Glide - Medium Grey

Stitching Recap for April

I know I'm running very late with this, but it is a handy reference point.  

Firstly, I completed 40 butterflies.

Then the Blossie Basket.

My Batik Fish were appliqued, which was my Main Monthly Goal.

The Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks were made.

The book pouch was completed at Scrub Stitchin'.

The Solid Fat Quarters quilt top was completed.

I did make a start on the Simply Serene Quilt.

I made quite a bit of progress on the crochet Corner to Corner rug.

Finally, I did the tension swatch for my alcapca jumper.

And that about sums it up for April.

Scrub Stitchin’ - Part 9 - The Final One - What I Worked on

Finally, we are at the end of these posts.

So, what did I work on?

Firstly, I started on the Batik Fish appliqué.  My grand plan was to do a bit each day, so I wouldn’t get sick of it. Well, I worked on them on Wednesday, in amongst lots of chatting and catching up with everyone and having my first ever massage.  (I’ll be doing that again next time if she is there.)

I thought I would have them completed by lunch on Thursday, so kept going.  I underestimated things, and did’t get them finished until late that afternoon.  Here I am working on the very last stitches.

I was one very happy camper to have that job completed.  It won’t take all that long to get the quilt top made, once I have a play on the design curtain.

Next, I worked on the pink Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks.  They are always a nice and easy thing to do.  I didn’t need to make any crumb blocks in April.

Then, it was time to start piecing the blocks for the Solid Fat Quarter Quilt.  I had everything cut into strips, and colours paired, so it didn’t take too long to get the blocks made and the next day I had the quilt top completed.  I’m really happy with how it has turned out.

While working on those projects I pieced another twenty pairs for the Bonnie Lass. Quilt as leaders and enders.

The final project I worked on was the Simply Serene Quilt that was one that Chooky and Jo planned for us.  All I did was make the half square triangles.  I needed a design wall for the next bit, and there wouldn’t be time to get the quilt top together.  It was simpler to leave that till I got home and played with my design curtain.

Finally, remember those fabrics and zip that were in our goodies bag.  Well, on Friday afternoon, in among  all the other goings on that day, we were given the instructions on how to make a book pouch, using a new to us zipper insertion technique. Just about everyone had theirs completed on the weekend, which was a first.

There were a few of us left on the Sunday night and we had a lazy tea of leftovers.  It was a nice relaxing way to end the week.   I did get quite a bit of my crochet corner to corner rug worked on.

So lots to show for the weekend, with plenty more to do once I returned home, not much of which has happened.  It will, all in good time.

We had a nice drive home on the Monday, with wonderful scenery, as always.

It was fun to see the new train that will be replacing the XPT doing a trial run near Dubbo.

And we knew we were nearing home when we started to see the autumn colour in the trees.

In conclusion, it was a fabulous time in Baradine with a wonderful group of people and we can’t wait to return for the next event.

Scrub Stitchin’ - Part 8 - What I Took Along and Brought Home

In the lead up to Scrub Stitchin’ I decided to make a little something to pop in each of the goodies bag.  I made little butterfly magnets, a project I have made quite a few times.  It was great fun playing with colour combinations and then they were an ideal project to work on at my stitching days.

A “kaleidoscope  of butterflies” is what Mr Google informed me.

Or alternatively, a “flutter of butterflies”.  Either sounds nice.  I had fun playing with them on the fridge.

All packed up, ready to take flight to Bardine.

For my swap gift, I made another Blossie Basket.  They are a fun little make. 

Now for what I received.  My swap gift was from Sue and was a very handy mug bag.  This is something I have been wanting to make and haven’t got around to.  The one I made about 20 years ago is too small.

It held lots of goodies.  I particularly like the fact that there was a souvenir teaspoon from the Great Ocean Road.  

I was also the lucky recipient of one of the random lucky door prizes, being a mini jelly roll.  Very handy.

And, to top it all off, I received a gorgeous, personalised project bag from the American ladies.  The embroidery was by Phyllis and the bag construction by Deana.  This will be very useful.  Thanks ladies.

The last post coming up next.