Starlit Sky

 What comes first- the pattern or the fabric?

As I tend to accumulate fabric at a greater rate than I can sew it, 

it's usually fabric.

I bought the Magneta Star pattern, by Carol at Freeboard Quilting Designs,

with the intentions of using my stash.

But as is often the way, I could not make it work.

So when I recently attended the Sew-In day with Racheldaisy as guest speaker,

I couldn't resist a little fabric purchase, with the express intention to use it for this pattern!

As I played around with possible combinations, I found I need to supplement it with some of my own fabric.

But luckily I have plenty of Aurifil threads to co-ordinate!

I had already purchased three metres of solid on sale from Darn Cheap so that is what I based my purchase on!

Here are some progress shots.... 

lots of half square triangles.

And fabric that reads as a solid!

the pressing instructions are fabulous with all seams nesting beautifully!

I've been playing around with the sashing too!

I hope to have this together very soon.

Happy sewing!

SUZ

Building Blocks

I had a comment from Kit Kat on my last blogpost,

wondering if I had any hints about making my scrappy 

rainbow blocks.

So I thought I would share my process with you.

Firstly I find all my small pieces, either squarish or 

rectangular. 

Notice that they are not perfectly straight.

I start chain piecing three or four 'units'.

I don't press or trim at this early stage, preferring to 

give a good finger press while I build my block.

I'm aiming for a block that is about 9" square,

so I use the ruler on my machine table to keep things 

on track.

Time to press and trim!

Not everything will fit together perfectly, but trimming

doesn't worry me.... 

they are scraps, after all!

As I knew the block was wide enough, I just kept 

piecing to make another 9" wide unit.

I just needed one last narrow unit to get the block up to 

size.

I try to keep the small pieces in the middle of the block.

I don't want them trimmed off to make my block the 

correct size. 

Or lost in a seam allowance once it is pieced with its 

rainbow neighbour.

(If you still have questions, please leave me a comment, but make sure you are not a 'no-reply commenter', or leave your email address in the comment.)

I'm still making scraps, trimming up fabric from my 

Bessie Creek Rd quilt....

Most are larger and may be stored separately, for 

foundation paper piecing or a Scrappy Sandwiches quilt 

perhaps?

I've celebrated my scrap organisation by treating myself 

to some new fabric,

including some new Monika Forsberg!

Happy sewing!

SUZ

Snow in September!

 Yes, it is supoosed to be Spring but various places in 

country Victoria have experienced snowfalls today!

Ballarat, Ballan and Daylesford- taken from Instagram

So it seems appropriate that I work on my 

Snowflake Quilt.

I don't think I shared any of my plans here....

I am making this as a commission for a friend.

I've had to modify the pattern somewhat,

as the recipient required the snowflake to have all

eight dentrites.

So I began collecting and buying more blue solids 

cutting the gazillion squares

and making and trimming half square triangles!

An new blade sure helped!

To help with the gradient of colour I started at the centre....

and worked my way out getting darker to the edges.

Now all that's left to do is join all the blocks together..

And with more cold and wet weather forecast, and 

lockdown continuing,

I guess I will stay home and sew!

Happy days!

SUZ

PS Blogger doesn't play nice anymore- fonts size, centre alignment, uploading one photo at a time- they all do their own thing! I used to be able to write and publish a blogpost in 30 minutes! Not any more!

Enjoying the Ride!

While I hand quilt my Dream Catcher,

And consider borders for my Chuck quilt,

I've been working my "A Wild Ride" blocks!

They are great fun to make...

I only want to use fabric from my stash,

and have loved coming up with new combinations!

I have another nine sets all ready for cutting.

That will take me up to 29 blocks,

with only 19 left to choose, if I make the 48 blocks 

from the pattern.

What are you working on at the moment?

Happy sewing!

SUZ