Marking your quilt with a Hera marker!

Well firstly I would love to thank Sew and Sow Farm for hosting this monthly link up with tips and tutorials.  I always say I should do them and find myself becoming busy, well this is making me try and do one a month for you.

Today I would like to talk to you about one method I have for marking my quilts.  One of the main ones is with a Hera Marker and because I am using it at the moment I thought it appropriate I show you how I do this.

Hera Marker with my template with my Aurifil 12 wt thread in background

A box hubby gave me and this makes this task possible whilst the quilt is on the frame

So how does this work, firstly I place my template where I want to draw the line

template in position

next I hold the wooden box on my knees under where I want to mark the line.  This gives a strong and hard surface for me to press the marker onto the quilt

drawing with the Hera Marker

a better angle for you to see

The Hera marker leaves creases in your fabric, no worries about getting marks out later.

creases in the top after marking

Sometimes you may need to adjust your light to get the shadowing effect to see the line but this is not a problem

Here is a few stitches on the needle

And here is a cool photo of a few blocks already quilted.  I love this marker and I am sure you will also.  I am really grateful that the fat quarter shop are on board with link which is being hosted by Sew and Sow Farm.  If you are interested in the Hera marker you can check out one here at the here at the fat quarter shop, and also a big thank you to Aurifil my favourite thread for sewing and quilting

few blocks quilted

This is a book I purchased a few years ago, it is invaluable to me.  This version is not available now but there is a newer version out which is just as good.  If you want ideas on quilting this is ideal, it is good for both hand and machine quilting.

a great book

I hope this has answered some of your questions regarding marking your quilts.

Be on the lookout for my Block of the Month post this week and I look forward to seeing all of your February blocks.  I will do a little post of your blocks also this week, it will be great to see them all together.

So until then, happy creating,

Wendy.

Bushman's city visits

Hello Everyone!

I seem to have been missing in action!  Unfortunately the last quilt I have just finished you will have to wait about three weeks before I can possibly show you.  All I can say is I am excited.

This week looks like it will be a binding week for my three finishes for this year!  Whoop whoop! and a Whoomp!

But lets see what the main concentration is on at the moment!  I am loving this range and it is Melba from Emma Jean Jansen!  If you do not know who she is, take a look at her website, Im sure you will agree she is a wonderful Australian designer and her fabric ranges are superb, just take a look!

Bushman City Visits Quilt

I have designed this pattern last year and it was using a flower range and I wanted to try it with some of our wonderful Australian flowers.  The block I designed I have named Rhonda's love, dedicated to a loving quilting friend who left this earth last year.
The Pattern for this quilt will be available as a PDF download or as a booklet later this month on my new and upcoming website!  I am so excited with the little things I will be offering to everyone

close up of the quilting design 

I decided that this quilt needed some curves added in so with a bit of a twist I opted for a spiral, in each block and it is giving the whole quilt a wonderful look.  I am using Aurifil 12 wt thread and a small Shashiko needle for the hand quilting.

here is the quilt after a few rows were completed.

another close up of the work with my trusty clover adjustable thimble

At this stage it looks like this quilt will be taken off the frame on Monday some stage.  The latest will be Tuesday.  I am then planning on binding these two and finishing some background quilting on another before binding.   My quilting area also needs a new tidy and reorganisation for the coming year.  I have found these really cool containers that fit perfectly in my shelves around my sewing table that hubby made.  So next week I will take before and after photos for you.   I will also reveal a few fabrics that will be cut up during the year and made into more quilt tops to come to life.

New fabric brings excitement

I am showing you my latest fabric to the stash.  It is this years Kona colour of the year called Highlight.  Its just an awesome yellow and I can't wait to start to put together the top with these lovely charm packs by Moda:- LOL by Me and My Sister Designs

                                                  Dot Dot Dash by Me and My Sister Designs

                                                  Sanibel by Gina Martin

                                                  Moxi by Studio M

This was a challenge from Molli Sparkles on his Sunday Stash Blog so I couldn't resist showing you all.

Please go and check out the following blogs and the other blogs linked to them for lots of eye candy.  I am linking with Molli Sparkles Sunday Stash
                            Sarah from Confessions from a Fabric Addict
                            Zenia Rene from A Quilted Passion

I would love to give a huge thank you to these bloggers for their time and their linky parties.  It is such fun to see what everyone else is doing.

Oh just a reminder that my Block of the Month no 2 will be out next week, and incase you missed no 1 have a look at it here.

Now until my next blog continue to have a wonderful quilty or creative time,

Wendy

Gathering the fabrics and Tools for BOM 2016

Are you ready?  Did I hear a yes?

Well today I gathered my fabrics and tools ready for the BOM post on Friday th 8th.

Notes firstly for machine piecing:-

Firstly I would recommend that you put a new needle in your machine and ready your bobbin, oil and clean the machine if you haven't done it lately.  For piecing I love to use a 70/10 needle in my machine and I love to use 50 wt Aurifil. I mainly use grey thread to piece with as it blends with every fabric. 

Next I would like you to raid your stash and take 3 X 2.5" squares and sew them together to check your 1/4" seam allowance.  After sewing please place it under the ruler like I have done here.

It should measure 2.5" X 6.5".  If it does your 1/4" seam is correct, if not please turn over and check your seams and adjust your sewing line on your machine to achieve this measurement.  This is important so that you achieve the correct sizing of all your blocks.  In a block with a lot of seams if this is out then your block size will be different size by the time you finish and then none of your quilt will go together very well and you will be tearing your hair out.  So preparation to make a quilt can be more important than anything else we do. 

Checking of the quarter inch seam

Notes for hand piecing if you choose to use this method:-

Gather your tools, I still cut my pieces by rotary cutter and use this little guide by Jinny 

Beyer called the Perfect Piecer but I have also included a 1/4" ruler which can be used also to mark your sewing line.  I like to use grey thread as I stated earlier and I like to use Aurifil 28wt to do my piecing with plus I like to use my John James quilting no 11 needles but I don't want you to just go and copy me, please use what you are normally using. 

Lastly gather 3 or 4 fabrics for this months block and press them if they need it ready for the cutting.

Notes on the fabrics:-

I have gathered 17 fat quarters for my quilt, I may end up added more and it will mainly be from my stash so most probably be solids etc.   I do not ask that you buy this amount of fabric either. Some will be using their stash and that is great.  Now a little hint on your fabrics, I have selected quilte a few with neutrals and a few little wows. Try and have a bit of a balance, don't use all the same value as it is good for the eyes to have lights and darks and mediums. Also I have got fat quarters so using jelly rolls etc may be possible but you won't be able to use for all blocks as some will be bigger than what you can cut from a jelly roll. But you will be able to use smaller pieces than a fat quarter.  

Now for the exciting hint:-

On Friday our journey will begin! Are you excited? Are you ready?

I hope so as I am.  What I plan to do is take you on a journey.  Most of this will be about fabric selection, and notes on cutting and piecing and why I like to do things.  I plan to take a block and really explore that block.  I am hoping that you all partake at some stage.

I hear some of you asking why I said at some stage?  Well let me explain, some people are extremely busy and may not want to do a whole quilt but might like one of my blocks and decide to do the block and not the whole quilt, some of you may decide to make a few of each block and make them into table runners or bags or lots of placemats.  See you don't have to present what I give you into what I am doing, I would like you to take what I am doing and use it as inspiration!  

So I hope you are all ready to take on this challenge and catch the journey train with me!

So I hope you all can come on board with me on Friday and don't forget to share either in Wehago designs quilting community, or on IG under hashtag #WDBOM2016 plus if you would like to do it and only want to share on Pinterest please comment here and I will add you to the board for posting purposes. 

So until Friday the 8th, have a wonderful preparation for our BOM!

Lots of quilting fun

Wendy

Santa must have posted early this year!

'

Wow, have I got some news for you!  These lovely fabrics arrived this past week. The ones on the left are a Primrose Sands bundle from  A patchwork quilt  and the ones on the right are a Tula pink bundle from  Handmade by Emily,  I wanted so much to write this blog and share my good news but I have been finishing and creating lots of tops for upcoming reveals in the not so distant future, time has just got away.

I'll explains what I will be doing with these bundles in a few moments but first let me show some of the things I have been doing. 

This week has seen a heatwave come through our lovely country.  With that also a gasp from me - Argh!  I really need some comfortable clothes for these times.  I also need to lose a bit more of the winter flab that is still sitting around my middle. To the hidden dressmaking fabric stash and I found the lovely silk and viscose I purchased a year ago to make some clothes and I spent the second hot day making a lovely maxi dress.  I used the silk on the top and the viscose of the bottom,  it was so nice to wear and now I have designed another for me to try and make during the week but this one won't be a maxi, just a normal length.  

This lovely bundle of Kona arrived from my Aussie Kona Club also from Handmade by Emily, just click on link above for details.  I just love getting these parcels, I chose to receive the metre bundle pack, so I get 5 a month.  There are a few more in my bundle as I was waiting on a couple to be fulfilled because of a back order of the fabric. These are so delicious looking makes me feel like raiding the lovely fruits we have available during our Festive season here in Australia!

I just had to go shopping a couple of weeks ago to get some backing and a couple of other fabrics for one of my future reveals,  so here is a sneak peak of the fabrics and Aurifil.  

Lastly on my show and tell this quilt was a special gift from a very special friend.  What started out as a liking and commenting on each others' quilts' online in a Facebook group has become a wonderful friendship.  Last year Kathi sent me this antique quilt and I was to have it quilted by my big 50 this year, unfortunately life got in the way so I am planning a big finish for it in the next year.  I sent Kathi a special package and if you would like to see it please go and check out her blog post as her parcel has arrived.

Now back to my exciting news and what those fat quarters are going to be used for. 

I am planning to host a block of the month quilt here on my blog over the next year and I would like to invite you to follow me, so you don't miss out.  This will be easy and we will build on everyone's skills from reading a pattern to stretching your colour ways etc.  I am not asking you to buy fabric you can raid your stash now that's lots of fun and a great way to stretch yourself.  I decided to purchase these fabrics for fun and I might add from other parts of my stash as we go along.

So if you would like to join me please leave a comment and we will be starting midway in January.  I am going to have a couple of places that you can share your progress with everyone for fun.

So until my next post in a few days take care and enjoy the build up to the festive season

Trunk show

Welcome to the Wehago Designs Trunk Show! 

Thank you to Whims and Fancies for hosting this link up to the Trunk Show for 2015.  I encourage you all to go and check everyones quilts out here!

Storm at Sea

Storm at sea was made for my youngest daughter for her move from Secondary School to University Study.  I did not finish it until her second year of University.  It measures 93" x 96".  I paper pieced this using the Freezer paper method and I hand quilted this with Aurifil 28wt.  She loves it!

Allison's quilt

This quilt was made for my eldest daughter on her move from Secondary School to University.  she loved pink and green and butterflies.  So this is the quilt I came up with for her.  It is not as big as the other daughters quilt.  And I am in the process of making her a new quilt, it is green and orange with greys.  I am looking forward to finishing it for her next year.

Lana's Quilt

This was a quilt I made for my niece for her 21st Birthday. This was a very interesting pinwheel design.  I was really please with this. It was a lap size quilt.

Another 21st Quilt

This is a bargello quilt I made for a daughters 21st, I actually made two of these in about 6 weeks as I had two 21st gifts.  I hand quilted these also, just simply to emphasise the flow of the quilt.  Both girls loved their quilts.

Josh's Swans Quilt

This is another 21st quilt.  This was made this year for my daughters boyfriend who is a Sydney Swans Fan.  I designed the new york beauty block to emulate the Sydney Opera House which is in their emblem.  I made this into a quillow and I hand quilted this with 12 wt thread from Aurifil.  This quilt was quilted in under two weeks and a week to put together.  It was a few days late for gifting.

Moulin Rouge

This little art quilt is part of a competition called One Red Thread.  This is my interpretation of Bastille Day in Paris with the girls from Moulin Rouge out dancing in the streets.

2015 Pantone colour of the year quilt

This is my Pantone entry for 2015.  I hand quilted this quilt and I call it Time Warp.  I have used reproduction fabrics but pieced it modern and heavily quilted it with 28wt Aurifil thread to emulate a 3D pattern in the hexagon with background like pebbles

Hexagon Royale

Hey Grub! lets fly a kite!

These last two where also using the hexagon trim tool by creative grids like Time Warp.  I love this tool and am always thinking of more ways I can experiment with it.  Both of these quilts were machine quilted by myself

Charm Dance

This quilt was made for someone special to help cheer her up and give her comfort as she has some health issues.  I made this within a week.  2 days to piece it and 5 days to quilt it.  I hand quilted this with 12 wt Aurifil.  I used a large daisy and just quilted a swirly vine between the flowers

Snuggle/floor play quilt

in the snuggle ready for baby

This quilt was made and machine quilted by me also.  This was made for a new born and it has room for her as she grows and needs to play on the floor.  Her mum adores it as uses it all the time.

Thanks again

Many thanks for stopping by and checking out my trunk show.  If you would like to keep up with me and find out about my special quilts which I will be doing in the near future,  just hit the subscribe buttons on the blog side.  Once again have fun and I will catch you next time.

Wendy.

Singing the joys of quilting

I have had the most fabulous couple of weeks with my quilting projects I thought it is worth singing about.  So without any further ado let me show you.

       

I have started a sampler of my hand quilting, it is really quilting fast, this is only 14.5".  I am so happy with it and am hoping to have it complete in about 24 hrs time.  I am using 28wt Aurifil thread and Kona Solids with Hobbs Tuscany Wadding.  It really makes the design pop. 🎉

Once I finish my wholecloth sampler I plan on finishing this Hawaiian Style cushion.  It is also a joy to work on.  With this I am using 12 wt aurifil thread and Kona Solids again with Hobbs Tuscany Wadding.  I really love the echoing quilting, what about you?

I had an order for some more vintage bunting so I got to creating these again,  they are so much fun

Then all of my tea towels had sold out so back to the drawing board for some more cupcakes

Then these delightful will eventually form a new quilt I am creating.  What do you think of this one?

This should have been published a few days ago but I got carried away quilting so here is the finish of the sampler and where I am with my Hawaiian 

Thanks for reading and leaving me a hello, I love hellos! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend as it is the start of our here down under

Have fun quilting, and keep smiling!

Wendy

Back to big stitching -Hawaiian Quilt Style

Earlier this year I was asked to demonstrate my method of hand quilting.  I had been thinking the easiest way to get people hooked was if they could do something that went quickly and looked fabulous.

My idea came about when my hubby noticed a lovely Hawaiian quilt as a prop in a movie.  I started my investigation and thought I would love to try one of these.  Firstly I needed to work out if I was able to do on a smaller scale.  Hence came about my large cushion for the couch.

So back at the start of May I started this as a demonstration and then life and my other projects stopped me from working on it.  I just finished a couple of things this last week so I decided to take a look at this one, just for fun.  I thought it shouldn't take to long to finish and I will then have another project complete.

Found its way to my hoop

this is my Aurifil 12 wt and my Shashiko needle for stitching

After a few needles

adding the echoing around the design

after two rows of echoing around design

A circle in the centre seemed to be fun

echoing of centre circle

starting the inside echo of the design

loving the effect of this coming together

You can see I am having so much fun doing this cushion.  There is no pressure for a finish date just fun fun fun.  At the start of every year I write a list of all of my projects started, and what I would like to start etc. This year I had a list of 29, previous was 20.  Well I did a calculation this week and I have managed to complete 10 quilts, 2 charity ones, plus I have managed to do fmq to a few other little charities for practice. I have done several blocks for swaps and I have managed to complete 4 tops also.  I still have two and a half months left in the year.  I am hoping to be able to complete a lot more in this time.  Today I am linking to Kathys Slow Stitching Sunday.  This is what has been in my hoop today and over the weekend.  Do you love Hawaiian Quilts? Have you tried stitching any?  I would love to here from you so leave a comment and don't forget to follow my blog.

Thanks for the visit and have a fun quilting day

Wendy