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