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

It's a weekly wrap! Whoop Whoop!

Happy Friday all and everyone!

A massive thank you to all of you wonderful people who have started following my blog and for joining with me with my Block of the Month this year! #WDBOM2016

If you haven't read about it Please do here, we are having lots of fun

Now since I announce the block of the month, parts of our country have been going through terrible bushfires and many have lost their homes.  One kind soul has started making little quilts and she is using the 9 patch blocks that we are doing this month,  so many of the people doing my BOM are enjoying it so much they are making a few extra blocks for fun and sending them to Shari.  If you would like to help here is the link to A hug from a stranger there is also a need for backings and wadding and thread for quilting so if you can help with only support it would be greatly appreciated.

Firstly I am on the final stretch of this quilt which has been in the workings for a bit over a year!  

Sorry only a sneak peak until it can be finally revealed.  But let's put it this way I'm doing a happy dance! I am loving the finishing stages!

Today I spent helping my mum make this cute little tote.  My mum is 89 and one of her GrandDaughters gave her a little stitchery which was to be made into a tiny cushion but we decided a cute bag for mum was in order.  I have just got back from entering this and some other things of mums and mine in our local show for tomorrow.

We will go for a visit to see lots of lovely arts and crafts and to catch up with several people.  

Looking forward to having a good time there.  

Oh and a little weird selfie of my new glasses, it's great to be able to see properly again!  Doing a Whoop Whoop for them! And they are lovely cool glasses not boring and conservative like I normally take.  

And this little baby quilt is for the  Very snuggly quilt program . Ido the machine quilting on some of the smaller ones to practice and become better at my machine quilting.  Oh and did I mention it's lots of fun!

And look at these lovely charms that are on their way to me from my friend Kathi, you might like to check out her Blog and all the wonders she has been doing   I can't wait to see these in person and be able to start my fun project with them!  Stay tuned to see how they are going to be used!  It will be heaps of fun to be sure.

So I hope you have had a wonderful week like me, and until the next post. Have fun quilting or creating and be sure to go over and read about all the Whoop whoop at confessions of a fabric addict! And also A quilted passion  I love linking with her when I get the time!

all the very best for today and the weekend,

Wendy

January - Block of the Month is here!

Its Here!

Let me firstly explain why I have chosen the 8th to release this BOM first block to you all.  

On this day in 1919 my father was born, he left this world nearly 11 years ago.  Whilst I miss him daily, I look around and smile at all of the little anecdotes and quips he has left me with and it makes me remember all the times we had with great fondness.

So now lets get to the BOM!

I have decided to do one of the most traditional blocks known and one that everyone can achieve great results and on its own it makes a wonderful quilt.  I am talking about the 9 patch block.  I was traditionally made with 5 dark colours and 4 light colours or vice versa.  

This block was made as it was portable, quick and made up into wonderful quilts for the people moving west.  Talking about moving, I thought we would take a journey with this block as see what we can create keeping this block in mind.  The 9 patch is the common link in this BOM but we will look at lots that have derived from it and make them.  For this the first one you may wish to make one  keeping it neutral so that later on we can add appliqué on it saying BOM 2016.

So lets look at what we need.  Now you know your block you can decide on the fabrics you will use.  You can also decide to do this on machine or by hand.  I have done both.  I have made the blocks 12" finish so after they are sewn here they will measure 12.5" leaving the .5" for the seam allowance when sewing into a quilt.

both machine and hand pieced blocks

final layout for machine pieced

layout for hand piecing block

For your block you will need to cut out 9 pieces each at 4.5"  decide if you want to use only two or three colours.  You can play with the colours as I have done to see what you like best.  If you want to test your lights and darks change your photos to black and white mode.

 -firstly lets look at the machine pieced block:-

  

layout your block and take to the machine this way you know which pieces need to be sewn to what, do each row

1/4" foot fitted and ready

make the stitch length a bit smaller

quarter inch being sewn

see the quarter inch seam

chain piecing

one row sewn

Press your seams to the dark side read to sew the rows together

making sure you nest your seams

Then sew the rows together taking care to nest the seams

how nested seams should look

final block

wrong side of block 

now for the hand piecing block.  I have used my rotary cutter to cut the 4.5" blocks and I have use the perfect piecer by Jinny Beyer to mark dots for my quarter inch seam allowance, you might like to make a template or even just use a 1/4 ruler to mark you sewing line

I only drew on five of the block unit pieces

Marked ready for sewing

ready for sewing

Pin pieces 

start sewing at the first dot or the intersection of your lines

do a running stitch along the 1/4'

progressing along

one seam sewn

two seams sewn

sewing the rows together

coming to  the junction of the seams

sewing through the seams

completed block unpressed

Remember to check that your block measures 12.5'   this will help later if it is out your quarter inch is either out or your cutting.  

Now let the fun begin, please if I have left anything out just ask, and be sure to post this on the Wehago Designs Quilting Community Facebook group or on Instagram with a #WDBOM2016,  I look forward to doing all of the variations of this block with you and building on the skills you have.  I am so excited to see everyones creations.  Remember if you do not want to make a whole quilt of them just make a placemat or a bag, even a table runner.   All I suggest is we have fun and create together.

Ok everyone, lets go and have some quilt stash fun!

Waiting on you blocks,

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