Improv Blocks - the perfect choice for work procrastination

I should have been working but....

I thought I would play in my scrap bag.  I started out thinking I would make a needle book using my scraps but my blocks sort of grew.   I found this piecing method very addictive.  No measuring and in most cases I just sewed the scrap I had on to the block and trimmed it up afterwards.  

Now what to do with them?  Do I just keep on going making more and join them together for a quilt?  Are they bags? My scrap bag overfloweth so there is no shortage of scraps!

I loved doing them so much I know I will do more.  Any thoughts?

An Up-Cycled Linen and Doily Quilt for My Sister

This is a secret project I have been working on over the last couple of months for my sister Jane (nothing happens quickly round here) for a significant birthday.  

It is made from old embroidered pieces, a vintage irish linen sheet and tablecloths.  I also added a little of the light blue essex linen and a pink shot cotton I had in my stash.

It is quite big 180 cms by 180 cms.

The quilting was done by Sue Burnett on her long arm quilting machine and the binding is a Liberty tana lawn.

Some pieces were family pieces and others have been collected over the years at op shops.  This cat is one of my favourites.

The back also involved some piecing.

Jane now has her quilt and we are enjoying a lovely extended girls' weekend on the Sunshine Coast.  Bliss!

Modern Baby Quilts

Adrianne from On the Windy Side made these two beautiful quilts as samples for an upcoming quilting class that she will be running at Stitchbird.

The pattern is the same for both quilts but the choice of fabrics give a totally different look.  That is why as part of the class Adrianne will cover fabric selection and use of colour, prior to the sewing days.

By the end of the course you will have learnt how to cut and piece your quilt top,  sandwich your quilt and quilt it, and the final step of sewing your binding on.

More information on the course is available here.