Christmas Lunch

Everyone was able to make it this year so we celebrated our friendship and "connection" at our Christmas lunch hosted by Lisa. We had a healthy feast (well maybe not the desserts ...) some bubbly and lots of laughs as usual.

Kris Kringle was fun with everyone bringing something quite different and Colleen's Christmas Tree made of fabric and lollies being the talking point of the day I think.

Get Together at Anne's

We had a productive day when we got together at Anne's. Louise was finishing off her daughter's crochet skirt and Anne was knitting some more on a child's jumper. The others were busy too. Colleen brought us lots of stories, gorgeous fabrics to show off and a necklace each from Bali.

Leita was sewing up blocks galore on her latest quilt, inspired by a pattern and starter kit from Amitie. When she had a bunch sewn she trialled setting options. Which do you prefer? Stars or pinwheels?

Results of my sewing binge!

Finished.  Phew!  Sewing binge over the long weekend done.  Machines away.  This is what I did - one dress and two tops.

The dress is a pattern I bought from Ballarat Patchwork and is called the Claire Cami Dress.  You can make it any length from a short top to a long maxi dress.  I made mine knee length.  Perfect for one of those hot summer days that we're sure to get very soon.  I bought the fabric from that well known large fabric shop from their specials table.  Didn't want to spend too much money on the first dress in case I didn't like it.  And I actually ended up sewing the armhole facings on backwards too.  But ultimately I am very pleased with the result.  I can see myself making this pattern several more times.  My daughter has already requested one for Christmas.

The tops are New Look 6870.  The second top was made with the leftover fabric from the dress.  I bought too much and didn't want to waste it. These are tops number 4 and 5 from this pattern.  Love it when you find a pattern you can make over and over making each one just slightly different, in this case by changing the sleeves.

I have satisfied my dressmaking craving now.  And the quilt top is all but done too.  I love long weekends. :-)

Melbourne Cup weekend

I've got the borders sewn on and have started the applique bits.  There's just 12 so they won't take me long. 

Started my dressmaking projects.  Finished one top and started the dress.  Pictures to follow.
It's the Monday before the Melbourne Cup.  Everyone is in bed asleep despite being 10 am.  It's a long weekend for a lot of people. One of my daughters is wagging school.  Hubby has a holiday day, and the other daughter - well she's a uni student - every day she chooses to stay in bed - or not.  Melbourne is divided into two camps today - those who have to work - and those that can get away with staying in bed.  And of course all of Melbourne has tomorrow off, to drink and gamble (!)  Sewing is a much healthier way to spend your time, in fact why don't we have a public holiday dedicated to all things crafty? instead of a silly horse race? :-)

A national holiday dedicated to sewing, crafting, or reading.  A national stay in bed and relax day.  One day where we weren't allowed to even think of doing the dishes, but dedicate ourselves to the things we love to do.  I think we'd all be better off.

Friday Update

Thought it was time to post some photos of what we're making.  I've been auditioning borders for this quilt which I bought as a block of the month quite some time ago and am slowly finishing it off.  The above photo is of the border recomended on the pattern.  Too heavy I think and takes away from the central stitcheries which afterall should be the main focus.

I have decided on a much narrower black border and then another border in gold which matches the gold already in the quilt.  You can't see it too well here because the light wasn't good for photos this afternoon but I am much happier with this combination.  The gold fabric was a lucky find in my stash.  Looking forward to getting the top finished now and can't wait to try out the blanket stitch on my new machine to applique the finishing touches.  The quilting will have to wait though as this long weekend I have planned to make two tops and one simple sun-dress.  They're already cut out and waiting for me.

Louise showed us this finished top for a quilt she is making for her mother for Christmas.  She has finally found the right backing fabric and will now go full steam ahead on quilting straight lines with her walking foot.  (And maybe a little hand-stitching in the central squares for that extra special touch?)

And Anne did some knitting and showed us some pretty fabric she has cut out ready to make some pot-holders.
More project photos to come soon.  I must remember to carry my camera around more often!

Secret project unveiled!

We made this quilt for our friend Leita as a house warming present for her and her family.  They've just moved into a new house, and of course a house is not a home without a quilt!

We cut, pieced, sandwiched, and quilted in secret.  Over several months we had a lot of fun putting this quilt together.

It's a Joel Dewbury design called 'Pendant Quilt.'  Fabrics from GJs.  Quilted by me.

We finished off the binding on our weekend away.

And finally gave the quilt (and two matching cushions) to Leita on Saturday.  We hope it gives you many years of warmth and colour Leita!

Vickery Retreat - Alexandra