An Impromptu Excursion

Anne, Lisa and I went to the Quilts in the Barn today.  Many quilts both modern and traditional in the theme of red and white. 

It was the perfect setting.  A red barn filled with red and white quilts. A cup of tea overlooking a green paddock. A sprinkle of rain just to remind us that spring isn't here just yet.

Even the tablecloths were covered in red and white quilts, (under a layer of clear plastic).

We were much inspired. Is it time for another group challenge?  How about red and white?

Twiggy Dress

I made this dress a month or so ago and have been wearing it ever since.  It's the 'Twiggy Dress' pattern from Style Arc patterns.  I don't know why it's named this as I am definitely no Twiggy! It's made out of a winter knit and I wear it with tights and a long sleeve t-shirt underneath.  It has just enough curvy-ness in the princess seams to be flattering and the neck and sleeve bands can be made in a contrasting colour if desired.
I am definitely going to make it again as it is currently my favourite dress.  This time in a summer cotton.
Check out Style Arc's website as they have a lot of really up to date patterns, that are drafted in ready-to-wear sizes and measurements.  I am currently making their cargo pants and so far they fit perfectly so no fiddling with crotch seam and waist adjustments as I usually have to do with other commercial patterns.  The bigger commercial pattern companies are still using 1950s proportions, and I don't know about you, but I no longer have a barbie doll figure.
The only criticism I have is that there aren't many instructions with the patterns so they probably aren't aimed at beginners.  But so far I am loving the style and the fit and the no-fuss one size patterns, so I will definitely be buying more from them.

Queen Anne's Lace scarf

I finished this scarf.  Just in time for Melbourne to turn on some brilliant Spring weather.  Of course being Melbourne I know she's just tricking us and there will still be plenty of chilly days to come before the onset of summer.

Louise got the free pattern from somewhere online and passed it to me after she'd finished with it.  I made a few modifications and added some dangly bits.  I've now passed it on to Anne...

New Cushions

This week I have made two cushions from class samples - one from long ago (New York Beauty foundation piecing at Gail's in Ballarat) and one from recently (Harlequin Stars foundation piecing using freezer paper from Ballarat Patchwork).

I didn't think I would make quilts to go with these blocks so cushions seemed a good idea. The New York Beauty one has the addition of some Alexandra Henry Heath fabric in black which I love.

It feels satisfying to have some more UFOs completed!

Things I've learnt about thread and needles

1. If the machine is not sewing properly, 99% of the time it's either the fault of the thread I am using, or the needle.

2. To always use good quality thread in my new sewing machine.  I found out that sewing with poor quality thread results in uneven and puckered stitching.  (I bought 12 new rolls of top quality thread from ebay, and my machine sighed with relief - it did, honestly!)

3. Use the correct needle for the job when it's needed.  Ball points for knits, jeans needles for denim etc.  But at the same time have lots of universal needles in different sizes on hand because they really do sew most things.

4. Blu-tak the needle container to the side of the machine so I remember which needle is in use, and I can pop it back in the right place to re-use if it still has some life left.

5. That sewing machine needles have a life of about 8 to 9 sewing hours.  And that they are designed to bend or break when put under stress, so that the machine is not damaged.  If you suspect the needle is old, your machine is skipping stitches or when you start to hear that popping sound - it's time to change the needle.  (Skipped stitches could be a sign of wrong type of needle too ie. to sew knits you need a ball point or stretch needle - a universal needle will skip stitches on these fabrics.)

6. That it is okay to use polyester thread for piecing if it works best for this project, or universal needles for quilting if that's the needle on the machine.  I do whatever works best, there are no hard and fast rules.

More charity quilt blocks

This week we met for a couple of hours on Saturday afternoon to make some more charity quilt blocks.
 We started these some time ago and decided on a couple of different themes according to the fabric scraps we had to hand.  A 'manly' quilt using the darker and more neutral patterns, a 'ladies' quilt using the florals, and a children's quilt using the brights and motif fabrics.
Here's a close up of the children's...

 and the neutral blocks...

17 finished blocks!

We managed to finish 17 assorted blocks on the afternoon to add to our already considerable pile.  Hopefully we'll eventually make enough for 3 quilts to donate to those who are in need.  This quilt as you go method is very easy and great for using up scraps, and can be done by a group who are also busy drinking tea and having a good chat...

Run out of thread?

Recently I was all set up to do a paid sewing job when my sewing machine decided it didn't like the cheap thread I was using.  I had been given it for the job along with 4 cones of overlocker thread.  I didn't want to spend time fiddling with tensions on my machine and I didn't want to have to make a car trip to go and get some better quality thread.  And then my eyes set upon my overlocker.  I had been given 4 brand new 5000 metre cones of white thread.  I hadn't run out of thread, I had 20,000 metres of it!
I was using these for seams with the overlocker so why not the sewing machine?  This thread was good quality.  But how to get it off the cones and onto something that could be used on the sewing machine?  I could wind it onto some spare bobbins, but how?  I needed a telescopic thread stand, so the thread would wind evenly.  The overlocker came to the rescue again.  I placed it back to back with the sewing machine, and leaving the cones where they were, threaded one of them through the sewing machine's thread guides and wound lots of bobbins. 

To sew, I used one bobbin on the top and one on the bottom.  Problem solved.