Play time

I'd like to say that my absence from here is due to me having lots of time to play with my new toy, but unfortunately it isn't, just down to normal family and working life. I did manage to steal an hour or 2 to grasp the basics of the Janome, under close supervision of Digby who kept on requesting which stitch to try next. I must admit I think I am a little bit in love with it already and I haven't even managed to break open the wrapping on the quilters kit yet!

Since buying this beauty I have been banished, well when I say banished, what I actually mean is my sewing machines, cutting mat, general sewing bits and pieces and a small mountain of fabric.
For the past 6 months or so I've been sewing away happily in the comfort of our bedroom but the husband has requested that I move it all back into the spare room aka 'The sewing room'. Hardly banishment but I will miss the great light and the space our bedroom offers for general stitchery and machine fun. Wish me luck in organising my controlled chaos over the next few days.

A new toy :o)

After months of umming and ahhing I've gone and bought myself a new toy. My old machine is perfectly capable of doing the basics but it doesn't have a drop feed, walking foot, embroidery foot. It really is that basic. Plus it was given to me - over 5 years ago now. So I really deserved a new toy. Honest.

I ventured out to my local sewing machine shop yesterday with a budget in mind on the pretense that I was only looking. Which I did. It was today that I actually spent the money ;o)

Finally after hours and hours and hours of internet 'research' and being told to step away from the computer this morning by my husband, my mind was made up. It's a Janome DXL 603 - with the quilters pack. Now I have that all important drop feed, walking foot, embroidery foot and many, many more things besides - I just need some time to play with it!

A rug for my mug

I've seen loads of these little mug rugs around blogland recently but haven't had the inclination (or time) to make one - until yesterday. It only took me around an hour or so - with a little bit of 'help' from a smallish child.

Digby helped by choosing some scraps for the bunting from my scrappy bag. Her only wish was for the bright yellow binding that I had lurking in the bottom of my sewing box. A piece of leftover white and a bit of batting later, along with a touch of hand quilting, and it was finished - just in time to put the kettle on.

Inspiration was from here. It gave me an opportunity to try to perfect perfectly mitred corners and binding sewing. I'm not going to show either of those off on here though - lets just say I need more practice!

Tweet Tweet Complete!

Yay! I managed to finish the Tweet Tweet quilt yesterday. My finger certainly appreciated that final stitch in the binding - I still cannot get my head around how long it took to hand sew.

I'm really pleased how it has come together as I had no real plan in mind. I 'winged' it, made it up as I went along, learning lessons along the way too.

The finished quilt measures approx 82 x 58 - plenty big enough for a single (twin) bed and perhaps a double at a push to be used as a throw/runner. I'm still unsure where this is going to end up - Digby did have a pink room when I started, now it's yellow with lots of other brights. In the meantime it is on the sofa with a small sicky child snuggled under it.

Ow and how much time!

Ow - my finger hurts from hand sewing the binding on to the Tweet Tweet quilt. This is the first time I've hand sewn the binding on, last time with the Pat Bravo quilt I managed to do it on my machine, but this time round it wasn't playing properly so I reverted to good old fashioned techniques.

A couple of hours in and I can't believe how long it is actually taking - surely there must be a quicker and easier way out there!

Saying that I'm at home with a sicky child and nothing better to do so onwards I go. Hopefully the quilt will be finished later today with pics to follow.

Owwwww! ;o)

Tweeting

Ages ago - well last August really - I fell for Moda's Tweet Tweet range by Keiki. Determind to make a quilt for Digby (eldest daughter) I started off by purchasing a charm pack. We waited patiently for said charm pack to arrive and then carefully (me) and not so carefully (her) set about picking out our favourite prints.

I added 6 half yards to the charm pack and began to piece a central panel during the first week of the school summer hols.

Then due to a big bout of illness by Stingo (youngest daughter) the quilt was put on hold. Digby continued to pester but then forgot all about having a new quilt.

Several months have passed, illnesses banished, bedrooms re-decorated and the Tweet Tweet quilt still remained just a charm pack strip pieced. That is until this weekend!!!

That determination I had back in August 2010 re-appeared and 'Hey Presto' what do you know but I finally finished the quilt top yesterday. A spot of straight line (actually no where near straight if I'm honest) quilting today and it is almost complete, just need to hand sew the binding.