February Tutorial for the Global Piecers - Wavy Seams

Each month this year members of Global Piecers are sharing a favourite technique as a tutorial, with the aim of creating a mini sampler quilt or table topper with blocks of all the different techniques.  I'm sharing my tutorial here, which is on wavy seams.

I've posted about wavy seams before, when I did a workshop with Jenni Dobson in 2009 and when I did a workshop with Magie Relph in 2010.  Have a look at those posts:

wavy seams tutorial

wavy four patch tutorial

I have also found these interesting posts about wavy seams which give ideas about using them in various ways:

http://www.redpepperquilts.com/2014/05/tutorial-cutting-and-sewing-free-hand-curves.html

http://www.pinkchalkstudio.com/blog/tutorials/tutorial-wavy-seams/

and finally a youtube tutorial which shows how to make a block with wavy seams.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8q0lI3-cyXY

The idea of my tutorial is that you learn this technique and then use it in a way that suits you and your project.  You might decide to make a wavy seams block, maybe the wavy four patch that I did with Magie Relph.  I also thought it might be fun to use wavy seams to piece small pieces of fabric and create the border for your finished project, or the backing.  The possibilities are limitless, just have fun.

I also promised to share a pattern for a foundation pieced pineapple block.  If you had fun with Sal's tutorial on foundation(paper) piecing last month then you will enjoy creating a pineapple block.  Here's a traditional way of doing it:

http://www.quilterscache.com/P/Pineapple2Block.html

While looking for this pattern I discovered another site which I am including here because although their pattern is for a smaller block (6" or 8") they do include lots of different ways of using the pineapple block to create stunning designs.

http://www.generations-quilt-patterns.com/pineapple-quilt-pattern.html

And if you do fancy pineapple but not foundation piecing, try this method by Karin Hellaby:

http://piecenpeace.blogspot.co.uk/2010/08/karin-hellaby-creates-pineapple-blocks.html

This is the first pineapple block I made, I used the pattern in Lynne Edwards' sampler book.  I'm looking forward to seeing what you all do with your wavy seams and whether you tackle a pineapple.  My tip for the pineapple block is to check the positioning of each piece of fabric before you stitch it, it is easy to end up with wonky pieces and gaps in your seams - hold the work up to the light to position the piece of fabric you are adding.  My tip for the wavy seams is to abandon the ruler and even the pins if you're confident enough, and have loads of fun.  Happy stitching Global Piecers.

March 1 - Just Keep Swimming

The inspiration for my journal quiltlet for March comes from several places.  

The text is the most obvious, that great advice from Dory in from "Finding Nemo" is appropriate this month.

But as well as swimming, there is the opportunity to look upwards from the dark and murky waters and see the sun shining down on that water, extending its rays like lifelines.

I have pinned a curved seam, using fabric from February's quiltlet (as per my rules) and some hand dyed cotton.  I am now auditioning fabric for the sunshine and then I will get stitching with gold threads.  

More soon.

In addition I have been making some goodies with batiks for the latest Global Piecers' swap.  We've been a bit quiet recently, it goes like that, but it's good to be swapping again.  These will be for Easter and need to be flying soon!  I can't show more than these pinned pieces, ready for the machine....

Prayer Flags

I have received all the Prayer flags from the latest Global Piecers' swap and here they are together:

This was a quick set up for a photograph, what I intend to do is add the one I made Al for his 70th birthday and the one I made for myself. All seven flags will then be properly strung in the garden rather than quickly pegged to a cane.

Thank you Sandy, Carol, Sal, Ros and Teresa, I love them all.

Where Did That Week Go?

I've noticed that more than one blog I follow has a post called something like, "Where did the week go?" so maybe it's not just me.

The weather has been erratic and we've had to make the most of the dry times to be in the garden and the wet times to do things indoors.  When it's been dry it's been hot and humid, not ideal for any work.

I have been stitching, however, and I have been dyeing.  Tuesday was an embroidery workshop at Country Roads Quilters and I was pleased with my progress.  I blogged about the preparation for this workshop here and now I can share some actual stitching.  It was useful to learn a few tips to keep stitches regular and even but it wasn't the sort of stitching I usually do.

This is more like my usual stitching:

I've just completed this prayer flag for my DS, David, who will be 30 next week. (I know, where did those years go?)

A parcel from George Weil arrived so I mordanted a lot of fabric in preparation for when the urge to dye strikes me, or when I find some wonderful potential dye material.  Exactly that happened earlier in the week when DD, Sara, gave me some eucalyptus prunings.  The mordanted cloth wasn't ready so I made silk bundles and steamed them, this is at the beginning, here's hoping…

I've also been on the computer for many hours this week but not reading blogs, nor writing posts, not even on Facebook or reading emails very much.  I'm trying to co-ordinate a "summit" for some of the members of my Global Piecers swap group.  It seems as if six of us, and our other halves, will be able to get together next Summer so, hopefully, there will be more on that later, we're hoping for a fest of sewing, eating, laughing, talking, exploring and shopping!

Whatever you do this weekend, I wish you a good one, and I hope next week goes a little more slowly!

Flying the Flags

I am very excited as I have finished the prayer flags for the Global Piecers' swap.  The sun came out this afternoon and I was able to hang them in the garden before packaging them up and sending them flying off around the world.  I've used one of the photos as my new header!  I know I promised to share my progress with these pieces but I have been so inspired by them (and the weather has been so wet) that I have been sewing almost continuously since I started.

I'm obviously not going to say which flag is going to which lovely lady but they can have fun guessing.   Written on each flag are words summarising my prayers for each person.  Here's a close-up of one of the flags:

The prayer flags are all similar in style and make up.  In in my previous post  I explained that I wanted to use global fabrics for the Global Piecers.  In this flag you can see persimmon-dyed linen from my sensei in Japan, eco-dyed silk that I dyed in Japan (using materials collected at the foot of Fuji san), batik fabric from Africa and the zebra button was made in South Africa, there are small pieces of vintage kimono silk, some of the streamers are recycled sari silk from India and the lace is from Malta.  The flags are all hand stitched, except for one line of machine stitching to attach the streamers.

Slow stitching!  As I said above I have been stitching by hand,  hour after hour, day after day. These flags hold my prayers, in some cases my tears but I hope I avoided adding my blood.  My fingers are severely punctured.  I wish I could get on with a thimble but I can't and some of the fabrics, especially the batiks and the kimono silk felt as if I was sewing through concrete.  At one point the fat end of a sashiko needle, complete with perle thread, was embedded in my middle finger!  I got through seven needles.  I don't mind a bit.

I hope the ladies like their prayer flags, I have loved making them and I must add a big thank you to Angela Daymond.  It was during her slow stitch workshop a couple of weeks ago that I realised what we were doing with her was perfect for making the prayer flags, thanks Angela.  I'm now looking forward to receiving my prayer flags from around the world and hanging them in my garden, more photos will follow, and have just heard that one lady is planning to string her flags under her avocado tree!!  Wow, I'd love an avocado tree!  I do recall growing a stone, supported over water by cocktail sticks, many years ago.  It did shoot, grew about three inches and then died.  Maybe it's time to try again.

Prayer Flag Swap

What a lovely afternoon I have had after the rain eventually saved me from having to do anymore work in the garden.  The veggies are all in and have been getting a lovely soak while I've been playing in my sewing room.

The current Global Piecers swap is of prayer flags.  One of our members suggested the idea and a quick search on the internet provided loads of inspiration, including The Prayer Flag Project.  We were all enthused and keen to start being creative.  As well as our swaps we regularly exchange messages on our Yahoo group, several of us are on Facebook and some of us even see some members in real life!  We support and care for each other as well as stitch for one another and send chocolate.  The Prayer Flag swap seems especially appropriate.

I started by pulling out a pile of fabrics and possible embellishments.  I had a few criteria in mind:

a.  as many natural materials and natural dyes as possible, I feel these will be more in tune with the flags blowing outside and gently disintegrating.  I have cotton, linen, silk, dyed with indigo, woad, persimmon, daffodils, weld…

b.  fabrics from around the world, as the Global Piecers are around the world, I have textiles from the UK, Japan, Africa, Malta, India…

c.  the flags to be along the lines of boro cloth, lots of pieces joined together to make a new piece. 

My next step was to sort the fabrics into colour piles:

Then to cut a piece of backing cloth.  I'm using cotton muslin (from Dunelm, £3.49/m 137cm wide, thanks to Angela for this tip).  The agreed size for the flags is 9"x7" and there is a 1.5" hem at the top for threading the flags together.

Next I decided which colours suited which Global Piecer.  I wonder who is orange?

And who is blue with a flash of yellow and gold?

Do you think you might be receiving a purple prayer flag?

Lots of tearing and placing and pinning later and I have six prayer flags laid out.  I shall leave them overnight and see how they feel tomorrow.

Then I shall make any adjustments necessary and tack down all the pieces.  Then the fun really begins as, after a quick line of machining to attach the streamers to the bottom of each flag, I shall be slow stitching each flag which will give me plenty of time to think about the recipients.  Running stitches, couched threads, a few simple embroidery stitches, then the addition of some special words.  I will share as I progress but, of course, I can't reveal to whom each flag will belong!

Beach Huts and the Seaside

I made good progress with my projects while I was away in Norfolk. I finished a block and a mug rug for the Global Piecers' swap, while I can't show you as I only posted them off to South Dakota today.  On the first day I also did the centre of my beach hut quilt:

I was pleased with how it went together as the last time I did an Attic Window block it was a bit of a mess. This time I was very much more accurate with where I stopped and started the stitching. 

On day two it was a fairly straightforward process to add the border fabric, with four more mitred seams. 

I now need to make the "quillow" part of the project and get quilting. 

It wasn't all stitching though. I was joined by Sara and Sam for the weekend and we were joined by the sunshine so headed to the beach. 

Plans for a Quilting Day Alone

Next week we shall open up the Bach (yippee, Summer's coming), and then I shall treat myself to a sewing day there. 

I have been auditioning "Spring" fabrics for a Global Piecers' swap and I've rediscovered a beach hut/seaside themed quilt project I bought all the fabric for a few years ago. Those two projects should be enough to keep me busy. When the seaside quilt is finished it will live at the Bach. 

What are you doing this weekend?

Friendship Quilt

Today I have finished my quilt made up of birthday blocks received from my friends in the Global Piecers (plus a block I did in a Pat Archibald workshop at Festival of Quilts).  I have posted about this project at various stages. I struggled with the busy-ness (is "business" correct, it doesn't feel right?) of the blocks and got some good advice from Wendy at Camelot Crafts about introducing somewhere for the eyes to rest, in the plain black frame around the blocks before the border. There is a mix of hand and machine quilting and I incorporated some of the extra fabric I was sent in the sashing and in the detail on the back of the quilt. The label is a little tray cloth that fits the leaf and Autumn theme. Thanks GP ladies, I will be thinking of you all when I use it. 

Heart Block Swap Progress

The current Global Piecers swap is of heart blocks. The idea is to remind each other that people all around the world are thinking about us, praying for us and simply there for us, especially when life gives us lemons. I imagine most of us will make a wall hanging with our blocks so that we can see it every day.

I can't reveal who these blocks are for and haven't shown one as Sal wanted blue and white hearts and so it would be pretty obvious which was heading her way.  I've had a lovely afternoon hand stitching the blocks and thinking about the people they are for. Each block is 6.5" wide unfinished and a multiple of 6" plus half an inch long, this should make for an interesting layout.

Tomorrow I am off on a jolly with DD. We are going to Stitchcraft Studio in Grantham (at long last, it's been open over a year now). The trip is mainly for Saz but I expect I could be tempted, watch this space.

A Quilting Jolly

I've had a great day out today with the local branch of the Embroiderers' Guild.  They had organised a jolly to Threads and Patches near Milton Keynes and I was able to join them.

It was an early start but we were greeted with homemade cake (chocolate cake for me please) and coffee and then settled down for some really useful demonstrations.  Time for a tasty buffet lunch and then shopping!  Here are some of the ladies queuing to pay for their goodies.

I stocked up on 505, was tempted by a pattern and fell for a Dresden Plate ruler that was demonstrated during one of the morning sessions.  Rulers seem incredibly expensive (I'm embarrassed to tell you how much this one was) but for something like Dresden Plate, that needs to be so accurate, they are worth buying, and it is a block I like to make.

The plastic things at the bottom of the photo are Bob-Eez.  These were demonstrated for use in making kumihimo, they hold the threads clean and tidy and also weight them slightly.  I only bought eight but if they work well I will need to buy a further eight.

"What about fabric?" I hear you cry.  Well my haul was of mixed pink FQs and a couple of metres of cream on cream.  Wasn't I restrained?  The pinks are for the next Global Piecers' swap which will be of hearts blocks as a reflection of the love and support us quilters have for one another.
I was impressed with the selection of fabrics available at Threads and Patches (they also have other craft materials, wool and a longarm quilter who works on site).  It's definitely worth a stop if you're in the area.

Not the Wedding Quilt!

I made a short diversion from the wedding quilt today to sew a block for the Global Piecers' birthday swap.  I won't show the whole block as I don't want to spoil the surprise for Sandy but it is now en route to Florida where I hope it is a bit warmer than it is here today.  The winter temperatures have returned, with frost and freezing fog, after a few Spring-like days.  For the birthday block swap we have all given our preferred colours or style and on our birthday should receive a block from each of the GPers in the swap, such fun.  It would be lovely if they go together well enough to make a lap quilt or small wall hanging.  I have a long wait for mine!

On Tuesday my quilt group, Country Roads Quilters, are having an Open Day.  This is a photograph I took at our last meeting of L-R:  Fenella, Di, Diane, Sabine, Trish and June and it has been published in the local papers with a small press release so I hope it attracts a few new members.  We are now meeting in the village hall at Sibsey and so have room for some new quilters to join us.  I don't think any of you are close enough to join the group but, in case you know anyone who is, the press release follows below with the details.

Come and Quilt in Sibsey

A small group of patchwork and quilters have been meeting in Sibsey since September 2011.  Country Roads Quilters are now inviting new members to join them and will be holding an Open Day in Sibsey Village Hall on Tuesday 15th January.

Lis Harwood, a founder member of Country Roads Quilters, told us,

"We are a friendly group of patchworkers and quilters now meeting at Sibsey Village Hall on the third Tuesday of each month. In these larger premises we are able to invite prospective new members to bring their current stitching project or they are welcome to just come and meet us. We will be working on our own projects and will have some finished items for visitors to see."

Country Roads Quilters are also delighted to say that Wendy Strode of Camelot Crafts in Friskney will be at the Open Day with a wide selection of fabrics and craft items for sale.  Tina McEwen, also a founder member of Country Roads Quilters, said,

"We all love Wendy's shop as she has such a wonderful selection of fabrics, threads and other interesting items and she is always so willing to share her ideas and expertise with us.  We are delighted that she will be at our Open Day."

Visitors are welcome between 10.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m. and are invited to bring their current quilting project with them and a packed lunch if they are able to stay for the whole day.  Tea, coffee and biscuits will be included in the £2 admission to the Open Day and full membership details will be available on the day.

Christmas Traditions

My international group of quilting friends, the Global Piecers, are currently discussing Christmas traditions in their various families and countries.

As Advent begins, I thought I would share some of the things that Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without for me.  The Advent calendar and Advent candle is one of course, counting down to Christmas Day.

I love getting all the decorations out and remembering where they came from, when DS or DD made them, or remembering DH's mum or thinking of my parents when we hang decorations that were theirs.  I love this so much that I don't understand how people can get everything new each year, maybe in a completely different colour scheme but I think that a lot of people do (judging by the trollies full of glitter and bling in the shops).  We do buy one decoration each year, always an angel and often from a different country or a new place in England that we visit.  Al brought an angel home from NZ with him last month, a beautiful glass one.

I then hang all the angels together on branches of willow and dogwood that I "weave" through the stair rail.  I add small lights and the whole thing has been christened "Lothlorien" (from LOTR) by the children.

There are food traditions too.  I suppose our longest standing tradition was started by my parents many years ago and continued by my sister and I and now by our children.  We always have a Christmas breakfast of smoked salmon with lemon, scrambled eggs and brown bread and butter, with orange juice, champagne or a mixture of the two according to preference.

One year when my sister and I were still at home my mother decided to have a buffet rather than a cooked meal on Christmas Eve and she lit the house with candles.  It was magical and really heightened the anticipation and wonder of Christmas Eve.  This hasn't become an event that happens every year but sometimes, when enough of us are together, we will have a Christmas Eve Candlelit Buffet.  This year will be one of those years and I'm excited about it already.

I love thinking of us all around the world, thank you so much Teresa for starting this thread on our Global Piecers' group site.

A Patchwork of Sorts

Daddy made me this "patchwork" box and I have filled it with what I hope will be cosy bedding for all the little helpful minibeasts that need some protection over the winter.  If I don't get any tenants I think the box makes an attraction addition to the garden anyway.

I'm also in the process of making cosy bedding for Sal and her DH who arrive on Thursday.  Sal is one of the Global Piecers and was my first swap partner in Fiona Marie's Great Global Christmas Swap, I'm very excited about meeting her in real life at long last.  I'm just hoping she's started to acclimatise to our Autumn temperatures, it's a bit cooler here than in Australia.  Watch this space, there will be photographs taken!

Parcel Delight

I had a lovely surprise this morning, which was great as it's a very wet and windy day (but not as bad as in Tokyo).  I received my goody bag in the Global Piecers' sewing bag swap from my partner, Sandy.  Not only had Sandy made me a wonderful bag in lovely fabrics, she had filled it with all kinds of yummy things including fabric for an apron, a crocheted necklace, magazines, sewing gizmos and these lovely coasters:

Sandy was really kind and put in a little something for my beloved Sam:

Thank you Sandy, I love it all and it made my day opening the package and discovering all the lovely things you had included.  I'm off upstairs now to rearrange my packing because I think that delicious bag has got to come to Japan with me.

No More Sewing

Before I go to Japan that is!
I have just finished this bag for the current Global Piecers' swap and it will be flying off around the world in the morning.

I thought it would be interesting to show the version of this bag that I made for myself a couple of years ago, how different it looks in the fabrics I chose.  My swap partner likes bright colours so I think she will like her bag.

The swap was to make a bag to take to quilting group or a workshop.  I find this tote with all the pockets very useful and use it for classes.  It is large enough to hold an A3 cutting board and seems to expand to hold all those things we need for quilting, including lunch.  I popped the leftover fabric in with the bag in case my partner wants to make a pin cushion or bits holder to match.
Today has been a beautiful day after a chilly start and a shock to the system here as our clocks went forward.  I met my DD, DS and DDiL for lunch with DH and had a wonderful time catching up and discussing their plans.  I also ate too much but who can resist chocolate mousse, even after a roast lunch?
Everywhere the countryside is bursting into life, don't these daffodils look cheerful? 

I hope you've had a lovely weekend.  My next post will show the Stitching for Texture workshop results as promised/requested!

Now what have I got myself into?

I'm finally out of bed and up and about now, although still taking it carefully after a nasty M.E. flare up.  It was particularly annoying as my quilting guru, Teresa, has been here with her DH for the week and I had all sorts of quilty outings planned.  Never mind, we did make it to the LQS, Camelot Crafts, and were very amused to see our respective other halves head for the tools display before enjoying a nice cup of tea courtesy of lovely owner, Wendy.

We've had time to chat and plan and I seem to have got myself into one or two projects!
Come and Join "Brit Quilt"

Lynne at Lily's Quilts has done what we've all been waiting for - UK quilters now have an online place to meet, get to know each other, chat and show off what they're working on.  The first project is going to be a Brit mini quilt swap but firstly we're getting to know each other.  No offence to all you lovely quilters in the rest of the world but it's nice to think we might actually meet up with a fellow BritQuilter at a local show or in the LQS.
The group is for any quilters living in Britain, long or short term.  So click here and go and join, add the button to your blog and spread the word amongst any UK quilters you come across in your blogland, flickrland, facebook, twitter or real life travels.  Look forward to seeing you there.

While I was at it I've signed up for a Charley Harper quiltalong at Ethne's blog.
Charley Who?  That  was my first reaction when Teresa mentioned it but fortunately she was armed with books illustrating his wonderful work and so I was inspired.  There's no time limit on this one and it's just for you, no swapping, and maybe an opportunity to get to know this artist and explore a new style.  More details http://flamingstitches.blogspot.com/2011/03/why-wait.html and follow Ethne's posts forward for lots of inspiring pictures and a button for your blog.  I'll share the process on here but at the moment I'm just enjoying the designs and trying to decide which one inspires me the most.

Do you think technology has taken over our lives?
Thank you very much to Plum who sent me a lovely fabric postcard with her best wishes to me while I was feeling so unwell.  I've sent healing hearts etc to others in the past but this is the first time I've been a recipient.  Golly, it made me feel good, loved and cared about, so thank you Plum and, knowing how much I appreciated your kindness, you have inspired me to make sure I send even more quilty thoughts to those in need of them.

Also in the post I've recently received a lovely goody bag from Joan, my partner in the Global Piecers recent mug rug swap and above you can see that mug rug, mug carrier and other bits that I sent to Sal.  We don't use mug carriers very often but in US and NZ they use them to take their own mugs to workshops and classes.  I suppose our meetings are often in church and community halls that have their own kitchens and equipment.  It would save on all that washing up though!  
I have finally got back to stitching and completed the Patchwork in Perspective quilt top that I started in Exeter with Lynne Edwards in April.  I'm quite pleased with it and am looking forward to hand quilting it with a simple shadow quilting design so I don't distract from the geometry.

Time to start catching up with all your lovely blogs now...

Happy Birthday Sam

This is my lovely grandson on a walk with his grandad a few days ago.  Today is his third birthday - Sam, not Grandad!  Happy Birthday my scrumptious one.  He is such a joy and so full of life, it's hard to remember he

was born, by emergency Caesarian section, a month premature, has Down's Syndrome and was born with a hole in his heart and in need of an operation on his little tummy.  He's a fighter that's for sure.

I was planning to be cutting my new quilt out today, the fabrics are all washed and pressed and ready to become "Round and Round the Nara Garden" - working title.  I feel very weary so have decided not to risk ending up with a lot of pieces of fabric the wrong size!
I had a tiring day yesterday but it was a good day.  Al and I drove to Elton to meet DS and his GF at the Loch Fyne Restaurant there.  We'd not met GF before and so were quite nervous and on best behaviour - I was trying not to ask about colours for a double wedding ring quilt, you know the sort of thing!  Anyway, she is absolutely lovely, really easy to talk to, pretty, she and David complement each other well and are very comfortable together, excellent, and a delicious lunch too!  So I did a happy dance.
Today I'm taking it easy instead of sewing.  I had an hour by the window watching the birds for the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch.  The sparrowhawk put in an appearance (which rather put pay to other birds sitting around for a while) and we have far more house sparrows and starlings here than the average for the country.  On the downside no greenfinches were to be seen, the long-tailed tits must have been getting their breakfast elsewhere and the chaffinch didn't turn up until after I'd done the count!  It's lovely to feed and watch the birds though, one of life's simple pleasures.
Hoping you're all enjoying your Sunday.

PS two members of Global Piecers (Teresa and I) have decided on the photos for the starting point for our Landscape Challenge Quilt.  Please have a look and share your thoughts.  Thank you.