No distractions a weekend of heaven

I am just back from Te Anau in Fiordland NZ, a stitching/quilting retreat with a group of ladies.  We had so much fun and achieved projects that had been sitting there waiting patiently....

We weren't sure about the weather but Saturday turned out just divine, sunny and calm.  Sunday proved to be cooler and we did have to get the fire going thanks to the chief firelighter Wendy.

As usual, everyone packed up while I was helping sort out a project and I couldn't get final photos of what was made,  but you just wait ladies I will snoop with the camera when you aren't looking...

I did manage to photograph a couple while they were being worked on....

Liz's fabulous Xmas cushion "Joy to the World"

Debbie's kids quilt with tractors and cows and dogs, just boys stuff

Jenny's fat quarter bag (2 fat quarters) and hexagons for her caravan cushion

Pat's  blocks for one of  Jen Kingwells quilts

Thanks ladies for a fabulous time.

Happy Stitching until next visit

Sharon

Xmas sewing

I have been so busy, not sure why perhaps a sewing class and a nine year old birthday may have contributed to that and another month just about over. My Xmas item a month is ticking along nicely and this is where I am at so far.

 Also I have sewn the borders on all blocks

And marked the design on all but three. 

I have also been busy on the hexagon sal my progress so far

But I have a box of hexagons an I have started the paths as well. 

I have also been busy finishing my 12" mini and it's done ready to send on Monday . A small sneak peak. 

Just a quick post as I am packing and cooking to go away on a quilting retreat weekend in TeAnau 

It will be good when we hit the road. We have had such great weather here this week, it was 17 on Wednesday very unusual for June, but alas today it's raining today a good weekend for being tucked up with friends stitching. 

Happy stitching to you all until you visit next. 

Sharon

Project day

This post is a few days late, but Project Day on Saturday was eventful and hopefully some happy stitchers.

There were 9 of us and I had three doing a sewing caddy project pattern (Left hand photo)that I drafted up for the class.

Here are the nearly finished caddies below....

The other 6 stitchers were happily stitching their UFO's with help as required..

It was a tiring but happy day with some more projects further ahead...

Happy Stitching
Until next visit

Sharon

2014 Santa Sack Swap

Apparently the time has come for the 2014 Santa Sack Swap for 2014.  This is my first time participating in this swap although I have done other swaps with Cheryll click here to go see her blog.

Thanks again Cheryll for organising this, its going to be fun...  to see the swap just visit Santa Sack Swap

My partner for this year is Simone, from Forde NSW Australia.  I have just emailed her to say hi.

Happy Stitching until you next visit

Sharon

Curved Piecing tutorial

This post I thought I would show a tutorial for curved piecing and the simple items I need for sewing curves.

Sometimes we make things harder than they actually are and we need to tell ourselves we can do it!

First the items I need for inserting my mariners compass into a circle to square up the block.

Join your templates to create the square that has a circle cut from the middle.  Then get 8 pins and a stiletto or a seam ripper.



items required

Pin the circle onto the compass at each half way point then in the
quarter points

Place the circle under the sewing machine and sew a quarter inch seam.
Use the needle down position. Hold the stiletto to gradually sew 2 inches at
 most to sew the circle onto the curve. Gently pull the to pieces of fabric
 together and hold with fingers and stiletto, it helps to have a knee lift
on your machine for this also.

As you carefully curve the fabric around each pinned section, you will
 find it fits, just deeps breaths and believe in yourself.

Another helpful hint is to spray starch your fabric as this holds the
 bias in place.

Ta Da fitted into the circle with straight edges to sew into a quilt.

The finished circles ready to sew together for a wall hanging.

 

 

Happy Stitching until next post

Sharon

 

 

 

1 xmas item a month

I have just looked at the last post I made at it was 16th may, wow so sorry I haven't been posting, but I have been sewing and tending to sick children, along with the normal chores and taxi services required.....

Tis the season - Four Blocks complete

This post is for my xmas item a month, I haven't got a North pole Block ready but I have been stitching the Tis the Season and I have started sewing the borders around the blocks.  I have decided to do all the remaining blocks and prepare the borders around them all to ensure that I get the stitching in the right place.

I have also made a purse, that was sitting in the ufo box to go into the xmas box.

Back of small purse

Small Purse - Red Home Book