Jane's Bunny Quilt

Chain Piecing and Nesting Seams 

Granted, 'Rail Fence' is one of the simpler blocks to piece, but it is still gratifying when all the seams match up perfectly like this. 

This is going to be the background for Jane's 'Bunny Quilt'.

Even though the design features just one block, I did enjoy the process of assembling this large quilt top. I wanted it to be 7ft square, so I knew I'd need 49 twelve inch blocks, each made up of 4 single Rail Fence units in alternating directions. 

That was as much maths as I could do to begin with, so I just dived in and sliced off a metre of each of the three fabrics and started power cutting them into 6 and 1/2 inch by 2 and 1/2 inch strips.  These lovely blues are all by Edyta Sitar; the dark one is from 'Blue Barn' and the other two are from the 'Blue Skies' collection. Then I began chain piecing units of three strips, one of my favourite parts of the process.

Next, I joined them into blocks of four, nesting the seams to ensure a good match. That's the other thing I enjoy about the process! And, if you spin the seams on the back, every seam will nest with the adjoining one.

Well, that only gave me about half the blocks I needed, so I cut another three metres and started the whole process all over again. Last night I was on a roll and assembled the whole top and not one pin in sight from start to finish!

The next job is to make and apply the bunny rabbits! Hopefully, my long arm machine will have had its service by then and I can get on with the quilting - I already have ideas for that.

Happy Quilting Everyone!

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Pussy Footing Around

Weather Watch (and Project 'G')

We shouldn't complain about the sunshine - I know! But I desperately want to get on with quilting my own 'Sew a Row' project, and it is just too hot in my loft! I couldn't even open the windows downstairs while Phoebe was staying with me!

After she'd gone home last weekend, I just about managed to finish Jenny's 3rd quilt, even though it hit 29 degrees up there with 2 fans going.

I was cheered by the arrival of some lovely new fabrics on Monday. 



There is a selection from Edyta Sitar's new collections 'Little Sweethearts' and 'Something Borrowed' (not all of the pics will format properly here).

And some more shades of Linen Texture.

 Pinks and Blues - Ooh How sweet!! 

 I guess I need to make a baby quilt - but have no one to make it for just yet. 

Meanwhile, I have launched into a scrappy quilt project (code named Project G). It is based on the 'OhMyGosh' design, but scaled up to make use of my 1 1/2 inch squares to create 3 inch 9 patches. 

I have made a little dent in my stash of twosies; and the half square triangles I acquired from Connecting Threads the other month are now trimmed down to size. So I'm off to a good start and now I need to cut into my stash.

Believe it or not the 9 patches in the original, pictured here, measure only 1 and 1/2 inch finished! (Hence the name).
I might be tempted to go that small one day, but I want to use the sizes I have first.







My other new project is a full size 'Bunny' quilt for Jane (who is just mad for rabbits!) and I'm about ready to start that one, alongside Project G. It is going to be a blue rail fence background with appliqué. Should be fun!

Happy Quilting Everyone!

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'Giggles'

Beat the Heat

Giggles is the name of the colour 'Fantastico' Thread I ordered 

for Jenny's two shocking pink and navy batik quilts.

I had to wait for the temperature to drop before I could venture up into the loft to resume work, but I have just pulled a 10 hour stint and finished this one today. 

The thread is a trilobal 40wt polyester from Superior Threads and is variegated from light pink to cerise with a beautiful sheen on it.

The batik top is quite busy, so the pattern doesn't show up so well in photos. I have used it in the bobbin as well and you can see it much better on the plain navy backing.  

The stitching went very smoothly on the whole, with only a couple of breaks. When I did need to unpick a little, the thread separated and it was tricky to remove, unlike the cottons I usually use. Good to know for future projects.

I am so pleased I waited for this thread though, having been let down by my usual supplier; it needed to be bold enough to go with these stunning batiks.

The all over quilting design was inspired by one of the floral prints - not a batik but the same weight cotton - which was just gorgeous!

I really got my 'Pink Fix' this time and I can't wait to start on the second one!

Happy Quilting Everyone!

www.englishquilter.co.uk   

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