Brotherly Love!

New Toys and a Surprise Parcel!!

My big brother is officially the best! He never judges me and is happy to indulge me with weird rulers and tools for my birthday and Christmas, as long as I order them from my computer and not his. (It doesn't do his street cred any good to have quilting ads pop up on his screen!) So when the doorbell rang this morning, I thought it was the rulers I had ordered for my Birthday next month. But instead it was this bundle of the prettiest fabrics ('Porcelain' by 3 Sisters for Moda), which I had ordered so long ago I'd almost forgotten about them. I think it's safe to say that not all of these will make it out of my sewing room.

Then the rulers arrived as well - 2 Log Cabin rulers by 'Bloc-Loc'. They were ridiculously expensive, but just what I need to help me tackle my scrap stash. I've tried them already - I know he won't mind me not waiting for my birthday. I need to sort out my scraps again.

Meanwhile, I have finished Jackie's mammoth Log Cabin with feathers flowing all around the 'barn raising' layout.

Now I have moved on to Jackie's friend Margie's pretty appliquéd top, which is almost as big. 

I've made a good start on it today, about 6 hours in the loft so far. It has given me a chance to try out another new toy; a long arm ruler called 'Elvira' by Angela Walters. This one was a Christmas present from my daughter, and it makes continuous curves much easier - I already love it! 

Last weekend the ladies of Studio Quilters met at our cosy new venue and set about making these sweet little rabbits designed by 'Tilda' and kindly cut out for us by Gill Picken (who made sure I got a pink one!)

They were a lot fiddlier than we thought. The thin limbs were a bit tricky to turn out and stuff, but we all got them done for the photo shoot. 

And here is the result of another new toy (which I actually bought myself for Christmas.) More Bloc-Loc rulers, these are called 'Bloomin' Cogwheels'. Basically they are for Dresden Plate or fans made from pieced strips. 

I had already started these clever little blocks with the same fabrics and now I think I will put them all together and make another big quilt bag. 

But the big highlight of the week was the Show and Tell evening at Connecting Threads group in Elstree. Christopher Wilson-Tate of Antique Textiles Company in Hampstead treated us to a fabulous viewing of a selection from his vast private collection.

This incredible example was first displayed in the Great Exhibition of 1851. It is made from hand pieced 1/4 inch hexagons - approximately 45,000 of them!

I don't think I will be trying anything like that soon!

Happy Quilting Everyone!

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