Finished - Folk Flower Quilt

 

I have finished my Folk Flowers Quilt and I love how it has turned out.

Originally started back in November 2019 at a workshop with Ann Maria Horner, I excitedly started making blocks, only to decide that 13 blocks was my limit because I couldn't get the appliqué to sit as smoothly as I would have liked.  Not wanting to waste the fabric or blocks, I decided to piece all the blocks together so I had a quilt top, (which I did earlier this year,) and then when I had it quilted I would donate it to my local hospice.

The backing was made from a Kona solid in a shade of blue,  and a Jennifer Paganelli floral, which was then packaged up with the top and sent to my friend Leeanne of Quilt Me Kiwi to work her magic.  All I asked for was "perhaps a swirly type floral design"  I couldn't be more happy with the design she picked, which is called Precious, and the fact that all the things I was unhappy about in the blocks have disappeared.

Now that I've bound it, it's really hard to give away, but I hope that it can give someone, whether a patient or supporting family member some comfort when its being used at the hospice.

Rhapsody Blouse

 

 I had been looking for another boho style shirt to make, preferable one without buttons, when I came across a new to me pattern company, Love Notions and their Rhapsody Blouse,  The blouse has numerous sleeve options and can also be lengthened into a dress.

I purchased  and downloaded the pattern and bought some lovely floral rayon fabric from Spotlight. This was probably one of the easiest PDF patterns I have assembled because it required no trimming.  My measurements put me at a size small.  

The pattern itself had very clear instructions, I learnt a new technique - the burrito roll, and bought myself a new gadget - a 1/2" bias binding maker, which certainly makes making bias binding easier.  Still a faffy thing to sew onto clothing though.  The side seams are french seamed and all the neckline is bound with the bias binding I made. The sleeves were probably the easiest to insert from any pattern I have ever made.  I suspect I muddled up two sleeve options and have  subsequently made a new version on my shirt, I ended up attaching the cuff the way I learned in making my Bonn Shirt.

Overall I think it will be a very easy to wear shirt, that will be perfect for weekends or the relaxed wardrobe I need for work, and I am sure there will be another one or two made before summer begins.

Flowering Crabapple

An overload of blossoms. because we all need some beauty in our lives at present.

Seen at the Auckland Botanic Gardens yesterday.

Happy weekending to you all.

The Mallard Coat Jacket

Collar Up

So, I've made myself a new jacket.  I'm beginning to wonder if I have a slight addiction to them.

This one is the jacket length version of the Mallard Coat,  a pattern from  New Zealand company The Sewing Revival.  Initially I had seen the pattern, thought that the coat was nice and not worried about the jacket.  However that changed when I saw a version made in this exact fabric, and I decided I needed my own.  (They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery)  After finding out  from the maker that Spotlight stocked the fabric, which is a cotton canvas from the upholstery department, I duly purchased it and lining and  downloaded the pattern.

Assembling the pattern was nice and easy, and I actually enjoyed cutting out the fabric, it was nice to have a heavier weight one to sew after the light rayons I've sewn lately. I found I did need quite sharp pins though.

The pattern itself was a pretty easy sew, it's fully lined too, in a lovely fuschia bemsilk also from Spotlight.

Instructions were detailed, with good diagrams also.  I made a straight size 10 and opted for the square collar which can be worn standing  up or folded down.  It is meant to fasten with domes or buttons, but I think I am going to leave these off.  I also omitted the large front pockets, which I would sew on the coat version.  I didn't worry about pattern matching as such, but made sure that the bottom hems were aligned when I cut out the pieces,  so it is a random placement of the floral print.  I also decided to topstitch the collar and front edges of the jacket also, to get a neater finish on the seams edges.

Photos today were taken by Miss B at Nathan Homestead, a heritage building which is used as an arts and events centre not too far from where I live. There are some lovely old trees and gardens, to walk around. It was just start to drizzle and the wind really picked up so we were limited to where we could get sheltered photos.  Luckily there is a nice little cafe  there, that we could revive ourselves in.

I'm really looking forward to wearing this, I think it will be a great layering piece for warmer spring and cooler summer days.  In fact all year round if I layer under it properly.

Happy weekending !

Fresh Cut - a new project

Last year some time I bought myself Sue Spargo's Fresh Cut quilt pattern, a mix of wool and fabric applique embellished with beautiful embroidery.  Then it sat unused while I deliberated over background colours.  Much as I love how the black felt background made the blocks POP, I thought it would attract too much dust and be impractical.

Fast forward to June this year, when I spent a day in Rotorua with my Mum, and we visited Cottage Flair quilt shop. They had a fabulous sample made up with different black fabrics as the background, and ironically this really appealed to me. I bought some of the patterned black fabrics but have had to wait three months till solid black fabric arrived in New Zealand, before I could actually start this project.

 A week ago I received a call from my local quilt shop to say they had it in stock, and it was subsequently sent out to me.  I have started my first block, which is block 5, and am slowly rediscovering how to make all the fancy stitches required. 

I can see this will be somewhat of a long term slow stitching project.