The Quilt Of Learning

Yay- my new quilt is ready to share on International Quilt Day!  I've been challenging myself to see what I could make with pre-cuts of Stof fabrics from Trend-Tex.  Using one Maple Roll (2-1/2" strips), one Maple Cake (10" squares) and one metre of fabric here's what I came up with:

Every colour of the rainbow is included in the "Brights" selection of pre-cuts and it was a snap to put together this very simple quilt.  The extra large size (54" x 62") allows the quilt to grow with the child, and is a great size for a lap quilt, or a nap quilt to take to Nana's.  If you added a border, the quilt could easily be made to fit a twin bed.  The pattern includes all the letters and numbers full sized and already reversed for tracing directly onto the fusible web.It couldn't be easier!

There was fabric enough to make this matching big-block pillow, which is shown here on an antique wicker rocker from the 1920's.  It belonged to my Mom.  I chose letters to spell BABY but it could easily be personalized with your child's name or initials.

The pillow itself would make a fun baby gift.

I named this piece The Quilt Of Learning because that's what it's all about.  

Your child will learn:

• the alphabet
• numbers
• colours

I learned:

• working with pre-cuts is totally painless (brainless!) and a big time saver.
• the Maple Roll strips are a perfect width for French-fold double binding - so nice to have the binding all cut and ready to sew.  
• The strips from Trend-Tex are laser cut with smooth edges, not pinked, so they are not linty like some of the other pre-cuts on the market.  That's important for those of us who have issues with cotton allergies...It also meant my machine was not clogged with fibres.
• that I have a huge thread stash including many bright colours ...except yellow.   My only yellow on hand was a pale, straw colour (which actually looked fine on the block). I will be shopping for yellow threads!

I used my favourite wool batting and did a continuous curve around each letter, then feathered the curve.  This makes for a nice puffy, cuddly quilt.  I outlined each letter using a machine blanket stitch and black thread to make them stand out. 

Leftover strips were joined end to end to make the rainbow binding.

Maddie was quite taken with the quilt...but I am not sure what he learned from it.

Surprisingly, the bear didn't interest him at all.

I am grateful to Cheryl Coville for her help in editing and checking the instructions. The pattern is available in print form from my website  or as an instant pdf download .  I am also pleased to say that the pattern will be distributed by Trend-Tex Fabrics and available at quilt shops across the country. Please ask at your local quilt store.  Patterns and fabrics are already in stock and ready to go at Mrs. Pugsley's Emporium where the quilt is on display.  I am off there now to check out her yellow thread...

Happy quilting to all!

Pinterest Interest

Some time ago I designed and released this pattern for a sweet nursery set. I named it "Yan Tan Tethera" after an olde English sheep counting rhyme used to lull little ones to sleep (from where we get our "counting sheep").

It's always been a good seller but lately, through Pinterest, there has been a resurgence in interest and the quilt is pinned on a great many boards.  Due to popular demand, I have reformatted the instructions and they are now available for instant download on Craftsy.  The set is pieced using Michael Miller Fairy Frost and Mirror Ball Dot;  it was my first introduction to these fabrics and to the talent of Mark Hordyszynski, their designer.  It was especially fun to use the Glow In The Dark cotton for the sheep;  it really works!  When the lights go out, the sheep remain visible in the dark.  This fabric isn't always easy to find, but it is available and in stock at Mrs Pugsley's Emporium.  Mrs. P.'s does mail order; an email will get you the details!

Almost There!

Here's a sneak peek at the quilt I am making from the Maple Rolls and Maple Cakes.  There are a few loose (thread) ends to tie up yet and then I'll show the complete set.  What a pleasure to work with such bright, happy colours!

Copy Cats

In my previous post, I mentioned we were away a few days;  the cats were left in the care of our eldest son whom both cats adore.  When we returned, Maddie was sitting in the big front window watching for us. After time for greeting both he and Polly, we checked the phone messages and found one from our cat-loving neighbour, quite late the previous night, saying that Maddie was crying at her back door and she wondered if we knew he was out.  She had tried several times to get him to come inside (because it was -20) but he wouldn't.  This sounded odd for a couple of reasons (one of which is that Maddie never cries, he is a silent cat.). I contacted my son to ask if Maddie had escaped one night but he assured me neither cat had been outside the whole time we were away.  We knew immediately what was going on!

For the last little bit there has been a Maddie look alike hanging around.  We've seen him outside and tried to call him in thinking he was our cat, only to look down to find Maddie at our feet.  They look so much alike, it's hard for us to recognize our own child!  Here are the two of them together.

Their tuxedos must have been made by the same tailor as the cut and colouring is almost an exact copy. They have the same bouncy gait.  Impostor Maddie even has the same sleek, shiny, thick fur as our Maddie.

We know he has a home - he is very well cared for - not far from here.  We do wonder if they are brothers?

The only difference is their nose.  This is Impostor Maddie:

This is the real Maddie:

We think it's very funny.  And yes, we have great neighbours!

AFK

This week we were away to the big city (Halifax) for a few days as hubby was presented with a long service award from the N.S. government.  It was a lovely service, and very cool to meet our premier Stephen McNeil.  We decided to stay on for a couple of days enjoying the bright lights and delights of the metro area. We dined, shopped, visited friends, and went skating one evening on the Emera Oval.  (Look out Rideau Canal, you're next on the list *-)

Despite the temperature being in the -20's (plus a windchill to make it worse!) it was very enjoyable.  A funny thing took place here while we were gone which I will tell you about as soon as I get myself caught up a bit (it's a cat story of course!)  The past two weeks have been wonderful but have put me way off schedule with work.  I am finishing up the Quilt Of Learning and hope to show that to you soon.

Pre-cut Progress

As last week was Spring Break at my son's university, it was pretty much a wash for work.  We always take the week for family vacation and even though we don't travel any place warm or exotic, we do enjoy spending time together and catching up on each others lives.  Spring Break always feels a bit like Christmas with everyone home (we even had a turkey!)  Having said that, I did take the odd minute here and there to work on the blocks which went together very quickly.

I even got a start on the fusible appliqué.  

It is a fun, colourful quilt and I have learned a lot in the making...so much so in fact that I think I will name it The Quilt Of Learning.  Pictures to follow soon!

A Taste of New Treats

I have been resisting sampling from the pre-cut  smorgasbord- that tempting array of delicious sounding fabrics done up as jelly rolls, layer cakes, etc.   I am more of "a metre of this, a metre of that" kind of gal which of course generates lots of leftovers. This week I am taking a nibble at a Canadian offering of delights from Trend-Tex Fabrics Inc: Maple Rolls and Maple Cakes, both served up with a bit of pepper.

 The "pepper" refers to a collection by Stof of Denmark, whose fabrics I like very much.

My challenge to myself is to design a quilt which makes very efficient use of these cuts both in terms of time and waste;  my frugal side insists on having very little fabric left over at the end.   It's been a good bit of exercise for my brain before I indulge in these tasty treats.

Seeing Stars

A little while back, I posted this pattern for a Winter Star Mug Mat on Craftsy.  Nearly 8000 people downloaded the free pattern, making it one of their most popular.  Thank you!

This one was made by Joan Tufts and like everything Joan does, it's fabulous.  You can see more of her projects on her blog Ouvrages d"une Acadienne.  There have also been a few pictures posted on the Craftsy site, including a pretty pink version.  If you've made the mug mat, please send along a photo to post here.  And if you haven't made one...what's stopping you?  The pattern is free to download and it takes only scraps to make!

Where The Needle Takes You

The hard part:  not the quilting, but deciding what to quilt...  I hauled the pieced top around with me for two days hoping for inspiration to hit.  It didn't.

Sometimes the best option is to just put it under the machine and see where the needle takes you.

Fun!

Christmas Inside/Out...

It feels like we're in a  bit of a time warp.  Outside it looks like Christmas...we've had so much snow this week it's unreal.  Can you see my neighbour's black cap near the top of this photo?

Here's a close-up, you can see his cap to the right and top of the picture below.  That's how high our snowbanks are!

 It isn't very safe for little kitties to be outside so ours are only allowed out with an adult present.

 Maddie wasn't sure what to make of these snow mountains!

 Inside, it's been feeling like Christmas as well with all these gorgeous seasonal Hoffman prints on my table.

Yesterday I watched the women's hockey game between Canada and the U.S. and in the excitement sewed so fast I got my blocks all done.  Yay Canada, a great game and a well deserved gold medal!

This afternoon our men's hockey team plays the U.S. in the semi-finals;  if the pace is as lively as yesterday I am hoping the blocks will be joined together by games end.  The coach's good advice to his team today? :

I get by with a little * from my friends...

This morning I had a printer jam - and a jam in a wide format printer is a pain.  I needed to consult a technician for help. Luckily, I have in-house staff who handle such emergencies.

 It didn't take long to find the source of the problem.

After a thorough investigation (including climbing inside to check out the print heads) the technician decided to call for back-up.

 A second opinion was offered quickly.

 Success!  The jam is cleared and the paper is feeding freely again.

What would I do without such helpful staff?

Harmony Complete!

The pattern for Harmony is now ready and available as an instant download on Craftsy.  You can find it here.  It is a simple project, requiring only basic patchwork and appliqué skills. (Naturally, mine is machine appliquéd.) It finishes to 20" x 24", plus the block and charm which hang off-centre from the bottom.  Each colour of blocks was quilted in a different motif. 

Thanks to my good friend Cheryl Coville  for her help in checking the instructions.

Harmony

This is "Harmony", pieced from the Asuka collection by Hoffman of California Fabrics.  Pattern to follow shortly.

Sewing Asuka

My new quilt, which uses a collection from Hoffman called "Asuka", is coming together quickly.

That black fabric in the front of the photo is dazzling.  Shot with silver threads, it catches the light and tosses it back in all directions.  It's hard to believe that mere cotton can be so brilliant and so beautiful.  

Tranquility Metamorphosis!

Do you recognise this as one of my patterns?!  Me neither!  I was just blown away to see what clever and creative Cheryl made. Check it out here!

The Yin and Yang of Love

Here's a quick project to stitch for your special someone for Valentine's Day.  This mug mat is larger than most, as it's meant to be shared by two.  Fusible appliqué means you can whip this up in time for the big day.

Yin Yang Spiral Heart

Finished Size:  6-1/2" x 11"

Materials

8" square of white*

8" square of red*

7" x 11" background fabric

8" square of fusible web

8" square of tear away stabilizer

7" x 12" batting

7" x 12" backing

1, 2-1/4" x WOF strip of red for binding

* Quilter's Rose by Stof used in sample project.

You can get the pdf template for the heart for free here through Craftsy. There is no charge to join Craftsy, and it's an easy way to keep your pattern library organized online. Make sure when you print the heart you choose "actual size" from the list of print options (no scaling). Please note that the design is already reversed for you, ready for tracing onto the back of the fusible web.

Directions:

Trace heart design onto fusible web. Note that the heart has two sections.  Fuse one section to back of red and one to back of white fabrics.  Cut out carefully.  Remove paper backing and arrange the two heart sections so that they are snugged up with no gaps in between.  I use a corsage pin to gently nudge the pieces into place.  Fuse to centre of background fabric. 

With stabilizer underneath work stitch around edges of heart to secure.  Sample shown uses straight stitching, but a narrow zigzag would add nice definition to the edges.  Trim stabilizer.

Add batting and backing, pin baste.  Quilt.  Sample shown is quilted around the outside of heart and echoed 1/4" away.  Squiggly lines are free motion quilted from the heart to the sides. Trim mat.  Mine is 6-1/2" x 11.

Fold 2-1/4" binding strip in half lengthwise, wrong sides together and press. Sew to front of quilt, mitering corners.  Flip to back and hand stitch in place.  

This cool wine glass which was a gift from my niece Christina goes perfectly with the mat. Thanks, Chrissy :)

This enitre pattern is available in a printer-friendly format as a free download through Craftsy.