The quilt - Hours before Christmas

Since my last post I was involved to create two quilts for Christmas.
Working on them was a real challenge for me.
Love the final result.

24 blocks as the days before Christmas, 12 clock faces as the hours of the day, 12 clock faces as the hours of the night. Each hour is so different.

After making the design I began follow the idea.
Collected  all white, green, red fabrics I have in my stash. Then added the gold printed ones.
I ordered them on the bed - almost 140. There are satin, taffeta, velvet, cotton fabrics.

First I began to make each block paper foundation. After sewing the second one I remembered about freezer paper. It was a perfect idea. - the work began going much easier.

Then I have made the second quilt.

 After sewing all the blocks I collected them and began thinking of quilting.

It has to be light and air.
I found a golden thread - perfect addition to the project.

The half of the blocks are with such star, the rest with different.

Final balance 22 white fabrics, 28 red and green, 2 golden - for the bindings.
I am satisfied.

Make a tote from dyed fabrics - tutorial

Many times I wanted dying shibori. Last week I have red about dying with turmeric and fast go to try it.
I got a piece of fabric (recycled sheets) and some elastics and threads, put on gloves and began.

It was deep yellow right after dying, but when washed it became orange. This is the result after drying out.
I liked shibori so make another piece with blue paint for cotton fabrics.

Trimmed  the pieces to 12x16 inches. Chose a striped fabric for inside - cut two rectangles the same size.

Stitch the yellow piece with first piece of lining right sides together on one short side and iron the seams open.

Fold along the seam, stitch with proper thread and pin to quilt together.

Repeat with the blue piece.

Make an inside pocket.

 For handles I chosen pink. Cut 3 inch stripes, fold and stitch. Fix to the bag.

Place both quilted parts right sides together and stitched - first by machine then by serger, Turned out and ironed.

Birmingham quilt festival

I was there!
For two days!
I have participated in Modern category with the quilt "Eye Ghosting"!
As I was searching for inspiration for the theme of Reflection, I came upon many different ideas – from most common mirror images to physical diffraction.
The most impressive picture was the eye ghosting vision after LASIK surgery.
The temporary double vision or ghosting images during the normal six-month healing period tend to be caused by an irregularity in the cornea.
The ability to see is a miracle. Having myopia, I totally understand the problem of ghosting vision.
The reflections of the eye chart are made by appliquéd fused fabrics and ironed painted transfer paper.
Machine quilting with grey ombre and white threads.

What a perfect time!
An amazing quilt festival in Birmingham captured all my senses. The exhibitions, sewing machines, tools, fabrics, workshops and meetings. I am truly satisfied.
I am sure anyone has seen many pictures from exhibition.
I have taken some :)

Have you heard - the dates were announced - from the 9th-12th August 2018 . 
Till next year!

A Nail polish PP block

Some months ago I dreamed I make a present for a lady that cares about my nails.
What was  it?
A pouch with a nail polish.
Drawn by hand and sewn for 2 hours. What I have done.

The nail polish paper pieced block

I wander if there will be interest if I  make the PDF pattern and upload for FREE.

The Christmas tree #2

Oh, Christmas tree!
The song is so beautiful! Hope the new paper pieced block is so lovely as the song.
I am proud to introduce my new pattern after some month silence.
 

The pattern is very ""flexible".
If make the last piece in the down section the same color as the background you will have different block.
Easy to sew even for beginner. You can use foundation method or freezer paper. Fast and funny to make.
Chose different colors for different look.

You are right to ask about Number one.

Frame a quilt in a box

There are many ways to display a quilt - the most common way with a sleeve on the back, with triangle pieces at the upper corners, on a canvas on a frame.
This time I will show you how to use a box as a frame. There are many sizes in IKEA. Or you could order different size.

The first step  when you have already a box is to mark the place of the quilt on the "bottom" of the box. Simply use a pencil to mark the four corners.
Then drill two small holes inside the mark at the first corner..

Proceed with the next corners.

Sew the quilt at the four corners with coordinating thread and tie on the back.

Easy, don't you think?

HALF price till the end of June

Happy to announce a 50% OFF in my ETSY shop till the end of month.
Use coupon code NEXT50!

Half price for all patterns!

The 9patch game

The game 9patch continues.
Even I am the part of designers team I was slightly nervous after sewing the first block.
I decided on recycling and using corduroy shirts so combining different colors seams a little bit difficult.
Adding new colors to this block made me calm.

And the place in whole project.

The girl - paper pieced stuffed doll

After finishing the boy I decided to continue the story and designed a girl for him.
Some days ago they met them and fell in love immediately.

The idea for making these guys came to me two years ago, but I couldn't find the proper shape.
At the beginning of May after  making some prototypes I was satisfied with the result.
Now they are a couple.

Even you are a beginner you can make it with more attention to the small pieces for the shoes.
I made the girl with closed eyes and long lashes - she looks so shy.
She is wearing in hands a beautiful bags as a real woman.

The very interesting detail is about the necklace.
I don't have in mind some jewelry except the bracelet at the wrist, but the neck looks "empty".

The chainstitched necklace looks so cute addition.

The girl is about 7.5 inches tall and the boy is 8 inches tall.
Some friends of mine adviced me to enlarge them.
Hm, what a good addition!

There was a boy - paper pieced stuffed doll

The work goes easy after a long time of thinking about both the idea and details.
I have made some prototypes before I got the shape right.
So proud to share with you.

I like paper piecing and design a pattern is not quite complicated to me.
After I found the perfect shape it was funny to finish the first doll, created this way.


Before stuffing:

There left a small step to the finish - sleep stitch the bottom.

The result - a nice doll to play with.

 
 Stay tuned for the next my toys!

Next block from 9patch game

The next block was done last month, but I have some problems writing a post about.

I like how it turned out. Adding new colors make very cute touch.
There are different ways to prepare half square triangles (HST), but my favorite stays  this one:
Cut two squares, place them right sides together, draw a diagonal line and stitch 1/4 inch on the left and on the rights of the line. At the end cut along the line and press well.

Come back soon to see the next one.

Learn letters while playing

Sometimes I wander about so many ideas flying in my head.
Do you remember my alphabet  hexagons  ?
What will happens if make a ball from all hexagons letter?
I needed to find a ball and write down the letters.
Probably there is a diagram in internet?
With this thoughts I have waken up one morning.
3 days later I have in my hand this funny ball.

Realizing that there is 20 hexagons and 12 pentagons in the ball I have to change 6 letters into pentagons.
As the 26 letters of the alphabet are not enough for the 32 ball’s pieces
I have added @ and # as very common symbols.
Nowadays they are used more often than letters.
The heart as a sign of love is important, too.
Each shape has 1 inch side.

 Outside and inside before filling the ball.
 The ball is around 5 inches diameter easy to catch by hand.

This is funny stuffed toy to play and learn letters with your kids.