fairiesrmequilting

Batting Comparisons

2011-12-05T09:07:00.001+11:00

Linda Steele a well known quilter and machine quilting tutor has taken the time to make samples of quilting using different battings and write about the results.
If you want to save some heartache with your battings bearding read her comments before you quilt that next quilt.

http://www.lindasteelequilts.blogspot.com/ look for the article dated Thursday December 1st 2011

New Grandson's quilt

2011-10-05T18:58:00.001+11:00

Two weeks ago we became the proud grandparents of our 10th grandchild Lenny. He weighed 6lb 15ozs with a shock of dark hair. We are both enamoured of the gorgeous little man. Tomorrow we are going to visit and deliver the quilt I have made from him. It is an I Spy on one side with half square triangles swaures and sashing on the other. The pattern was from a sheet I got from Spotlight 'Floral Impressions'
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Donations to Vic Dog Rescue

2011-08-29T19:30:00.001+10:00

Today I finished the binding on the 3rd of 3 quilts I have made and donated to Victorian Dog Rescue. The VICDRG are having a black tie fund raising dinner at Fenix Restaurant Richmond on September 10th. I made 1 medium sized wall hanging, one mall hanging and a babies quilt. Not going to the dinner not our thing anymore.

German Shepherd

Large wall hanging

Cocker Spaniel.

Beagle.

Small hanging Hound Puppy


Mother Goose babies quilt.

These pieces should raise a few dollars for the Dog Rescue and help save abandoned animals.

Leesa Seigele Workshop

2011-07-27T15:57:00.000+10:00

I have finished the cushion I started in Leesa Seigele's workshop. I love dong the paper piecing Leesa's way so neat and tidy, point all match and it's easy.

I am collecting Batiks to make a very colourful version of this pattern with different points. In the cushion I have used the 5 and 7 points Leesa also uses a 9 point plus smaller versions. This next project will be my machine project as I am hoping to start a Baltimore for take along hand stitching.

Workshop

2011-05-23T09:01:00.000+10:00

Yesterday (Sunday) I did a workshop with Lessa Siegele OAM from South Australia. Bay Quilters had invited Lessa to give a talk at our Saturday monthly meeting and teach a paper piecing workshop on the Sunday. Paper piecing has always been a technique I avoided but after yesterday it is now a technique I will use more in my quilts.

Here are a couple of photos of the work I did yesterday.

Stitching the pieces on the paper

adding the curved pieces

The finished blocks. Don't know what happened to this photo as it turned while uploading.

As you can see I have not used my usual colour purple. I will use these blocks and more to make cushions for our caravan. Julie one the other ladies at the workshop who always uses blue had chosen purple for her fabric.

Melbourne Garden Show

2011-04-07T16:30:00.000+10:00

Went to the Melbourne Garden Show on Sunday for the first time. It was massive needed 2 days to be able to see everything. Lots of lovely layouts, plants and gadgets for sale. So many people on the Sunday should have gone earlier in the week. Follow the link to see the photos I took while there some of the photos are for using in my art quilts looking at texture.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/acaciagran/sets/72157626446370248/

Friday Flaunt March

2011-03-25T09:37:00.000+11:00

I put the last stitches in the binding of this quilt last night. It is for granddaughter Sara for her to use in their caravan. Big sister suggested Sara needed a quilt as BS had one to use in the van. I bought the fabrics (all fat quarters) from Hatched and Patched while on SCQ's retreat in Bathurst last year just because I liked them and they fitted perfectly for Sara's quilt.
Cut 2 1/2" strips stitched together in lots of 5 cross cut and restitched. Had the border fabric in my stash and the backing has lovely purple butterflies on a grey background. Sue from Cotton Top Quilting machine quilted the quilt with a design called 'Funky Flowers' it looks good.

Looking at the photo I just noticed that one block is upside down.
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Back from Holiday

2011-03-22T19:15:00.001+11:00

We are back from our short holiday to Northern Tasmania, caught up with most of the family and met new grandson. He is very cute and cuddly. Took a photo of him on his quilt but he was a little grumpy as he was tired, he is wearing his cute little monkey outfit.

Nana Fran and Phoenix

Big brother Johnathan and little brother Phoenix.

Grandson's quilt

2011-03-04T18:55:00.001+11:00

I have finished the quilt I made for Phoenix. I used fabric the dad said he liked, he actually wanted the nappy bag made from it, but mum to be said NO.

The quilt has 3 different Skull and crossbone fabrics, the lighter one has skulls with bright orange, purple and green eyes, which I have reflected in the fabrics I chose for the 1/2 square triangles. I machine quilted this quilt with a meandering squiggle from top to bottom. A lady from my quilt group said it would be my fault is Phoenix has mental problems. lol. The backing fabric has skulls crossed bone and skate boards scattered over it black background with red and white.

First Flaunt for 2011

2011-02-11T19:09:00.000+11:00

Finished 'nappy bag' before baby was born didn't get it posted though, as baby came early. Phoenix Rand Timmers arrived on Feb 9th weighing 9lb 11oz.

Mum to be selected fabric a fellow quilter emailed the link to the web page with the pattern
http://amingledyarn.wordpress.com found under Tutorial: Hip Mama Diaper Bag. The bag has 2 pockets on the front one either side a zip pocket on the back and 2 inner pockets one full width of bag the other stitched into 2 pockets finished of with a lovely padded strap.

The parcel hasn't arrived in Launceston yet. I have about 30cm left to stitch down on the binding of Phoenix's floor quilt and then to get onto other projects that are lining up.

Zentangle

2010-12-12T13:06:00.001+11:00

http://janemonkstudio.com
Jane does lovely Zentangle design and teaches workshops, visit her web site to check these out.

Farewell gift

2010-12-10T14:28:00.001+11:00

We have a Malaysian carer who has been working with Timmi while she has been studying medicine. She has graduated and early in the NewYear will be returning home. I have made this bag with permission from Leesa Chandler of Chandlers Cottage Beaumaris. I used a Gum Leaf fabric from Leesa's Australian prints range and also her studio bag pattern.

November Flaunt

2010-12-03T18:42:00.001+11:00

I actually finished this in November but as it was a challenge and swapped at Vic Scquilters Carrum Downs Christmas lunch I couldn't post a photo of it last week. Now it has gone to its new owner I can put up the photo. It is a Christmas table runner my own design machine pieced and quilted.

Friday Flaunt

2010-10-28T19:37:00.001+11:00

I have been busy finishing UFO's this months total is 3 finished and about 30 to go. I had listed about 20 UFO's for the MelbCBD Scquilters group but I found more. I was looking through boxes for cream on cream fat quarters which I know I have about 20 of when I found another heaps of UFO's I had forgotten about.

The first UFO is my version of Country Times by Cathy Stevenson of Canberra I had this quilt machine quilted by Sue Morris of Cotton Top Quilting in Waterways here in Melbourne, I am very pleased with Sue's quilting and the quilt I cut the quilt out when we were in Tweed Heads in 2007 from fabrics I head taken with me on our caravan trip. I bought 1 fat quarter of Sage Green in Tweed Heads and the backing I bought at the Gold Coast Craft and Quilt Fair 2007 Cathy Hodgkiss helped me spend money at the fair pointing out different gadgets that were a must have.
13/1/11 Looking through my blog and noticed that this quilt is being held up the wrong way will have to rectify that soon.

This UFO is the Mystery Quilt I designed for the online MQ group mine is 50 X 50" Christmas wall hanging. I machine quilted this on the second try, the first lot of machine quilting I froggy stitched and started again using a meandering stitch from top to bottom.

The final UFO is pattern and fabric from Oz Dye Art girls Ami Hillege and Michelle Steele. The Pattern was in AP&Q Year Book Vol 7 No. 2. This quilt is a wall hanging .

Froggy stitching

2010-10-10T19:09:00.000+11:00

I was half way through machine quilting my MQ 11 when I decided I didn't like the quilting as it was too dense. Now in the process of froggy stitching the centre of this quilt. Thank goodness for Leesa Segele's technique of unpicking with a scapel it's a lot quicker. The quilt is a lap size.

No Friday Flaunt

2010-09-24T13:56:00.000+10:00

I am waiting on a quilt to come back from the professional quilter then I can do the binding. I have basted a small wall hanging to quilt myself haven't decided whether to machine or hand quilt.

It's school holiday time in Victoria DH and I have the grand daughters 2 days this week and 2 days next week.
We cooked on Monday made the Tiger cup cakes from Coles Spring cookbook. Chloe cut up all the licorice for the tigers whiskers, I helped cut up the jubes then the cup cakes were decorated.

here are a few of the cakes. Chloe did a good job with the decorating.
Tuesday we went out for lunch as it was grandad's birthday. Not sure what we will do next week depends on weather.

July Flaunt

2010-07-23T19:09:00.001+10:00

This years challenge at SCQCBD Melbourne it to finish of UFO's. In January participants had to take along a list of their UFO's and give them to Jan the keeper of the list. Each month we are to endeavour to finish one or more UFO's on our list.
This 9 patch was a swap where each lady bought an identical strip of 2 1/2" which Lillian had chosen, we then made 16 X 9 patch blocks and handed them into Lillian who then sorted the blocks into groups of 16 and we received the blocks back. I made my top adding 4 extra blocks. This swap happened in 2005. The chosen fabric is the dark red centre of each 9 patch, I added 2 borders. I used 2" spaced cross hatch machine quilting.

Bit of this, dash of that and a smidge of what the heck

2010-06-15T19:45:00.002+10:00

On Facebook yesterday I described a yummy meal I had cooked in the slow cooker. Lindi asked if I quilted as I cook - make it up as I go - here are a few quilts I have made that way.
This is the first unplanned quilt I made, started with a collection of cat fabrics some with large cats that could be cut around for applique, button holed them onto Quilters Muslin backgrounds in a variety of shapes, some of these fabrics were swapped with other quilters and some were given to me. The next steps was to make 6" nine patch squares then I laid the squares and appliques out and arranged them in the best layout, some of the applique pieces have borders added to them to make them fit added borders and machine quilted it. In amongst all the cat fabrics is one little square of Dalmatians.

This is the second quilt I made making it up as I went, started with the blue/green background fabric that reminded me of a pool in a wooded area, added the sky fabric then added the bush, next came the reeds centre front then the gum trees and Australian Flora added some tea dyed cord to represent fine branches added 3D gum leaves machine quilted and added 2 little frogs sitting on a log in the pool. Freehand machine embroidered the flowers, trees and background, plus beaded the wattle This one is a wall hanging

The one below is a quilt I made for Bayside Quilters 'Quilts from the Heart' I was given 1m of the floral fabric added the Yellow and black made 1/2 square triangles laying the squares out as they were completed until I had used all the fabric joined the squares together, added a narrow black border then a yellow one then machine quilted. This quilt is a large single bed size.

The small wall hanging below was for a challenge "Stellar" I discharged dyed a terrible fabric, stiff as a board dark blue/black with silver glitter. Got an interesting effect then I added about 4 different glittery Angelina fibres bits of silver organza machine quilted these bits onto the backing then added the silver stars and beads. The binding is 2 layers of organza 1 black the other silver.

Other quilts I make by following patterns almost. sometimes I change the layout of the blocks to put my interpretation on the quilt.

Flaunting Flannel

2010-05-21T19:15:00.001+10:00

This week my flaunt is my Scquilters retreat Challenge. A quilt made completed from used flannel shirts. Several of us ladies scoured Op shops around the Eastern suburbs of Melbourne and found enough flannel shirt to create 4 quilts. Mine is a simple pattern of half square triangles with plain squares on the back.

DH has claimed this quilt for his armchair it will be well used. As a retreat 'Virgin' I had a wonderful time did a little bit of hand sewing, I stitched 7 little hexagons together to make a flower. Socialized a lot, put faces to names that are seen regularly on the internet, caught up with Anne from Canberra who was generous with her time when DH and I visited Canberra in 2008. My how time is flying by 2 years since our caravan odyssey. It was lovely to meet Sally from Hobart I love her art quilt work we had a show and tell on the deck before lunch and Sally's work is amazing interesting techniques she uses, eager to try some of them when I finish rebuilding this computer. Hard Drive died so new one had to have everything loaded onto it and it takes forever no wonder techies charge so much, lucky DS's made sure I knew how to do this myself.

Last for April

2010-04-30T20:34:00.000+10:00

This week I made a little bag for Timmi's new sunglasses, used horse fabric of course. Timmi loves the bag and her new sunnies with bling. The other sewing I have been doing is secret womens business for the Scquilters retreat. You may see what I have made on another persons blog and I will post pictures in 2 weeks time of my swaggies outfit and recycled flannel mens shirts quilt. Only my packing left to do.

Hard to Iron

2010-04-06T18:56:00.000+10:00

On Monday I was ironing a few metres of fabric that had been washed and wondered why it felt heavy as I was re-arranging it on the ironing board. Here is the answer.

First for April

2010-04-04T10:27:00.000+10:00

This week I finished a challenge as part of the Online Art Quilters group the theme for this one was Flora.
To see my 12 x 12 quilt go to http://aroundtheworldin20quilts.blogspot.com/
scroll through to find Flora Oma and look at the other members work. Also listed is the plan for our next challenge which is going to be very challenging as we are out over 3 countries.

Last Flaunt for March

2010-03-26T13:24:00.000+11:00

My flaunt for this week is of a quilt I first made in 2004. When it was finished there was something wrong with it!!!! A textile tutor from University of Tasmania pointed out my faux pas. This is a photo of the original 'Wild River' which I nicknamed Foo,

I removed the binding from the top part of the quilt, took out the 2 pieced rows, removed the big white bits then pieced the rows with smaller white pieces and joined them back up. Next I added white wool for felting mixed with Angelina Fibers and felted these onto the top and wadding. The final step on the sky part was to daubed with white paint and tease out the fibers.

After completing this part I removed the gathering and rocks in the river section and resewed this area across the quilt to follow the flow of the water. I placed some rock shapes back into the river then sponged white paint onto the river to give the impression of white water. This is the finished 'Wild River'.

Still not happy with finished result but its better than it was.

Head shaved X 2

2010-03-19T15:47:00.000+11:00

Son and daughter in law both had their heads shaved for the Leukemia Foundation Shave for a Cure last weekend. D-I-L opted for a very short cut and colour to match her eyes. Haven't found out how much they raised as yet. Here are the before photos

Laura

Simon

after photos

3rd week of March

2010-03-19T09:29:00.001+11:00

Where are the days flying to??? My first posting for March was of the fabric for a babies floor quilt. Preston was born last week and the quilt is nearly finished only a little of the binding to stitch down. The pattern that I used was one that Tony Sullivan from Victorian Textiles showed the SCQ Carrum Downs group on the first Wednesday of March. The pattern is from Hoffman Fabrics featuring a Christmas range of fabrics it is called Snowglobes and can be found at www.hoffmanfabrics.com look in their Free Pattern section.
I have altered it slightly as I did not have enough I Spy fabrics to do the fancy border. My stash of I spy fabrics is now a little bag of small scraps looks like more shopping for fabrics at the Bathurst retreat.

The front showing the snowglobes,

The back of the quilt using the leftover I Spy pieces some of which had to be joined to get the 8 1/2" squares.

First for March

2010-03-05T09:07:00.001+11:00

Where are the months going? March already!! seems like only yesterday it was January.
Daughter in law's sister is expecting her second baby realized on Sunday it is due any day now and quilt not made. Last night I cut 20 8 1/2" blocks, plus 20 circles, traced 20 vslieflex circles plus a few other bibs and bobs. The photo is of the fabrics for this WIP. I am about to iron the vslieflex onto the circles and other pieces and start buttonholing as its a long weekend hope to have it finished by Monday maybe before the baby arrives we know its a boy..

Last for February

2010-02-26T18:47:00.000+11:00

My flaunt for this week is the Summer Challenge for Bay Quilters here in Melbourne. In October we were asked to chose a card from a pack I got the 3 of clubs. While In Launceston on our holiday I took photos of a selection of club buildings around Launceston. I chose these 3 Country Club Casino, The Northern Club and the Masonic Club. The organiser of the challenge set the size of A3 and the border size. The quilt was revealed at the February meeting of Bayside Quilters and here it is.

Hexagon bag flaunt

2010-02-19T16:37:00.003+11:00

I have finished the hexagon bag I started making back in October. The bag had to be ready for show and tell tomorrow at Bayside Quilters. The only machine sewing it needed was the pockets in the lining then making the handle finally stitching front and lining together.
I will put a press stud closure on it when I find them. I also finished the Summer Holiday challenge 'Hit the Deck' for Bayside Quilters will post that next week as other members may see it before all the challenges are revealed tomorrow.

Ugly Fabric Challenge

2010-02-05T16:05:00.002+11:00

My flaunt this week is a wall hanging for a challenge. At the last meeting for 2009 of my Monday group NQR Craft Group Helen the ideas person gave everyone a fat quarter of what she considered an ugly fabric. The fabric was from the safari range mottled browns on a cream background reminded me of snake skin.
This is what I came up with I have used pencils to colour in some of the turtles back used machine button hole to attach snake and turtle and free hand machine quilted. This was due to be revealed on Monday 1st unfortunately I couldn't get to the meeting so will reveal it this Monday. This quilt is 18 1/2" square.

Flaunt for this Week

2010-01-22T12:55:00.000+11:00

This weeks flaunt is a continental pillow cover I made for Timmi's chair. I used some of the left over fabric from her horse quilt so her bedroom is co-ordinated. Have enough fabric left to make a bag as well, another thing on the to do list.
Quickly cut. stitched, ironed, measured and placed it in her chair 5 seconds before she came home Thursday. I have nearly finished one of the challenges I am doing only have to do about 20 cms of hand stitching and that is one done and one to go, actually 2 to go have to have hexagon bag finished by Feb 16th as well.

This Week

2010-01-19T19:13:00.000+11:00

I have been busy sewing on a challenge today that has to be finished by Feb 1st. Only the binding to do and the label and its all done. At our Christmas break up for NQR group Helen bought along what she called ugly fabric, gave everyone a fat quarter to do something with. I have done something which I like and have added touches with the Derwent pencils I got for Christmas. Photos will be posted on the Friday after the 1st.

A Quilting flaunt this time

2010-01-15T09:58:00.002+11:00

This week I finished a block roll I started last year. There is an embroidered panel on it which I started around September 09 for a take along project. The pattern was in a quilting magazine and is by Linda Haigh.

The next photo is a close up of the embroidery and buttons used for flowers.

I used flannel on the inside of the block roll so the pieces will stick better. Now to go and trace of something else as take along hand work.

Saturday Flaunt not Friday

2010-01-09T19:55:00.001+11:00

I made a lovely little bag with matching purse for granddaughter Sara. It is purple and Lime green with purple butterflies. I can't find the photo anywhere I definitely took a photo but it has disappeared into cyber world.
We went to the beach yesterday to visit the family, they have our caravan at Somers Caravan Park. We had a lovely day and I enjoyed playing in the pool with the granddaughters, later in the day the other Melbourne family arrived and while they unpacked I got to watch grandson who is trying to crawl already, not 6 months old until next weekend, but as mum says he was born trying to move around.

New Year Flaunt

2010-01-01T19:02:00.000+11:00

This is a bag I made as a last minute present for an unexpected someone who gave me a lovely gift. It was a lovely surprise to receive a present from this lady and as pink is her favorite colour I ran up a bag for her.
I have put pockets inside for her diary, mobile phone, pen keys. The bag pattern by Fay Kitto was in DUQ no 134 I have changed it slightly.

Christmas but not Fabric

2009-12-11T16:10:00.000+11:00

Haven't finished anything this week have binding to sew on Emma's Tree and add some charms, Have a set of ATC's to finish and more work to do on my Art quilt. Here is grandson with Santa he had a lovely time not afraid of anything.

Take 2

2009-12-04T11:38:00.001+11:00

The wall hanging is called Emma's Tree. I got the pattern and the story from another group I am on. Emma passed away aged 29 from breast cancer her mother made this tree while Emma was having her treatment for her 2 little girls (aged 5 and 6 this year). Miriam is allowing anyone to make this tree as long as they put Emma's story on the label. I have the pattern and Emma's story if you would like to make one and Miriam's permission to pass it on to quilters in Australia.
The Christmas Stars are the ones I won in last years VicScquilters Carrum Downs Christmas raffle, I finished the top on Tuesday the day before our Christmas lunch I hope to have it quilted before Christmas Day but the way the hours are flying by I think thats a pipe dream

First for December

2009-12-04T11:10:00.000+11:00

This week is Christmas things the blue angel block is for VicScq Carrum Downs Angel swap and the Jester Bag is one of 2 I have made to put little gifts in. The red and white box is another one for gifts it is an easy one to do as it is 2 x 12 1/2' square blocks and a 11 3/4' square of medium cardboard. The red angel is the 2nd block I did to put in the swap. I have another top finished have to photograph it yet so another flaunt later.

2009-11-27T19:25:00.000+11:00

My flaunt for this week is a bag I made as a Kris Kringle gift. The pattern was in Down under Quilts No 134 designed by Fay Kitto, It is a quick and easy bag put together in a afternoon.

2009-11-20T12:19:00.001+11:00

This weeks flaunt is not quilt related I am flaunting a wedding photo from DS#2 wedding at Brickendon Longford Tasmania on October 31st, I made his surcoat and one for the best man also Allans cloak and velvet pants for DDIL's sons It was a wonderful wedding the words of the ceremony were beautiful and different. I bought my dress from America then had to take it in because of the weight I have lost.

2nd week of October

2009-10-09T19:02:00.006+11:00

These are a few Christmas decorations I have made for the bushfire survivors. They are hexagons for the Christmas Tree and a star. There were other decorations made by the members of Vicscquilters Carrum Downs group, a lovely collection of decorations, machine embroidered bells, stars, wreaths angels.
Felt angels on dolly pegs, fabric gingerbread men, a wreath with fabric tied to the circle cut with pinking shears, stuffed birds, 2 squares of Christmas fabric with wadding in the middle with a hanger, so many different things. I took photos of them all I think Helen is putting them up on the scquilters blog look out for the link later.

I have finished the logo for DS#2's surcoat for their Celtic wedding. The join down the centre has been oversewn and now its not noticeable. Started to cut out the 2 coats today and found that instead of 9 m the 'person' serving me had cut 5m I was spitting chips until I found that she had missed charging me for it, the items on the docket were 2 different lots of thread, pattern, interfacing and Hemsilk and no velveteen. A visit to the local fabric shop entailed where I bought better quality velveteen, so a win/win for me.

First Flaunt for October

2009-10-03T13:42:00.002+10:00

This weeks flaunt is a PHD beads need to be sewn on to represent shells on the beach then it needs backing and finishing off. I am working on the wedding outfits and time is drawing near. The flaunt is for http://aroundtheworldin20quilts.blogspot.com/ of which I am a member. We challenge each other to do small art quilts every 3 months to a set theme this one was where land meets sea I have reproduced a photo I took of The Grotto here in Victoria go to the site and check out the other quilts.

Bag nearly ready

2009-09-18T11:54:00.004+10:00

To answer a question I have a certificate in Fashion and Design did 3 years study and learning to pattern make, draft, design etc. Did this as an income supplement for years making clothes and costumes from drawings/sketches to peoples measurements. One thing I did in the late 80's was to make up for a designer 20 dresses for the staff at the resort at Uluru never got to fit them only had each person measurements, non were sent back for alterations, wonder if they are still in use.

I have finished piecing the hexagons for this bag the next step is to back them with pellon and hand quilt the two pieces. Still have 4 weeks to get this done before the workshop on construction.

This is the braid I have been machine embroidering for the front of son's surcoat for his wedding on Oct 31st. He lives in another state so its emails and photos to keep in touch plus phone calls, woke him up this morning as I needed the correct centre front length for the panel, he is a shift worker at a call centre. The next step is to embroidery the Celtic design for the centre back then make the coat, it is sleeveless and mid calf length in black velvet with silver embroidery.

Friday 18th a day early

2009-09-17T12:44:00.003+10:00

My flaunt this week is not quilt related but it is sewing.
This is the cloak I have made for Allan to wear to sons Celtic style wedding dressing up in medieval costumes is encouraged. The cloak is fully reversible made in brown and purple homespun it took 20 metres of fabric.
My dress is a medieval style has to be taken in will post more photos after wedding.

side view reverse outer

Hand Fasting Marriage Ceremony

2009-09-17T09:58:00.003+10:00

Here are two links explaining the hand fasting ceremony. Son and future daughter-in-law are having a celebrant perform the ceremony and it will be a lasting one.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/mar_hand.htm

http://www.aweddingminister.com/celtic.htm
(cut and paste to view links)

There are two conflicting beliefs about the history of Handfasting:
"Handfasting" was the word used by the ancient Celts to describe their traditional trial-marriage ceremony, during which couples were literally bound together. The handfasting was a temporary agreement, that expired after a year and a day. However, it could be made permanent after at that time, if both spouses agreed.
"Handfasting" was the word used throughout the once-Celtic lands of Scotland and Northern England to refer to a commitment of betrothal or engagement. It was a ceremony in which the couple publicly declared their intention to marry one year and a day in the future. In 1820, Sir Walter Scott used the term to refer to a fictional sacred ritual that bound the couple in a form of temporary marriage for a year and a day. He wrote of it in his book "The Monastery:"
"When we are handfasted, as we term it, we are man and wife for a year and a day; that space gone by, each may choose another mate, or, at their pleasure, may call the priest to marry them for life; and this we call handfasting." 1,2

This weeks flaunt its a top

2009-09-11T16:15:00.003+10:00

This is my version of a disappearing 9 patch made from fabrics bought at a sale of the late Pauline Sisson's stash. It will be a special quilt to remember Pauline by. I will have it quilted later as for the next 5-6 weeks I will be busy with sewing for DS#2 wedding on Oct 31st. I have his coat and the best mans to make plus a cloak for DH and alter my dress (medieval) embroider designs for the back and front of DS coat the wedding is a Celtic one and guests have been invited to dress in medieval style I have never been one to refuse an invite to dress up in whatever style. DH has decided on a cloak rather than a monk's habit to wear to the wedding.
I will do a post about the Celtic hand fastening wedding when I find out more information about it, DD and SIL did the hand tying in their wedding 3 1/2 years ago.

This weeks flaunt

2009-09-04T11:30:00.005+10:00

This is my hexagon bag so far - one side and the bottom piece are finished and 2 rows of the second side. When that it done I then take out the papers, iron each piece onto pellon and quilt each hexagon this has to be done before 9am on Oct 17th when the class is to show us how to stitch them together and make the bag.
In between doing this I am digitizing a design to go on the back on my son's wedding coat. He asked for his belt buckle reproduced onto the back of the coat. The wedding is going to be a Celtic hand fastening ceremony and the bride and groom will be dressed in medieval clothes, I have bought a dress in the medieval style to wear and have to make DH a monks outfit to wear. Luckily the wedding is on Oct 31st.

WIP for Flaunt

2009-08-21T15:30:00.001+10:00

This is a WIP for a workshop I will be doing in October. It will be a bag made from 219 hexagons. DH reckons this looks like a face in its present form hopefully when I have all of the hexagons sewn together it won't be a face.

This week's Friday Flaunt

2009-08-14T18:56:00.001+10:00

The blue star is a Christmas decoration a few groups are making Christmas decorations for the Bush fire survivors, started with the quick and easy hanging
The polyhedron star or Victoria's star is one 1 started 2 1/2 years ago and finished last Sunday. The pieces have travelled all round Australia with us but I couldn't find it, the packet had slipped down the back of the wheel cover under the seat in the caravan, found it when we unpacked the van. Over the past month I have tutored 2 workshops to make Victoria's star. The star was first made as a pin cushion about 4" high, the pin cushion was a memento to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee as Queen it is made from 60 diamond shapes.

The hexagons are a WIP getting ready for a workshop in October not sure of the lay out yet as this is our homework, the finished item is a bag.

Friday Flaunt a day early

2009-08-06T15:41:00.000+10:00

This is a top I have completed today. The quilt will be a Quilt from the Heart for Bayside Quilters in Melbourne. The fabric with the yellow birds and thistles was one from BQ selection of fabrics for members to use for the QFTH quilts the others fabric were sourced from my stash. Now for the backing and quilting, not sure whether my machine quilting is good enough for this quilt have to think about that.
This quilt is one of those quilts that sort of come together as you make the blocks. It ended up 53.5" square. The design was governed by the amount of the feature fabric I had -1 metre. I found 2 fat quarters of the Wattle fabric added some black and yellow, sewed 1/2 square triangles, cut 6 1/2 squares. first border is 2" with 6 1/2 strips of wattle fabric second border is 4" finished with 1/2 square triangles as cornerstones.

Friday Flaunt 31st July

2009-07-31T19:51:00.000+10:00

This weeks flaunt it this cushion I have made for my daughter's new rocking chair. James made the chair for her to sit in while she feeds the baby. The cushion that she had in the chair was the old quillow that I made her years ago in Essendon colours.
The cushion is in her favourite colours of purple as is the rocking chair. I received 9 patch blocks in a swap through Scquilters.

Friday Flaunt

2009-07-24T10:47:00.000+10:00

I have sewn the binding on this quilt so now it is finished. The quilt was machine quilted by Susan Moroney and is made from fat quarters I swapped with QDU'ers and scquilters from Australia and America. This shattered 9 patch quilt is for the lady we live with as night time carers. The panel on the back I bought from Logans at AQC and the other fabric was swapped with a lady in America who bought it especially for me from Joanne's I sent her an equal amount of Australian flora and fauna fabrics as well as some aboriginal prints. If you recognize a fabric you swapped with me please let me know as I have misplaced the list of swappers I kept.

Oscar's quilt

2009-07-17T19:39:00.000+10:00

Now I can post the photo and in time for Friday Flaunters here it is Oscar Willem's floor quilt. Mum and Dad both loved the bright colours.

ATC's received

2008-09-20T16:36:00.001+10:00

Beaded Cards set of 4. Mine, Pam C, Delwyn R, Lyn Keller Black and White with a Bright Button Delwyn R, Sue McP, Lyn K, Mandy C, Julie D and mine Butterflies; Mine Wendy Z, Sue McP Pam C, Maree C, Roselie v V
Chocolate; Roselie v V, Pam C, Sue H, Mine, Shirley M, Dot R.

ATC's next lot

2008-09-20T16:21:00.002+10:00

1 on 1 swap sent to Shirley M.

1 on 1 swap sent to Christine McK these two cards were practice ones.

Cheer me up Swap ATC's received top row
Mandy C, Cinzia W, Lyn D, Sharon B.
Middle row; Annemarie S. Janet W, Glenys F. Christine McK.
Bottom Row; Del R, Carol McG, Karen P, Eric S.

Cute Cats received from Cathy S, Lyn K.
Pam C. mine
Sue McP. Petra G.

More ATC's

2008-09-20T14:25:00.001+10:00

These ATC's are themed 'Lucky 7's' we used 7 different embellishments on this set.

This set was named 'Purple People Eater' I crazy patched 6 different purple fabrics then machine stitched with a lurex thread over the tops finished off with a purple shaggy wool.

'Oriental' was the thee for this set. I had this lovely Japanese fabric which I fussy cut to get the Geisha's and then embellished with silver thread.

Forgot to photo this set before I posted them, these were Ric Rac where we had to use 3 different type of Ric Rac braid. The braid was hand sewn on this set.

ATC's

2008-09-20T13:58:00.000+10:00

Artist Trading Cards are small quilted items 3 1/2 X 2 1/2 inches in size. they are made the same as quilts having 3 layers top, wadding/stiffener/back. These cards are swapped with other enthusiasts around the world. These are the sets I have made so far.

This theme was White on White

The topic for this set was 'Cuppa Time'
Cute Cats was the theme for this set
This sets topic was 'Holidays' I printed a photo of the sunset at Mindl Beach Darwin layered silver chiffon over top and added an embroidered border.

The next 3 photos are the sets I made for the original 'Cheer me Up' swap for the scquilters who didn't go to the retreat in Perth W.A.

This set was made for the theme 'Black and White with a bright button'
This set was Chocolate and as I am a Tasmanian I chose Cadburys.

Postcards sent and received

2008-09-20T13:39:00.000+10:00

This postcard was made using Angelina Fibres and threads under organza stitched down by machine and satin stitch endges
This postcard I made by piecing a Log Cabin Block stitched on braid and machine quilted with a silky thread
These cards were a set of three where I posted 2 and kept one. I posted my card to myself. The theme was patchwork. I pieced pink brown crean and blue fabric in small squares and sewed braid onto the lines.
This is a beautiful cross stitched card I received from Liz N
This colourful card was received from Eleanor F-W

As was this lovely butterfly card with beaded wings
This was the first card I received from Linda R in Brisbane it is actually all mauves and purples but didn't photograph well.
This is another card from Liz N a lovely pieced Kimono intricate work on a small scale all postcards are 6 X 4 inches.
This is the card I sent to Liz N all blue squares with blue satin ribbon stitched on top.

2008-04-25T10:23:00.001+10:00

Quillow

2008-04-09T15:22:00.001+10:00

My daughter and her husband are both Essendon supporters and I had been collecting red and black fabrics for a while with the idea of making them a quilt to take to the football. DD asked at one stage if I could make them a cushion as the plastic seats are uncomfortable to sit on. I had bought a pattern for a ½ square triangle quillow of twelve blocks and decided to kill two birds with the one stone, so to speak.

I cut the fabrics into the squares and made the windmill blocks then decided to add six extra blocks so both of them could cuddle under the quilt if the weather got too cold. I sashed the blocks with red and black fabrics and added a black border. I machined quilted the quilt by following the lines of the windmill blades.

Next step the pocket!!!! I went to the AFL web site and downloaded the logo for the Essendon Football Club, the size of the logo that I downloaded was only around 2" square so I drafted it up to the size I needed for the quillow pocket and reverse appliquéd the design using three layers black, red and white. I then stipple quilted the pocket and stitched it to the quillow adding the label to the inside of the pocket. DD and her DH were very happy with their 'cushion' to take to the football.

The quillow has had a lot of use over the past three years and has been to many football games, I have been asked to make quillows for other football fans but have declined because of Copyright regulations.

Song Title Wall Hanging

2008-02-24T15:07:00.003+11:00

The LPQ Presidents challenge one year was "A Song Title" the quilt was to depict the title of the song. Many came to mind and I procrastinated over the months trying to decide which to choose and how to depict it. The Presidents challenge entries are displayed at the November meeting each year and by October I still hadn't decided what song I would do. Two days before the meeting I finally chose my song "The Age of Aquarius". I made a small wall hanging with the astrology symbol of Aquarius on an Osnaberg background and machine quilted an oasis around the water gatherer.

Row by Row Swap

2008-02-24T15:07:00.001+11:00

My group in Launceston regularly hold quilting swaps, one of these was a Christmas Row by Row there were eight participants in a group and the row size was 6 ½ X 36 inches. Each participant could include fabric that they would like to be used in each row. My row was a blue background with a Nativity scene on it and in late February our RXR started its trip around to collect their extra rows. We received our rows back on the last Thursday of October and the quilt was supposed to be completed by our Christmas luncheon in early December. I did an extra row for my quilt as one row needed another to help it get on with the other rows. I added three borders cream, gold and dark blue then machine quilted it with a pattern of freehand stars and Christmas bells.

Surprise Quilt for partner

2008-02-03T14:07:00.003+11:00

My dear husband is a cat person. When I met him he had a lovely black Persian cross named Bono, Allan hand reared Bono from three days old as the mother cat died from post delivery problems. Bono was a very spoilt cat and definitely a man's cat, he tolerated me and after a year or so would jump into my lap if Allan was not at home. When Bono was around 8 years old he died suddenly one day in early 2002, he had an accident inside and the urine was blood stained so I raced him to the vet, unfortunately he died there a few hours later as he had an advanced bladder cancer which up until that day showed no symptoms.

In the June I decided to make him a quilt featuring cats and cat fabrics. I found a fabric that had different breeds of cats in different poses on it, using this fabric I cut around different groupings of the cats and appliquéd them onto quilters muslin. I put a resting cat onto a basket fabric, had two cats looking through lace curtains and I included one piece of dog fabric. Someone gave me a scrap of fabric with Persian cats on it from which I fussy cut the cats then appliquéd them onto the background sitting them on blankets and cushions. The work on this quilt had to be done while Allan was not at home which became impossible as Allan had a health breakdown early August and was off work for 12 weeks. When he went back to work I was able to do more work on the quilt, when I gave it to him at Christmas it was still a WIP, the top was complete and it was basted but not quilted. I made a special label for the quilt by printing a photo of Bono onto muslin with all the quilt details. During 2003 I machined quilted the quilt with diagonal lines with varying widths. Allan loves his quilt and it is travelling with us around Australia.

Quilting Progress

2008-02-03T14:07:00.001+11:00

Amongst the workshops I completed from 2000 – 2002 were ones covering Stack and Slash, Hidden Wells, 3D Flowers, Pictorial Embellishment, Reverse Appliqué and many others. My confidence was growing and quilts were being finished. In 2001 my first granddaughter was born Chloe Nicole, I made her a colourful floor quilt using the Stack and Slash method, the quilt was reversible with a different colourway on each side. As this quilt was made pre-digital camera I don't have a photo of it with me it is packed away in our boxes in Launceston. Chloe now uses this quilt for a doll 'blanket'. Each time we visit she shows the quilt to me and remarks on how pretty it is.

Using some of the flowers from the 3D workshop I made a wall hanging for Carlene as a Christmas present. My friend Marie was an avid collector of frogs anything that had a frog on it or in it. I found a pattern for a lap quilt that had four big frogs on it and decided to make it for her. The colours were mauve, purple and emerald, I also made a cushion from 1 block. The photos of these were lost when my computer crashed in November 2006, I will have to take more when we return to Tasmania.

2008-01-29T14:44:00.001+11:00

During this year I also started a quilt for Chloe’s first big bed, which was to be a quilted bedspread. I found a lovely fairy fabric range all with a pale lemon background. One fabric had alternating strips with fairies standing and younger fairies sitting ideal for fussy cutting blocks from, the other fabric had small posies of flowers on it, the colours we bright pastels. I found a half log cabin pattern in a very old Quilt World which the parents loved. We sourced coordinating Home Spun for some of the strips and alternated with the posy fabric. I machine quilted this by following the lines in the log cabin part of the quilted in the squares I quilted a simple flower design. Chloe ‘helped’ me finish the binding on this quilt by moving the clips for me, when we had finished stitching down the binding, her bed had to have clean sheets and pillow case and all the family came to her room to watch the quilt go on her bed, this was Christmas 2004.

2008-01-29T14:42:00.000+11:00

In 2002 LPQ had a ‘Fat eighth swap where we cut 1 metre of fabric into eigths and gave them to the swap divas, who them sorted them and handed each participant back a mixture of 8 fat eighths to use for a quilt to be finished by the November meeting of that year. We were allowed to add a background fabric and I think 1 other. (a good reason for a quilt journal to help you remember what occurred when you made your quilt). For my quilt I made a medallion style quilt with an on point centre with machine appliquéd blocks I sourced from EQ, the background I used was a light coffee coloured Home Spun and the other fabric I added was the Fossil Fern featured in the outer squares. The flowers in the centre basket were made from gathered strips of fabric to give a 3D affect. I machine quilted the quilt using a garden themed pattern, in one of the plain blocks I quilted in an arched garden gate, which gave the quilt its name ‘Through the Garden Gate’. On the backing I included all the left over swap fabrics around the printed label which I stitched into the backing. I gave this quilt to my sister for her 60th birthday in May 2006.

Gaining Experience

2008-01-29T14:20:00.001+11:00

To broaden my knowledge of patchworking I attended as many workshops as I could to learn different technique and patterns. One of the workshops I did in 2002 was 'Hidden Wells' technique, for this workshop I used an assortment of 'cat fabrics' that I had sourced from many quilts shops and catfabrics.com which unfortunately has closed its business, I added a motley fabric which had a wavy look to it that bought all the colours together. In the workshop I completed two of the blocks, later I finished all of the blocks for a single bed quilt and the top languished in the UFO box until 2006. This quilt was one of the quilts I finished in TGQ's UFO Challenge and as I had one too many blocks it became a quillow. Pam Jarman of Burnie machine quilted it for me and the quillow was given to our granddaughter Chloe for sleepovers and too use in their caravan.

Mystery Quilt

2008-01-25T14:58:00.005+11:00

A member of scquilters was hosting a Mystery Quilt the instructions where to be posted on the Internet one Saturday. We were given a list on fabric requirements and a short time later we were given the cutting instructions each lot of cuts were given a name. I had difficulty with the colours as I didn't have a finished article/photo to refer too and I wasn't confident with choosing colours. I persevered and followed the sewing instructions on the day completing the top the next day.

I was never happy with the top and it languished in the UFO pile for quite a while. In September 2001 I attended a retreat outside of Mansfield Vic. where Dawn (Gypsy) Isherwood was the tutor for the weekend. Gypsy was teaching us her technique for embellishing and making pictorial quilts on pieced backgrounds. The top I started in this workshop is still a WIP which will be worked on in 2009.

2005 saw me delving into my UFO pile and looking at the MQ top I came up with an idea to embellish it with an ocean theme. I added coral, reeds, mermaids, fish, dolphins, whales, yachts and a lighthouse with a sun shining down from the top corner, then I machine quilted it in a wavy pattern to represent the waves. The completed quilt was given to our eldest grandson Connor on his 10^th birthday in 2006 and he loved his fishy quilt.

Memory Quilt

2008-01-25T14:58:00.003+11:00

My mother was celebrating her 80^th birthday in January 2001 and I decided to make her a memory quilt. My mum had her hair done every Friday morning and I took the opportunity to go into the house and copy down the names and addresses of her close friends and other family members. I contacted them all and asked them to make embroider, cross stitch or paint a 6 ½ " square of quilters muslin which I had included. Expecting only half to complete the task, I was pleased that all but one returned the blocks. Luckily I had holidays over the Christmas to get the quilt together. I printed photos onto fabric of our family and mums brothers and sisters and the centre piece was mum and dad's wedding photo. I machine quilted it and it was ready for mums birthday on January 10^th. We went to dinner at a local hotel and I had let everyone know the time and place, mum was expecting 8 people to be there and was pleasantly surprised to see 50 of her family and friends waiting to celebrate with her. The staff at the hotel had set up an area covered by a curtain where I could hang mum's quilt and while we were waiting for the birthday cake the quilt was unveiled. Mum was thrilled with the quilt and it gave her great comfort in her final months as she wrapped herself in it when she had her afternoon nap. As mum's final Christmas neared she wrote a goodbye letter to all and asked me to include a photo of her and the quilt that everyone had contributed to. Later I froggy stitched the quilting and re quilted it as I was not happy with the quilting. My sister in Queensland is looking after it while we are travelling around.

Christmas Blocks

2008-01-25T14:58:00.001+11:00

At the Launceston Patchworkers and Quilters Christmas lunch December 2000 I was lucky enough to win one of the set of Christmas Blocks. Each year members of LPQ make a 8 1/2 " block with a Christmas theme to go in the draw. The committee divide them into sets of 9 and the blocks are displayed at the Christmas lunch. The names of the members who haven't won a set are put in a hat and then draw to see who are the lucky winners for that year. The winners are supposed have their quilt made to show at the lunch the following year. In January 2001 my mother was diagnosed with Motor Neurone disease and in March I gave up work to become her carer. Over the months I assembled the top and decided to hand quilt it. As time to quilt was limited I didn't get the quilting finished in time for the luncheon. I completed the quilting in December and January as I sat with my mum in the hospice. It is a very special quilt for me as my mum was able to see the quilt finished.

First Year quilting

2008-01-22T14:25:00.001+11:00

When I look back at the photos of the quilts I have made it is hard to remember in what order I made them. I did not keep a journal of my quilting progress which I am now sorry for and some of the first quilt photos were pre digital camera.

The first challenge quilt I made was a Launceston Patchworkers and Quilters Presidents Challenge 'Portrait of a Country'. I chose to do a wall hanging of the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves in New Zealand. It was one of the photos in a Readers Digest book of scenes, after contacting Readers Digest for appropriate permission I started on the wall hanging.

For the background I went through my dressmaking leftovers and found the black pieces they were satin, taffeta, gabardine, velvet and crinkle taffeta. These were cut into squares to make the background. I found a piece of silver and bronze lamé to make the roof of the cave and a few scraps of tan suede for rocks. From the lame and suede I cut pieces to represent the rocky roof of the cave, I then satin stitched them onto the black background stuffing the pieces as needed to enhance the rocky look of the ceiling. The next step was to baste the hanging, then I machine quilted it freehand to represent the darker rocks in the background. Once the binding was finished the next step was to reproduce the glow worms from the ceiling of the cave used a variety of silver threads, embroidery and machine, plus crystal seed beads. I was very pleased with the finished wall hanging.

2008-01-17T14:22:00.000+11:00

First Real Quilt

This quilt top was started in 2000 and I finished it in 2006.

The first quilt I made from 100% cotton fabrics was started in a ‘Stack’N’Slash workshop at Launceston Patchworkers and Quilters. The colours I used were Khaki, blue check, cream, dark green and variations on these.
We did one block in the workshop as it was to teach the technique only. After the class I went home and made the other 11 blocks and added 3 borders.
The next lesson was to sandwich and baste it which I did the next week and the quilt hung on the back of my sewing room door for 5 years.
In 2006 the then President of the Tasmanian Quilting Guild issued and UFO Challenge, members had to list their UFO’s and nominate to finish 4 for the year. To qualify to enter you had to have 20 or more UFO’s. When I counted mine I had 35, this is one of the quilts I finished before we packed up our house and started our nomad trip. The reason I have so many UFO’s is because I try to learn as much as I can about our craft/hobby/addiction so a lot of UFO’s can be classified as workshop samples.

I machine quilted this quilt by following the lines in the blocks. A few of the blocks have the slashed star look to them, in the other blocks I made too many cuts, a good learning curve.

2008-01-11T16:04:00.000+11:00

About me.

I learnt to sew at my maternal grandmothers knee. Nana had been employed by the local tailor as an outworker when her husband died in 1920 leaving her with 2 small boys to provide for. Firstly Nana taught me hand sewing and I remember the first doll’s dress I made out of Nana’s scraps. When I could reach the treadle I was allowed to use the Singer in Nana’s room. When I took sewing in high school the teachers would not believe the work was my own. By 1962 I saved enough from my pay to buy my own sewing machine on which I made all my clothes basketball uniforms and ball gowns. When I married in 1968 the sewing machine got a lot of use making curtains, cushions and chair covers for our army house in Seymour Vic. As the children came along I made the majority of their clothes and bedding. I have always sewn for myself and others over the years I made extra to help with the family budget undertaking various courses and workshops to learn new techniques
After the breakdown of my marriage in 1982 I studied Fashion and Design at TAFE learning all the basics of design, pattern making, use of colour, fashion accessories. After completion of the two year course I worked for a local designer making up her design for clients. One of the clients was a news reader on the local TV station and it can me a buzz to see her wearing garments I had made while she read the news. Then I branched out and went to work for a fancy dress costume hire firm, here I could let my imagination run wild making all types of clothing, Scarlet O’Hara type dresses, Edwardian Styles and fantasy outfits. This job ended when David bought the stock from a rival.
Then I started a baby Manchester business of my own, making quilts, sheets etc all from 100% cotton, this was not a roaring success as I did not have the capital to rent premises etc.
Eventually in 1998 I discovered patchwork and quilting and became a devotee. My first patchwork quilt was a cot quilt made from poly cotton with poly wadding, a simple design of plain and printed squares in pastel colours with Teddy Bears Rocking Horses and Hearts had quilted with embroidery floss. Unfortunately I can’t find a photo of it, the quilt is packed away in our boxes we left in Launceston. I joined the local quilt group did as many workshops I could read every quilt book in the local library and absorbed all the information I could on quilting.

This is me

2008-01-10T14:35:00.000+11:00

I am Fran Cox a quilter from Tasmania. At present my husband and I are caravaning around Australia we have a blog of our travels at www.allfran4travel@bigblog.com.au
This blog is to show my passion quilting over the next few days I will add photos of my quilts and their stories