Accufeed - Absolutely Fab

It took a few minutes, and a little bit of advice from the husband, to work out how to attach the accufeed ankle and foot.  Once I understand how it goes together, no problem.  It is much easier to change over than the 7700 which is one of the main reasons for getting the 8900.  I have little, sometimes no central vision so I have to rely on peripheral vision, magnification and touch to get things where they need to be.

At this stage I only have the zig zag accufeed which came with the machine but I'll be buying a 1/4" one when I can.  

Quilting this scrap quilt with a serpentine stitch was the last job I did with the 7700.  I've used the new accufeed to zig zag around the edges before trimming it up and applying the binding.  Used the default zig zag and it went round without a problem.

A 10/10 for the Accufeed!

Wonderclips vs Tesco Office Supplies

When I saw Wonderclips being demonstrated I thought there's something to stop me bleeding on my quilts.  Pins are difficult to see these days and I generally "FEEL" them first,  OUCH!

Then I saw the price of Wonderclips.  OUCH!

In Tesco's stationary department I found these fold back clips.  Bright and easier to see and 50 for £1.  One pack has almost gone round this smallish quilt so I'll get another packet or so for larger quilts.

Quilt Binder Set

Janome Canada have really gone to town with this accessory and produced several excellent tutorial videos on the Quilt Binder Set.  When I first saw the binder (and the price) I was sceptical about how well it performed and how it would work with mitred corners.  It's not a big deal putting a double fold binding on by hand, in fact it's nice to have a straightforward hand sewing project to sit and relax with, but it is time consuming, and I don't have that much spare time.  Click here for all the videos.

There is a learning curve with the binder and I think it will take some practice getting into the swing of it but the video shows that a neat job is achievable.  There's never any shortage of help from my husband when there's a technical issue to sort so if I can't get it set up, he will.  There's one in stock at my local shop and I've put my name on it for after Christmas.  With Christmas and birthday money and a bit of help from next pay day I should have it up and running in the New Year.

Ferret Workshop

I need a lot of leaves for this wall hanging, I have a growing number in the box and the other two photos show the veins being free motioned on in the second batch of fabrics.  It is taking some time but Paul has improved the lighting in my sewing room so I can work on the dark evenings and it is really giving me lots and lots of practice with the FMQ.  My confidence is growing and I am so relaxed whilst working.  I feel ready to work on a full size quilt now.

Star Quilt Workshop quilt nearing completion

Step back to September 2009 by clicking here  I came home from this workshop to find that my instruction sheet was incomplete - there was a border required after the stars and before the pieced triangle border - what size should it be.  The handout said the size "would be discussed in class".  Had it been?  I couldn't remember at all.  I did what I could and completed the four pieced triangle borders and put together the star blocks for the centre of the quilt.  Then it was suspended in bits from a hanger to keep it from creasing and remains hung away safely for a couple of years...........Yes! A couple of years.

Quilt University to the rescue.  My second course with QU was Math for Quilters (more on that in another post).  From this I gained the confidence to do the maths and work out size and dimension to complete THAT star quilt.

Fusible Applique

Before

A while back I bought Laura Wasilowski's book "Fanciful Stitches - Colorful Quilts" and embarked on dyeing fabric to use with the ideas in this book and on other projects.  Here is a little quilt inspired by Laura's book.  

With some sort of new found confidence with free motion quilting - probably from Ferret's workshop yesterday, I decided not to hand embroider and popped it under the needle and painted away with variegated thread.  I made my usual mistake of going too close to the edges so I can't make anything with it - next time I'll leave borders.  It's OK for a practice piece.

After

Ferret Workshop

Work in progress photo - I'm hoping it will look much more splendid when finished.

Here's a link to Ferret's finished version

Click Here

Only managed the morning and lunch at Ferret's workshop at the Royal Hotel in Bridlington, but it was enjoyable all the same.  Had to dash off to the eye hospital in the afternoon as things are not going well in that department.

The food was delicious and Ferret was very attentive and helpful.  Above is my background to Autumn Leaves wall hanging.  You could machine quilt it in straight lines or take the more challenging option of free motioning adjoining leaf shapes.  Well, what's the point of taking the easy route?  I could stay at home and quilt in straight lines.  Once my machine stopped breaking threads (Ferret sorted it) I set off at a pace as I was already lagging behind everyone else - not unusual for me at these events.  I wasn't impressed with my leaves as I was stitching them, but once out of the machine and viewed at a distance they weren't really that bad.  Everyone at home identified what they were at first glance when asked, so they are good enough for me.  

I made a start on the binding - a Ricky Timms method taught by Ferret but it is still to finish off.  Fiona from the Royal has kindly offered to help me finish it off if I can't do it from the instructions Ferret gave me before I had to leave.

I'd definitely do another Ferret workshop - she's very lively and chatty and I liked her teaching style.

More quilting workshops at The Royal in Bridlington

http://www.royalhotelbrid.co.uk/Whats%20On.php

If I didn't live less than 20 minutes drive away I'd definitely consider the residential options - the hotel is spotless and comfortable, lovely hosts, on the sea front and the food is awesome!  Actually if I was feeling flush, I'd probably go stay there anyway despite the proximity to home as it would make it even more enjoyable.

Stained Glass Workshop - Borders On

The black bias has been sewn down - I used a twin needle which worked well and the only glitches were operator error.  I have to admit it isn't easy to keep on the bias when you can't see straight lines, but I can't help that.  I slipped a pale green border in before the main red one and I think the colours look good.  All the fabric is dyed by me - except the cream background of course.  Next step is quilting.  I need to think about how to tackle that.  The pattern I have used has stippled all the cream - wonder if I dare?

Hunter Star

I subscribed to "Just Hands On TV" last month, it's too early to say whether or not I will stay subscribed.  The idea was that instead of paying a ridiculous amount for a couple of quilt magazines each month I would invest it in a subscription to this web site and be able to view lots of quilting videos - "New videos uploaded every Friday!"  I've been disappointed with a few "new videos uploaded" as they seem to be either very short indeed or an advert for something they are selling and only two each Friday, just narrowly scraping into the 'plural'.  That said last Friday there was a very good workshop on dyeing fabric in plastic bags - that subject being of great interest to me at the moment.  So, I'm reserving judgement on JHO TV and will give it a bit longer and see if there is enough to keep me interested.

Anyway, back to the point of this post.  There is a competition on JHO TV where you make any kind of star block and send it in - your name goes in a draw and the blocks are used to make a charity quilt.  Couldn't sleep last night so went looking for quilt blocks patterns and found this brilliant site which has loads of free block patterns and absolutely excellent straightforward instructions for making them up.  The site is Delaware Quilts and there is an alphabetical list of block names, then the blocks are listed in finished sizes so it's easy to locate what you are looking for.

Above is my first effort - a block called Hunter Star.  I was very pleased with how it went together but devastated when I measured it to ensure it was the stipulated 12 1/2 inches - it is only 12 1/4", which means my seam allowances must have been just that bit too big.

I've got quite a bit of this leftover fabric so I'm going to make more blocks and create my own Hunter Star quilt.  I daren't send my non regulation sized block off to the quilt experts - but I can easily jiggle minute differences in sizes into something acceptable.  The prize is a sewing machine and I really don't need any more.........  Who knows if I make enough blocks one of them might just turn out to be spot on size-wise.

There were many places in this block where lots of seams intersected and points met.  The Horizon was coaxed carefully over these using the O2 foot, stitch no 93, pressure 4, stitch length 1.8, slow speed and a very firm hand.  It performed acceptably but not outstandingly.

Quilting in Progress

 The Sue Briscoe Super Strips quilt started in April this year has moved into the next phase.  I've chosen to use Hobbs Polydown wadding from Creative Grids.  This is the first time I've tried 100% polyester and I might be converted.  It's a big quilt - the biggest I've attempted to machine quilt (I think) and I'm managing it well in the large throat space of the Horizon.  Already I can see the loft of the polyester is giving a much more defined texture to the quilt and it is light and easy to manoeuvre.

Here are a couple of pictures of the semi-quilted state - only the borders to complete and then I can work on the binding.  I've used the piano key style border as suggested by Sue Briscoe but have had to deviate on the  mock mitred corners as I ended up just a little short of fabric.  With a bit of thinking and fiddling I decided to run each set of piano keys into the corners and it looks fine to me.

The colours of the Bali Pop really make this quilt.  When time allows I'd like to do this quilt again in a different colourway.

Hope to finish this one up and post a picture in a couple of days.

Click on Picture to Enlarge

Click on Picture to Enlarge

Crazy Quilt Complete

This quilt was started a long time ago, it may have been three years or more - I can't remember.  Some of the fabric I recognise as being more than 10 years old.  The quilt started at a Beryl Frank workshop at Hutton Buscel and I came across the completed blocks last week when having one of my regular forages for fabric in boxes and drawers.  With the addition of a bit of sashing, backing leftover from another quilt and random decorative stitches along the seams in crazy patchwork style it all came together.

PS - Last week I exchanged an old gift token and a bit of cash for what I am told is a very powerful image editing programme.........can you tell?  I've played a bit with the above photo but not sure that I've improved it.  More about that in a future post.

Tea Cosy

We were asked at Pick n Mix craft club last month to make a tea cosy for McMillan so here's my effort.  It's made completely from leftovers and embellished with lots of different decorative stitches along the seams.  

Quilt University

I've just completed my first Quilt University course - Machine Quilting.  It lasted four weeks staring April 15th, followed by three further lessons released at weekly intervals on Friday evenings 6pm local time.  The lessons containing instructions for what we needed to work on were well written and the tutor was available via the discussion forum every day.  Questions seemed to be answered very quickly and were available for all to see.  There's also a class gallery where students can post what they are working on, or examples of finished projects or problems which need advice.  Also I've done some work on machine quilting and attended a Philippa Naylor workshop, there were still some bits and bobs I found useful being information which was new to me.

There is a more advanced class to sign up for at the end of this month, but I'm too busy to do it justice right now so maybe I'll catch it when it comes round next year.

I think the courses offered by Quilt University are good value for money and let you work through at your own pace.  The classroom closes about 3-4 weeks after the last lesson so you need to print out the lessons as they become available if you can't finish it in time.  You can click here to find out what courses are currently open for registration.

The picture is a sampler of different techniques I have practiced during the course.  The central motif is a continuous line design marked with a stencil.  Around the centre is meandering, stippling, freehand lines and some pebbles.

Smooth lines and not getting yourself stuck in a corner you can't get out of will come with practice and I need plenty of that.

The Janome Horizon 7700 QCP really does the job with free motion quilting. 

Lazy Girl - Claire Bag

The Claire bag from Lazy Girl Designs finished last weekend.  It has two central pockets on the outside and small pockets all around the interior.  Not particularly difficult to make and it looks nice finished.  It's not very "sturdy" and any weight inside distorts the shape.  If I made it again I would use a much heavier weight interfacing.  It's wide open top gives no security for the contents but there is a small optional flap in the pattern which would keep it together in the middle.  It uses a different fabric combination on each side and requires 7 fat quarters, fusible fleece and interfacing.

I think it will be useful for carrying my packed lunch to work - not secure enough to carry anything of value.  Just dropping it on the floor would have things dropping out all over the place.

Interior showing internal pockets

Other side showing alternative colour way.

Japanese Circles and Squares

This quilt started at the Susan Briscoe workshop at the Royal Hotel in Bridlington is finished.

It was quilted the day after I went to the talk given by Ferrett in York - I didn't feel able to stitch in the ditch or cover it in straight lines after seeing her magnificent work so I thought outside the box..........circles, land of the rising sun etc and came up with a large circle in the bottom left corner with lines radiating out around it to the edges of the quilt.  I drew round a dinner plate for the circle and free-handed the lines using a yardstick and chalk.  I used a brown/cream YLI variegated thread on top and a brown/orange Gutterman variegated in the bobbin.  It needs a hanging sleeve then it will be on the wall somewhere in the house.

I used a Japan themed fabric for the back, rather bright but it's not on show on the wall and I'm beginning to wonder, with the rising price of cotton, if a quilt is being made for display then should it be backed with a quality calico.  It isn't seen and costs a fraction of what quilting cotton costs.

I'd make this quilt again.  It's not a difficult one and lots of different looks can be achieved depending on fabric / colour choices.

Storm at Sea Block

One of my Christmas presents was the Storm at Sea ruler from Creative Grids.  Using some Japanese themed fabrics I have knocked up a trial block and it has gone together well.  The photo is taken with the block in three strips - these need sewing together to complete it.  I'm always afraid of points but the ones which have been sewn so far match up.  I'm on the look out now for some fabric to make a full size quilt in this pattern.

Peacock Quilt

Finished at last - the Peacock Quilt for Daisy (my eldest son's girlfriend).  I hope she likes it, it took some doing! 

Happy Christmas Daiz!

Philippa Naylor Workshop

I had a wonderful day at our Philippa Naylor workshop on Friday.  She is a lovely lady and an excellent teacher.  The quilts she brought to show us were amazing.  The rather poor photos are of the 24" x 24" trapunto sample I started at the workshop and finished at home.  I'm pleased with it - a million miles from being perfect but I don't think I made a mess of it either.  I hope we are able to arrange another workshop next year.

Christmas Table Toppers

 Small table topper I made with leftovers from one the Christmas quilts - they go on the little tables we have around the house and they're handy to stand drinks and dishes on.  I did a bit of FMQ in the shape of large holly leaves.  These little projects are handy for confidence building with the FMQ.

Christmas Gift Quilt

Here's my first Christmas 2010 gift quilt complete.  I've chosen and flannel backing and sashing this year - very snuggly.  I wonder who will get this one?