A Summer Dress

This time I tried a Butterick dress pattern 6351.  This one I cut out on a 12/14 size according to my measurements.

 It was pretty tricky as the back of the bodice overlaps...

But all is well that ends well...

Napkins

I also made some napkins to go in the kitchen with the orange placemats.


I made them with lots of pressing and I even trimmed the corners.  First I used the Jinny Beyer perfect piecer tool and fold and press the mitres.

After trimming the corner to reduce bulk, and more pressing

The mitres were perfect if I do say so...

Spinning Wheels, my Aunt Maude Quilt

When my parents married, my Mom was sent a quilt top made by her Aunt Maude who lived in BC.  The top languished for a few years and then my Mom undertook to quilt it herself although she had never done such a thing.  Winters in Manitoba are long and cold. It seemed like a good idea.  I have always admired that quilt and was mesmerized by the pattern.

It has seen a lot of wear since the early 1950s.  Recently my Mom gifted it to me.  I am delighted to be the keeper of Aunt Maude's quilt.

But I had to go one better and try to make some of these blocks.  Well I found out why you don't see this block in quilting magazines.

It was a challenge just to get it drafted up.  But I think my effort was worth it.

When I finished nine blocks I called it a day.  Let me tell you though there are lots of mis-cut and wonky pieces in the bottom of the bin, sigh.

Braided Strip Quilt

Progress on this rediscovered lovely...

First some math and measuring...

Ta Da... one top done and ready for quilting...hmmm

Re - Quilting

I had made my eldest son an orange star quilt when he was in grade mmmm, 11 I think, in 2000.  It was my one and only time using an invisible thread for the quilting.  It turned out to be awful mainly because over time it grew a terrible beard of see through threads...

I took it back into my care after Christmas and began doctoring it.  There was enough intact thread to act as basting so I ran a line of quilting with cotton thread on either side of the original diagonal lines in one direction.

It was a bit troublesome but I wrestled it into submission.

Considering the fabric is 15 years old the quilt is hanging in there pretty well.  I did not find any other problems other than normal wear.

Inspirational Sightings

My cousin came to visit and had some fun in my sewing room...

Unveiling the finished Coffee Mug Quilt

I like this more every time I see it.  My DH says, 'very orange' but he was smiling I think...

I did a simple machine quilting finish with slightly wobbly vertical lines 1/2"-3/4" spacing.

The binding is done by doing each side separately so it was easy to make the bottom blue to match the border.

Coffee Cup Wall Hanging

You saw the dishes with the orange stripe.  I had to make another wall hanging using orange as the main colour.  This is going much more quickly than the applique one.

This pattern is from American Patchwork and Quilting (April 1996)  Yes I still have that issue.  I loved this pattern from the first time I saw it.  Finally it's coming to life.

Not all the blocks can be orange, right?

Happy Halloween Jacks

Yeah, I know it was yesterday, but what the hey...

I think they are so simple, cute... kind of like two chummy old dudes taking in the season and doing a little people watching...

OK so no trick or treaters came by last night - wait, is that a small tear I see....?

That is what happens in an ageing neighbourhood, the kids grow up and leave us - sniff- all alone....but we're still smilin'...

                                       (all that chocolate just for me!!)