Scrappy Days, part one

This year, I have been able to have some time off over Christmas, I am not due back to work until early January so am currently spending my days at my trusty sewing machine..... and loving every minute!

I have decided to put my ever-growing bin of fabric scraps to good use and thought I'd share the results so far with you.
I keep my scraps in one of those big plastic tubs and mine was at the point of over flowing with oddments of jelly rolls, charm packs and layer cakes that had remained unused.
I have the book "Sunday Morning Quilts" by Amanda Jean Nyberg & Cheryl Arkison and took my inspiration for my scrappy quilt from there.
Usually, I like to use pre-cut ranges because I know that being from the same range they will ultimately compliment one another on a quilt top. I am useless in a quilt store when presented with rows of fabric bolts, it blows my mind and I don't know where to begin so pre-cuts make my life so much easier!

For my scrappy quilt I chose a chequerboard style but wanted a random look to it.
To help with improvisation the book suggests placing all the coloured pieces into a paper bag and using the pieces in the order that you pull them from the bag. I found this tip really useful as I do sometimes have a hard time piecing colours together, this way it worked out beautifully.

You can see there are several different ranges in the top, I would never have put Lucy's Crab Shack with Rouenneries Deux by French General normally but it somehow works this way.
It made me think of the reasons that Patchwork began, making use of old scraps that would probably have sat in my bin for years. Now they are on their way to becoming a quilt to sit on my bed and will be useful and beautiful at the same time, even my husband approves!

I have spent the afternoon putting the quilt sandwich together and basting it for hours. I intend to begin quilting this monster tomorrow and have to confess find it rather daunting.
I am sure I am not alone in having a pile of UFOs in my sewing room but want to become more at ease with quilting larger projects, call it my New Years resolution!

Anyway I will make a start tomorrow and once it's completed will post the finished article, wish me luck!

I'd like to wish all my customers a very Happy New Year and if you're looking for some quilty inspiration check out the pattern ranges at www.onestitchatatime.co.uk  they are all on 40% discount during January but only while stocks last.

Christmas is coming.....

Christmas is  hugely busy time of the year for everyone but especially so for us crafters, expectations can be high as family and friends wait to see your latest festive creations.
I'll be honest, my home isn't going to look like it's been designed by Kirsty Allsopp but I have been very busy of late and I thought I'd share with you what I've been up to......

I had no idea what I could give my best friends children, until I saw the Moda Joy range by Kate Spain.........

 

 

I am really pleased with them, they were so easy to do and it gave me an excuse to use my Slice cutting machine to cut out their names (I love playing with my Slice!).

These beauties will be packaged up and posted to Olivia and Harry this week, it's very satisfying to give a handmade gift, I hope they like them too.

 

 

I loved the bright Christmassy colours so much that used my remaining fabric to make up a table runner for my kitchen table. I sewed several 11/2 inch strips together, then used my 30 degree triangle template to cut out contemporary Christmas trees. Add some sashing and a bright binding et voila......

 

There's still time to whip up smaller projects like these in time for Christmas, if the brighter colours in Joy don't appeal to you why not try Sentiments by 3 Sisters instead for a more traditional Christmas feel?

 

My current project, or should I say obsession is with fabric Gingerbread Men.....watch this space and all will be revealed very soon!