Quilt Ladder DIY

Have you noticed the sudden surge of interest for quilt ladders? Well, I have. It seems they've been popping up everywhere recently! and I for one, *love* the micro trend. I first started noticing them while browsing Pinterest for antique quilts; a pastime which I spend far, far too much time doing... (you can see a few examples on my Quilting board). So I added it to our ever growing home DIY wish to-do list.

A few months passes, oh and a year! with still no quilt ladder, then I noticed @saracecilquilts on Instagram set up a business making dreamy custom built quilt ladders, and sure enough all my favourite quilter's were getting one! (shame she's based in the U.S. so I wasn't going to be getting one of those! *insert crying face here*). Robin eventually caught on to the idea, so we got to making, finally! - with a couple of new tool purchases of course :-/ somehow he always manages to need a new tool for whatever project we do... hmm... I guess it's like us quilter's need new fabric for every project, right? ;-)

He wanted to do a 'practice' one first so we wouldn't waste money on wood (which is a lot more expensive here than the U.S.) So we made a mini quilt ladder with just two rungs, and a good job we did as we put the bottom rung too low, dohh! I looooove the wood stain effect on this one though, it took me four coats to get this look. I think it sits nicely in our living space and it's the perfect height to not overpower the room. 

The next quilt ladder was the big one, 6ft tall with four rungs. This one went together a lot more smoothly I think. We measured the distance between the rungs again, and spaced them evenly. Robin also used leftover scraps of wood to make plugs to fill the screw holes on the outside, which were then sanded down (on the previous ladder I just used wood filler, which if you paint - you can't see it, so it doesn't matter. But on the wood stain the filler is a slightly different colour, so shows though). 

I decided to paint this ladder white for our bedroom, as we have beautiful antique chest of drawers so I didn't want to use the wood stain and have two clashing wood colour's next to each other? We also have a white bed-frame and neutral curtains so it all ties in quite well hopefully ;-) Ok, can I now just say how much I love them and how clever my fiancé Robin is!!? So, so so happy with them. Thank YOU Robin! Now I just need to finish of a couple more quilts to fill them up, can you believe I don't have enough!? 

EPP Diamond Quilt Update: 05/14

The weather down in my part of the world has been just glorious lately, which can only mean one thing - there has been a lot more English paper piecing action around here! 

I had had a restful weekend and seized the good weather opportunity to crack on with my EPP diamond quilt outside. I've not worked on this project for some time, so it was nice to get back into the swing of it. Appliqueing each diamond to the backing probably takes me at least 20 minutes (yes, I'm very slow!) I generally save it for TV time in the evening but I'm usually quite tired then so I don't get much done. I always seem to be a little more motivated to sew these outside when the sun is shining :-)

Products used: 8 Point Diamond, 3" Paper Pieces | Aurifil 50wt cotton thread, 2410 | Kona Pearl Pink | selection of 1930s reproduction fabrics and vintage fabric

I love the way it's looking, and I'm enjoying the slower pace with this quilt - watching it grow and take shape. As I sit and sew them I've thought I would even like to hand quilt it once the top is finished, I know :-/ Am I completely crazy? I've still got lots to applique so I guess time will tell...

The Making of the Nautical Quilt

I've started working on a nautical boat quilt which I've been meaning to do for ages, but really, like I need another new project!? This I couldn't hold up any longer though, I have a major thing for navy right now and since I live right on the coast, I thought a subtle seaside quilt seemed just right to drape over an armchair in the living room ;-)

I found the pattern online, for free! here. It's just amazing the quilt patterns you can find on the web, though I do spend waaaay too long doing so… I've had to halt on the making the last couple of days as we had run out of Kona Snow, but two new bolts have just arrived today, so you can find it in stock at Sew and Quilt. 

Right I'm off now to crack on with my final ten blocks, with Modern Family box set on the iPad, yippee! Have a great weekend, friends. xo

A Little Pin Cushion 'How-To'

I happened to come across Melissa P's gorgeous little pin cushion recently, using her Trellis Flowers block pattern and instantly fell in love. Sure enough it immediately went to the top of my sewing to do list, and I'd whipped up one in no time at all. 

Melissa is the queen of fussy-cutting so I took a leaf out of her book when creating my version ;-) a fussy cut flower for the centre and gingham scallops for the border. I had a bit of a mind blank trying to work out how Melissa turned hers into a pin cushion, but eventually I had worked out something similar!? So if you fancy making one as well, here's a quick little 'how to'. 

Fabrics used: Aunt Grace, Pink Floral Vine | Lecien Old New 30's 

First off, go and print off the free Trellis Flowers pattern available here. 

1. Once you have completed the quilt block, cut the backing fabric, and layer of wadding (optional) of the same size.

2. With right sides facing, sew 1/4" all the way around, leaving a gap big enough for turning inside out.

3. Re-position your corners as shown above (with the seams in the centre). Draw a line 1.5" down from the tip. Sew along the line.

4. Repeat to all four corners, so you have something that looks like above. 

5. Turn inside out and stuff, stuff, stuff! When you think you've got enough - push more in! You want it so it's nice and plump! Sew the hole closed with a whipstitch. Push the centre of the pin cushion down and thread a button through the middle.

This one above is actually another one I made, but I gifted this one to a very nice lady I met from British Patchwork and Quilting magazine (more on that another time!). It was in return of her sending me those absolutely gorgeous feedback fabrics!!! I've got another couple of pieces of feedsack fabrics in my stash that I've collected from Etsy - so nice I have yet to use them! :-/ Though I've been thinking I will use these in some Lucy Boston 'Patchwork Of The Crosses' EPP blocks. Have you seen that quilt? I know a couple of my Sew and Quilt customers are doing it. I'm chomping at the bit to start but trying to crack on with appliquéing some more of my diamonds from the other EPP project I have on the go. 

Love Patchwork & Quilting Magazine, Issue 8

Hi guys! I just had to stop by today and tell you all about my feature in this month's Love Patchwork & Quilting magazine! I will try to keep the exclamation points to a minimum, but it's just so exciting!!! >.<

One of the lovely editors; Alice, contacted me a couple of months ago and asked if I would be happy to contribute a little interview about me, my quilting projects, my shop, how I got started - that sort of thing. As well as provide some images to use alongside the article.

Little did I know it was going to be a three page spread!! Eeek! I'm so honoured to be part of the magazine, it really is a great publication aimed at quilter's like us ;-) and it does really well to promote the British quilting scene. Plus, this issue is extra amazing because one of my favourite quilter's; Camille has designed the fabulous 'Cheerio' quilt as featured on the front cover. Wouldn't it make a great little baby quilt? That's what I'm planning - to gift of course! Oh, and there's a mini version too, so you know I had to make that straight away!

This little mini was so fun to make, and I got to cut into the brand new April Showers collection we just got in! Though it's a mix of general Sew and Quilt shop fabrics - my favourite! I also did an orange peel quilting design, which I've not tried before. Using the Pumpkin Seed border quilting stencil.

Another little feature I had is in a brand new bookazine by the LP&Q magazine, called 'Pro Guide To Quilting'. They asked for some of my Scrappy Trips and Granny Squared quilts. 

Issue 8 of Love Patchwork & Quilting and Pro Guide To Quilting is on UK newstands now, so I hope you can get a copy. For my international readers, you can find LP&Q magazine in local quilt shops and book shops next month I think, and there is an offer running at the moment to buy 3 issues for $10 here. Great deal! You can get a digital version for your iPad too. Hope that helps! xo

Tips on Accurate Quilt Piecing

I’ve been sewing a lot in 2014 so far and I’ve really noticed an improvement in my piecing accuracy with the extra practise I’ve been getting in. In particular, I think all the mini quilt making and Farmer's Wife Quilt blocks I've done recently has really helped as I’ve been working with such tiny pieces! 

It’s always an on-going goal for me to improve my piecing and I’ve been working hard to get the best results. So this is not a definitive list from a quilting god here - more of a basic guide with some helpful tips that I have picked up in my years of quilting and what I try to remember each time I work on a quilting project.

First off, it may sound obvious – but is there enough light where you are cutting and sewing? I added in two Ikea Jansjo spotlights over my desk last year and it made a world of difference for me as I usually sew in the evenings, and just one ceiling bulb wasn’t cutting it. I have one directly over my sewing machine, and the other one arched over the desk area to help me with rotary cutting.

Accurate cutting is the first step in getting the most precise results, so for me I like to press my fabric before I do any cutting and ensure the fabric is squared up correctly ready for rotary cutting. For really tiny piecing projects, I’ve heard spray starching fabric is a good idea, though I’ve not tried this yet myself. Though I would starch before you cut as starching afterwards may shrink the fabric. 

The right tool for the right project. The larger 60mm rotary cutters are ideal for cutting large pieces of fabric down to manageable strips, whereas the smaller 28mm cutters are perfect for tiny piecing. So remember to switch it up as you're working, it helps not using a big cumbersome rotary cutter for a tiny 6" block, for example!

Use your rotary cutter consistently; what I mean by that is: for me I line up my fabric and acrylic ruler so the lines are exactly on the inside of the fabric, as the lines can sometimes be quite thick. It’s only a whisker of difference but sometimes if you switch methods between a project it can make a difference. 

“Measure twice, cut once”.

Am I sitting straight in front of my machine? The needle, more specifically. If you’re sitting at a slight angle it could affect your measurements. 

It goes without saying that an accurate ¼” seam allowance is essential for patchwork and quilting. Personally, I like to use a ¼” foot on my Janome as I think it gives me more accurate results than the regular foot. I found this really great exercise here to make sure you get the perfect 1/4" seam.

I love to chain piece and I use it more and more these days, an important thing I’ve learnt more recently to help with chain piecing smaller units is to use a small scrap of fabric as a leader and ender. It really helps to keep the accurate ¼” seam at either ends where it can sometimes get a little troublesome. Or sometimes with larger completed blocks I tend to stitch just inwards of the block slightly, instead of using a leader and ender scrap. 

Go slowly. This is one I really repeat to myself often. A lot of times I give myself a time-frame to sew, or set myself unrealistic goals to ‘finish before bed’, so I end up rushing and making mistakes which ends up taking me double the time in first place! It's a process of enjoyment, not a race. 

Pressing is definitely an area I have improved in. I have learned to not to press like I’m ironing a shirt – pushing all over the place and distorting the fabric. Instead setting the iron flat on top of the piece to press. With smaller HST units etc. I lightly finger press my seams first and only use the iron to press downwards. For larger completed blocks, I use a gliding motion carefully – on the front (printed side of the fabric) as well as pressing flat. I use a dry iron, no steam. 

For my seams to line up perfectly I pin diagonally through the pieces at intersecting seams. I love using nesting seams (pressing seams in opposite directions, so that when the two units are sewn together, they 'nest together') where I can! 

I hope this helps you! If you have any additional tips and tricks feel free to leave them in the comments area, I'm love hearing new things :-)

Round & Round Mini Quilt

During my unexpected sewing and blog hiatus last month, I did manage to squeeze in another - yes another! Thimbleblossoms mini pattern. I looove the full size Round and Round quilt, but I don't have plans to sew that anytime soon so the mini was ideal ;-) I also got to use up some of my beloved Briar Rose fabrics that have been waiting 'for just the right project'. So, are there more mini quilts in my future? I think so!! xo