A Change in Plans

DQS 12, a photo by sewhappy45 on Flickr.

Ok this is what I have made for my partner for the Doll Quilt Swap. I felt that she may not have liked my other creation too much, maybe it was colours, possibly pattern, what ever it was I felt it wasn't happening. So I decided to have a re think and this is what developed.
I tried a new technique with thhis by sewing fabric on paper.
I have found this difficult to put together but all in all I am happy with the final result.
I am looking so forward to quilting this, I will post pics when I have done that.

Happy sewing

Sonia

DQS 12

DQS 12, a photo by sewhappy45 on Flickr.

Here is what I have so far for my doll quilt swap. This quilt has evolved to this and I do have a lot more work to do.
This started with a quote, can't say what it was just yet. That quote got me thinking. After looking at an insane number of quilts on Flickr for inspiration one jumped out as being able to fit the bill, interestingly it was on chickenfoots mosaic but I knew it was the one. Now inspiration is one thing but I didn't want to copy that style exactly so I opted to only have every other a churn and dash block. Now this quote required that the other blocks be more free and crazy.
I was sewing like a mad woman, then when I put it up on my board I felt very taken back.
This is a bold quilt and the colour is strong, I am a little intimidated by it and I can't believe that I have actually sewn it.
Ahhh but then I pause....I doubt my judgement, I worry that my partner will look at it and wonder what I was thinking, or what I had been drinking when I came up with this. I felt so frightened, I even started to sew another block then drew up another quilt while this one sat on my design board. Then the quote came into my head. (I know this is frustrating but I can not ruin the surprise), if I am to stay true to the quote then I must see this through.
So deep breath I put it on flickr , it is now out there and I feel a little nauseous, is that normal?
The question I may have to face is if my partner doesn't like my idea do I scrap it?

Happy sewing

Sonia

Doll Quilt Swap 12

This post is specifically for my partner.
I won't be including pictures here as I realised that I have many pics in my favourites on Flickr, so I have decided to give more info here about me.
I love colour, my favourite at the moment is green. I do tend to like my colours to group, warms or cools, hey but if you like to mix them that is very ok with me.
I like sewing stuff, coffee tea, teacups, Forest animals, birds, really anything cute.
I am really getting into Japanese patchwork at the moment, also intrigued by liberated quilting
so if you feel like doing something wonky that is very fine with me.
I am easy with solids or prints or any combo, if you want to sew a quilt using all solids that too is fine...I have lots of quilts that I love that only used solids.
Ok now with the blocks there is 5 to choose from, I love simplicity so log cabins, shoo fly, flying geese are all perfectly fine. I am always impressed with NY beauty and drunkards path so again if you want to do those blocks then that too is fine.
Most important thing of all to me is that you enjoy making this little quilt I hope that I have helped you or taken any anxiety away. I want to leave your choices as open as possible as this is your creation.


Happy sewing

Sonia

hopevalley 2

hopevalley 2, a photo by sewhappy45 on Flickr.

I am a little behind with my free motion quilting with Leah Day. The other week was looking at scale.
I unpicked my hopevalley postage stamp quilt as I hadn't calculated my backing fabric very well. Once I had done that I figured what better way to learn than to do it for real.
This is a reasonable sized quilt but it didn't take very long to quilt it....I was very surprised. I am now so glad as I now have my lovely hope valley quilt good to use.

Tangerine Tango Challenge

Tangerine Tango 1, a photo by sewhappy45 on Flickr.

Today I want to let you all see my entry for the tangerine tango challenge. What I liked best about this challenge was that it made you think about a colour....it was all about the colour, and that got me straight away. There were limits of course and that really tested my confidence in my design. I drew a sketch of the block, played with colour combinations then pulled out fabrics.
I then decided it would be made mostly from scrap. Once it was finished I felt pretty disappointed that I didn't make it into a larger quilt as I really love it now.....it may still yet happen...I hope.
Check out the challenge pool on Flickr, some great entries are already there.
Happy sewing
Sonia

Weekend Quilting

I just had to share this as I am just bubbling with excitement, this weekend I was looking at Leah Day's Blog  and there was a tutorial for stippling on it. Now I have only just started to really give this a go prior to my last post my darning foot made me shudder. I was real scared of free motion quilting...stippling all of it. Once I did the four squares that I posted about earlier I was thrilled, I felt I could take on anything, so I did.... I spent Saturday unpicking my hand quilting on this quilt: (sorry about sideways pic)

My youngest daughter helped me re pin and get it back to ready. I really couldn't have done it without her help. Then the fun began. All went really well now I am not going to win any prizes for my ace quilting but I (that's me) have actually quilted this quilt with STIPPLING! I never thought that this was possible so I feel on top of the world right now.( I can't stop just looking at it, it really is that hard to believe) There were some hiccups like one bit where I did a loop and others where my stitching has crossed anothers path and the stitches aren't even but all of that does not matter to me as I have actually done this and it wasn't anywhere near as bad as I thought it would be. In fact I wouldn't have this quilt any other way and I can say that this is my first of many, I am converted and officially out of the ditch...Yay! So here is a close up and another pic of my quilt that spent way too long on the UFO pile.

Free Motion Quilt Along Quokka Quilts

Free Motion Quilt Along Quokka Quilts, a photo by sewhappy45 on Flickr.

Oh Boy I have actually done this. For so long I have run away from free motion quilting doing only little bits here and there. When this quilt along came up I thought this is just what I need. My quilting is not perfect but you know it is not as bad as I thought it would be. I feel a lot more confident to do this now (and I have only done four blocks) My patterns are a little tighter as I want to be comfortable doing this on a doll quilt. Whoa think its time for a coffee now.
Happy sewing
Sonia

My creation

This is my selection for a competition that is currently on here I found it hard to pick fabrics like this and challenging to make the selection very varied. I love scrappy the best so these prints I considered would be right for that. Now I just have to wait and see. I am loving these colours right now and they are sure on my list for purchase.

I am also taking part in Bunny Hill Scrappy plate.....these colours are what I am currently thinking I may use. Go here to check it out and hey why not join in the fun.
I am also taking part in the little quilt vote swap group that can be found here now this is a fun group to be in, of course the more the merrier. There is lots of sewing happening and posts will follow soon showing what I have been up to.

Happy sewing
Sonia
My creation, a photo by sewhappy45 on Flickr.