Catch Up

Lots of sewing to catch up on:

Thimbles and Needles released two new great patterns and I immediately had to make both - fortunately I had what I needed in my stash.

The first pattern is "Nine Patch Chain" and I decided to make this in a limited colour palette of blue, green, grey, aqua Thimble Blossoms and Tasha Noel fabrics with Silver Kona Solid for the accent.  Should not have used this as it was background for another quilt I had cut out (I had forgotten about it) but fortunately I could buy some more from Patchworks Plus.

Lots of nine patches sewn earlier this year.

I added some Thimble Blossoms and Tasha Noel low volumes for the sashing strips to use up these fabrics and also add some variety to the quilt top.  I ended up using on Bella Solid 200 for the outer pieces.

The backing is from Thimble Blossoms' "Nantucket Summer" and the Silver Kona Solid will be the binding.

Jo's second new pattern is called "Olive and Nell" - another nine patch block quilt.  I had a new fat quarter bundle of Thimble Blossoms' "Summertime" and had been looking for a pattern to encourage me to use it.  Instead of a white background I used the rest of my Moda Bella Solid Ruby Ice fabric.

Some test blocks.

Large nine patches

Small nine patches

Corners and setting triangles

Quilt Top

Backing and binding are also from the "Summertime" range.

Last December there was also a bit of dressmaking.  As soon as I saw Style Arc's "Yvette" design I loved it and wanted to make it using stripes as in the pattern.  Bella Patchwork Fabrics was having a sale and I picked up the "Summertime" stripe to make the first dress.

I called in to Spotlight to have a look at the linen fabrics - I wanted pink and was very happy to find a pink linen with white stripes to make the sleeved version.  I couldn't make it as per the pattern because of my big arms but am very pleased with how it turned out.
 

Dinosaurs Quilt

Three years ago I bought a kit from The Next Stitch to make Elizabeth Hartman's "Robots" quilt.  I thought this would be nice for Vinnie when he went into a big bed.  But, as with most little boys, he prefers dinosaurs, so earlier this year I started making Elizabeth Hartman's "Dinosaurs" quilt.

I sent this quilt to Sarah at Patchworks Plus Shop for quilting.  She used Scottish Plaid Diamond and I love this design.

Vinnie chose the backing when we visited Spotlight a few months ago.

I went to visit Vinnie and his family on Sunday to give him his quilt - the colours are terrific with his room and curtain colours.

Vinnie also wanted a dinosaur t-shirt, so I made him a shirt.  What is it with clothes patterns these days?  Vinnie is a very regular size 4 boy and I made this shirt size 6 - it will barely get him through the summer.

The "Happy Scrappy Baskets" quilt top is together.  This was enjoyable to make, mainly because I was able to use up fabrics from my Figtree scrap basket.

The setting triangles and backing fabric is from Figtree's "Strawberry and Rhubarb" range.  I'm not sure which range the basket fabric is from.

A few weeks ago my friends and I went to see Torvill and Dean's show in Sydney - was so lovely seeing them skate again.  I went to see their first shows in Sydney after they won their gold medal and, even though they were as graceful as ever.  Was disappointing that the arena was only half full.

Christmas 2024 Sewing

Lots of sewing last November/December.

Had a good sort through my backing offcuts and dressmaking fabrics to make a bunch of clothes for Daisy for a Christmas present.  They were in a variety of sizes using patterns I had sewn for my own children.

Size 1

Size 18 months

Size 2

Size 3

Size 4

Also made a stocking for Daisy to add to the family swag (still waiting for her nametag to arrive),

a May Blossom "Jumbleberry Santa"

new stockings for Daisy and Kurt

and a Mill Hill ornament for each of the little ones.

Also made a Christmas shirt for Vinnie.

Sewing for the Family

 I've been procrastinating for months - not sewing for the family but finally got around to starting in January.

"Blaire" blouse designed by Style Arc for Elizabeth is a lovely linen.

Finally sewed up the baby clothes I had cut out for Daisy - some of the patterns were purchased when Elizabeth was a baby.

Jenni brought this fabric to me and asked me to make a romper for her baby.

Last year when Hugo chose Halloween fabric for his pants, he also chose fabrics for his sister and cousins.  Jelly beans for Thea

60's swirls for Gulli

and Paw Patrol for Vinnie

When Gulli was little I cut out a pair of pyjamas for him but never got around to sewing them up and didn't sew them up for Hugo.  Finally sewed them up for Vinnie during this batch of sewing.

Vinnie's third birthday was earlier this month and we spent the day at Sydney Zoo - a lovely zoo and very easy to navigate with children.  His party was last weekend and I made him "Giddy Up", a Melly & Me design.  I've previously made a few of these and this may be the last.  I added little wheels because I think it's a bit heavy for a little one to hold up.