Churn Dash SAL

 Loved being part of Chooky's sew-along to make this Churn Dash quilt.  The pretty setting was designed by Karen Styles of Somerset Patchwork.  I used Bonnie and Camille coral pinks.

Coincidentally, my friend Karen who does most of my quilting, is also a Karen Styles.  Love Clamshells and it looks pretty on this quilt.

The backing is a pretty floral from Bonnie and Camille's "Smitten" range.

Had a great weekend - saw all the family.

Sewcialites

"Sewcialites" was a sew-along organised by The Fat Quarter Shop and 18 designers, each providing two block patterns. My blocks are made with Moda Bella Solid or Kona Solid fabrics and were all from stash.

I asked Karen to choose a quilting design and she chose "Abstract Butterflies" - love these butterflies - they add a touch of whimsy to the quilt.

The Churn Dash Sew-Along quilt has been quilted with Clamshells - so happy with how this looks and am looking forward to it arriving home later this week.

Towards the end of my holiday, I started sewing Lissa Alexander's "Friendship Blues" together.  The four-patches had been made for a while.

Haven't turned on the sewing machine for over two weeks - I've had some flu bug or other.  Seems to be taking ages to go away.  Maybe I'll feel like sewing tonight.

Holiday Sewing

I had a few grandchildren-free days during my time off work and was able to do some machine sewing.  First was catching up Churn Dash SAL blocks - made the deadline by one day.

Couldn't help myself - I had to sew a few blocks into rows to see how they would look

and then I just kept going until the blocks were all together.

Decided to add a couple of borders to use up the rest of the rosebud fabric.  The quilt is made entirely using Bonnie and Camille fabrics.

This is a close-up of the pretty background fabric.

So happy with this quilt top and so happy I joined Chooky's SAL.

A couple of years ago I decided to make another Scrappy Log Cabin quilt using up loads of fabric strips I had put aside over the years.

When I pulled out the box, I found I had quite a few blocks underway

so it didn't take too long to have enough made to cut them into 4 and start setting them out on the design sheet.

Used the same setting as last time - it was designed by Sarah Cecil and I love the red dots for the setting triangles and the white dots for the posts.

The quilt is pretty big (96-1/2" sq) but it will shrink a bit with quilting.

Last night I cut the wavy edge on "Fireworks" and sewed on the blue/white stripe bias binding.  I've stitched down one side but it will take another couple of nights in front of the tv to finish.

Next quilt to start sewing up is Lissa Alexander's "Friendship Blues".  The four patches were made a couple of months ago and have been put aside while I've been distracted by other pretties.

The photo shows about 2/3 of the blocks.  The original quilt has very wide borders but I think I'll cut them a bit narrower.

It's about time I started my 2022 Scrap Busters Quilt - Tula Pink's "Butterfly".  I have the fabrics set aside.

Jenni and Kurt have bought a home unit and will be moving into it early next week.  They spent last weekend painting Vinnie's room and the office.  Very exciting time for them.

Pattern Test

I was making good progress on "Star Pop" - another three rows added to the quilt

when a friend on Instagram (Jo, @thimblesandneedles) asked me to test her new pattern.  When I've tested her other patterns I'd make a couple of the blocks for the body of the quilt plus some side blocks and a corner block - many of her quilts are set on point.

Last week Jo sent me (and some other quilters) her latest design, "Berry Parfait", to test.  I didn't have any berry coloured fabrics in my stash that I felt would suit the theme or the pattern but I found a bunch of yellow/pink/orange/green fabrics that all looked pretty together and I decided to make the throw sized quilt.

Didn't take too much time to sew up the blocks for the body of the quilt.

It seemed to take longer to sew up the side and top/bottom filler blocks.  I had a busy time with family over the weekend so didn't have an opportunity to set out the blocks or sew them together.  Maybe later this week.

The pattern has great pressing instructions.

Saturday and Sunday nights I made the August blocks for Chooky's Churn Dash SAL.  One more month of block making then it will be time to start assembling the quilt top.

On Saturday we went to visit Jenni, Kurt and Vinnie - haven't been able to see them for a few weeks because they've been sick and didn't want to give us their bug.  Had a lovely time with them.

Yesterday T&H came for the day - Elizabeth is recovering from sinus surgery earlier in the week.  H and I cooked lamb shanks for dinner and a lemon syrup poppyseed cake using lemons I'd brought back from Jenni's tree.

SALs

This winter has turned out to be a time for participating in sew-alongs.  The first one I joined is Chooky Blue's Churn Dash Along.  I sewed up July's blocks while chatting with friends in a Chooky Zoom on Sunday evening.

A month or so ago Camille Roskelley (Thimble Blossoms) suggested a sew-along making a Swoon quilt - there are a few Swoon quilts to choose from and I'm making the original in various Bonnie and Camille fabrics.  I've made this quilt before but not in B&C fabrics.

I will try to make two blocks each week.

 

When I cut out my Swoon blocks, I also cut out blocks to make Fireworks.  My plan is to make four blocks each week but not sure how achievable that will be in amongst my other sewing, crocheting etc.  I made three this week because I made one block after cutting out the fabrics.

Making some slow progress on Blueberry Kisses and hope to continue with it over the weekend.

Hooray the sun is shining today!

June Churn Dash Blocks

Spare time on Friday was spent cutting out Churn Dash blocks.

By last night this month's blocks were finished.  As I've made a couple of Churn Dash quilts before, I'm really happy to have stumbled onto this variation.

On Friday night went to see "Top Gun:  Maverick" with some friends - what a great movie.  Loved it.   Had a lovely dinner afterwards.  Fun way to start a (very cold) weekend.

On Saturday, after usual housework, I spent the afternoon and evening with my friends, Lynell and Darren, packing.  After 40 years in the house they are moving to a house in my suburb, so there is a lot of sorting and packing to be done over the coming weeks.

I have one room in my house that has not been touched since we moved in and it is used as a junk/storeroom and the door is always closed.  The room needs gutting, re-gyprocking, painting etc and it is going to happen.  An electrician is coming this week to remove the old ceiling fan/light and wall control and install a new light fitting and then I can book in the plasterer.  Pretty excited about this.  I will use the room as a study and extra spare bedroom.

My quilting frame is in this room and I'm hoping someone would like it (I'll be happy give it away to anyone who wants to pick it up).

Started clearing out the room yesterday morning then after lunch my brother turned up with Mum and he and I had the job finished by mid-afternoon.  I have lots of stuff to drop off to the Op Shop and lots of stuff to throw out.  Nat's What I Reckon's Lamb Ragout was bubbling away on the stove all afternoon - was a delicious dinner last night.

I've enjoyed all the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Churn Dash Quilt

Chookyblue is hosting a Churn Dash-Along for bloggers (now closed) and the goal for June is to choose fabrics and make 8 blocks.  During last Saturday's zoom chat Chooky was cutting out and sewing up Double Churn Dash blocks - these look fabulous but the block is too big for this quilt design.

I had a look online to find instructions for a tiny 3" finished churn dash block that can sit inside the pattern's 9" finished block and made a sample block last night.  It's not perfect but is good enough to show me that this idea will work.  The pretty dot white-on-white flower Bonnie and Camille fabric will be the background.

I thought I'd like to make the quilt pink and white so had a look through my Bonnie and Camille fabrics and have enough to make the quilt - 2 blocks from some fabrics and 1 from others.  The pink rosebud fabric will be the border setting triangles and the darker pink cross/rosebud fabric will be the sashings and binding.  I'm looking forward to starting this quilt.

Last night I finished assembling the "All Stacked Up" quilt top.  The Kaffe Fassett fabrics are so out there (for me) but I think it's turned out ok.  I had a bundle of 21 fabrics and have added a few from my stash.  I can see a couple of spots where I'd like to exchange blocks but I'll think about that for a while.  Need to buy fabric for backing.

Going to see "Top Gun:  Maverick" tonight with some friends.  We've been waiting for a long time for this movie to be released.  I think we first saw the trailer when we saw the last "Star Wars" movie in January 2020.