Nearly...

How typical is that? My best guestimate was close, but not quite close enough. But then I won't complain, because on the other 2 quilts I have bound recently, I guessed correctly.

It feels so good to be finishing up some stuff. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel with the 2 Bricks and Stepping Stones quilts - all I need to do now is the hand sewing, and as it is Daniel's birthday this week, I might just get it finished. I have been very good and haven't started the ZigZag quilt, and I have finished the knitting on Mum's scarf (her birthday is the same day as Daniel's). I just have to do something with the ends, and I don't really think it needs blocking, which is good.

I have been meaning to ask for some time about thread for piecing and general sewing. I see the ads for Essential Thread all the time, and wanted to get the opinion of American quilters. Do any of you use it, or do you have any opinions about it? I have been tempted to order it when I order fabric as they sell it in packs of useful colours, but haven't been game. Is it a good quality thread? Any other recommendations? Thanks.

Addit: the joke's on me, as I have just been to Connecting Threads for a closer look and they don't ship Internationally. Any other suggestions for thread?

A Finish

First though - Lily I would email you but you don't have it enabled - the Japanese book is actually Australian so is easy to source and affordable. I bought it at Angus and Robertson and it was only $35. Definately worth the buy if you are interested in Japanese patchwork as there is plenty of inspiration in it, it isn't just one of those books that you look through and think "oh yeah, nothing new". For anyone else who is interested the author is Susan Briscoe and the ISBN 0 7318 1312 X.

I am excited about another finish - the long overdue String Quilt is finally on the bed (ie 'finished' and on the bed, as we all know that unfinished quilts have been known to make it to the bed here!) I really like the pieced back on the String Quilt, but learnt my lesson about it being perfectly flat. I did have a few small issues with it when I got to the edges, so next time I will take more care as I sew the back, as I am quite incapable of taking the time to fix it when I can smell a finish. But as it is for me to use, it is good enough - how's that for progress for a control freek? Normally everything has to be perfect, but I'm happy with it, and I think once it has a wash it will be great.

While I am on a roll I should pin poor Daniel's quilt and get into it as well - maybe he cold use it this winter LOL - and then the decks will be sort of clear. What a great feeling.The Girl Guide quilt has its quilting finished and binding sewn on, so all that is required now is the hand sewing.

I can feel the fabric from the US for my next quilt getting closer and closer, so hopefully some more stuff will be finished before it arrives.

Finished Flimsy

I'm very happy as I have just finished the Flimsy of Daniel's Quilt. It is pinned up sideways in the photo - it is about 50" x 74". I'm very pleased as I haven't been able to get motivated to do any real sewing for ages - just the hexagons.

I'm planning to put the remainder of the lime green homespun on the back. I just hope he likes it, and doesn't think it is too young for him. He is 7. If he isn't too keen on it I have another plan for it, so we will see.

I was talking to one of the other nurses on the boat going to work the other night, who is also the Girl Guide Leader on Russell Island. Do you have Guides in the US? I think you have something similar but with a different name. Anyway we were talking about it as I was a Guide back in the Dark Ages. It seems they are always short of money and have to do fund-raising to keep afloat, so I thought I'd make a quilt they could raffle. If Daniel isn't too keen I'll give her this one, or else I was thinking of a String Quilt like the String-X on Quiltville, as I have a lot of pink fabric that I can't see me using in the near future. I don't think this Bricks and Stepping Stones would work, as they are mainly light toned fabrics, not mediums. I do have 2 x 1/2 yard pieces of cute pale pink fabric; one with bikinis, and the other with fashion-type motifs on it which I could use for the triangles. I'll think about it. Apparently the girls in the group are mainly 9 or 10 yo, so I suppose it would be better to do something a bit girly.

Otherwise not much happening. "Don't mention the cricket" is the motto around here. It is amazing how many South Africa fans have popped up this week - one that doesn't even live there, and one that is really an Aussie. Gail and Ruth you know who you are!

Daniel's Quilt

As you can see Daniel's Quilt is suddenly well under way. This afternoon I shut myself in the sewing/computer room, put on the aircon, and got into it. The 1st photo shows the top still in 3 parts. I just have to sew them together, put on a border and then put it together. All the fabric so far is from the stash.

I had a bit of stash anxiety this afternoon, as I suddenly realised that I didn't have anything for the border. I like the idea of a thin red inner border, then a wider outer border in the plain blue, which is a bit darker than how it has photographed with the flash. I was hoping to get it finished this week, so tomorrow when I am on the mainland I will try and get the fabric.

I'm going over with 2 of the other nurses that live over here to a big book sale that is held by the Salvos I think. Hoping for some sewing books, otherwise a few novels maybe. As I have 3/4 cleaned out my bookshelves downstairs lately, and culled a lot of books, this is probably pretty silly. I suppose I am mainly going for social reasons, as we will have lunch too. The only thing is I will be in someone else's car, so hopefully they will be OK with me stopping quickly at the fabric shop.

I have been a bit worried about the outcome of this quilt, as I thought the black and white 4 patches have got 'lost' a bit due to the bright colours. As Bonnie wrote on her website this quilt is all about contrast, and I think the bright colours are too bright. But then when I looked at the photo it seems a bit better.

Simon has been helping - well actually he has been snoring in the cool of the aircon, waking briefly to have his photo taken. Swampy is in the dog bed.

Sewing Again

I've dusted off the sewing machine and started to sew. I had in mind I would make this for my nephew Daniel, but first I will see how it turns out, I think. If it isn't too girly I'll give it to him. I have a lot more blues and yellows and greens to go in it, so maybe it will be ok.

This is Bricks and Stones from the Quiltville site and as you can see I have only just started really. But I plan to not muck around with it and get it finished without delay. On that note though, I have 2 nights of work now, so next week I will finish it, I SWEAR.

Hope you all had a nice Christmas - I had a low key day which was very nice. Caught up with all the rellies over the break. Mum and Dad gave me a $50 voucher for my favourite quilt store, so that will be fun to spend.

Otherwise nothing to report - the weather has been quite pleasant, not too hot for a change. We have also had some rain, thrashed the Poms at cricket, and I am still plodding on with the hexagons...