Knitting & Scrap Sorting

It's been a few days since I've blogged. I had friends for dinner on Thursday night, so that encouraged a flurry of housework, of course. Nothing like a bit of motivation! Plus it was a very windy day, so I had to do some washing to take advantage of it. Then I cooked - vege lasagne and peach strudel. We took the dogs for a walk before dinner and there was Thursday gone. Friday I went to the Mainland as I had a Drs appt, and by the time I did that, spent some time at Mum and Dad's and did the grocery shopping, the day was over.

My sister Helen and my nephew Daniel were there (school holidays), and my Aunt Sylvia, so there was lots to catch up on. I managed to off load the sleeves of the wretched jumper to Mum - she has shingles, but is on the mend thanks for those who commented, and is bored with reading. I also told Daniel it was all his fault that the jumper was being such a nuisance, and he just grinned.

I sat in front of the TV last night and pushed on with it, and am about a cm from starting the decreases for the armholes. It has to be maroon for footy colours.

Yesterday I had a sleep in, then spent a few hours playing with my fabric. Such simple pleasures. I had been reading blogs before that, and thought I really should try harder when I read about the fantastic scrap systems people have. I got everything out, sorted into Repro small, other Repro, 2 inch and 2 1/2 inch strips, Japanese, strings, and strips and pieces over 3 inches wide. I cut down strips to 2 or 2 1/2 inch which were less than 3 inches wide. In fact I'm very pleased with myself, and I don't have that much really when I look at it. I resisted the urge to cut the wide pieces down, as you never know what you might want in the future.


The Doll Quilt Swap Quilt is finished apart from the label, and although I took it with me on Friday and I actually went into the Post Office, I forgot to get a postpack for it. I'm hopeless - what will my memory be like when I'm 60? I believe some of the swap quilts are arriving, so 'the big reveals' are something to look forward to.

Other than that, I have been thinking about naming and shaming myself by doing a recatalogue of the UFOs. Bren over at Pieces From Me has been doing the same, and I thought maybe I should too. There are one or two that might need to be abandoned, so maybe it's time to face it. I'll think it over for tomorrow.

For all you poor people in the US who are so hot (and for Gudren!) here is a winter morning shot from Australia. Nothing like a bit of sunbaking. I have sent them outside to sit in the sun, and I can hear Swampy telling the kookaburras to go sit on someone else's fence.

Only Hand Sewing Left to Do

I'm very pleased to report that the Doll Quilt Swap 2 quilt is nearly finished. I was busy telling Amy this long story about how I didn't have any batting in the house, and would have to wait til Friday to get some, when I had a brainwave. The other doll quilt that I had made was pinned but not quilted, so I took the batting from that and was able to crack on with it today.

There are many threads to sew in from the quilting, and the binding to sew down, but I should get that done tonight while watching TV. I'm pretty confident that the recipient of this quilt does not read my blog, so I'll show the progress.

I have been knitting that blasted jumper for my nephew, and I tell you, I'm sick to death of it. I have knitted the 2nd sleeve to the end of the increases, and it is about 4cm shorter than the other one was at that point, but this is how it is supposed to be. What I'm going to have to do is re-do the first sleeve sob sob sob. I have done the back and about 6 inches of the front.

BUT I just had an email from my Mother who is sick with shingles. She is over the worst of it now, but still having to hang around the house. I was telling her of my knitting woes, and she has said she will reknit both sleeves for me - tempting.... Winter will be over before I finish the bloody thing otherwise.

It is late afternoon here, and the sun is just going down. The birds are all cheeping - it is so lovely. The kookaburras are going off, the rosellas are feeding on the native flowers and getting all drunk and churpy, and the curlews are screeching which sounds like about 10 babies are being murdered - I kid you not. And the beagle is snoring in the background - nature! It has been warm during the day - sunny tshirt weather, but cold at night, so I have the fire on which heats the whole house. I wish the weather was like this all year round. Gudren was saying on her blog that it was 21 deg C (same as here today), and she was soooo hot! The difference between Iceland and Australia must be amazing.

Border Worries

I can't believe how much trouble I've had with the border of the Doll Quilt 2 Swap quilt! Normally I have a pretty good idea what I'll do for a border, and usually it works out most of the time with no real dramas. But this one... First I auditioned about 30 % of my Repro fabrics (which is a significant number I'll tell you), and when I finally decided after a couple of days of looking at this, leaving the room, looking at that, leaving the room and coming back to it I finally decided.

Then the real trouble started. I think the main problem is that I made the central part of the quilt square. I didn't really think it through, just made it up as I went along, and then had to stop because of the size constraints. I should've put one extra row on the top to give it a better shape. Anyway, too late for that, so I thought I'd do what I see on many doll quilts, and add an extra strip of fabric on the top and bottom before I put the borders on. I cut it out, laid it out - it looked terrible. I tried a diffferent fabric for the extra bit, and off it started again.

In the end I got a bit fed up with it, and trimmed down the side borders, didn't add the top and bottom borders, and I think I'm ok with it now. Talk about fiddly! I suppose I'm used to the proportions of the big quilts, and it took quite some time to down scale it all in my head. I'm pretty happy with it now after leaving it alone for a few days, and I have cut the single thickness binding in the spot so hopefully that will give it a lift.

It's a bit hard to see in the photo, but there is a sort of 'self inner border' with the dark triangles, so framing it with a skinny border might've helped on another quilt, but I didn't want to take away from that look. So now to put it together, bind it and it will be done. It has been good to do - it has taken quite a bit of work for a tiny quilt, but because it is small it has been do-able. I think I will definately make some more Doll Quilts. The swap invited you to try something different, and I have to tell you that this is the first quilt I've made on point! The 4patch UFO will be on point, but as that isn't finished...

Weather is lovely and cold here with westerly winds, but the sun is shining. We had 4 inches of rain last week and on Thursday I did the big run over to the Mainland with the Van and came back with some huge bags of dogfood, fertiliser and firewood stacked to the ceiling. I had better go and get the last bit out.

Doll Quilts & Dog Coats

I have nearly finished the first doll quilt I have been making, and have made some progress on the Swap quilt. I haven't felt much like sewing the last few days, which is funny as I've been on a real roll lately. I did some more knitting last night on a jumper (pullover) I started for my nephew when I needed something portable to do, but I'm making a real dog's breakfast of it. I can't seem to concentrate on the row counting for increasing and decreasing. I finished a sleeve last night, and it was rather perplexing as when I had finished increasing up the sleeve it said to keep knitting until work measures 38cm. Well it was already 41 cm. So then I had to start decreasing straight away. I don't know - I'll keep going for now, but if it is terrible I won't give it to him.


Simon has really been feeling the cold, so I bought him a cheap jumper at the discount store, which of course was too small for him. He wore it though, and despite not being able to look at the camera for a photo, he seemed to appreciate the warmth. So I made him a rough coat out of flannelette that I had in the stash, and he seems to like it. He has been giving me a bit of extra love and tail wags.

It has been raining here today and is very overcast, but at least the cloud is keeping the temperature up a bit. My tank is full, so I have the hose on one of the trees out the front. I'm sitting here trying to remind myself to go and turn it off, and not empty the tank, which is easy to do if you forget. I woke up in the middle of the night once remembering that I hadn't turned the hose off, but it was too late then.

I just feel like getting into bed with a book and turning the light on, but that is a dangerous plan.

Poor Swampy

Poor Swampy. I feel a bit bad about the photo from last post, as it did make her look a bit like a maniac. Here is another photo to show that she is indeed a nice looking dog. Her Mother is a shaggy black and white Border Collie X Australian Cattle Dog, so all I can say is that Dad (commonly known as The Surfer's Dog) must have been a Staffy X Ridgeback, or something similar. Her working dog instincts are alive and well though, as Simon can confirm. She rounds him up, and generally 'supervises' everything he does. Luckily he is a laid back character who knows his place in the pack - right at the bottom.



My swap partner was in my mailbox this morning, and luckily she likes Civil War fabrics, so the little quilt I had tentatively started is full steam ahead. The identity of your partner is to be kept a secret, but I'm not sure if the quilt is to be a secret. I've noticed that some bloggers are offering hints only, whereas others are posting full photos. I will show this little section only...


In other quilting news there will be an International Sigh of Relief I imagine when I report that the Girl Guide Quilt is finally finished. I'm not a good finisher, as you all know. Anyway it is done.

I have held off on starting the Zig Zag Quilt, so I might try and run with this finishing mood and knock over another UFO. I have been talking to Holly about her QAYG Log Cabin, which brought to mind my Denim Quilt which only needs 2 borders and binding. Maybe I might do it. Can't rush these things.

Soup Weather

It's soup weather here at last. Two weeks ago it was like the middle of summer, but today the wind is blowing and it is a little bit cool. We hardly get any winter compared to most places, but we aren't really prepared for it. All the houses are designed for the heat, so when it gets a bit cold at night we go into shock.

I love the cold weather, and often wonder why I don't live down south, but here I am. The garden doesn't know what to do, and as you can see I still have basil growing. In lieu of a big dollop of pesto, I stirred some fresh leaves through, and if I say so myself it was quite nice!



I'm still waiting for my Doll Quilt Swap partner, and I'm getting a bit concerned in case I'm over the whole idea before it starts. I'll wait another day or two, then I'll email. Amy has all but finished her quilt already. I've started something that hopefully will fit in with my partner's likes and dislikes, but if not I will be happy to keep it. I won't show a photo just in case, but let me tell you that there are lots of little triangle ears gathering on the floor under the ironing board.




I'm going to put this photo of Swampy in, not because I want to embarrass her - and she does embarrass easily - but to show this crazy cattle dog look that she has. She stares at me sometimes with this look, and I'd love to know what's going on inside that little, very bony, skull. Poor Swampy. She's not the smartest dog in the pack, but she tries very hard.

Quilts 4 Leukaemia

Jen (Hedgehog) and I have been talking with Clare about trying to organise a way to help out with the 'nuts and bolts' parts of her quilts. Lots of quilters have very kindly sent blocks, but batting and backing fabric are also needed to complete them.

We talked about lots of different options, but as Clare is in France there are obvious logistical problems, and of course postage costs. We thought of collecting money for a bulk order of batting to be sent from the US, we enquired at French LQStores, and so on. In the end we found that at Quilter's Quarter, an online store in the US, there is an option to buy a Gift Certificate that can be emailed to Clare, which she could then use to buy batting and backing fabric. Quilter's Quarter accepts PayPal, and we agreed that quilters, if they were able to donate, would be confident that their donation would go toward quilting supplies and not toward a bottle of wine! (Clare does live in France!)

There is a US$10 Gift Certificate, but if this were too much I hope that Quilter's Quarter would be happy to accommodate a combined payment from 2 quilters for example. Don't quote me on that, but so far they have been very helpful with my many enquires. I regularly buy fabric from them and they have been very reliable posting to Australia.

Please consider this a suggestion only, and don't feel any pressure to donate. If you haven't been to Clare's Quilts4Leukaemia blog, please have a look. The young people that she has made quilts for have been very grateful to receive them, and many have blogs so you can follow their progress. David, the recipient of the first Quilt passed away recently.

Thanks for considering helping out, and for Clare's email address please visit her blog profile. She will give you her snail mail address which is also required by the store.

Doll Quilts

With the Doll Quilt Swap II coming up , I thought I'd better start thinking about what to make. I got out my 2 Small Quilt books for some inspiration, and thought maybe I'd better try one out. I love this design, but I think the finished quilt might be an inch or two outside the swap rules, so I started it for me. For the 4 patches I used bits of scraps and strips left over from other things, and the blue and mustard are from the stash. Some of the little squares were eked out of scraps barely big enough for the 2 in square, which gave me a great feeling to be making the most of my fabric.

I will put a small border then a wider one and bind. Very exciting and so fast, even factoring in the stuff ups I made. I wasn't really thinking and just glanced at the drawing with the instructions, and ended up without my diagonal pattern. Really, when I look at it, the book doesn't give the full instructions, so I imagine most people would make the same mistake and have to undo half of the blocks. I do know better and probably should have picked it up, but I was on autopilot, and did what the book told me to. We live and learn!

Now downstairs to the TV to watch my footy team get thrashed by Tracey's footy team...

Another Dishcloth

I'm sure the quilters are thinking "I thought this was a quilting blog?', but I can't help myself. Isn't this dishcloth cute? So quick to make, and if you get a bit slack with your row counting well it doesn't really matter, does it? Not to mention you can use crazy colours that you probably wouldn't use to make something bigger. I never thought I'd be one to say that knitting is fun - just goes to show how we change as we get older.

Trip to the Footy

I went to the footy on Saturday night. It was pretty cold, but I love that - part of the atmosphere. We don't get that much cold weather in Queensland, so it is fun to feel like you are in Melbourne and pretend you are at the MCG.



For those who are not Australian, this footy is AFL or Aussie Rules as we call it, and is similar to Gaelic Football played in Ireland.



I made the effort to go to the game as Aker, a player who was booted out of my team (The Brisbane Lions) last year, for spending more time big noting himself in the Media than actually playing the game and being part of the team, was returning to the Gabba with his new team. All expectation and hope was that the Lions would thrash the Dogs, and give Aker a bit of a hard time on the field (sporting of me isn't it?). Sadly the worst happened and the Dogs won, but the Lions played badly and didn't deserve to win. Aker got a bit of 'attention' from his old team mates and a fair bit of attitude from the crowd, but he got the last laugh.

I wore my handknitted footy scarf, which was knitted with lots of good thoughts for the Lions and bad thoughts for all opposing teams, but obviously my attempt at mind control didn't work. Someone hung an Aker Voodoo Doll over the race where the opposition players came onto the field, and that didn't work either!


I looked like a bit of a tourist taking photos, but these are the things a blogger has to do. In this photo the net is still up for practice goal kicking, but they take that down during the game. I didn't catch a ball coming through, but close.

Back to crafty matters, I have cast off my Chevron Scarf, but not finished it as such. I will post a photo then. I have also been very strong and have yet to start the Zig Zag quilt. I 'could' be developing a bit of a conscience, as I have the guilts over not finishing the Girl Guide Quilt. Today, I swear!

Dishcloth Knitting

I found myself sitting at the kitchen table at 10 am today knitting a dishcloth like Grandma used to make. Is this what I've become? I tried to think of some positives, and all I could really come up with was that I was saving the environment by not buying more throw-away kitchen sponges. Hmmm...

As soon as it was finished tonight I tossed it on the sink with a defiant flick of the wrist as if to say "see, I am using it and aren't I good?"

But to all in the crafty bloggy world, who can be told almost anything, I can honestly say that it was most enjoyable to make! I have made one dishcloth in a chequerboard pattern before, but it is an insipid beige-pink colour, and I've never taken a photo of it. I love cotton yarn, and it hardly took any time at all to make which means a finish, and I could sure do with a few more of those.

I think I could have used slightly smaller needles, and I thought I had variagated yarn until I got half way up it. I looked at the label again, and it does say Anchor Magicline, so I guess that should've been a bit of a hint.

I was sitting in my knitting office (in front of the TV) tonight, when I noticed the state of the coffee table - this is how it seems to look all the time now. I have really only had the knitting bug for a month or two, and already I have 5 projects on the needles. I did finish Mum's scarf, & 1 out of 6 is about average for me when it comes to quilting, so why did I think knitting would be any different? It's a curse.

I will finish off with a still life I like to call Beagle With Dishcloth and Flowers, which really cements the questions about my suspect mental health!

I really have to get out more.

Super-Generous Swap

Cathi from Crazed Quilter (now Celtic Knots) in Ireland and I had a swap recently, which resulted from a discussion about Civil War fabrics. Cathi has made a Dear Jane Quilt, and I am making the Civil War Diary Quilt, and we both love reproduction fabrics. Cathi offered to send me some of her scraps from her Dear Jane and said she would love an Australian quilt magazine in return. I said I'd send some fabric as well, and an idea was born.

By the way Cathi has renamed and moved her blog so if she has dropped off your bloglines, that's why. But I see that she already has 35 subscribers to her new blog, so lots of people already know.

My parcel arrived today, and Cathi has been so generous. Not only did she send heaps of squares and strips of fabric, but there were also some fat quarters in there too. I mentioned to Cathi that I needed pinks reds and blacks, and look at what I got! Not to mention the Italian sock yarn and the Guinness magnet and chocolate. I went to Ireland when I was in my early 20s, and hardly ate for 2 weeks as I'm convinced that all the 5 food groups are covered in that glass of black magic.

The parcel was a bit squashed when it arrived - someone ought to tell the Postal Services of the World that they need to take more care when there is valuable fabric in the parcel - so I lovingly ironed and sorted all the scraps for the photo. My mind immediately went to the books I recently acquired on doll and little quilts, and I might just have to put some of this fabric to immediate use. It was interesting to see a few fabrics I already have but in different colourways; it makes me realise that I must stop buying green, brown and blue. I have far too much of it. I recently bought some mustard yellows which have nicely filled a gap in the stash.

So as you can tell I'm pretty excited and feel incredibly spoilt. Thanks Cathi. As I buy most of my fabric from the US I have to buy a half yard of each, so you end up with fewer fabrics as a result. This is like Christmas.

Mum liked her scarf, and as it is lightweight I hope she will get some wear out of it in this climate, which is getting hotter by the year. I'm pretty sure Daniel liked his quilt, but it isn't always easy to tell with 8 year old boys. He did agree to have his photo standing in front of it, so that is a good indication. He is getting his first camera for his birthday from his parents, so I have asked for a photo of the quilt on the bed via email. I know he will use it though, as he still uses the quilt I made him when I first started quilting, which isn't very big. This one will cover his bed, so it will look better I hope.

I've had the day off from sewing and knitting today, I've been gardening instead. The weather is beautiful at the moment, if a bit on the warm side for winter.

Binding

Warning: photo heavy post

Thanks for all the comments on the thread that you prefer. It seems that Aurofil is the clear winner. I have finished Mum's Scarf, and Daniel's quilt, and today is Birthday Lunch day. They both share the same birthday. Daniel will be 8 and Mum 73. I am pleased to have his quilt finished as I'm a bit sick of thinking about it, and no doubt you are all sick of hearing about it. I did block the scarf and I'm glad I did now. I pinned it onto a towel on the ironing board, then of course couldn't find the spray bottle, so I had a brainwave and used the water spray function on the iron while holding it well above the scarf. It really does look so much nicer - blocking has always been one of those things that doesn't fit into my philosophy, like swatch knitting, but I really do agree now that they are worth doing. I must be getting old! Next thing I'll be reading the instructions before I start LOL.

I am amazed at how many questions I have had about binding, both in the comments and privately. It seems a lot of people have problems/questions. Having just done 3 bindings in as many weeks, I too have been thinking about what works and what doesn't.

I'll write down a few of my observations in case they are of any help to someone, and I will no doubt learn something from your comments:

First, I have a bad attitude toward binding, and borders, as they are not very 'sexy' parts of patchwork. I always look on it as a boring chore, but I have been telling myself this week that Binding = FINISHED, and that has helped.

I have discovered that the type of batting makes a difference to how well it all goes together. When making a quilt for myself I always use a cotton or wool, and when making for a child or someone who may just toss it in the washing machine (not really worthy of a quilt, but it happens), I always use polyester. The one I have used this week has been what looks like a needled poly - it is quite smooth and dense on the surface - and it has been so much easier to deal with. The fabric just sticks to it.

I tend to make the back too small, and I suffer for it. It might 'just fit', but I really think that I have more problems with a wobbly or puckered edge if it is not at least 6 - 8 inches too big all the way around. After I have finished quilting I trim the batting and fabric down to about 2 inches all the way around, then trim again before hand sewing the binding to the back of the quilt. When the back and the batting are cut together, they seem to stay together better, giving less chance of the back getting caught up underneath when sewing on the binding.

When making a pieced back, make an effort to make sure it is very flat while putting it together. Once I can smell a finish, I'm not going back to fix the wobbly back!

I was taught to cut my binding 2 1/2 wide, but I'm wondering a bit about that now. Perhaps next time I'll make it a bit wider as there hasn't been enough binding showing on the front in my opinion.

I cut the strips as above, do my best guestimate on how much I'll need - others would measure it - sew the strips together, iron the seams open, then I iron the whole strip in half with the right side on the outside. Not right sides together. I also try and remember to turn over one end and sew it for when I get to the end.

I put the raw edge of the binding up against the raw edge of the quilt top, and sew using about a 1/4 inch seam. I use the edge of my foot as a guide.

I always use the walking foot, and I don't bother to pin it, just keep matching it up as I go, feeling underneath every now and then to make sure the back is not getting caught up anywhere.


When I get to a corner, I stop sewing 1/4 inch from the edge, then turn the quilt 90 deg and sew in reverse up away from the quilt into the batting for about 1 1/2 inches. Then I fold the binding so that it is folded in a 90 deg angle, then fold the rest of the binding over the top and towards me to line up with the next raw edge. See photos.


Then when I get to the end I slip the raw end inside the sewn end, and sew the last bit.

Then I trim the batting to about 1/2 inch before hand sewing the back. I have tried to sew it by machine, but it always looks terrible as I can't keep it in the ditch. In fact I don't ever sew in the ditch anymore.


Then I just turn it over and sew just below the line of stitching that is visible on the back. When I come to the corners I just fold and sew - I don't bother to pin, pins are for photographic purposes only.

So that's how I do it, but I'm sure there are other good ways - any other improvements or suggestions?

Better get my act together and wrap the presents and make a dash for the ferry. I must also remember the tape measure so I can measure Daniel's arms for the jumper I am making for him. I have a childhood of memories of being measured by Nana in all sorts of places for jumpers that I didn't ever really want, so no doubt Daniel will be talking about me that way on his blog in 20 years time.

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?

The Postman Delivers

Adrian the postman has delivered my fabric today. Poor Adrian always gets disappointed when I get a parcel from America as he is usually waiting for something himself, and then realises it isn't for him. He is a penknife collector he tells me, and buys a lot of stuff on ebay. Anyway, Hancocks didn't do too badly this time - it did go via France again, but made it here fairly quickly.

Now I have the green and yellow to start the 30s Zig Zag quilt. I have taken a photo from the magazine (Fons and Porter May/June 2007) but it isn't the best. Here is a link to the magazine's kit page which has a better photo.



I had a bit of trouble deciding on the green and yellow - I thought I might change the green to mauve - but decided to go with the original. The reason for this reluctance with the colour scheme can be traced back to my old house, which had the most hideous green and yellow paint job in the kitchen, laundry and toilet. In fact, the colours were identical to those in the fabric. The walls were green and the ceilings were a bright gloss yellow. The kitchen cupboard doors were also green, and the benchtops were a 1950s green laminex as well. One might think (as I did originally), that it's just a paintjob, easily fixed, but I was stuck with that paint for about 6 years. There was always something else to spend the money on, like a new roof (!), and it was one thing to paint, but really some of the cupboards on the wall needed to come off, and it was a bigger job than it first looked.

Eventually it was changed, but to this day I see those colours and shudder. But now I have decided to faced my fears and get on with it! I have already cut all the 30s prints, all of which came from stash except for 1 black print that I bought a Fat Eighth of, and I'm ready to go. Despite having a substantial 1930s stash (eyes averted again), I have never made a big 1930s quilt, so I'm looking forward to it.

The other 2 photos here are of a rare meteorological phenonemon around here which is called rain. Swampy is looking quite perplexed by the wet stuff on the deck. I do get a bit more rain here than on the Mainland, but if usually falls at night. So lovely to see the rain. Only 30 mins drive inland at my Mum's place, their garden is dead, so I am very lucky here to get any rain at all. It comes in from the sea, hits the island you can see in the distance in the photo, drops on me, and runs out of steam before it hits the mainland.

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.

Japanese Book

I really wanted to show this book for Pam as she and I share a bit of a problem with Japanese fabric and quilts. I bought it on Friday, and am really impressed with it. It has all the blocks (125 of them) set out individually, sort of like Dear Jane or the Civil War Diary Quilt book that I'm working from at the moment. There are blocks in indigo and white, sashiko blocks, Japanese Crests, kimono blocks and all sorts of patchwork and applique blocks. The author also gives you ideas about mixing and matching blocks to make quilts. Lots to look at and plenty of ideas.

There is also the occasional reference to Japanese textile history and trends, which makes you start to think. I love the history of the fabrics and quilts in America, and why I never thought about Japanese textile history I'll never know. The history goes back to the 10th century and beyond, so there is a lot to learn there about different styles of kimono and fabrics.

I have in the back of my mind to make a pinetree quilt for my mother, but it is in the One Day basket. Mum also really loves all things Japanese and has brought me back some lovely fabric from Japan. Looking at this book has given me the idea that maybe I could make a quilt from Japanese fabric, with different pinetree blocks, and some other blocks from the book. I don't know if you can see, but in one of the photos there is a little quilt in blue and white which has a few Japanese house blocks, and there are a couple of blocks in the book of Mt Fuji. The house blocks are made to look like there is snow in the picture, and I could make pinetree blocks with snow too. I can see a sort of sampler depicting a scene with a few Japanese houses and pinetrees with snow, with Mt Fuji in the background. Also there are pinecone designs in sashiko which could be used as well....

Just thinking at this stage, but enough to give me an idea of what sort of fabric to look out for. I do have a 'considerable' Japanese fabric stash (not making eye contact here), but would need to look for more greens for trees, browns and creams for snow etc. It's always good to have a plan, isn't it (grin)?

Otherwise, I'm working on about 5 projects at once, which doesn't make me feel like I'm getting very far, but hopefully there will be a big flurry of finishes which will let me clear the decks mentally for some new projects. I get a vague feeling of guilt when I have too many things happening at once, as I don't feel like I'm making much progress on anything. I'm really keen to start the 30s Zig Zag quilt, but luckily the fabric hasn't arrived yet. I'm still handsewing the binding on the String quilt, I have the Girl Guide quilt half quilted, Daniel's quilt hasn't been quilted, the Airy Scarf for Mum's birthday (time is running out) is still ongoing, the Chevron Scarf is nearly finished, I'm nearly finished the back of a jumper for Daniel, and the hexagons haven't finished themselves either. Then there is the Civil War quilt that I'd like to get on with, and so it goes on. Never a dull moment is there?

I'm a bit behind on my blog reading, and i have been having a bit of trouble with bloglines too, so that is my excuse, and I'm sticking to it. It is so easy to spend hours looking at blogs and not get anyhting done myself, but I do enjoy reading blogs as much as I enjoy making things, so what do you do?

It's Getting Scary

What's scary? The fact that I look to be actually finishing some stuff. I have started to hand sew down the binding on the String Quilt, and have sewn in most of the threads - I actually put it on the bed last night even though it isn't finished. How sad is that? It feels good though, so I'm going to try and roll with it. I really can't stand the machine quilting part, and I sit at the machine with my back screaming, thinking about the quilting frame I saw at the quilt show recently. I have pretty well decided that I'm not going to be quilting any more big quilts. Then I think about the cost (and inconvenience) of getting them done profesionally - well how many quilt tops would I get done for the cost of the frame? But then reality hits and I really don't have the funds to do it either way at the moment. Unless I stop buying fabric and magazines and yarn, and get the internet cut off, and we all know THAT wouldn't be any fun!

Then there is hand quilting you say? Hmmm I seriously doubt my level of commitment to be thinking about going there. But then I'm the person who said I wouldn't sew by hand who has nearly finished a hexagon quilt top. Who'd have thought? Never say never...

Here is the poor Girl Guide raffle quilt that has been hanging on the wall. Suddenly, 1 week away from the official start of winter some cold weather is predicted, which hopefully will get us out of shorts and tshirts, so I thought I'd better crack on with it so they can raffle the thing. The start of the cooler weather will be the best time. It is pinned and I have started to do some basic quilting. I will do Daniel's quilt also (same pattern), then that's it. Plus the Guide lady I promised it to has asked me to lunch on Wed, so that has given me the guilts. I found some old photos of me in my Girl Guide uniform, beret and all, and thought how it would be fun to put a photo on the label with the Care Instructions, but then I'd have to buy special sheets, I don't have a scanner, and my printer is laser, not ink jet. There, talked myself out of that one!

The postman has been today, and my fabric has not arrived from Hancocks yet. Hopefully it will not do a world tour like it did once before, as I'm keen to start the 30s zig Zag quilt.

It is overcast today, which is very rare these days, being in the middle of a drought. It is one of those days where you feel like making pumpkin soup, reading in bed with the light on, sewing or knitting, or sitting at the computer poking the Checkout Buttons of an online fabric store. I will try and resist the latter and get on with the blasted quilting. Til later...

Making Progress

I started Mum's Airy Scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. It is going ok now that I have the right needles (slippery ones), and have figured out what a yarn over is (Praise Be for Internet Tutorials). The yarn is so fine that it is like knitting with hair, but now that I have done a bit I'm getting used to it. I tend to be a tight-ish knitter, so I have had to really loosen up for this scarf. I always have to concentrate on my tension, especially casting on.
It is a very easy pattern which is good, but I still think Mum will like it. It is very light.

Speaking of needles, has anyone any experience yet with the sets of interchangeable circular knitting needles? I am about to buy my first circular needle, but wonder if it would be better to buy a set? I wonder if they are smooth at the joins etc? Any comments appreciated, as it would be much more cost effective and convenient to have a full set right from the start. As there are a few cables in the sets, you can leave the knitting on the cable instead of a stitch holder, and you can change needle sizes easily apparently.


I have also progressed on the Chevron Scarf - did you know there is a Flickr Group? It seems to be a very popular pattern. Most of the knitters there are using beautiful yarns like Koigu and Socks That Rock, all things that are a bit scarce down here. The colours and textures of the yarn are so beautiful - I can see another stash starting, but luckily cost will hold me back a bit. Everything is buyable on line, but with the postage and the exchange rate, it has to be a pretty special garment ...

I am still working on the String Quilt. I have probably half the scrappy binding sewn on, so I will try and finish that now and do some hand sewing tonight in front of the TV.


I was telling Ruth that I bought the Interweave Crochet magazine the other day, really only for this pattern. I have always been able to crochet, but IMHO there hasn't been a lot to make unless you are into doilies and rugs. But isn't this a great pattern? The plain top is knitted and the rest is crochet. I hope to make it one day, but until then it is nice to browse through magazines.

There is so much to do isn't there? How people get bored amazes me - no imagination maybe. Or no computer.

All Over the Shop

Is that an International saying, or only an Australian one? It is a local way of saying that you are all over the place. This is true at the moment I'm afraid. After my last post Elaine very carefully said she thought I sounded "a little unfocused", and McIrish Annie also kindly complimented me on my "multi-tasking" abilities, and the rest of you obviously thought that this is something best left alone! See, blogger friends are real friends, not imaginary ones - tell your husband Bettsy. Hardly a word has been said, but 'I hear ya!'

Yes I do feel a bit off the rails (on the inside), but the good news is that I'm home on annual leave, and keeping it all to myself . Well, except for you my blogging friends. Never-the-less, I'm actually getting some stuff done, so that's a good thing. Just shows I needed a holiday.

The knitting thing has taken hold of me at the moment. See above my half finished Chevron Scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts, which is turning out to be the most expensive scarf in history, as I have taken delivery of 2 more balls of Noro Silk Garden today to finish it off. As it doesn't get too cold here, I am telling myself that it is the only scarf I will need, and the silk will make it 'not too hot', and that it has been fun learning something new. It is really a Feather and Fan pattern (I know what that is now) and I have become quite the master at knitting into the front and back of stitches, and even more importantly, have improved my skills at fixing up mistakes. Plus it is fairly mindless work, which is a good thing! The colours look a bit washed out in the photo - they are richer in real life.

It's interesting how the camera will not pick up a colour, isn't it? I took many photos of this ball of yarn to try and get the colour to show. It is a deeper grape than it looks, even in the first photo here.
It is 70% mohair and 30% silk, and I am going to make the Airy Scarf for my Mum for her birthday, which is only about 2 weeks away. The pattern is from the same book, and it looks fairly easy (hopefully it will not fall into the "How Hard Can it Be?" Files), and it will be my first attempt at lace knitting. I am inspired by all the lovely shawls and wraps I see people knitting, and my mind is sneaking off in that general direction.

I bought my yarn from YarnsOnline, and found Meaghan to be most helpful. She phoned me yesterday when the Visa wouldn't work, and held on while I looked up my balance on the computer - enough said about what the problem was. She got it into a smaller envelope than originally quoted, dropping the postage cost, and it arrived today. Highly recommended. Speaking of Australian yarn stores - for the Aussie girls - have a look at The Wool Shack in the Sale items for some greatly reduced sock yarn.


I have also been quilting very unexciting straight lines on my string quilt. I just want it finished, and haven't the patience to be fiddling around with it. It isn't too bad though, as the lines echo the straight lines down the sides of the long panels, while accentuating the crooked horizontal lines.

I can't find any more purple for the binding, so I will do a scrappy one of what ever i can find in bright colours, then straight on the bed.

Off to the postbox to send something to Ireland - my first ever swap. Very exciting.