Freemotion Sampler

Marie, local PFAFF dealer and quilt group leader, asked me to suggest a project for the group to work on in 2010.  This was just after I discovered a lovely freemotion quilting blog and have been playing with some of the patterns for a couple of weeks, so the obvious choice was to suggest a Freemotion Sampler, reversible and done 'quilt-as-you-go.'  So no less than 3 techniques in one quilt (or then 2 if you take in mind that it can be reversed).

The group Golden Threads (directly translated from the Afrikaans, Goue Drade) had their final get together at a local restaurant where my completed quilt was shown.

Everyone in the group is rather eager (I hope!!) to try their hand at Freemotion quilting and our target date or deadline before being fined a course fee is beginning May 2010. 

Even while having wonderful cake and drinks we managed to work through a Freezer Paper (now available at PFAFF, Bloemfontein) tutorial and we rediscovered English Paper piecing done with Freezer Paper and everyone went home with enough paper to complete a small Christmas decoration.  Looking forward to the new year with this group!

Completed:  1 December 2009

Tragedy strikes

After only having had my NEW quilt on my bed for one week, I popped it in the washing machine (delicate setting, as I do all my other quilts) and all the vertical machine stitching came undone.  After wondering and considering most everything that could cause this, I realized that I recently organized my threads and remembered finding a bobbin in the thread box with slightly glimmering thread.  Still wondered where and what I used this for.  Now I realize I put it there for a reason............ it was wash-away thread and when I re-organized the threads I must have moved it to the bobbin holder.  In future I will definitely label the bobbin..... what a bad way to learn a lesson!!

Renovating the kitchen

The first day ............ the builders came today and this is what's left of my kitchen.  The house is a huge dusty old mess but luckily no cooking can be done, so I am quite content to retreat to my sewing room.

Screwed up my freemotion foot of my Pfaff Grand Quilter but I've already ordered a new one and worked on a Row BOM cutting and adding the sashings as this will be done 'quilt as you go'.

Hubby went to Bultfontein, a nearby little town, stopped at the quilt shop there and came home with a very welcome 'goodie' bag for me..... anything from rulers, fabric kits, applique paper, thimbles, markers and the cutest little carry-all bag.

Hylettha's Daisy Chain

I think there's a reason why 'binding' and 'bed' both start with B's as I often find myself doing the back of my binding (by hand as it should be done!!!) in bed.  Started last night but didn't get to finish so the final couple of stitches were done today amidst cleaning, washing, ironing and listening to the most welcome summer rain falling outside.

Fellow quilter, Hylettha van der Merwe went to Australia with her daughter and brought me back a 4" charm pack and ever since I saw this picture of the Daisy Chain quilt in the book "Making Scrap Quilts to use it up", I just knew that one day I'll make this and upon receiving the charm pack, I did !!

Started in February 2009 and big enough to cover my 2.2 m diameter round bed.

Completed:  12 October 2009

Hexagon Stars

Finished the last couple of binding stitches this morning in bed.  This quilt is from the book "Magic Stack 'n Whack Quilts" by Bethany S. Reynolds and I was so fortunate to have the author as teacher via the internet.  This quilt was done in a record time as I cut the first fabric on the 18th of September, so less than a month until completion and I love the colors!!

Furthermore a new "quilt helper" has moved in on Thursday, 9 October in the form of another ginger male cat, now called Sushi, still very skinny but already quite at home in the Pringle zoo.

Kentucky, the baby cockatile is growing up fast and have a couple of feathers already.  Still just eating and sleeping most of his days.

Hexagon Starts completed:  11 October 2009