QOV top finished

The QOV quilt is now finished and ready to post to Judy of http://www.patchworktimes.com/ .

I just love the pattern Judy designed for followers of her blog to use. I did not have time to complete the fancy border, so substituted a red, white and blue plain border. The quilt measures 55 x 72 inches.

A mad moment for a really good cause

On Monday May 24th, Judy Laquidara, Patchwork Times blogger, asked for help to make quilts for injured service men with a deadline of June 6th. I thought I would like to take part but my problem is I only have until Friday to finish it, and could not start until Tuesday afternoon.

So it has been sew sew sew around here, and I have managed to get the centre made, and will add the borders tomorrow, so it can go in the post on Saturday 29th May.

Luckily Judy has offered to long arm quilt and finish the binding.

Bags bags and more bags!

Another enjoyable day on the Tilly and Fran workshop at Pitsford. Not only did I make the bag to hold my sewing kit but 16 of us were treated to home made biscuits, jacket potatoes with all the trimmings followed by a lovely dessert and finally tea and cakes... what more could a quilter want? To complete my new bag I made a matching pin cushion, scissor case, thimble holder and needle case.

The two bags on the right have two pockets inside and one on the back, they are very comfortable to wear and will be ideal for travelling with passports etc. I just love them and intend to make two more this week to match other outfits!

It's finished... yippee!!

At last I have finished my large quilt as you go pinks and greens quilt. The central part was made in 5 strips and after quilting joined to gether in the quilt as you go method. Then I made the large top and bottom pieces and again after quilting in simple wavy lines joined as before. Finally on Monday I managed to get the binding sewn on, and it it now ready for our bed.

A new "toy" joins the Happy Room

Having wanted a treadle sewing machine for some time, I found this lovely old Singer, not only a treadle but also fitted out with electricity.

Having done a little research the registration number F6490012 says it was made in Clydebank Scotland in 1915, I am hoping to find out more about it, and replace the belts and electricity cable. I also hope to find a set of extra tools and bobbins as these are missing.

Now I do not need to stop sewing if we have a power cut.. I can just treadle away!

Knitted beaded bags

While searching for some pony beads, which I never found!, I came across some of my beaded bags and one that I had forgotton about that needs finishing. Knitted on very fine circular needles the beads are made by transfering strings of beads onto silk thread. Maybe I should finish the green one now.

Northampton Australia to Northampton England

One of the Northampton quilt groups I belong to have become twinned with Northampton in Australia. Yesterday I received this wonderful postcard, my very first fabric card, from Meg in Australia, so now I have to work on one to send back to her. This is so exciting.

Six days North of the border!

Chris had to work for two days in Scotland, and as it was just before a weekend and Bank Holiday I decided to join him and we added a couple of days to make a break.

His first job was in Middlesborough for a couple of hours and then onto Edinburgh, where he worked and I drove out into the countryside to Purely Patchwork a quilt shop at Linlithgow. After this we moved to Loch Lomond where again left to my own devices I took off looking at the lochs and beautiful scenery. Eventually I drove down a track that seemed narrower than the car! even the Highland cow seemed surprised to see me!

Our last 3 nights were spent in Penrith with a visit to Just Sew Patchwork shop [ that's me standing outside the shop ]. Some of the quilts hanging in their workroom were really beautiful and the staff very friendly.

Chris found the James Bond 007 Museum very interesting, they had so many of the cars, tanks, helicopters etc used in the filming.