...Doll Quilt Swap II - the beginning

About two months ago I looked around my sewing room and notice how many quilt I had almost done, just started or stacks of fabric waiting with a specific quilt in mind and decided that I needed to concentrate on these things before joining any more swaps. They are heaps and heaps of fun but I have limited sewing time and I need to remember things always take longer than I think it will. 


But then I saw a post on the Doll Quilt Swap Flickr group discussion page about the theme for this round - miniatures - and I couldn't resist. 


So I have spent some time working out the maths to sew some smaller blocks. Based on my secret partners preferences I came up with two options.

I have decided to go with the second option. I do like the stars in the hexagon but someone else is also doing one very similar and I would like to be a little individual!

I have started cutting and piecing this afternoon, almost all from my scrap containers. Only the star centres is cut from a 'new' half yard from the fabric cupboard.  

Each of the blocks will finish at 3" and there will be 16 blocks making a quilt of just over 12" square. For such a small quilt there are a lot of seam to sew, and still to go, but I'm pleased with how it is turning out so far. 

Of doll quilts - A wonderful end to the week

I had a very ordinary week at work last week.Why is it that when you have lots to do but a plan to get it done with little room for movement that is exactly when the crisis always happens?

So by the time I had it home on Friday afternoon I was tired. At least I think it was Friday, the days all burred into one.

But my week was brightened when I got home to find my Doll Quilt waiting for me from DQS10! The information included in the partner email indicated I liked traditional designs with a modern twist and I think she really paid respect to that!

 How lucky am I? I am still trying to work out the perfect place to display it but having it off the wall means I can pick it up and admire it more often!

Thanks Lisa (Lisajanlovestoquilt)

A doll quilt...done.

I started this quilt early in the swap period. Just as well too because although it is only a small quilt, at about 20" square it has taken me a long time. A lot longer than I thought it would that is for sure.


But I am really happy with how it has turned out....and I hope my partner is too when it arrives on his or her doorstep.


It started with this design idea.

And tracing and resizing and drawing some templates


I paper pieced and trimmed the 'petals'.

And appliqued them down. I really wanted to piece them but I just was not confident in getting the petals to meet neatly in the middle and I really wanted them to.

The backing stumped me for awhile, I considered an AMH print but couldn't find any of the designs locally in the quilting weight and didn't think the voile would be strong enough. In the end I pieced a contrast back and actually really like the striking contrast to the print, and the front.

The quilting was one of the things that took me longer than expected. There are 16 petals in this quilt and 7 triangles in each petal. If you are better at maths than me you will know right away that that is 112 triangles that were quilted in one of 7 different coloured threads.

I broke 2 needles in the fist 6 petals quilting these. I usually use a chenille needle and No. 8 perle cotton when quilting. This one was done in proper hand quilting tread and with a betweens needle - apparently they don't bend as much as the chenille.

I also really love the way the quilting stitches show up on the back.

In the end I bound it with some voile - and only because I didn't think the quilt would face a lot of punishment and it was the best colour I had to do it. I'd never use it for a 'to be used' quilt. It beautiful and soft but just doesn't seem that strong.

The label was printed on fabric paper and included the flickr group logo.

Now it is labelled, packaged with some small extras and on the way to a new home.

Stats
Fabric:    Anna Maria Horner Voile (mostly Good Folks)
               Kona Ash
              Kona Coal
Binding: Anna Maris Horner Voile - Pastry Stripe -Blue

Size: 20"x20"

Construction: The triangles to form the petals and the backing was machine pieced as well as the front of the binding. Petals were hand appliqued with a needle turn method. Quilting was by hand.

Label: Printed on fabric and appliqued on. Image taken from the Flickr group button designed by Badskirt.

A weekend of almost dones....

I've been really busy this weekend and have made a lot of progress with nothing finished to show.

So a series of progress shots

Claire's quilt - do Good Stitches {a Charity Bee}

This one was basted with a Ikea fabric backing, quilted in a grid pattern with horizontal and vertical lines approximately six inches apart.

The binding (Kona Coal) has been machine sewn to the front, just waiting on the back to be hand stitched.

Doll Quilt
I finally finished the hand quilting 

and this this was bound using a voile - Pastry Stripes in blue.

A label has been made using printable fabric and just waiting to be stitched on.

Charming Stars in the Park quilt
This was basted and then machine quilted 1/4 inch inside each of the sashing lines and borders.

I have started hand quilting inside each of the stars in a variegated blue perle no 8 cotton.

Moving forward in the Doll Quilt

I have made some progress on the Doll Quilt for the swap.

I finished sewing the applique petals on during the week and am generally happy with their placement. There is one that is a little off but I tried to improve it an actually made it worse so I decided to leave it there.

This morning I pieced the back. I have gone with a background Kona Coal and some of the AMH prints for the strips. I really think the darker colour sets of the lighter prints and adds a contrast to the front.

And then basted the sandwich. Can you tell I really didn't want this to move? When quilted it will be trimmed square to just outside the circles.

And I've made a start on the quilting.

Of hand sewing and quilting

In the past I have posted about my frustration and dislike of hand sewing.


And for the exception that proves the rule I have done a lot (for me) of it in the last week and am planning a lot more this week. And I have been enjoying it!

The petals on the Doll Quilt are almost all sewn down, and the hand quilting is up next. I had a great time chooseing the thread colours on the weekend.

I also need to sew down the binding on this quilt. I pieced the top in April last year, basted it in September and quilted it a month or so ago. It has been a great couch quilt while it has waitied to have the binding sewn.

I think I have (finally) chosen the final border for the BSPDU quilt so as soon as this is on that will be basted and hand quilted. I got some more perle cotton coulours on the weekend for that purpose as well.

Embroiding the labels for the back is also on the list.

I can see a more social sewing week in my house. Not so much time shut away at the machine and more in the living areas of the house.

A Doll Quilt Weekend....

I spent most of the sewing time on the weekend working on my quilt for the Doll Quilt Swap on Flickr.

I pieced the melons or petals....

Made the decision to applique them to the background rather than piece them on and laid them out on the background....

And started the hand sewing.

I might do some on that in front of the TV this week. I made good progress on the Blue and White Quilt this week but need a little break now all the centre blacks are quilted into place. Then again I might do something about turning my BSPDU blocks into a quilt top.

Weekends- gotta love them!

Are good times for sewing - no work to get in the way!

Friday night:
Catching up on last weeks blocks for the Bloggers Block a Palooza Quilt Along.

Saturday:
Finishing up on the mug rugs for the Scrappy Mug Rug Swap.

I packaged up a whole bunch of things for the post office too - that will be a big trip tomorrow.

Sunday:
A prototype for the Doll Quilt Swap - and I think I have decided on the fabric. Not this, I'm keeping it under wraps for a bit until I have decided for sure.

There are some details to iron out with the construction but I think I have the plan now. A task for the next weekend.

This week I'm hoping to get a little further on the Blue and White quilt that has been a bit stagnant for awhile!