Blogger's Quilt Festival - Swoon Bed Quilt

A big thank you to Amy's Creative Side for organising the Blogger's Quilt Festival, so those of us who can't get to Quilt Market have something to get excited about!  I've decided to enter my most beloved Swoon in to the Bed Quilt category.  You can see the original post HERE.  I will have another post shortly for my second entry :)

Those of you who have been around here for a while would have seen many a blog post about this quilt, the whole process was dissected each week through photos.  And you all shared my excitement, which made putting it together even more exhilarating than ever!

I had my fat quarter bundle of Joel Dewberry's Notting Hill for months, and after much searching and thinking about how I would use it, I stumbled across the Swoon phenomena!  I had absolutely no idea that this quilt pattern had swept the world, but was happy to be joining in!

I became rather obsessed with getting the quilt finished, and managed to get it all done in a matter of weeks.  I was able to fussy cut the centre blocks in all but one of them, which was quite an effort given they're all cut from fat quarters.  I tried to choose the prints in each block so that they would accentuate the amazing colours and not overpower each other.  I was pleasantly surprised with the colour balance when I'd completed then all.

 I sent it off to the quilter (the first time I've had a quilt quilted by someone else!) and was stunned with the end result!  The binding went on quickly and that night, I put my kids to work holding this huge baby up!  Bella the cat inspected it and was very happy.

The backing was made up of rows of left over Notting Hill and the white broadcloth I used for the top. And then lots of yardage of this divine print.

I'm happy to say it lives very happily on our bed.  I'm not very happy to say that Bella still loves the quilt, and leaves her black hair as a calling card.....

The gorgeous all over quilting design.

And the quilt that took over our lounge room.

I say it with most of the quilts I make, but I think this really is my all time favourite.  Perhaps just because it was made for me, right from the time I purchased the fabric.

In the details: Machine pieced on my Bernina.  Finished size: 90" x 90".  Machine Quilted by Jeanette @ Gone Aussie Quilting.

The BIG Swoon Reveal!

The day has finally come - I can share my biggest finish with you all!  That's right - my Swoon is done and dusted!  I managed to bind it on the weekend, and Saturday night, got my little minions to work, using muscles they never thought they had.  This baby is HEAVY!  I could have waited for delightful sunshine and dry skies - but you wouldn't have seen photos of it for about a month - Melbourne's Winter is in full force at present!  So, without further ado - here she is - "Swoon".....

Bella the cat appreciates a good quilt when she sees one.

Minion's muscles fading fast.  I LOVE how the pieced back shines.  And I LOVE the fact that you can hardly tell where I have joined the prints!

But most of all, I LOVE the beautiful quilting that Jeanette over at Gone Aussie Quilting did for me!  This is the first time I have sent a quilt away to be quilted.  It took me days of looking at digital designs, making a short list, and then asking my quilty friends for their votes, before I went with this vine design.  It is literally PERFECT in every sense.  I didn't want a dense quilting pattern, I wanted it to skim over the blocks and not take away from their brilliance.  I think my choice has achieved that!

And here it is on our queen size bed.  I took a gazillion 50 photos that night, but thought I would spare you!  I could sit and look at this quilt all day, but alas, I have other quilts to make now.

Through the process of making my Swoon, I've had many people ask me if it is a difficult pattern?  My answer?  It really is a fairly simply pattern to make.  It is made up of HST's and Geese, and a bunch of squares and rectangles.  The cutting for the blocks is a little tedious, but once I made the first block, I then worked on three blocks at a time, chain piecing them to make the process run smoother.  The blocks then came together relatively quickly.  In fact, I made all nine blocks in around four days.  Yes, they were big days, but it's very do-able!

In the details:  Machine pieced and machine bound.  SIZE - The finished size of the pattern is 80" x 80", I made my sashing 5" wide, which brought the finished size up to 90" x 90".  As you can see, that is plenty big for a queen size bed!  It will shrink up a few inches on its first wash, and will still be big enough.  FABRIC - I used Notting Hill by Joel Dewberry.  I bought the entire fat quarter collection - which you can still get HERE, HERE and HERE (just to name a few!).  This pattern is perfect for fat quarters - you only need 18 in total.  QUILTING - Jeanette from Gone Aussie Quilting is situated in New South Wales.  I posted the front and back to her, and she supplied the batting.  She has a TONNE of digital designs to choose from for her edge to edge service.  And she has a fabulous special price for quilting Swoon quilts.  And she's also super quick!  If you're in the USA, there is a special quilting offer for edge to edge quilting from a lady in New York.  If you join the Swooning on a Hop Along Flickr group HERE you will find that offer too.  And if you want to buy the pattern for yourself, you can find it HERE.

So.  Where to now?  More quilting I guess!

I'm linking up with Sew Cute Tuesday AND Show & Tell Tuesday - You can too!

T.G.I.F.F. - Circa is Finito!

Hoorah!  Another finish!  I put the binding on this baby yesterday morning and had it washed and dried by afternoon.  Unfortunately the lighting in our neck of the woods was atrocious, so the beautiful gem tones of the Circa fabrics just aren't showing as well as they could be.  But here she is....

I'm not usually one to wash a quilt before it finds a new home, but given that I used chalk stencils and hairspray whilst quilting, it was in desperate need of a wash!  I will write up a post and my review of the stencils I used, so you can see if it's something you might like to try!

It's come up beautifully - nice and crinkly all over.

 

And the back - a TONNE of negative white space for the quilting to show!  I LOVE it!

This photo is probably the best representation of colour - and it was pre-wash!

And now?  Well it just needs to find a home!  I have submitted it in to a gorgeous Jennifer Paganelli Showcase over at Fabric Love Australia.  There are some stunning handmade items in the showcase, so be sure to check it out!  It begins tomorrow night and runs for a week - hopefully somebody loves it enough to make a purchase!

The need to know bit - Measures 75" x 54" after being washed.  Fabric - Circa by Jennifer Paganelli and white broadcloth.  Design - Simple 9 patch and reverse 9 patch on top and bottom.  Bamboo batting.  Aurifil white thread for quilting!

*** I know I said yesterday that I would have my Swoon quilt finished to show you today - but it just didn't happen!  But here's a sneak peek for you.....

I am incredibly happy with it and just can't wait to get the binding on and have some good weather to take the big finale photos!  Watch this space!

I'm linking up with T.G.I.F.F. over at Quokka Quilts - You can too!

Fresh Sewing Day - July Round Up!

It would be fair to say that I've had a pretty big month!  In fact, it's the biggest July I have EVER had in my life!  Apart from all the interesting side stories happening, I managed to sew up an absolute storm hurricane.  It truly is amazing how much you can get done when you put your mind to it AND desperately use sewing as therapy!  Here's a little old round up for you......

Clockwise from top left: My first Fat Quarter Shop Mystery Block of The Month - I forgot to post about this one!  Admittedly, it is not my usual style at all - but I'm going to stick with it, and at the end will have a lovely little semi-traditional quilt to give to someone!

My 9 Patch Mash Up Cushion - boredom with a block got the better of me, so I tried something different, and showed you a little tutorial of sorts.

Goldilocks & The Three Bears paper pieced block - for Gina's month in our Wombat Stew Bee.

A sweet little Field Study Pinnafore ordered by a friend for a gift.  I love it when my customers see something someone else has ordered, and have to have one themselves!  I now have two more of these beauties to make - in the blue colour way.

I somehow managed to start AND finish my Swoon quilt!  I'm still wondering where and how that happened?  I think someone must have slipped me something in my cereal for a few weeks??  I am VERY pleased to say that this humungous quilt arrived back on my doorstep this morning, from Jeanette, who did the quilting for me!  Come back tomorrow and you will see the completely finished quilt!  Eeeek!

And just because I bought new fabric and had to sew with it - I also started and finished this divine Circa quilt top!  The quilting was completed yesterday, and today I did the binding.  Another big reveal for tomorrow!

I also snuck in plenty of repairs and alterations for work - the only people I will willingly do that for!  And made a couple of gorgeous dresses for my girls.  It's certainly been a productive month!

Hello August!

I'm linking up with Fresh Sewing Day over at Lily's Quilts - You can too!

T.G.I.F.F. - The One Where My Swoon Gets Sent Packing.....

Remember this photo from Wednesday?

Well, it now has a beautiful pieced backing to go with it.....

When I bought the yardage for this backing - from The Intrepid Thread - I was not really sold on the print.  I mean, there are sooooo many divine prints in the Notting Hill range, but all of my first choices (yes, you can have more than one first choice!) were too low in stock and would not be able to accommodate this 90" beauty!  So the lovely Julie said "this is it".  And that's what I got.

BUT - now that it's made up - I LOVE IT!!!!

I had to use my brain and lack of mathematical skills to come up with the pieced section.  Lucky for me I'd only just read THIS blog post by Christa Quilts, in which she talks about how she works out her pieced backs.  Although I knew that's how it would be done, it was very helpful in this process.  I used my own technological know how to work mine out.....

Old school.....

So that's it my friends!  My beautiful Swoon quilt is finished!  Well, sort of.  This will be the first quilt that I will not be quilting myself.  And although I am VERY excited about sending it off to Jeanette to be quilted on her long arm, I am just a tad bit disappointed that I won't be doing it myself.  And on that note - I best go and spend another hour or two looking through designs and trying to come to some sort of decision about HOW I want it to be quilted!!!  Aghhhhhhh!!!!!!

I'm linking up with T.G.I.F.F. being hosted by the lurvely Molli Sparkles today!  You can too!

Now.......what to do with ALL those Notting Hill leftovers and scraps?

W.I.P. Wednesday - Swoon Half Done

I'm practically jumping out of my skin with excitement!  Today I finished my Swoon quilt top!  And I'm almost finished the back.  Yeeee-hahhhhh!

I had planned on using the huge amount of scraps to make little stars or something tricky to go in the junctions between the blocks, but when I made a mock up, I just thought it took away from the main blocks, so I literally scrapped the scraps.  I was also planning on making 12 blocks, but after laying 10 finished blocks out on my lounge room floor, I adjusted my plan because it was so damn huge!  I did however want it to be bigger than the 80" that the pattern made - so I just made the sashing and borders 5" wide instead of the 2.5" as the pattern instructed.  This quilt top now measures a scrummy 90" square.  It's massive!

Another discovery made during this process was that my 1/4" foot for my Bernina is not entirely accurate.  I always knew it wasn't spot on, but these blocks were meant to be 24.5", and they came in just over 24".  Which meant I had to trim them down/square them to 24".  And this also then meant that I lost some points on my stars on the edges on the blocks.  But I really am not stressed about it - because it's MY QUILT!

Isn't she lovely?

As soon as I finished the quilt top this morning, I started working out what on earth I would do for the back.  I had bought some six yards of one Notting Hill print for the backing, but even with the two widths joined together, it was going to be around 13" too narrow, so I got to figuring out how to make up the width.  This is where the larger scraps from the cutting out of blocks came in handy.  And this is where my super technical mathematical diagram came in to play.  I'm so smart.  Not.

Anyway, the backing is almost done.  But you will have to wait until Friday for that reveal - because I will have a finished project!  Well, finished as far as I can - because this little big baby is being sent off to a long arm quilter.  The first time I've ever done that!  One of my lovely readers directed me to a Flickr group, where a long arm quilter was offering to quilt Swoon quilts for a cheaper rate.  Only problem - she was in New York!  So I scrolled through the comments and stumbled upon an Aussie quilter offering the same special offer!  And that's where this quilt is heading.

I'm still stuck on a design for the quilting.  I will be spending time over the next couple of days looking through the design catalogues and trying to come to some sort of decision - if you have any suggestions or ideas in terms of quilting - TELL ME!!!

I'm linking up with W.I.P. Wednesday over at Freshly Pieced - You can too!

My Latest Obsession

My habit of not letting a project sit around long is continuing.  I embarked on my Swoon quilt a week ago, and as of this afternoon, I have six finished blocks and four half finished blocks - which essentially means I am almost 3/4 of the way done!  Hoorah!

My body is not shouting Hoorah however.  This chain piecing and assembling really does take it out on your body.  Oh and not to mention the hours spent at the iron, pressing HST's and geese!  But oh well, I'm pretty damn impressed with my progress......

I've managed to fussy cut quite a few of the centre blocks, but I am using fat quarters, and it gets a bit tricky trying to get all the pieces required cut, and managing to leave a 6.5" block of perfection!

Now, given that this will be the first queen size quilt I have made, I am wondering how I am going to quilt it, or if I will even be able to manage it?  I have a beautiful Bernina, however, I already wrestle with single bed quilts, so thinking my muscles may not be up for the challenge.  I've discussed it a little with the lovely quilters in QCA, and have been told to look up Quilt as You go.  Which I still haven't!  The other option is sending the quilt off when it's finished to be quilts by a long arm.  Still a little bit of time to decide, but I am open to suggestions - so fire away!

I'm apologising warning you now - you will see many a blog post from here onwards until this quilt is finished!

I'm linking up with W.I.P. Wednesday - You can too!

W.I.P. Wednesday - A New Project to Swoon Over

Many months ago I bought my much loved FQ bundle of Notting Hill.  It has sat ever so patiently on my shelf, just waiting for me to decide what to do with it and how.  It was bought specifically to make a queen size quilt for mine and my husband's bed.  But I couldn't find a pattern or design I liked enough to cut in to it.  Until last week, when it occurred to me just how much I love the Swoon quilts I'd seen.  So yesterday, when I ran the idea past some quilty friends and they said "HELL YES" I bit the bullet and bought the pattern - and half an hour later I was cutting fabric.  By the end of the day, I had these two beautiful blocks as a start......

Please excuse the HORRIFIC photos - I've just got home from a date night with my husband and only had these IG photos to pull off the computer!

I'm glad I only cut two blocks out to start, as it's been great to learn how the fabrics are going to make or break the blocks.  The one on the left is perfect in my eyes - colour wise.  But the one on the right, well it's a little too green, I wanted the red to be the stand out.  So it will leave me thinking harder about the remaining 10 blocks!  Yep, I'm making 12 to bring the quilt up to the size I want.

I haven't been this excited about a project for a while, and I think it's going to be great for me to do during the school holidays, because I can't really start much without having to stop for one or four of the kids wanting me for something!

Anyway, that's my quick little WIP!  Stay tuned - I'm sure you'll see these blocks featured in many more posts!

I'm linking up with W.I.P. Wednesday over at Freshly Pieced - You can too!