My New Machine

My old Bernina sewing machine is probably older than me and still going strong, but it's not big enough for me to do my quilting on so I do all my quilting on Mum's Bernina 820. This gives me problems with being able to complete quilts quickly as I can only do this on the weekend when Mum isn't at work.

Last week Mum had to go to Perth for work. I asked her to get me a price on a new machine if she was going to Burnells. This is our nearest Bernina dealer and where she purchased her 820 from. I had spoken to a few girls via the Quilt Club Australia group on Facebook who have the Bernina 440QE and they had nothing but good things to say about it. This is what I had in mind for a new machine. 

So I was surprised when Mum phoned me and said that they had the 550QE on sale and they would give her a further discount, she would pay the deposit as an early Christmas present and then I could pay it off over 12 months. Sounded great to me! 

I went from just wanting some prices to having a brand new machine two days later! 

Last night I decided to test it out on a quilt. I grabbed out the little top I had made for one of my Blankets of Love. I quilted it, finished it, and it turned out perfectly. 

My favorite things about my machine so far are the extension table and the seam guide sole on the walking foot. It made my machine binding an absolute breeze and lovely and straight on the back. 

I can't wait to start practicing and learn how to free motion quilt!

Sunday Stash # 7

This week I received these gorgeous 2D Zoo Mini prints by Alexander Henry from Kate of Kwilts By Kate. I swapped her these for a charm pack that I no longer needed. Thanks Kate!

I also made another purchase from the 'SEW - you're destashing' Facebook group. It's Beatrice Clover by Michael Miller Fabrics. It will go nicely with the Beatrice Bloom print that I already have.

As always, linking up with Finding Fifth's Sunday Stash.

138 Charm Squares

After finishing my scrappy log cabin quilt top earlier this week I realised that I have a lot of scrap fabric. So I went through and pulled out all the pieces that I could get a 5" square or more out of, starting with girly fabrics. I ended up with 138 5" charm squares and it doesn't seem to have even made a dent in the scrap bins.

A Colourful Sneak Peek

Quilt top finished tonight.

Sunday Stash # 6

Is it Sunday again already? This week has just flown. Probably because I lost a few days being sick. But a few bargains from the 'SEW you're destashing' group always makes you feel better! This is my purchase this week.

Charm pack of Summerville. I just love the little houses and cars.

1 yard of purple Kaffe Fasset fabric.

4 fat quarters of Kaffe Fasset fabric.

I got all of this for $30 including postage. That is such a fantastic bargain for these designer fabrics. 

Linking up with Finding Fifth's Sunday Stash.

Woodland Friends Quilt

This week I finally finished my little Woodland Friends quilt. I quilted this one and put the binding on the front weeks ago and it has been hanging on the back of my sewing chair ever since. I finally got sick of looking at it sitting there unfinished and attached the binding to the back with my machine and put it up for sale on my Facebook page.

I'm so glad I did because a lovely lady contacted me yesterday about purchasing it and wanted to come and see it. She is expecting a baby in three weeks and it turns out that she had made a canvas for the baby's room using the middle panel fabic (cute!). So this quilt will match perfectly! 

So off it went to it's new home. Waiting for a new precious baby to enjoy it. This is what making quilts is all about for me :)

 

Linking up with Beth at Plum and June for TGIFF.

QCA Bee - July Blocks

This month Anorina from Samelia's Mum asked for any modern star block, 12.5" inches, in black, white, grey and orange. 

I chose a Sawtooth Star. The tutorial I used is here.

Block # 1

Block # 2

July Blocks Together

For the first block I fussy cut a flower from some Amy Butler fabric. This one is Apricot Wallflower from her Lotus range. For the second block I fussy cut my centre block from some Wrenly fabric.

I haven't been doing much sewing lately as I have been renovating my bedroom and it's been a bit chaotic around here, but I have had a few orders for wipes containers. This print has been popular and I have done quite a few in this fabric.

I have another one of these to finish today so I better get to it.

Sunday Stash # 5

This week I discovered a group on Facebook called 'SEW you're destashing'. It's a group where you can sell fabric or craft supplies. 

I managed to sell a couple of things from my stash, but I also bought a few things too :)

Kaffe Fasset fabric

Remix fat quarter bundle

Reunion layer cake

I can't wait to receive these in the post.

Linking up with Fiona at Finding Fifth.

Novelty Fabric Charm Swap

Today I joined some of my fellow Quilt Club Australia members in a Novelty Fabric Charm Swap. Hosted by Danielle at Threads n' Mess. 

This is how it works....

1.  For swapping 5" charm squares, each person will purchase 1 yard of fabric and cut it  into 5" charm squares. 1 yard = 56 charms.  (I recommend buying 1.25 yards- never hurts to have a little extra in case you make a cutting mistake.) 1 yard equals 92cms
2. Choose a fabric that has a small print suitable for an 5" charms. Scale of the print is very important as smaller works better in this case. 
3. Fabric should be 100% cotton, quilt shop quality fabric. 
4. Fabric must be new and unwashed and must come from a smoke free environment.
5. Before mailing, cut your fabric into 5" x 5" charm squares.  Press your fabric before cutting. 1 yard = 56 charm squares (5" x 5".)  Here's a great tutorial on how to cut fabric into charms by Elizabeth Hartman.
6.  Put your fabric in a ziplock bag and include an index card with your name and email address. 
7. Upload pictures of your fabric to the facebook swap group and include the name of the fabric, designer, etc if possible. This ensures that there are no duplicate fabrics chosen and allows everyone to find out more about the fabrics in case they would like to order more once they have received their charms.  

Danielle will then send us back 2 charms from each fabric entered (56 in total). 

This is what I'm sending....

Looking forward to seeing what we receive back.

Sunday Stash # 4

So, what's new in my stash this week?

Well, I received a parcel from the wonderful Hawthorne Threads. In it were these....

They aren't actually for my stash as such. I purchased them for my mum to make some bunting for Master 2. He recently acquired a big boy bed (single bed) and his new doona cover is this shade of pale blue with grey and white vehicle silhouettes on it. I thought some bunting would go nicely and immediately thought of the bicycle fabrics. I have had my eye on them for ages. All of the fabrics are by Michael Miller Fabrics.

1. Gray Bicycles

2. Sea Disco Dot

3. Sea Dumb Dot

4. Haze Bicycles

I also pulled some Gray Quarter Dot from my stash and also added a fat quarter of a smaller gray and white dot fabric that I got from Spotlight.

Also in my package were these Dumb Dot colours for some custom order bunting. Teal, petal and citron.

I needed one more shade of light blue but unfortunately this colour, Robins Egg, won't be released for a few months yet. Luckily for me my customer doesn't need the bunting until November.

Hawthorne Threads has a minimum cut of 1/2 yard so there will be plenty left over to add to my stash. Yay!

Linking up with Fiona at Finding Fifth.

Black & White Fat Quarter Swap Part 2

Last week I received a fat quarter back from the black and white fabric swap I entered. This is the part where we showcase our fabric and share what we are going to make, and then make it. This is what I received back.

I think it will work perfectly in my scrappy improv blocks and will give me added incentive to get this quilt finished.