Social Networks

You can now follow me on Instagram (@marelizeries).  

I know.. I'm a bit behind keeping up with all the different types of social networks, but this one is quite fun.  This social media is very much like twitter, except you upload photos instead of a status update. 

Kayleigh playing outside, raking up dry leaves... my little helper :-)

I am not going to only add photos of quilting but every day things too, like kids, family, cooking and of course quilting too, you'll get to see a whole different side of my life than just fabric, thread and quilting :-)

Hope you will follow along.

Happy quilting.

Karli's Quilt - WIP (1)

'Willow by Mind's Eye for Riley Blake Jelly Roll'

It was such a treat unpacking these fabrics.  Cutting hardly took any time at all and that is an absolute bonus using pre-cut fabrics.

The layout design for the quilt I'm making could not be simpler.  Most of the pieced blocks are based on the log cabin block, using a 2½ square in the middle and framing it with a contrasting print/colour and repeating it one more time again with either dark or light prints.  This design is perfect for using jelly rolls.  

So I decided to start off with block 'A', there are a total of 10 I had to make and before I knew it I had all the blocks done.

Block 'A' - One of 10 

Then I moved on to making block 'D'.  There should be a total of 40 blocks, I am going to make 20 blocks using dark print fabric in the center and light on the outside, and the other 20 just the opposite.  

Chain piecing is a huge time saver, the only thing I have to keep in mind is when I take the strip of pieced blocks to the ironing board, to cut and press exactly the same as I've run them through the machine, and not to mix them up to not confuse myself when piecing the other sides.  It works like a charm :-)

Block 'D' - Making 40

I should be done with making all the blocks for block 'D' before the weekend.

Linking up to WIP Wednesday over at Freshly Pieced.

Happy quilting.

Anything Goes Quilt 'n Sew #19 - Crochet Butterflies

UPDATE 29/06/2013 - I have just been contacted by Karen Bailey from Todolwen that the link I added to this blog post for these adorable butterflies I made, was actually taken from her website by a Russian lady who placed HER name all over them, without her permission, submitting them as her own and own design.

In all fairness its just right to give credit where credit is due, so HERE is the correct link to making these butterflies.  I have removed the previous link and hope all will be set right.  My apologies Karen...

ORIGINAL POST 27/05/2013 - Many of you know how I like to try out different things.  I recon if  its creative and fun its just fine by me, no matter if its made out of fabric, wool, or paper.  

I was on facebook some time ago and found a link to make the cutest butterflies, so I gave it a try. They are really teeny tiny, so for me who does not have a lot of experience crocheting, it was quite tricky, especially holding the wool just tight enough to make decent stitches.

I have not made them to use in a specific project, it was all for fun, :-)

Sew now it's time for this week's linky party

It's Monday and a new week, so lets all share some of our projects, please link up any current projects you've been working on, anything at all...  This link is open for a week and will run every Monday.  Remember to come back next week, or follow my blog to get regular updates.

If you wish feel free to add any other blog posts you write during the week, since this linky stays open for a full week, I think its a great idea to share and keep sharing.

All I ask is that you either add the 'Anything Goes' blog button to your sidebar or add a text link to your blog post, and comment on a few of the other links too, share the love and make this weekly link party a fun way to connect.

<div align="center"><a href="http://marelize-ries.blogspot.com/" title="Stitch by Stitch"><img src="http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj592/MarelizeR/LinkyButton2_zps83805f35.jpg" alt="Stitch by Stitch" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Happy quilting.

Karli's Quilt - WIP

I love using pre-cut fabrics, except for cutting time that is halved, I love that the fabrics already match and that the difficulty having to choose fabrics that works well together is completely eliminated.   

I've made a few quilts using jelly rolls and charm packs and if they were more readily available here in South Africa I'm certain I would use it most of the time. 

'Willow by Mind's Eye for Riley Blake Jelly Roll'

I'm going to make a baby quilt for a friend, they are expecting their first baby and Karli is due in September.  They are so lucky to have a name picked out already.  The night before Kayleigh was born, we still had a list of about 8 names to choose from, and in the end we decided on a completely different name, one that wasn't even on the list, LOL  

She ordered these fabrics all the way from the US from Missouri Star Quilt Co and she has entrusted me to make her something really special..

Isn't it beautiful?  I cant wait to start!

I will keep you updated on the progress...

Happy quilting.

Quilt Along with Christa

Christa from ChristaQuilts has announced a brand new quilt along featuring Pearl Bracelets by Lizzy House!  She is starting her 6th in a series of complete quilt alongs on her blog, for more information, like quilt schedule, fabric requirements etc. you can find it all HERE.

String of Pearls 66″ x 66″
Designed in EQ7 by Christa Watson

String of Pearls will launch Wednesday, 6 June 2013 at her online shop - ChristaQuilts.

String of Pearls Kits are available in two options, a complete kit including all the fabrics for the quilt top, or a starter kit with the Pearl Bracelets fabric only.  There will be a limited number of kits available with 10% off any kit purchase through June 30, 2013 so don't wait to long to place your order, here is the LINK to jump right to the kit page on the online quilt shop.  As a special offer you can use this coupon code CQA2013 at checkout.  

Take a minute and visit her QuiltAlong page where you'll find previous quilt alongs including this one.

Happy quilting.

Lucky Stars BOM - May "Spotlight Star"

This month's Lucky Stars BOM, Spotlight Star is my favorite, so far anyway.  Not just the look of it, but the fabrics and colours I used, works really well together, or at least I think so.

I've really enjoyed piecing this month's block, I didn't have to use my seam ripper once throughout making the 12½ inch and 6½ inch blocks.  I guess I'm becoming a bit more confident with this technique and remembering my previous mistakes reminds me what NOT to do.

If you've never tried foundation paper piecing, I really recommend you try it out, once you've experienced the precision and crisp look of your blocks it will really inspire you to try out more.

If you'd like to see the other BOM's I've made, you can find them all here.  Of course there are hundreds of blocks made by others who have joined in making this BOM, you can find them all on the flickr group.

Linking up with WIP Wednesdays over at Freshly Pieced.

Happy quilting.

ps.  Just a quick thank you to everyone who joined in this week's linky party ((hugs))

Anything Goes Quilt 'n Sew #18 - Thread issues

Today I thought of sharing a picture with you of some free motion quilting I did over the weekend. Everything was going great and when the bobbin ran out, and I took the quilt from my machine to hide the thread tails.  I flipped the quilt over to see if the needle was between the layers and that's when I noticed this,...

back of quilt

I did not have any tension issues at all, so my only guess is that the thread did not wind up properly on the bobbin at a specific spot, maybe the thread was not tightly wound and too loose.  There was of course no sign in the front as I was quilting that something weird just happened at the back.

I have no idea.. maybe you can help me out with the answer?

But first it's time for this week's linky party

It's Monday and a new week, so lets all share some of our projects, please link up any current projects you've been working on, anything at all...  This link is open for a week and will run every Monday.  Remember to come back next week, or follow my blog to get regular updates.

If you wish feel free to add any other blog posts you write during the week, since this linky stays open for a full week, I think its a great idea to share and keep sharing.

All I ask is that you either add the 'Anything Goes' blog button to your sidebar or add a text link to your blog post, and comment on a few of the other links too, share the love and make this weekly link party a fun way to connect.

<div align="center"><a href="http://marelize-ries.blogspot.com/" title="Stitch by Stitch"><img src="http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj592/MarelizeR/LinkyButton2_zps83805f35.jpg" alt="Stitch by Stitch" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Happy quilting.

Postcard fun...

...we all need to have a quick and fun little project every now and then.  So I joined a group on facebook called 'FMQ Postcard fun and challenges'.  In this group, members each month make postcards and then post the card to an allocated partner, the cards are made of fabric only, there are no paper or card used in making them, and of course have some type of free motion quilting on it.

So I thought of sharing with you my swap for May 2013.  This month had no particular theme, and we could make whatever we felt like, we both had fmq feathers on our cards, only different types of course.  

'peacock feather' made by me

'fmq feather' made by Janet

The whole idea is to send the card 'naked', as you would a normal postcard and not inside an envelope.  I admit I was quite worried that my card would not reach its destination.  I was so scared the stamp would come off and it would just end up in some bin somewhere.  

Janet did however receive her card (all the way to the UK), although somewhere along its route someone used a piece of sellotape to secure the stamp.  

It was really nice going to the post office and finding my card.

Janet also has a two part tutorial on her blog on how to make fabric postcards, here is part one and part two for those interested in making some of their own.  Its not only fun to make, but even better getting one!

Linking up to FMQ Fridays with Leah Day at The Free Motion Quilting Project and can-I-get-a-whoop-whoop at Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

Happy quilting.

Hexie fun!

My hexie quilt is going to be one of my biggest projects ever. When my mom sent me the hexies she basted for me, together with mine I decided to start piecing right away.  In case its your first time visiting, it comes to more than a  1600 one inch hexies.  I am still adding more basted hexies to this collection.  Most of the colours being used is either green or pink, so I'm adding blue and purple too. 

(I apologize for the bad light in these pictures, its early morning and the sun is shining directly against the orange curtains right behind my cutting table.)

I started piecing hexies at random, 4 pieces at a time and by shade separating them light, medium and dark rather than colour.  I have not really decided on a layout yet, but this morning I had an idea of making 'blocks' with 16 hexies in one shade.  So far this is one placement I have in mind.  Its rows moving diagonally from light to medium to dark, then starting again with light.  So far I think I am going to stick with this placement, but I'm sure once I have pieced a lot more that this I will be able to see if I really like it and if it will work. 

This has become a really nice pass time, especially on Saturday's when my husband watches every single Rugby match on tv.

I am using a light thread and was a bit worried that the stitches will be visible in the front, but the few stitches you do see, will definitely not be a distraction.  I think because they are spaced so close makes the difference.

Enough playing around, I have to get busy cutting fabric for my Sugar Block Club and Lucky Stars BOM's.  I still have to do April's block (sugar block club) together with May, so I have to get started, at least I've already picked out the fabrics I'm going to use for these blocks...

Linking up with WIP Wednesday over @ Freshly Pieced.

Happy quilting.

Anything Goes Quilt 'n Sew #17 - Q and A

I was overwhelmed with all the responses and positive comments I received on the quilt I've submitted to the 'Feathers Challenge' over at SewCalGal.  I cant begin to explain how much it means to me, especially because it comes from so many quilters who I look up to and hope to one day be, as good as or at least close to.

I am very much still a beginner and there are so many techniques and applications I still want to learn. What makes this journey so much more exciting is that we get to share, inspire and be admired by so many wonderful people, and I thank each and everyone for your support.  

These past few months I've had quite a few questions asked, and because I reply via email, I thought I'd share some questions and answers here with you today.

Q - Do you quilt with a longarm or home sewing machine?

A - I use a Bernina Aritista 180 sewing machine for both piecing and quilting.  It has an embroidery unit that I have only tried out a few times.  I admit that I would love to test drive a longarm quilting machine purely out of curiosity, but doubt that I will ever make a permanent change.  I love quilting on my home sewing machine, I hardly ever have any tension issues.  I can piece blocks one minute, and quilt the next with only a few adjustments.  Anyway, I doubt that I will ever be able to afford one, LOL.

Q - What type of batting do you use?

A - As you know I am from South Africa, and although many or most of the products that are available here comes from the US, some items do however differ.  I use a low loft bonded polyester woven batting called Loomtex.  I like it because its soft, warm and still falls naturally even when quilted densely, so I'm not afraid of adding small scale quilting to any of my quilts.

Q - What type of thread do use for free motion quilting?

A - Honestly, any thread I can find, LOL.  I usually use a thread called Seralon on most of my quilts.  Its 120wt poly thread, and if I understand the 'charts' correctly its the equivalent to 60wt cotton thread.  For my goddess quilt, I've used Marathon 40wt polyester embroidery thread.  I guess it all depends on what I'm quilting.  But mostly I use what I can afford or what I've learnt by trial and error to give me the least amount of thread breaks especially when travel stitching.  Anything that can withstand quilting multiple times over the exact same place works good for me.

Q - How many hours do you spend a week practicing free motion quilting?

A - Honestly, I quilt when I have something TO quilt.  So the practice I'm getting is with actual quilting.  I would usually watch videos on the internet, and as I'm watching I'll draw what I see on screen on a piece of paper.  I will repeat it a few times trying to remember what I've seen on the video, and jump right it.  

Q - What quilting classes have you taken?

A - Everything I have learnt, is via the internet.  My biggest source for free motion quilting is from Leah Day at The Free Motion Quilting Project.  She is simply amazing!  All of her videos on her website are free and the amount of quilting designs are almost limitless.  I've also signed up for a few Craftsy classes too, also by Leah Day and then Angela Walters' Free Motion Quilting With Feathers.  I would love to go for classes or join guilds in my area, but at this time with my 2 year old, it is just not possible. 

That's it for today, and please keep the comments and questions coming.  I love hearing from you!

Now it's time for this week's linky party

It's Monday and a new week, so lets all share some of our projects, please link up any current projects you've been working on, anything at all...  This link is open for a week and will run every Monday.  Remember to come back next week, or follow my blog to get regular updates.

If you wish feel free to add any other blog posts you write during the week, since this linky stays open for a full week, I think its a great idea to share and keep sharing.

All I ask is that you either add the 'Anything Goes' blog button to your sidebar or add a text link to your blog post, and comment on a few of the other links too, share the love and make this weekly link party a fun way to connect.

<div align="center"><a href="http://marelize-ries.blogspot.com/" title="Stitch by Stitch"><img src="http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj592/MarelizeR/LinkyButton2_zps83805f35.jpg" alt="Stitch by Stitch" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Happy quilting.