WIP Wendesday - QAYG BOM

So I've finally decided that I will quilt all my BOM's for the Sugar Block Club Block of the Month, using the QAYG (quilt as you go) technique.

After I've added the sashing and starched the blocks really well I made sure to get rid of all the little thread tails at the back before I basted the blocks.  The background fabric is white, so I don't want any of those nasty threads showing up through the quilting.

I used basting spray to sandwich these blocks, and my blocks are ready to quilt!

I first started with February's block - North Star.  I am using coloured thread that completely blends with the background.

I did not really give the FMQ much thought, I just went along what felt right at that moment.

I think using the QAYG method to FMQ these blocks allows me to explore a lot more FMQ designs as I have a lot more control over the block while quilting it.  Having the space to move the block around gives me the guts to try out different designs, and I love it!

I have not yet added any quilting to the sashing.  I first want to look at ways to add the blocks together before deciding what designs to use.

For those who missed it, I am having a giveaway to celebrate my blog's 1st anniversary this coming Friday, 1 March 2013.  You can read about it HERE

Linking up to WIP Wednesdays @ Freshly Pieced.

Happy quilting

Anything Goes - Quilt 'n Sew #6 - Blog Anniversary

I am one week away from celebrating my blog's 1st anniversary.

It has been so rewarding finding something I enjoy doing and to do what I think I'm rather good at.  What makes it even better is knowing I'm sharing it with so many of you, who too have a great passion for piecing quilts, free motion quilting and in between sewing.

So this coming Friday (1 March 2013) I will be having a 'giveaway party' to celebrate with all of you.  So I invite every one to take part in this giveaway!  What makes it even more exciting is that I have three great sponsors who is eager to celebrate with me.  Be sure to check in then...

Here is a sneak peak at my sponsors:

SHOP * Facebook

SHOP * Facebook

SHOP * Blog * Facebook

But now it's time for the linky party

It's Monday and a new week, so lets all share some of our projects, please link up any current project you've been busy with, anything at all....this link is open for a week and will run every Monday.  So remember if you forget to link up today, you still have the rest of the week to add something.  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 linky 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

UFO Sunday - Sad goodbyes

As most of you know I had a pretty exciting month.  My dad had his 70th birthday, and as a surprise my sister and her family came over from the UK to celebrate with all of us.

So I thought of sharing two photos of all of us, my Mom and Dad, kids and grand-kids... It was so special!!  Clearly Kayleigh did not like the idea of having these pictures taken, she could not leave my side, and when it was time to take the photo with all the grandchildren I had to hold her up to not have a crying child in the photo, LOL

Unfortunately all good things must come to an end, so we had to say goodbye on Friday when they left for the UK again, I sure hope that this time it will not take 9 years till all of us will be together like this again.................................

Anyway..... back to my sewing room...

Is it just me, or do you also find it hard having to choose fabrics for your quilts?

I went shopping yesterday specifically for backing fabric for my Sugar BOM and Lucky Stars BOM.  Which should not be that hard, since its for the back right?  But I stood in the shop for nearly an hour, looking at so many different prints.

I finally decided that I will quilt my BOM's using the QAYG (quilt as you go) method.  I've never done it before, so it will be a first for me.

Sugar BOM Backing

For my Sugar Block Club BOM I'm using white background fabric together with bright colours.  So I got this fabric for the backing.  I think it will compliment the blocks really well.  I realize that we've only done up to February, but knowing that all the colours I plan on using in the blocks will also show up in the backing so it should work really well together.

Lucky Stars BOM Backing

Now since my background fabric for my Lucky Stars BOM is black and dark grey, I went with this fabric.  The print is quite large so I hope when it comes to piecing them together it would not be an issue.

Unfortunately I could not get decent thread for my Goddess Quilt. I've only done McTavishing in the some of the rays and I still have so many to do, and I really want to do them in colour too, so catching up will take a few weeks.  

I guess I'll be on the road again on Monday... or maybe Wednesday.


I have some exciting news to share tomorrow, so be sure to come back then!

I'm linking up to UFO Sunday with Leah Day @ The Free Motion Quilting Project.

Happy quilting.

  

WIP Wednesday - Quilted Tote

There's not a whole lot I can say about this bag, so I'll let the pictures speak for itself.

As I've mentioned on Sunday, when I started making this bag I used Stampin'Up fabric range Comfort Cafè that my sister brought over from the UK.  She's a Stampin'Up demonstrator and you can visit her blog HERE.  

I free motion quilted the front and back pockets using stippling, and the body of the bag straight line free motion quilting.

The little canvas piece was stamped using a "Stampin'Up" stamp.  It is not completely done yet, I still want to add a button or two for embellishment.

I've used my own pattern that you can download on my My Patterns page.  The only difference is that I quilted the bag panels and therefore the bag ended up a little bit smaller.

I am linking up to WIP Wednesdays @ Freshly Pieced.

Happy quilting.

Anything Goes Quilt 'n Sew #5 - Travel sewing bag pattern

I made this cute travel sewing bag, ideal for going to classes, on the road or even going from room to room.  I am certain anyone with some or other craft would like one of these, its not just for sewing alone.  I wrote a step by step pattern, with lots of detailed pictures to help you along.  

Fabric requirements for this bag is three fat quarters, embroidery stabilizer to secure the pockets and iron on interfacing for the bag.  

This bag has eight small pockets, four in front, and two on either side ideal to hold all those little bits and pieces, like threads, needles, measuring tape, scissors, rotary cutter, seam ripper etc..   It has a long pocket at the back, large enough to hold an A5 size book/diary.  The inside of the bag is a nice size, it can hold a good amount of fabric and all those extra bits that is too big for the small pockets.

Initially I thought because a bag is a three dimensional object it would be very complicated and too difficult to make.  But after I found these free online Craftsy classes by Kirstin Link called Bag-Making Basics and watching the videos, I made both the drawstring bag and the bucket bag and I realized it was NOT hard at all.  Click on the images below to direct you to the Craftsy website.

My patterns" page LINK

I have added a FREE pattern for this travel sewing bag on my "My Patterns" tab at the top of this blog, but you can download it HERE too.  I really hope you will make one for yourself, and share it here with next week's linky party?

But 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 project you've been busy with, anything at all....

This link is open for a week and will run every Monday.  So remember if you forget to link up today, you still have the rest of the week to add something.  Remember to come back next week, or follow my blog to get regular updates.

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 linky 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

UFO Sunday

These past few weeks have been hectic.  All good fun though.  

My dad had his 70th birthday last weekend (I shared with you the Golf themed quilt I made for him) and as a surprise my sister and her family who lives in the UK came to South Africa to surprise my dad.  I was the only one who knew about it, and we planned it since last year July.  It was so hard to keep the secret for so long, but it was definitely worth while.  It was so nice having the whole family together.  

So during the past few weeks there wasn't really time for any sewing or quilting, but I made some time to sort out some of my scraps.  

I've been very inspired by all the hexie quilts out there, and what better way to make some good use of all the scraps I've been collecting in a drawer over the past year.  I'm not even sure what I'll end up with, or how big this quilt will be.  It does not even matter how long this will take, it could be years.  All I want to do is to use up all of my scraps.  I hate to throw out any fabric, and this way ALL of it gets used and the bits that will now end up in the bin, is really too small to keep or use.  

I've finished assembling my twister quilt top.  This was meant to be an experiment, trying out the Lil' Twister tool.  After seeing how easy it really is I will definitely want to make something bigger.

As I've mentioned my sister is here for a two week visit from the UK, she's a Stampin'Up demonstrator, you can visit her blog HERE and see all the gorgeous cards she's made.  She brought some of the fabrics they use in their crafts and asked me to make a bag for her.  So I thought of using my own pattern, only this time I'm quilting the panels.  I'm not done yet, but will soon share some pictures.

Free downloadable pattern

I'm linking up to UFO Sunday with Leah Day @ The Free Motion Quilting Project.

PS.  Remember to come back tomorrow for the "Anything Goes" linky party.  

Happy quilting

Lucky Stars BOM - February "Exploding Star"

We're almost in the middle of February and I almost forgot to make my block for the Lucky Stars block of the month with Don't call me Betsy.

My biggest struggle making this block, was not the piecing, that was rather straight forward.  Deciding on what fabric to use was the hard part.  I am not entirely sure if the three different red fabrics I used really work since they are all the same shade.  I think once we're closer to the end of this BOM series I will know if it works or not.  For now I will stick to it.  Again I used the scraps of the large block to make the 6 inch smaller block.

To see 100's of other BOM others have made go to the flickr group.

I am linking to WIP Wednesdays @ Freshly Pieced.

Happy quilting.

Anything Goes Quilt 'n Sew #4 - FMQ Feet

When I got my Bernina sewing machine, it was the same time I became interested in free motion quilting.  I watched countless videos on YouTube, and from that moment on I was very intrigued by the whole process.  I contacted a local Bernina dealer not knowing the different types of presser feet there are available, and ordered a free motion quilting foot.  

(left) Free Motion Embroidery Foot 24

(right) Quilting Foot #29C

But I found that travel stitching was not my strong suite and almost all the video tutorials out there showed an open toe presser foot.  So this time I searched the Bernina website and found they have a open toe free motion presser foot  but it was called a free motion embroidery foot.

By comparison I much rather prefer the open toe foot, and wish I had known about it before.  Goes to show with a little 'homework' which I should have done right from the start you can make your life just a bit easier. 

But now it's time for the linky party

It's Monday and a new week, so lets all share some of our projects, please link up any current project you've been busy with, anything at all....this link is open for a week and will run every Monday.  So remember if you forget to link up today, you still have the rest of the week to add something.  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 linky 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

Gone golfing... back maybe!

Gone golfing... back maybe!

As many of you know I've been busy with a quilt I could not share with you since I made it for a special someone's birthday.  That very special someone is my DAD!  He turned 70 (yesterday) 9 February. He loves to golf, actually both my parents would probably go golfing 3 or 4 times a week, depending on the season.

My dad and ME (taken a few years ago)

Nice day at the golf course...
mom counting up the score

So the waiting is finally over and here it is.  I've named this quilt "Gone golfing... back maybe"


Initially when I bought the checkered print fabric I thought of making a quilt that leaned towards a Scottish theme, since golf originates from Scotland.  So I made four different 'traditional' quilt blocks.

But then I thought of being a bit more creative, and change the whole look...

I added a golf bag with a few golf clubs.



A turtle keeping guard at lost ball, LOL



A club house, which I think looks a bit more like a barn...





A 'green' with a red flag...

... and then I added my 'dad'... standing ready to tee off having another great golfing day!

I am the youngest of four children, and I suppose being the 'baby' in the house my dad is always very protective over me, but it has to be said that he has treated all of us fair, with respect and most certainly with adoring love and care like only a father can.  I treasure every moment I get to spend with them, they live so far and we don't get to see them that often.  Giving him this for his birthday was really special,...

.          .          .          .         .         .        .       .

Linking up to UFO Sunday @ The Free Motion Quilting Project & Let's get acquainted @ bold goods

Happy quilting