In the Jungle..the mighty jungle..

...the lion sleeps tonight..in the jungle the mighty jungle the lions sleeps tonight................aweeeeeee 

Yeah, I know you know that song, and I bet your singing along right now, he he he.  Well that's what I decided to name this little disappearing four patch baby quilt, "In the Jungle"

It's finally finished!  I started this little disappearing four patch baby quilt way back in April.  I started quilting it last month and now its finally done.  It was hard coming up with a name for this quilt, its usually the part of making a quilt that keeps my mind occupied even as I am busy quilting it, it even and keeps me up at night, he he.  But when looking at the fabrics, the name of the fabric line (Bungle Jungle by Tim and Beck for Moda) I knew it would work well.

I wanted to keep the quilting simple, but I wanted to add just a bit of 'flare' in the white inside border.  I cant remember where I've seen this free motion quilting design before, but I as I was playing around on a practice sandwich I just knew it would work great.  I like how it separates the wiggly motion of the stippling and the loops I've quilted inside the outer border.

There is always that little something that I think I could have done differently or wish to change.  This time its the binding.  I don't think the blue dotted fabric works well with the rest of the quilt, maybe I should have used a bright red or even yellow.  I suppose I could still change it, but for now this is my finish, and I am happy that its done...

I could not resist taking this picture, although it is from a far distance, I think it looks too cute with Kayleigh and our BIG dog, (boerbull) Max

If you'd like to read up more about this baby quilt, you can find it here, here and here.  I even have a step by step tutorial to make the disappearing four patch block, you can find it here.

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Stippling - easy to mess up, NOT this time

Stippling is probably the most commonly used free motion quilting design, and most likely a favorite amongst many of you.  I love the look, feel and the texture stippling adds to a quilt.  But mostly I love quilting it!  The only thing I have to concentrate on is to not quilt myself into a corner, luckily with a lot of practice it sort of comes naturally now.  But then, there's scale...

I have to admit that I do struggle a bit with that.  I tend to at times 'wonder' off from the scale or spacing between the wiggly lines, and end up going smaller and when I notice my mistake, I tend to quilt in even a larger scale than intended.  I hate ripping out any stitches unless I have made a complete mess of it, so usually I would just continue and hope it would  not be too noticeable.  But this time as I progressed quilting this disappearing four patch baby quilt I noticed that for the first time, I kept quilting at a constant ½ inch (more or less) spacing.

I have completely finished the center area of this quilt today, and plan to be a bit more creative for the white inside border and the outer border.  I have not yet decided what I will quilt, but I want to try and continue outwards with the square designs of the pieced blocks.

I am glad to have finally started quilting this quilt, its been lying in a drawer for almost six months, and each time I would see it, I felt a bit guilty for neglecting it.  At this rate I will have a finish much sooner than I thought.

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So many WIPs

How many projects have you got that you're working on at once?  I think I might be overdoing it just a tad bit, I realized it today when I took them all out to take some pictures.  The following wips are all my most recent, I have three crochet projects going simultaneously, and already I am planning another.  

I bought these variegated yarns to make a few more doilies.  I enjoyed making my 1st one so much, all I've wanted to do since was try another few.  But for now I think I need to finish up a few of my other projects before starting another..

My most recent project is another African Flower Crochet Bag.  The first I made was for the Secret Tote Bag Swap, which was a hit by the way, my partner loved it!  This time I am using a much thinner yarn, so the bag will be really small.  All that is left to do, is construct the bottom of the bag, the drawstring, the part where the drawstring will pull through, and of course the lining.

Another crochet project is this Clam Shell Blanket.  I am using various colours of elle Pure Gold Chunky.  I think this project might sit on the shelf for a while.  The weather has warmed up considerably these past few weeks, and having it lie across my lap while crocheting might be murder, lol.  If you are interested in the pattern click HERE.  

Another crochet project, is this chevron blanket, I recon I am about halfway with this one.

Then, not forgetting that I quilt too, I've started cleaning up the back of the disappearing four patch baby quilt that I've made a few months ago.  The white fabric I used was fraying so much that I decided to clip them away before basting.  The last thing I want is for it to show up after quilting. 

So with it ready and 'clean' I started basting, I cant wait to start quilting it.  I've felt rather guilty for letting this one lie for so long.

Then, just when you thought I was done sharing all my WIPs, here is another I started.  A little cross stitch rose which was included with issue no 30 of Mollie Makes. 

 Hopefully before long I will be able to share a finish with you.

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Karli's Quilt - True Love

I've started piecing this quilt little over three months ago and I am happy to say its at last finished.  I don't think I've ever made a quilt with such care and attention to detail as this one.  

This is the first quilt I've made for a customer, and even though its a paying job its still a labour of love.  I have enjoyed every moment in making this quilt and by far I am most proud of this one.

This quilt's name is 'True Love', not only does the hearts symbolize love, but it also is a reminder of the love felt, even from the first moment when she learnt she was pregnant.  For this Mom to be, she is so overwhelmed with love and emotion for her unborn baby, due in September, that I think this quilt be a beautiful reminder of how she felt even before she is born. 

'Louise, I hope you 'love' this quilt, just as much I loved making it.  May you have a beautiful, healthy, strong and happy baby.  She is going to be the luckiest baby girl, having a Mom like you, and may all your hopes and dreams for her come true...  God bless '    

For this quilt I used Willow Jelly Rolls and Layer Cakes by My Mind's Eye for Riley Blake and main green yardage of the same range for the backing.

Piecing and quilting was done on my Bernina.

For the free motion quilting I used Colourful Embroidery Thread no C1181, I've quilted, stippling, swirls, feathers, connected circles and pebbles.

The finished quilt measures 65 x 77 inches (165cm x 195cm)

Here are some tutorials for creating the two sided hearts, padded hearts using batting and how I hand baste my quilts.  I've also included a link to a video showing you how I've quilted the circles inside the sashing.  Just click on the images below to direct you to that blog post.

           

Pattern used for this quilt is in a local magazine 'Craftwise' issue 83 Jan/Feb 2012 called Meadow Friends.

For all other blog posts on this quilt click HERE.

Happy quilting.

Swirls, what's not to love?

I have been sitting pondering for days what free motion quilting designs to use.  I guess after I had hurt my writs a few weekends ago it gave me more than enough time to think about it (its much better by the way), but as I had the quilt set up inside the throat of my sewing machine, I still had no idea, so I just went with what felt right.  

I love swirls, the texture and flow is just beautiful, I think together with the stippling I used and the circles inside the sashing its a great combination.

There is not much to say about the quilting, so I thought of sharing a few pictures.  They are after all worth a 1000 words, so I will let them speak for themselves, :-)  

The following pictures were taken from a completely different angle, and I think the light falling from behind really shows off the texture...

Now all that is left to quilt is the white borders and the outside pieced borders.  I am thinking feathers... If you'd like to read up previous posts on this baby quilt click HERE.

Happy quilting.