I have managed to finish another shirt for Miss A. I’ve used a foundation pieced Kimono block.

Here’s a closer image …

The block design is from Linda Hampton Schiffer and Jodie Davis’s book Victorian Quilt Block Designs. I then digitised a machine embroidery design and stitched it out on my embroidery machine. I’ve written instructions on using an embroidery machine to foundation piece here.

I’m quite happy with the results although the block is slightly crooked on the shirt! Now for Miss P – anyone know where I can find a pattern for a foundation pieced dinosaur?

I have her Gentle Art of Domesticity which I loved (I’m sure she is living the life I should have had!) So I had to have this one.

Once again it is beautifully presented. It contains 15 quilts and a description of in the inspiration behind each quilt. What Ms Brocket does really well is to take away the paralysing effect of perfection – it’s all about having a go and making something usable (and beautiful).  Most of the pieces are squares or strips (much easier to cut and sew) and the wow factor is produced by the fabric selections. Who would have thought squares on point could be so spectacular (see the cover image above).

Here are three of my favourites …

Beach Hut (Ice Cream)

Amarylis

Purple Rain

Don’t let my dodgy photography put you off. I think this book is designed for quilters of all levels.

I thought my book review if The Girl on the Wallby Jean Baggott belonged to both of my blogs. This is a really lovely book and I think most crafty people would enjoy it.  (Read my review – here for more information).

I can’t say that I’m that pleased with them – for one thing they’re different and they’re a bit saggy.

It has made me feel more confident about cables.

I can’t say that she is that taken with it but in the interests of fairness I have now knitted a scarf for Miss A and Miss P. Now I just need to finish mine.

I finally finished this quilt for Miss P.

I free-motion quilted the borders and sashing, stitched in the ditch around each block and did straight line quilting on the diagonals of each block (skipping the applique).

I managed to make this quilt entirely from my stash – I’m not sure if this is a good thing or not (at least it’s getting smaller).

I’m now looking around for a new project and I have a few ideas – one involves this fabric …

I’m quilting my alphabet quilt – it’s almost done. The above is a bit of the free motion quilting I’ve been doing in the sashing and borders.My new sewing machine is lovely… I have lots of new projects in mind.

While quilting I have been listening to Vilette (a novel by Charlotte Bronte) on my Ipod – I have to say it does make the whole process a bit easier.

I made each of the grand mothers quilted coasters from Last Minute Patchwork Gifts (and here is her blog). They were  easy to do and are a good way to use up fabric and wadding scraps.

I did slightly alter the instructions. First I ironed a hem on the two shorter sides of the rectangle (just 6mm). Second I folded it right-sides together and placed the wadding on the outside (wrong side) and then when I stitched the sides together the wadding was (just) caught in the stitches (see below). This made it easier to get the wadding nice and flat when I turned it the right-side out,

I then turned it right-side out and quilted it.

I’ve been wanting this sewing machine for a while (and the Mothers Day sale made it possible). My MC9000 (Janome) while good was a bit old, the touch screen was a bit dodgy and it didn’t have the built in thread cutter (which I’ve come to really like on my 1600p) and it was quite tricky to manoeuvre a quilt around it.

This new one is fabulous – I bought the table as well. The table is fabulous; it makes such a difference to be working at the right height.

The acufeed system is marvellous; my in the ditch quilting is almost perfect. I’ve also done a bit of free motion quilting and that is great too (all errors due to me rather than the machine).

I’m really tempted to try applique on this machine – there seems to be several stitches that might work.  I bought two cushion patterns from Hot Possum (one a dinosaur and one a fairy) to test it out.

I’ve been working on Miss P’s scarf while watching Tess. Above is the front and below the back.