Miss A was asked to a ’70s party (she had to dress up in ‘olden day’ clothes). Anyway I decided to make her a dress using a psychedelic 70s type print. I picked the above pattern (Burda 9544).

It’s been so long since I made any clothes that it took me two attempts to get the zip in and there is something funny about the shoulder seams, but I was really happy with how it turned out.

Miss P now wants the same dress but in a dinosaur fabric.

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.