Courthouse Steps Version 1
This is the first attempt at the Courthouse Steps block. One of the seams isn’t quite right and I think I can fit another step in on the flowery steps.
It came together easily, so easily I might try a Pineapple Quilt Block next (like one of the ones below) …
Pineapple Quilt Block from quilting.about.com
Filed under Digitizing, Foundation Blocks, Machine Embroidery, Patchwork, Quilting
Courthouse Steps – Stitched out view in Embird
I spent a bit of time today working on a new design – it looks a bit like a dog’s breakfast, but it should stitch out like this …
Nicer fabrics obviously.
Digitising things with straight lines is very easy in Embird Studio – there is a tool for it and things snap to the grid.
We went to the WA Museum today to see this ..
Well worth seeing if you’re in Perth – photography wasn’t allowed so I have no images to show you.
Filed under Digitizing, Foundation Blocks, Machine Embroidery
Four Snail Trail Blocks
Surprisingly I finished my two blocks. It did take to 5:30pm, but we visited our neighbours and had a swim – perfect day.
Next up Courthouse Steps!
I’ve been watching The Buccaneers (it was a Christmas present). I’m enjoying it – it’s beautiful, lots of people behaving badly (very aristocratic) with not much to do, but have love affairs. Definitely worth watching if you like ‘bonnet dramas’.
The Buccaneers
Filed under Digitizing, Foundation Blocks, Machine Embroidery
Snail Trail in Progress – Pieced in the hoop using an embroidery machine
I’m back onto foundation piecing using my embroidery machine, but it is progressing very slowly. It usually takes about half an hour to make one block, but today I started at 9:30 am and it is now 1pm and I’m only half way through – we did walk to the library (and booked into some school holiday activities) and buy groceries. My plan of getting two blocks finished today might be unreachable.
My aim is to make 12 traditional blocks (each one consisting of 4 smaller blocks) and then to make a sampler quilt. So far I have Hour Glass, Flying Geese and Snail Trail. I have also made a log cabin block, but it might not be the standard size (must remember to check that). Next up is Courthouse steps (just a fancy Log Cabin).
Filed under Digitizing, Foundation Blocks, Machine Embroidery, Quilting
Snail Trail in Progress – Pieced in the hoop using an embroidery machine
My next digitising project is a snail trail block. I have made one before, but I want these new blocks to be a consistent size. While digitising I was a bit daunted by all of the lines on the screen, but in the end it was very easy and only needed one revision.
Finished Snail Trail
I like how this block turned out and stitching it out wasn’t too fiddly.
Filed under Digitizing, Foundation Blocks, Machine Embroidery, Patchwork
Flying Geese Side of Cushion
Hour Glass Side of Cushion
I finished my cushion. I’m calling it my ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ cushion because the fabrics on each side are so different.
In the end it came together quite easily. I wondered how easy it would be to put a zip into two quilted pieces of fabric, but that was fine. Now I have to decide what block to do next.
You can find the machine embroidery designs here.
Filed under Digitizing, Foundation Blocks, Machine Embroidery, Quilting
Wadjemup Lighthouse
We’ve been away on holiday to Rottnest Island (Miss A went on camp and we just tagged along). Above is the lighthouse in the middle of the island (I love lighthouses). This photo was taken about 6:30am – I went for a run every morning and the weather was perfect.
Salt Lakes at Rottnest
This photo was taken on the way back to the settlement. We had a fabulous time – went to the beach, the bakery, read books and I even managed to do some knitting.
Back to crafty stuff. This is my hour glass block…
Hour Glass Block Made Using Foundation Piecing by an Embroidery Machine
Here is four of them in a cushion top …
Four Hour Glass Blocks
Some of the tack down stitching shows on the middle square. I’m tempted to just ignore it or use water soluble thread, but the best thing would be to change the design.
Filed under Digitizing, Foundation Blocks, Machine Embroidery, Patchwork
I’ve been busy (if not actively blogging) working on my quilt blocks. Above is a new flying geese block (which you can find here). I am going to make this sample into a cushion cover (hence the straight line quilting).
Once I have finished my block designs – I will write a tutorial – I’m working on an hour glass design at the moment.
The fabric is from here.
Filed under Digitizing, Foundation Blocks, Machine Embroidery, Quilting
Patchwork cards pieced using an embroidery machine
My stock pile of cards was depleted. I quite like to have a few stashed away – they are time consuming and I might not have enough time when I need one. These five took about an hour. I piece them using my embroidery machine – the design files can be found here (free for individual use, but don’t sell my designs). One of them is blackwork embroidery that I adapted from a 17th century embroidery book.
Filed under Digitizing, Foundation Blocks, Machine Embroidery, Patchwork
This egg turned out to be very squat.
I’ve gone back to basics: drawn my design on a piece of graph paper (the right size) and then digitised it.
This new design is slightly too big for one hooping – hopefully this will mean the pieces won’t be so fiddly.
Both girls have decided they don’t want my egg design for their easter t-shirts, so I’ve let them look through my design collection.
Miss P picked this one …
And Miss A this one …
Filed under Applique, Digitizing, Foundation Blocks, Machine Embroidery
