Monday 25 July 2016

I'm back!

I hadn't intended to take a break from blogging while we were back in Australia for six months, but there were just so many other things to do and enjoy, that sewing and blogging got put aside for a while. 

So I have a bit of catching up to do! I did manage to make three quilts during that time.

First up, were two identical baby quilts for friends who had baby boys within a month of each other. 


I always struggle to find good fabric colours for boys, apart from turquoise and orange, so was rather pleased with how these turned out. 

I even managed to find some bargain fabric for the backing and binding which matched so nicely, and since I was in Australia I gave spray basting a go. Oh my goodness, it was so easy. How I wish I could have brought some of the spray back on the aeroplane with me, but unfortunately it is highly flammable! 


I tied the quilts up with string and included instructions for washing them, so that they do actually get used. Thanks to Serena for the awesome printable labels. 

I did really struggle with the third quilt. It was for a very special friend who had quite particular ideas about what she wanted. It needed to be blue, not too girly, and symmetrical (out the window with all my modern improvised ideas!) It also needed to include a beautiful fabric which had embroidered flowers in blue all over it.


In the end I do love it, and it looks fantastic on the bed it was intended for. I think the best moment for me was finding the beautiful Sarah Jane fabric for the outside border, it tied it all together so nicely (and was a fun shopping trip with Susan). And I needed to add something to the quilt that was 'me' so I went with a polka dot binding.


As the quilt was so large I had it long-arm quilted by the lovely Carol at Sewn and Quilted in Melbourne. 

It is fun to be back, and I am gradually getting back into reading all your amazing blogs again and reconnecting with with you all. 

9 comments:

  1. The Sarah Jane fabric is beautiful - you met your brief well which must be very satisfying.
    The care labels you sent with the baby quilts are a great idea. We really do want all our quilts to be used and loved.

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  2. Welcome back! It can be very tough to work on a project that needs to meet specific tastes that aren't necessarily in line with your own. I think the big quilt turned out beautifully. And I really like how you varied the widths of the fabric in the baby quilts. :)

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  3. Lovely to have you back in blogging land Deb. It's also great to see your quilt finishes again. We did have a great time shopping for that fabric didn't we?! Happy sewing!

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  4. Glad to have you back! You have made three lovely quilts. The washing label for the baby quilts is a great idea I must do that too when I finally get around to making a baby quilt (or two!) for our much anticipated grandchild :)

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  5. Yay! It's great to have you back! I'm glad the washing labels are coming in handy ... we need the quilts we make to be used and loved! Speaking of love, I love the way you added the polka dot binding - nice touch :)

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  6. Hello!! Welcome back to Blogland. It's great to see the wonderful quilts you've been making. You did well to get any sewing done in Australia between visiting and fabric shopping trips. The washing labels are a clever touch. It's great of Serena to design the labels for all to use.

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  7. You found that lovely Art Gallery print for the back of the boys' quilts on sale somewhere? I think I need your Melbourne fabric shopping tips!

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  8. Welcome back! Love your quilts.....especially the blue one.
    xxx

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  9. Oh hello there :) Neat work as usual!

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