Settings for my Arrow Crown Block

Jan 31

Posted by sharon in Make Blocks from the past with me each Month of 2012 | 3 Comments

Hello

Well its a lovely day here today, sitting sewing is hard when the sunshine is pulling you outside.

I have been working on my Arrow Crown Block and have had loads of fun playing with fabric selections and arrangements for this block.

It is amazing how re-arranging the fabrics makes a difference to the look of the block. Take a look at my pictures and see which arrangement you like the best.

Version One

Version Two

Version Three

Version Four

I love using a design wall for doing this, you can really see what is going on with your block. I also take a photo of the block each time, before I change it so I can put the fabrics back in the right places when I have decided on my layout. I will now be busy piecing my block together and will post the results in my next post. But maybe a few hours of sunshine will come first.

As you can see I love busy quilts and love to use as many fabrics as I can to get the look I like. This is only a personal preference as you can create a lovely look with only a few fabrics if that is your choice. I would love to see some of the blocks if you decide to make them, if you send me your pictures I will gladly add them to the blog to share with everyone.

The pattern will be sent in the Pine Valley Quilts February newsletter, so don’t forget to subscribe. You can do so on my blog or send your email address to me @ sharon@pinevalley.co.nz

 

Happy Stitching

Sharon

 

Fun with directional Fabrics

Jan 24

Posted by sharon in Fun with directional fabrics | No Comments

Hello

I have been having so much fun with the Arrow Crown Block. It has been great to re-discover my lovely stash of reproduction fabrics. It has been fun to play with the fabrics design elements and make them work in the block, directional fabrics can add another element to your blocks or quilt. Here are some of the ways I have used these directional fabrics to get the full advantage of them.

With this block you can see how I used the 45 degree angle to cut the fabric, first cutting squares and then into half square triangles. You have to find the repeat and then the centre of the repeat so you can position your ruler correctly.

With the half square triangles, on this fabric I wanted the lines with flowers on the diagonal and the straight lines to go straight up and down. I also use the 45 degree line to line up my ruler to ensure an accurate cut.

This picture shows you how my half square triangles would look if I cut the fabric the other way, with the flower stripes on the 45 degree angle, creating a different look.

These are things to consider when using these directional fabrics, giving your block or quilt extra design potential.

Happy Stitching

 

Sharon

 

 

 

 

Make Blocks from the past with me each Month of 2012

Jan 18

Posted by sharon in Make Blocks from the past with me each Month of 2012 | 1 Comment

Hello

I have been busy playing with fabric. Oh what fun!! I have decided its time to make a dent in my stash, I have been collecting reproduction fabrics for a few years now. (its scary to think how many)

I have been pouring over block patterns and designs, there are so many really really nice pieced blocks from the past that I am not sure I would ever have time to make each one in my lifetime.

I have come up with a plan to make interesting pieced blocks each month, for the 12 months of this year. Of course I will not be able to resist  designing a few applique blocks to add some interest, so you will have to indulge me with that.

As I make each block I will go through my process with you all here on the blog. Starting with the colour choices, products I use and why, how I pieced the block together and pressed the seams. etc, etc.

Oh…. I could blurb on for ages about all of that good stuff.

If you would like to make these blocks with me, I will be attaching a free pdf pattern to the Pine Valley Quilts newsletter each month. Free for all my subscribers, so if you have not subscribed yet please do, so you can join in on all the fun.

At the end of the year you will have 12 blocks to make into a lovely quilt.

BLOCK ONE

I have chosen the Arrow Crown for my first block. There are so many ways you can play with your fabrics to create a totally different look with this block. Here are a few pictures of what I have created just by playing.

These pictures were done with fabrics from the website. Take a look here: http://www.pinevalley.co.nz/catalog/reproduction-fabrics

Choosing fabrics for this block

I will be choosing fabrics from my stash to make this block. When looking at this block I will be looking for tone on tone fabrics of light medium and dark. The print on the fabric is not too much of a concern, only if it is large and has too much of a contrasting colour that may not interact with the depth of colour I am trying to create.

I like to use a lot of fabrics to create interest in the colour selections, so I will look for more then one of each colour way in the darks, mediums and lights.

Here are some pictures of some of my selections.

This is what I started with

Here is what I have ended up with

I have ended up with a selection from each colour way in the same tone or at least as close as my stash would allow. In some of the fabrics I have noticed that the patterns have more than one colour but they do blend in with what I am trying to create and not too much contrast. I will also try to use the directional prints to my advantage. The directional prints can create some very interesting design bonuses.

Now it is not set in stone that I will use these fabrics when I make my block and I may make some changes as that is a women’s prerogative isn’t it. I will let these fabrics rest on my desk for a couple of days before I make my final decision. Sometimes I find placing them on my design wall helps, that way I am looking straight at them.

I hope you have enjoyed this post.

I am excited about making this quilt with all of you and hope you will leave me lots of comments and ask any questions if you need to.

Happy Stitching

Sharon

 

 

 

 

Special gifts for special people

Dec 21

Posted by sharon in Special gifts for special people | 1 Comment

Merry Xmas

 

The thing I love about xmas is the giving. I love to find or make that special gift for that special person and see the response when they open it on xmas day. It is not about the expense, it is about the thought that you put into what you give. I love surprises and my family are very good at surprising me also.

I have just been putting the finishing touches on a special gift for my Son’s lovely girlfriend Chantal. I have struggled with finding something special for her, ( she has worked hard at finding those special gifts for all of us. ) I really wanted to give her something to remember us and take away with her. Chantal and Peter ( my youngest boy ) are heading off on their O.E this May and I have tears in my eyes already. They will be away for at least two years, so I thought I would try to have a special xmas at home this year.

Xmas means allot to Chantal and she loves her Santa sack that her Mum fills up each year, and even tho she is now 22 years old she is not wanting to give up on this special treat. Peter has been helping me with ideas, but everything I have wanted to give her she already getting from on of her sisters, she is the youngest of four girls, a very close family. After she told me about the Santa sack I set to work and thought that I would make her one she could take away with her so that when they are on their own overseas next xmas they would have Santa sacks to remind them of us. I have filled Chantal’s with her favorite chocolates, ( as she is a chocoholic like the rest of us. ) some nice body lotion, earrings and a KIWI key ring.

Here is a picture of her Santa Sack all finished and ready for stuffing.

 

 

I also have a lovely friend Elizabeth who has been working on a special gift for her sister. She has made up our Pine Valley Quilts Rose Cushion Kits. Elizabeth also hand quilted her cushion. I know her sister will be thrilled with this treasure.

 

Happy Stitching

Sharon

 

 

Machine Quilting Fun

Dec 19

Posted by sharon in Machine Quilting Fun | 2 Comments

Hello Everyone

 

I have been having such fun free motion machine quilting. I have been re-creating my Abundance pattern in a new colour way. I have used a light solid background and hand dyed solids for the applique. I have also added some machine embroidery details…

This has been such fun to play with quilting designs and threads. For the embroidery details I have used a heavier 40 weight thread, and the C&T washaway for stabilizer.

I have had fun with the free motion quilting, I am not a fan of stippling and love the look of these spirals. I can vary the size to change the density. I added a few leaves and butterflies for fun.

I also broke my free motion foot, it has a plastic piece and this is the second foot I have broken. I thought it was me the first time but now I am not so sure as I think the plastic gives out with repeated use so I have had to change to the other free motion foot which works differently. Instead of going up and down it floats over the top and is smoother but harder to see your stitches. I have had to learn to trust my self and look ahead of my work. I am getting better with it but not sure if I trust it for in the ditch stitching.

Here are some pictures of the different feet and my work.

My Broken Foot

My Sensor matic free motion foot

You can see how small the hole is in this foot and how hard it is to see the stitches.

Re-Creating Abundance

Free Motion Quilting Fun

Creating the Butterflies

Stitching the outline

Filling it in

When I have completed the quilt I will post a picture of the finished quilt.

For my Sew In Day girls, I will be teaching these techniques in the free motion quilting classes starting in January next year.

Now I had better get on with my xmas projects.

Happy Stitching

Sharon

 

Xmas Gifts

Dec 14

Posted by sharon in Xmas Gifts | 4 Comments

Hi

I have a lovely friend who made me a special gift this xmas, and would love to share with you all the lovely quilt I was given.

It is made from reproduction 30′s fabrics, as my friend knows I have been interested in these lately. It is also hand quilted. Very special.

Take a look

Lucky Me

A special label just for me

Very special, I will treasure this little quilt.

Take a look over on Laura from Pine ridge Quilters blog, she is doing a very special advent calendar this year. Each day she has pictures of antique quilts.

 

Happy Stitching

Sharon

 

Tags:

Xmas Ideas

Dec 12

Posted by sharon in Xmas Ideas | 4 Comments

Hello

 

Xmas is coming in a hurry this year, I think I said that last year as well. When my children were young I was always so organized and had the xmas shopping well done by October most years, now I am the queen of the last minute. How did that happen ? Haha.

I have been out shopping with my sons lovely girlfriend Chantel, with two sons, what a blessing it is to have another woman around to share these pleasures. With her help I have managed to complete all of my xmas shopping, she really helped with ideas of what to buy everyone. Now I am ready ‘almost’ and can’t wait for everyone to open their presents.

I have also been making xmas presents for friends and have a few ideas to share with you all. You can never have too many pin cushions. I also love thread catchers and have made this one with a pin cushion to match for a friend.

Pin Cushion and Thread Catcher

 

Pin Cushion with fabric flower

 

Thread Catcher with Pinwheel Base

 

Thread Catcher and Pincushion

 

I think this container could have many uses and I have made it so that it will hang onto the tray of my sew easy table. I thought our sew in day ladies might enjoy making these in Janurary.

Happy Stitching

Sharon

 

 

Tags: , ,

Melbourne Quilt Convention

Dec 2

Posted by sharon in Melbourne Quilt Convention | 2 Comments

Hi

I have finally recovered after being over in Melbourne. We were booked to fly home on the 12.00pm flight which would have been bad enough but it was delayed two hours so we did not leave Melbourne airport until 2.00am, then arrived in Auckland at 7am NZ time. By the time I got home it was 9am. I slept most of the day away, and it was all worth it as we had a great time.

Unfortunately I was not able to take any pictures of the stand as they have a no photo policy. It was such a thrill to see my quilt hanging there and hear the comments. ( haha ) I have also been able to bring my quilt home so will bring it along to sew in day in January, if you are not all over me raving on about it.

I had a good time chatting with all the designers etc, going to the workshops and finding out about all the new things coming out next year. There were allot of stitchery quilts there so all you girls who love stitchery there are some lovely quilts and small items to look forward to.

As those who know me know I love gadgets, so I had loads of fun looking at all the new gadgets coming on the market and of course I just had to bring some home with me to try.

Here are some pictures for all you gadget lovers to drool over.

Why did I not think of this

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a Quick Unpick. It has a cool magnifying glass and a light. When you have to unpick as much as I do this makes life so much easier. I have already had to use it and it works great.

And there is more

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is another great gadget, Tweezers with a magnifying glass and a light. These are awesome.

This one my Husband has claimed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is fantastic, when you use small needles in the machine and you can’t use the threader like I do. This is great. My Husband really wants this also, as he said he could use it at work. ( does he really think I am willing to share ) I can see I will have to get him one for xmas.

Loki is not amused

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course Loki was not happy about me being away and is trying to look the other way and pretend he is not interested in my show and tell.

I also have a few pics of the beautiful old building. The Flinders Street Railway Station. I could’nt resist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the view I had from my sewing room window the day before I went away. Our power was off for 24 hours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At least I will not have to worry about power cuts for a while now.

I hope you all enjoyed my pictures.

 

Happy Stitching

Sharon

Homespun Magazine

Nov 15

Posted by sharon in Homespun Magazine | 10 Comments

Hello Everyone

I have very exciting news, my quilt Luscious Berry Baskets is on the cover of the latest Homespun Magazine Vol 12.No 11. I am still trying to take in the reality of seeing my quilt on a Magazine cover.

I made this quilt using my Invisible Machine Applique method. The instructions are in the magazine along with the pattern. I hope you enjoy this issue and my quilt.

Here is a link to the homespun website page with a picture of my quilt. http://completecraft.com.au/next_issue?cid=12523

 

 

Free Form Feathers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope everyone is enjoying this lovely sunshine.

Happy Stitching

Sharon

 

 

A little time to review the last few weeks of maddness

Nov 3

Posted by sharon in Calico Xmas | No Comments

Hello Everyone

I have been madly working on getting everything organized for the Calico Xmas show. This will be the first time Pine Valley Quilts has been vendor at this show and I have been working day and night to get everything done and tick off my to do list. I am finally seeing some light and the end of the tunnel and have taken a small break to write this post, so you don’t all think I have fallen off the planet.

Here are some sneak preview pictures of some of the new things I have been working on, and will have available on our stand over the weekend.

Autumn Baskets

 

 

 

 

 

 

We have a few kits available of this lovely table runner, we also have the patterns available.

Chocolate and Lila

 

 

 

 

 

Chocolate and Lilac is my latest quilt, I have fallen in love with strip quilts and these gorgeous fabrics. This is not a difficult quilt to make and a very effective result. Also if you love to quilt as I do, there is plenty of scope for playing with quilting designs and just having lots of fun.

This quilt is also available in a kit or a pattern.

Hope to see you all at Calico Xmas, please do come and say hello.

Venue:

North Harbour function Centre.

Nov 4th and 5th 10am – 5 pm Nov 6th 10 am – 4 pm.

 

Happy Stitching

Sharon

 

 

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