A step closer to insanity
18 Jan 2010 Leave a Comment
in Quilts and Quilting Tags: baby jane, books, notions
I recently posted about how I was thinking of making a Dear Jane quilt. Well, I’ve just bought the book and the ruler set…! I only meant to buy the book, so I could look at the blocks and see if they’re do-able. But I’m getting really into the idea of making a Baby Jane and this seems to be the only shop in the UK that sells the rulers (and I’ve done A LOT of searching) so I thought I should get them whilst I can!
In case anyone else is looking for the Dear Jane rulers in the UK, then try Creative Grids. They don’t seem to rank very well in google’s search, but they have lots of great stuff and the P&P is reasonable. I think they’re my new favourite shop for notions!
My own library!
28 Dec 2009 1 Comment
in Quilts and Quilting Tags: books, christmas, inspiration
At Christmas, I was very lucky to receive lots of crafty books. I used to have one, on FMQ, but now I have these too and it feels a bit like I have my own library…
From top to bottom, the books are:
- Crochet Unravelled by Claire Bojczuk. This is a beginners guide with pics for left-handers, which should help me out a lot as I’m a lefty
- 200 Crochet Blocks for blankets, throws and afghans by Jan Eaton
- Gifts for Baby by Catherine Woram. This is the book I borrowed to make a couple of cot decorations, but it was so great, I had to get my own copy!
- Making Children’s Clothes by Emma Hardy. It’s got some really cute ideas, I just need to find some children to practice on
- sew what! Skirts by Francesca Denhartog and Carole Ann Camp
- Little Stitches for Little Ones by Amy Butler
- Last-Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson. I absolutely HAD to have this book because it has the pattern for this colour wheel quilt.
- Material Obsession Two by Kathy Doughty and Sarah Fielke
- Making Vintage Bags by Emma Brennan
- Jelly Roll Inspirations by Pam and Nicky Lintott. I liked their previous book, Jelly Roll Quilts, but I think this one is even better!
- Sunbonnet Sue Visits Quilt in a Day by Eleanor Burns
I’ve been flicking through these since Christmas and there is so much inspiration floating around in those books. Now I’ve just got to decide where to start…!
Completed: Heart cot decorations
05 Nov 2009 3 Comments
in Sewing Stuff Tags: baby gifts, books, completed, sewing
Just finished these 2 cot decorations for a baby shower on Sunday. They can be tied onto the cot bars (or chairs if you want to take a photo and don’t have a cot).
Sorry about the rubbish photos. I’m really struggling to find a way to take decent photos given that there’s not much natural light at this time of year.
The pattern came from Gifts for Baby: 30 Simple Crafting Projects to Welcome the New Arrival which has loads (well 30!) of cool projects in it. Top of my list to try is the pattern for the mini Mary Janes (on the cover of the book). They are just too cute!
The plan for the weekend
24 Jul 2009 Leave a Comment
in Quilts and Quilting Tags: baby quilt, books, fabric, quilting
Ok, so my the husband has abandoned me to play sport this weekend, so I’ve got a whole quilt-y weekend planned.
- Make most of the top for my 2nd baby quilt
- Finish baby quilt 1 (now my practice quilt)
- Pick up my library reservation, Jelly Roll Quilts: The Perfect Guide to Making the Most of the Latest Strip Rolls (ISBN: 978-0715328637)
- Choose the backing and border fabric for baby quilt 2
- Choose the backing for baby quilt 3
- Go to a sewing machine shop with my mum and try and not faint at the prices!
Getting started
21 Jul 2009 Leave a Comment
in Quilts and Quilting Tags: books, quilting
Books. That’s the way to start anything. At least, that’s how I do it! There’s nothing better than having a wander round a bookshop or amazon and deciding which books to get. Or popping down to the library. I’ve just discovered I have a great local library and it has loads of quilting books!
So I’ve had a read of Quilting for Dummies, which was a good introduction. It explained lots of things clearly and by the end of it, I had a good idea of what to do to make a quilt. There were some projects at the back to make things like a mini quilt and placemats, but they were a little dated so I moved on to Quick and Easy Projects for the Weekend Quilter by Rosemary Wilkinson (ISBN 978-1581803624). This is a great book full of but lots of lovely (and supposedly quick and easy) quilts. I’ve eyed up 3 that I want to make!
Next I had a read through 201 Quilt Blocks, Motifs, Projects and Ideas by Louise Bell (ISBN 978-1906094881). I love this book. The ideas are more modern and there’s a range of projects from a pin cushion, to a quilt to a silk scarf. And here was me thinking quilting is all about quilts. It’s not – there’s loads of other things to make. So I’ve eyed up several projects in this book too. I’m beginning to build up quite a list!
Finally, the last 2 books I looked through were Creative Patchwork, A Practical Guide and The Quilting and Patchwork Project Book. Both are a bit dated, but there’s a pin cushion in one and a bag for quilting stuff (cutting board, cutter etc) in another that I fancy making.
So there’s not really much on my todo list, is there?!
- Finish baby quilt 1
- Make baby quilt 2
- Pin cushion made from 2 cathedral window squares
- Craft bag
- Make baby quilt 3 – I’ve just found out another set of friends are due, but not till next year so I’ve got a while
