My quilting thoughts and inspirations sprinkled with a glimpse of life down on the farm

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Some nearly dones!

One of the things I like about sewing samples for my local and most wonderful (he he, yes, I am biased) quilt shop is the deadlines to get them done! None of this dip in and out of a project like I am good at....yes, I know, all quilts are sewn for different reasons, for me, a finish, is not always the reason!! (I just love DOING them!!) However when you know you need a sample for an approaching class, you know you really need to focus and finish....
This Buggy Barn quilt is one of those - ok, so it's not quite finished but it is nearly presentable for taking in so I am sharing it now :-)
'Big Dipper'
The Buggy Barn quilts are known for the slice-shuffle-sew process and I must say I really enjoyed how beautifully this one came together... and it is always exciting seeing which colour/fabric is next on the pile for sewing.
It was a challenge for me sewing without my customary cream fabrics in the quilt... but that was fun too!
Quilting was fairly basic, straight lines everywhere.
Cindy Needham advises us to ditch-stitch ESS (every single seam aka every sodding seam)... I had good intentions but with the walking foot I got very 'tired' of it so it was NESS (nearly every sodding seam) instead. I know ditch-stitching can be done with a darning foot but there's a thing called a skill level that needs to be a little higher than my current one!! Out of interest, how much stitch-ditching does everyone else do?

 Another nearly done but not really, is my piece for One Christmas Item a month... Narelle, of Pins and Whiskers is hosting this - a great way to encourage us to do a bit Chirstmas sewing throughout the year.  I have stalled on the thread for my ribbon, but I am sure it will be completed for next month's show and tell!!




This is a Nicky Tervo design, it has some cute
buttons to go with it.

Tonight I have a sewing session with some friends. I am taking the opportunity to sew up a couple (hopefully) of hottie covers for the Hottie Project, making hot water bottle covers for chilly children in Christchurch. The deadline to get them posted off is next week, and if there are any other NZers out there who have a spare hour or so, you may be able to help out by making one.  The link for the Hottie Project is here. Contact Lisa via the link to get a copy of the templates used.

Well, that's about it for now, I have a busy day today, so I will see you all later.
Have a great day, and thank you for visiting,

32 comments:

  1. That is a very fun quilt! And what a cute stitchery!
    Karen McTavish also recommends Stitch-in-the-ditch, so I usually do some to stabilize things, but I don't do every seam. Excuse my ignorance, but what does "sodding seam" mean?
    I use a walking foot, too. I like my lines to be straight!! : )

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  2. Everything you sew is delightful . You are such a talented stitcher.

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  3. I like that Buggy Barn quilt - that border round the star is very effective.

    And I don't ditch stitch much - I reckon it's one of the harder quiltings to do - if you get it wrong it looks awful. I'd rather stitch 1/4 inch out of the ditch like you've done in your star. Or do enough quilting everywhere else that you don't need to ditch-stitch to anchor it.

    (and I'd love to hear your explanation for Janet O of what 'sodding seam' means!)

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  4. I love the quilt! I'm going to have to look for that pattern. I HATE to ditch stitch, but I force myself to do a little every now and then.

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  5. that quilt is such an awesome design.
    your little stitcheries are sweet.

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  6. The colours in your quilt have come together really well. I hate stitching in the ditch and avoid it at all costs! But then I am a hand quilter, so I like nothing better than a plain expanse of fabric to quilt.

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  7. lovely little Christmas design.... I generally ditch stitch to stabilise blocks and then depending on the quilt... but not every sodding seam...
    Hugz

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  8. Didn't the BB quilt turn out great, I'm sure heaps of the gals will sign up for the class!
    Love the wee stitchery, a stocking or wall hanging?
    Well you know me with ditch stitch, got do it, it's a bit like brushing your teeth. :-))

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  9. Hi Raewyn,
    Your Buggy Barn quilt came out very nicely. Lots of nice colours and shapes. Hope you have fun with your sewing friends.
    Cheers, Anita.

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  10. Do you mean to say you have no control over what fabric goes where with the BB method? The very thought brings me out in hives ;o) Have to say it looks great I particularly like your quilting. Ess and Ness... had me laughing my socks off. Love the Christmas project too.. really cute stockings.... have fun

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  11. projects half finished yes I have too many on the go at the moment
    Love yours
    xxx
    can't wait to see the hottie covers such a great project

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  12. such lovely work Raewyn,that quilt is so nice,well done.xx

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  13. Your stitchery is looking lovely.
    Look forward to your finish next month :o)

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  14. Hi Raewyn ... beautiful quilt - did you know I honestly thought that Buggy Barn was the name of the fabric range!!!?? Not the quilt style :-)
    I really love your christmas stitchery project.
    Yes I too have been planning to make some hotties for the Hottie project - a very good cause. Julie :-)

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  15. Of course, you made that star quilt and thought of me!! LOL I love it!! Even without the creams!! Okay - my walking foot isn't working very well, so I've been FMQ in the ditch - not perfect, but I'm not unhappy with it!! On America the Beautiful, I did diagonal lines FM - on the back they kinda have a "wavy" look and I liked it! My color choice of thread made it nearly invisible on top...so I was happy! I really like your hand stitching blocks - so cute!! I know you're busy! So good to see your post!

    Hugs!

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  16. Love the buggy barn quilt Raewyn. The colours are lovely and very different to your usual choices, good on you for branching out.

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  17. Love the quilt and I like your idea of NESS...
    Lovely stitchery you are working on.
    What a great project the Hottie is. Just saw some nice covers at Cat's

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  18. Oh, I like that one Raewyn! The colors are great! What is the Christmas needlework going to be turned into?

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  19. I work on the theory that less is more. It looks great however you are stitching it Raewyn and at least it will get finished. Great projects and a worthy cause.

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  20. a great quilt, cannot comment on the quilt in a ditch as I am not at the making a quilt stage yet, just a starter.

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  21. definitely a gorgeous quilt!
    love your little stitchery too, lovely colours in the threads.

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  22. I am a non ditcher... don't do any, ever. Love the Buggy Barn quilt - very tempting!

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  23. Very beautiful, love your quilt & this pattern !

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  24. I love your quilt Raewyn , just beautiful ! As for ditch stitching it is rather boring so my intentions are good in the beginning but no way do I do every seam. Your Christmas project looks sweet and the hottie project sounds like a great cause .

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  25. It's a gorgeous quilt! love anything Buggy Barn!!

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  26. Fantastic quilt, and so many lovely projects on the go... hope you had fun working on the hottie covers.

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  27. Hi Raewyn,
    I can't seem to see your post 'thankyou' it shows that it is there but won't open onto it..?
    cheers
    marina

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  28. Your star quilt is beautiful, and your Christmas stitching looks gorgeous. Lovely pattern and threads.

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  29. pffrr I'm with you.....nearly every sodding seam would be the finish of me!!! I just completed a small runner and that was enough......I'd rather sit and quilt by hand!!!! Beautiful projects!

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  30. Lovely quilt! Being not much of a quilter I kinda subscribe to NASS (not any sodding seam) when it comes to ditch- or perhaps I should say I ditched the technique ;) So eek who would do ESS! Loving the Christmas stitchery, and hey you finished the stockings AND words, isn't that three items finished, lol

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