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

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Gifts large and small

Gosh, two weeks since my last post; time to scroll through the camera and see what has been happening lately...
Mum came for a visit, which was lovely. She was on a mission and strange things started appearing around the house—
All for a good cause though and this is all I can share for now!

A friend had a birthday so I made this little hanging for her —
I got a little handful of these wire hangers
last year while on holiday - they are so cute,
an ideal size for sweet little gifts (about 3" wide).
Wool felt, yo-yos, buttons and Cottage Garden Threads.
A nice combination :-)
And I got it into my mind that I really needed to make a quilt for a recent birthday in the family, and I knew exactly what fabrics I wanted to use as well.... when you work in a quilt shop there are so many tempting fabrics, you walk past them constantly and they imprint into your mind; some flannels had been calling my name since they arrived, and finally I had an excuse to buy and use them. I haven't sewn with flannels before so was excited to give them a try.
I had hoped this would be a quilt in a day project - haha - not quite, but you could almost say it was a quilt in a week project though, those of you who know me well will know that this really is quite an achievement! Snuggly, simple and suitable for a man was what I wanted...
I achieved simple with a large central focus and simple squares around the outside —

I achieved snuggly - none of the pets could stay off it at any stage of the construction —
...when I was trying to plan...
...when I was trying to quilt...
...trying to sew binding on...
...trying desperately to finish while YD was cooking tea last night...
(the wee guy made himself a little hut out of the draped quilt!)
Suitable for a man - and big enough for a man's lap - um yes, achieved this, in fact I think several laps (and all the pets) will fit under this one.
It's raining and a last minute finish so this is the best photo I will get for now!
Flannel front, wool mix batting, flannel back (a good quality 'twill weave
flannelette' sheet - 50% off special)
84" square.
I've had several people asking lately about how I am getting on with my Sweet 16 - the short answer - LOVE IT!! I kept the quilting on this quilt very simple as I wanted it to be a) finished and b) a functional snuggly affair. (No free motion madness). I did want to make sure all the seams were well secured as I found the flannel fabric frayed a little (probably no more than a standard fabric but because the threads are thicker there are less of them in a quarter of an inch seam... if a couple of them fray away, there's only an eighth of a inch left.)
Stitching either side of the seamlines - I did this rather than SID to secure
down the seams and so there was some quilting to see.
I also practised a little ruler work.
With the size of this quilt you can see how much I enjoyed having the large throat space —
hehe, the MOML thinks I watch videos while quilting on this machine!
 The quilt goes off to its new home today, I"m hoping it will become a major part of the furniture :-)

This Friday, being the first Friday of the month, is Friday night with Friends..... If you want to join in, click *here* to take you to the lovely Cheryll's who is our hostess for these events. I'm going to sign up but I think we have to go out for a bit on Friday night - however if I sew Friday afternoon and over the weekend I am sure I will be keeping someone around the world company on their Friday night! I have a few projects from *this* post I want to carry on with.
Thanks so much for visiting and reading, hope you all have a happy creative weekend,

23 comments:

  1. You did it! It looks lovely, so soft too. looks like it was well 'tested' before the 'man' got the quilt by all your furry family members!
    Glad the sweet 16 is bringing you joy & makes quilting easier.
    I love my wee Home Sweet Home hanger, thanks again! Have an extra special day today, won't you Raewyn! :-)

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  2. Love your Home Sweet Home Hanging. It is adorable. Your quilt also turned out nice and I can see how loved it already is! Nola

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  3. That should be such a snuggly quilt. Do your pets need their own quilt(s) ?

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  4. Hi Raewyn! It is hot and humid up here in the Northern Hemi, but I am coveting that cozy quilt!! My tastes always run a bit toward the masculine, and this quilt is right up my street. Love the colors, the design, and most of all the flannel. I must learn to quilt so I can make one of these. Would you say this one would be difficult for a beginner?

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  5. Such a cute gift for Leeanne!! Do you know who makes those little hangers?
    I LOVE the guy quilt. Such a great quick quilt--as quick as quilts go, that is. May have to pin this to my quick quilts page.
    That is so funny how the four-legged family members couldn't leave it alone. : )
    I love my Sweet 16, too. Seeing this post makes me want to go quilt something. Dang, I don't have anything basted!

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  6. I love the things you have been making and the pet photos! The man quilt is gorgeous, looks perfect and snuggly!!

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  7. A gorgeous post Raewyn, you sure have been busy before calving kicks in (sorry to mention the c-word). I adore Leeannes little hanger you made her & your quilt is just wonderful & a perfect man quilt too.
    P.s - love all the pet photos ... isnt it funny how they think all our craft projects are just for them especially :-)

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  8. Funny how the pets like to help quilt isn't it. Your Sweet 16 looks a darling!

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  9. love your new quilt and I just love the wool flannel you have used.
    looks like it has the four legger seal of approval!
    very sweet mini hanging too, what a great idea.

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  10. I really love your little Home Sweet Home quilt! It is so sweet! What a great 'guy' quilt! (and maybe a great pet quilt!) It certainly looks snuggly!

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  11. What a perfect snuggly quilt! I think the whole family agrees! :-)
    Oh... I want a sweet sixteen tooo......!
    Esther

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  12. a real man quilt you have chosen some great fabrics here, must rem,ember if I use some flannel about the fraying etc, such a good idea the way you have quilted the seams down

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  13. a real man quilt you have chosen some great fabrics here, must rem,ember if I use some flannel about the fraying etc, such a good idea the way you have quilted the seams down

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  14. This quilt makes me want to sing the theme song from two and a half men,"Men, men, men, men. Menly, men, men, men!"
    Glad to hear you are enjoying your sweet 16. I'm putting all thoughts of purchase out of my mind now that my space will be constricted on the boat, cue sad trombone music :(

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  15. Love the 'mans' quilt Reawyn, so good the furry family members have tested it!! They know the best place to be don't they!! your little hanger is lovely too. Did your Mum's mission work out??
    See you tomorrow night!
    xx

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  16. A little bit of pet hair finishes a quilt off perfectly. Great job, and flannels are so very snuggly. Like the quilting too.

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  17. Don't you just love how the pets like to help out by lying on top of whatever you are doing? Bless them all. The finished quilt is very lovely and I am sure you will all snuggle under/on it quite comfortably.

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  18. Lovely little birthday hanging. Great gift.
    And your quilt is wonderful It is a long time since I have worked with flannel so this is great to see. The fabrics and design are perfect for a man. Beautiful work!!

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  19. That is a lovely mans quilt..and it looks like you have beautiful fur helpers to keep you busy.

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  20. Whoohoo Raewyn, you have been super busy. The little wallhanging is so very sweet and the quilt looks really snuggly. I can understand why the critters want to make the most of it.

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  21. I love your flannel quilt! Too funny the pets wouldn't stay off of it! LOL

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  22. Brilliant post Raewyn! That flannel quilt is obviously a big hit...:o) Just love those pets finding the warmest and most cuddly place to hang out. You really need to make them one each! I think the male recipient is going to be over the moon with his quilt. Hugs....xx

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  23. Looks like you are enjoying your new quilting machine. Congrats!

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