The Summertime Quilt

Earlier in the year, we at the shop started a Summertime Quilt sewalong. It began because three of us liked the pattern (by sew.be) and starting up a sewalong gave us a good excuse to make it.

We each started with a different fabric bundle and because it's essentially a scrappy quilt, we had the freedom to add other bits and pieces to it.

Here are our very first fabric pulls, one pile each (mine on the right) before we played around with them, 'borrowed' each others fabric, added more, and so on.

We then decided it would be fun to make the Summertime Dilly bag which uses blocks from the quilt - 

I got tied up with visits to Australia and Hawaii and have lost momentum on mine. I made a couple of blocks initially but haven't touched it for ages.

My first blocks - 

While the other girls got moving on their versions, I stalled and really needed to pull it out again.

In the last week I've grabbed moments in between calves and feel like I've finally made a more decent start.

I realised I didn't have enough medium value fabrics so raided my stash and threw a few more in.

Two more blocks - 

It wsa only today that I realised I placed some fabrics wrong - I have mediums where I should have lights and lights where I should have mediums (grey/white and yellow/white)! However I'm not changing it now and those two can stay and remind me that I just aren't perfect after all.

Another nearly finished block with correct fabric placement -

There are 8 of these blocks in the quilt so I'll continue on with these while I'm on a roll. There are lots of wide open spaces between the blocks (the 16-patch block in a previous photo) and I can see it's going to be quite a fun one to make if I can keep going!

Well, it's bedtime,

'til next time,

happy stitches,

Raewyn

On the run again

Day 18 of my August blogpost a day challenge

It was another cross country day today. Last week was the combined rural schools event. Today both of the primary schools our grandies attend had their school cross country events...luckily one was held in the morning and the other was in the afternoon!

Again all the kids ran well.

Kokopu School is the smaller school; it is great fun for the kids - they run and cheer their friends on, and I'm sure they've all run at least 3 cross countries by the time the event is over.

Such a lovely setting for a school!

This is typical; sometimes you can't tell who is in the official race and who isn't! Xavier running with his two sisters and cousin Odie running alongside him, to encourage and cheer him on -

Dad and sisters waiting for Xavier to run around the paddock of the farm next door-

This was the fun final race - adults vs senior children. Our son (in the black) was one of the four adults who ran-

And again, an energetic cheering party; his three kids making sure he lasts the distance - 

And accompanied by his kids, he's on the home straight and on his way to the wrapped chocolate as he passes the finish line - 

Then I had a quick lunch at ED's and her and I went to her kids school for the next round of cross country.

Maungatapere is a bigger school and the kids were all kept under control while they waited for their turn to run-

I couldn't get a photo of George running (only a distant one that shows nothing) but I was pleased to see Lily run as she didn't (want to) run at the Taniwha Challenge last week. She said that when she saw her Mum and I cheering her on, she felt like a Panther on Roller blades!

And went on to have a fabulous sprint to the end! -

So that was my day. It's quite exhausting watching the kids run!

'til next time,

happy stitches,

Raewyn

Mum's quilts

Day 17 of my August blogpost a day challenge

Mum always sewed and knitted (and crocheted) as we grew up but as we started getting older she really got into her embroidery.

She loved the quilts I made but only ever made four (that I know of) herself.

The first one was a quilt she made when she was expecting me - a VERY long time ago.

It was a traditional quilt - dressmaking fabric scraps, an old flannelette sheet on the back, and used woollens on the inside. I wouldn't call it beautiful but it is treasured all the same!

And I like to think it kept me, and my siblings, nice and cosy ♥ ( I do remember it on my bed when I was quite young.)

No quilting at all, but it's held together very well.

Lots of 50s and 60s fabrics - very retro I guess you'd say??? I do recognise some of the fabrics - I have an old apron of hers in one of the black/brown fabrics, and she made me shorts from old dresses in a couple of the other fabrics.

When she started having grandchildren she made her second quilt. As each child was born she cross stitched an initial and DOB piece, as well as numerous cross stitch pictures.

(Mum stopping it from flapping in the wind about 11 years ago!)

(Today's photo isn't any better!)

She hand quilted this one; stitching in the ditch around the squares and hearts in the plain blocks.

Two of my kids —

Unfortunately Marco, who was born 13 years after the next youngest cousin, didn't make the quilt which my sister was disappointed to discover recently. Neither did two step-grandies so I guess he's not alone!

Mum finished this quilt, and the next two, off as duvets. Very light batting for the quilting but then another back so an inner could be inserted. She thought it would make them more washable/useable. And she used sheets (new this time!) for all the fabric in the quilt, aside from the cross stitched pieces.

Mum also made two quilts for two of the grandies - one went to YD, and the other went to one of my brother's daughters. Both were crazy patch style with lots of dressmaking fabrics again. I know she intended to make more but never did - I have a box full of cut pieces and one day I will make ONE more of them - maybe when Marco has children???? Our one is tucked away right now (as a few things are when our son took over the downstairs room), but I'll pull it out one of these days for a photo shoot.

'til next time,

happy stitches,

Raewyn