Saturday, November 20, 2010

I'm late for a very important date.

I was hoping to get back into some serious machine bonding until I was told the secret Santa swap for my sewing group was in a week. I've only had a whole year to make a small Christmas decoration to swap and I did think I still had a few weeks up my sleeve but it's been bought forward. Tick tock, tick tock, there's nothing like a deadline to get me going.
A quick but frantic search in the dark archives of the sewing room and I've found something suitable. You'll have to do with a sneak peek because who knows who might be lurking on my blog.
I still snuck in some time on the machine because I don't want to slip backwards on my machine quilting practice and get all rusty again, after all  how many times can I call myself a beginner?? I'm going for intermediate status here people.
Since I'm close to finishing that applique thing I've been working on for ages, I think it's about time I thought about how it's going to get quilted.  Grand ideas are brewing but I need a bit of guidance, not having that much quilting under the belt you know. Wendy over at Ivory Spring is a quilting goddess and  I want to stitch like her so I asked for some advice and she's sharing her wisdom over here.

My very first attempt at McTavishing is on the bottom and another wiggly worm filler on the top.
So I've learnt a lot just with this attempt. The stitching is a bit close together than what I'd like.
I have to pay attention to the puffy bits in between the stitches and I better practice some more, it's looking a bit busy so maybe I need to simplify it. I darkened the photo to show up the quilting a bit better.
While I was on holiday, I met  my daughter's talented friend Christine and gave her a very basic lesson on needleturn applique. What a quick learner, she got it pretty much straight away. This is what she made for me as a thank you, gosh I'm just happy if I can pass on anything useful. This pincushion was made out of New Zealand fabrics and has a metal pot scrubber inside which is supposed to be good for the pins. I love pincushions!
 I was pretty restrained and only went to a few patchwork shops on holiday. I can't get the lime green of this fabric to photograph the right colour. If you saw it in real life, you might need sunglasses.
 A few brights to add to the stash for future kids quilts cause I don't see many around here so grabbed a sampling of them. I found it interesting that not one of the shops had any reproduction style fabrics, not a one.
I guess that style is more popular in Australia.
Back to that Christmas stitching, I'll be able to show it next week.

36 comments:

Unknown said...

Looks Interesting the Threads & Glass Beads for your SSS...Nice going on the Quilting..know what you mean about keeping up the practice something I don't do enough of....I Love that Whimsical Green Fabric..looking forward to seeing what you make with it...
cheers

Stitching in Sydney said...

Lovely - I have that Jennifer Pudney fabric myself - I picked it up earlier in the year when I was home in NZ... Love the machine quilting you are doing lovely work..

Julia said...

Great going on the quilting Janet..
If only I could do a tiny bit as good as you I'd be happy...
I wonder what you'll make with those beads...hmm, interesting!

Anonymous said...

How wonderful to pass on your talent to someone, it is always great to see someone take to stitching.
I so love your quilting too.

cheers
Christine

Oops-Lah said...

If you are calling yourself an intermediate machine quilter, what can we, mere mortals, call ourself? I think your quilting is truly amazing.

Joan said...

I think you have nmore that passed Intermediate - your quilting looks fabulous!!

annika said...

Lovely quilting! And I also like pincushions...specially that one.
annika

Terrie Sandelin said...

The quilting looks lovely -- and what a great gift in the pincushion

Anita said...

Hi Janet, Christmas just sneaks up on you without realizing it. It happened to me this year. I love the bright material, that will make some child very happy. Have a great weekend. Kind regards, Anita.

Abby and Stephanie said...

Someone is going to be very lucky to receive a handmade ornament from you. Your machine quilting is amazing. You could be teaching others! Love the luscious lime fabric. Sweet pincushion.

Have a wonderful and productive weekend.

quiltingnana said...

great hint about the pot scrubber in a pincushion.

Joanne said...

I think you are way beyond a beginner quilter!! Your quilting looks beautiful!
Beads and hardanger...can't wait to see the final results.♥

Nancy said...

Your quilting looks great to me. Thanks for the link to Ivory Spring.

Lori said...

How fun to be practicing your machine quilting again!! I like what you did!!

Darlene said...

I love your machine quilting - beautiful.

The corner showing the hardanger is intriguing. Can't wait to see what you're doing. It's been so many years since I've done hardanger - sigh!

Jocelyn said...

Wendy's quilting is incredible. I love that she is sharing some tips on her blog. Yours is looking great!

Bunny said...

Your quilting turned out amazing. I also want to be just like Wendy when I grow up. Not much time left though LOL>

imquilternity said...

Your quilting does look fabulous! You definitely cannot call yourself a beginner, or even an intermediate quilter, any longer. Can't wait to see the Christmas ornament you make...I love anything with beads!!

Janet said...

It doesn't look like you got rusty while you were away - your machine quilting is fabulous as ever.
What a lovely pincushion!

Terry said...

Your quilting looks great! Love the little pincushion! :0)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for another lovely post and for all your great tutorials. I discovered your blog a year ago and always look forward to seeing what you are up to!

Ivory Spring said...

Janet, you are "Mc-Tavish"-certified. It is gorgeous!

julieQ said...

Your Mctavishing is just amazing! Wow, wow! I love your ornament, very cute...your recipient will love it!

Mary said...

What gorgeous fabrics. I love the one with the ladies. Sounds like it was a good trip.

Amy said...

I think your machine quilting looks wonderful! Good job. I agree, Wendy is a fabulous quilter.

Valentina said...

Oh what an exciting post, Janet!
I don't know where to start commenting: LOL
Ok, I know you made something fabulous fro your swap: and I agree: a little deadline sure get the juices flowing! ( all kinds of juices, actually!!!) LOL
Your quilting is amazing, and I am starting so see the light about this as well: we cannot keep calling ourselves beginners forever: commitment and time practicing are the only things that will get us to the next level! Great inspiration, as always!!!
:)

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

wow, your McTavishing is wonderful, I tried it and couldn't get the hang of it. Nice fabrics. xo

Rachaeldaisy said...

It's funny how Christmas creeps up on us. Sometimes the best work comes from being under pressure. I find it so interesting that you didn't see any reproduction fabrics in NZ. I like the look of the fabrics you did get. The lime ladies one is so joyous! Beautiful pincushion, what a special gift. You haven't lost your quilting skills at all, your quilting is amazing as ever!! The little puffy bits add texture!

QuilterPattiO said...

I think your McTavishing was great! It should have your own signature to it. Great job!

Anonymous said...

Your quilting is awesome! I think it looks fab! What a darling pincushion with the needle and thread...great idea and gift. Ok..I'm curious about what your making...you sound like me as well putting off something that could have been done sooner. LOL Life goes quickly these days.

Brigitte said...

Great job quilting. Your pincushion is sweet but never thought to use a scrubber for stuffing.
www.quiltsampler.blogspot.com

Thimbleanna said...

You're so funny -- "that applique thing" -- don't you mean "that applique masterpiece"???

MamaT said...

Oh, I just love that bright fabric with the girls on it. It's so fun! And your applique quilt is wonderful! Can't wait to see it finished.

Linda said...

Your quilting is amazing. McTavishing looks gorgeous. Stunning!

Robin said...

I'm just in awe at the progress you've been making in your machine quilting skills. It is so inspiring! I really need to follow your example and just sit down and take time to practice. Thanks for the link to the Ivory Spring blog-- so much great information there!

maria said...

Love those bright colors fabric.
Marie