Memo Block Quilt for Makka Pakka

From this - take one bag of scraps

To this - take sheets sheets of memo block (you know those cubes of paper that you doodle on when talking on the phone!). Draw a simple pattern numbering 1 to 4. Randomly choose fabrics and using the pattern, sew 2 to 1 then 3 to 2 and finally 4 to 3. This is called the 'foundation method' where you sew fabric directly on to the paper as described above. It's a bit difficult to explain but it's a fairly accurate way of piecing a quilt. I'm sure if you google it there will be a better explanation than my ramblings!!

To this - all pieced and sewn together

An finally to this - with the border on. Makka Pakka is going to be one lucky.....  em not sure what it

is really. How about 'soft toy!

Florence's finished quilt

I think the title says it all! Off to Manchester this afternoon to deliver quilt.
Have started sorting out fabrics for Makka Pakka's quilt which I think I'm going to name  'The Note Block' . My next blog will explain!

Mae'n  wlyb heddiw !(it's raining today) Miserable for a Bank Holiday Monday!

Makka Pakka's Quilt

Florence's quilt is now well on the way but my next project is a wee quilt for Makka Pakka. Poor Makka Pakka looks cold lying in his new bed. I'm busy collecting fabric now for this project which will include  pillow and sheets. This you understand is not for me but my 21 month old granddaughter! Tan tro nesa. (till next time)

HOOP HOOP HURRAH!

Helo pawb (hi everyone)
Yep, Florence's quilt is now 'on the hoop' at last. Having rushed to layer the quilt together to take on holiday to The Trossachs (beautiful) in Scotland so that I could peacefully fill my evenings quilting away, well - no chance. All that fresh air doesn't half make you tired in the evenings - or could that be the additional half glass of wine (hmmm!)
Keep it simple. That's my motto for lots of things but as this quilt is bright and busy , simple diagonal lines are all that's required. So it won't take me long now. Watchout for the finished article!. Have two projects in my head at the moment. I'll let you know what they are in my next blog   Tan tro nesa (till next time) I tell you -  Welsh lessons don't get any easier!! but it's all good fun

Florence's quilt

Florence's quilt

No guessing who this is for then! Florence happens to be the granddaughter of a good friend in Manchester. Her two siblings have each had one so couldn't not do one for Florence when she arrived on the scene a few months ago. This one is really bright. 9 very simple star shapes so far. I happened to go to a Quilt Fair in Nantwich on Sunday with some friends and came home with an empty purse plus an ideal colourful backing fabric amongst other items!
As you can see I have constructed the blocks. Need to stitch them together now and think of
a border next. (so much for careful planning from start to finish!!). Watch this space. I'll need to find out what that is in Welsh so that I can pass it on to you. Meanwhile I have to tell the welsh class tonight what I have been doing today!! The only word that pops into my head at the moment is cwiltio. Not too difficult to guess what that means! Till next time (tan tro nesa).

Dolly Mixtures

And a happy New Year to all (Blwyddyn Newydd Dda) Hope it's a good one. Well I finished my mother's quilt in time for Christmas and after much deliberation decided to call it Dolly Mixtures. The colours remind me of the sweets I used to eat as a child mmm! I was pleased with the back of the quilt  having used left over triangles to create a block in the middle. So here are a few shots of the end results.
Talking of 'shots' I am now the proud owner of a Nikon D50 SLR camera (just in case there are any buffs out there!) so I hope to improve my imagery over time. Watch this space.
My next quilt is now out of my head sitting in a scrap pile waiting fo action! The next blog will show its progression. I thought I might show you how I piece it together but on the other hand...............

Hwyl i chi (goodbye to you - a bit formal I know !!)

On the hoop!

This is the aspect  of  quiltmaking that I love best - quilting - for me it brings a quilt to life. From 2D to 3D if you like. Making the quilt top was not as straight forward as I had hoped. Stitching 128 blocks together is not without problem Accuracy is the key! And I'm not sure my skills handle that very well but hey ho the end result looks quite acceptable I think. As I say to my quilting friends -  minor imperfections add to the quilt's charm!! When I have finished I'll post a blog of the finished product. Look out for the back aspect. I've used some leftover sraps to take away some of the plainness. Still thinking of the quilt title.......Tan tro nesa (till next time)