Tuesday Treats: It is still Autumn somewhere in the World

For so many years I lived in northern & central Australia where there are only two seasons, so I delight in the changing seasons in Victoria.

Autumn colours always signal the end of summer, cooler temperatures and rain, time to re-energise and to work inside on creative ideas.

The fallen leaves make beautiful mulch

The fall colours on the pavement caught my eye one morning and had me wondering what I could stitch.

A traditional embroidery stitched with Aurifil Lana

I already have some great traditional embroidery  pieces in my collection but, this year, I really want to break away from traditional stitching to create an abstract project.

So the first step for an Autumn collage was to hunt out some autumn coloured threads.

I’ve collected a pack of cotton Mako’ threads for my autumn collage

And some fabric

Will this fabric make a good starting point?

You will have to call back at a later date to follow the progress of my Autumn project.

Spolit on Mothers’ Day (Mothers’ Day Spoils)

Many of the gifts I am given are related to quilting, and this Mothers’ Day was no exception.  I received two beautiful quilting books.  (I must admit, I did have a hand in their purchase, but my family members are all well-trained and quite happy to indulge me!)

One of the books I received is Di Ford-Hall’s “Primarily Quilts”.  I have long been a fan of Di’s patterns and when I heard that she was publishing a book I was eager to own a copy.

The book is published by Quiltmania, (www.quiltmania.com) and is beautifully set out with lots of photos and text in both French and English.

A look inside the book.

The book has 240 pages, containing  16 of Di’s patterns, so there are plenty of quilts to tempt me, and yes, there are several I would like to make! The quilts are inspired by nineteenth century quilts and use techniques which include hexagons, broderie perse,  fussy cutting, hand and machine piecing and lots of applique. (Quilting heaven). I am pleased that all patterns and templates are full size so there is no need to enlarge, and the three large pull-out pattern sheets all seem very clear.

Now I must confess that one of my UFOs is a quilt made from a Di Ford pattern, but one which is not in the book. It is “Homage to Sally Ann” which I began over five years ago and stitched while on a 15 week trip around the eastern half of Australia.  I came back from my holiday, but Sally Ann appears to have left on one….and no progress has been made for a long time.

The incomplete centre block.

The original quilt was on a cream background with mid to deep pinks and burgundy flowers, and I have also seen Helen Hayes Sally Ann quilt which is on a vibrant red background.  As you can see, mine is different again, being on a pale aqua background with coral, gold and brown flowers.

One of the corner blocks.

Aurifil Cotton Mako 50 weight thread (the finest weight) is my choice for the needleturn applique I use in this project.

And now that Sally Ann has reappeared I might have to add the odd flower or two!

As for the other book I received on Mothers’ Day, I’ll write about that in a future blog post.

Now Sally Ann, where were we….?

Why do I do it??

Some of the lovely fabrics I was “forced” to buy

More of the ‘requirements’

I went away for the weekend to another patchwork “Retreat”. When I use the word ‘retreat’, I should say there is nothing relaxing, or private about this one – hard (sewing) work, lots of talk, too much eating and sometimes drinking, sleeping in ‘bunk’ beds made for youngsters (not middle aged women) AND we go on waiting lists, send our expressions of interest on the overnight mail to get in and pay money for the privilege of attending this weekend!!

I am sure this situation happens all over the quilting world – and we love it!!!!!!!!!! However, I come home with yet another quilt/wall hanging/table runner/bag etc to finish. Why do I do it to myself???? and I think I would not be the only person attending a weekend retreat workshop asking themselves this question.

I had a wonderful time. Enjoyed every moment. Came home tired (and I wasn’t doing the driving), with washing to do, bags to unpack BUT fabulous memories of good times shared with like minded patchworkers who enjoy quilting and sewing just like me.

Oh !! to show the next project to finish – here are some glimpses.

Some of the ‘work’

I am going to make a small wall quilt with eight blocks – only 4 more to go.

Assortment of autumn toned fabrics with contrasting backgrounds.

And I am lucky enough to be able to choose some gorgeous Aurifil threads to sew the raw edges with, and quilt the project at the same time.

Thank you Dianne Johnston and the Patches Weekend at Phillip Island.

Tuesday Treats: A Cotton Mako’ 12 stitchery treat

I love surprises when they are like this email from Zoe:

 I have just finished a new block of the month quilt comprising stitchery blocks. The quilt has been made using Aurifil Mako 12 threads. I thought you might like to see a photograph.

“Flowers in My Garden” pattern designed by Zoe Clifton

This delightful quilt is a clever mix of pieced & embroidered blocks and is now available as a “Block of the Month” project directly  from The Blanket Box .

Some of the Cotton Mako’ colours used in the quilt.

The embroidery has been stitched with Cotton Mako’ 12, simplifying the stitching preparation as the thread is ready to use directly from the spool.

There is no need to waste time winding a hank of stranded thread on to a card or separating, and straightening, the strands before threading a needle and there is no wastage as you only cut the length required as you work.

A close up of one of the pretty flowers embroidered with Cotton Mako’ 12

If  you wish to support your local store, and they do not have the pattern, suggest that they contact Zoe, at The Blanket Box  to inquire about the conditions for wholesale orders for this delightful Block of the Month pattern.

Watch this space for more sneak previews of patterns by designers who work with Aurifil.

A Modern Welcome-Month 3

A Modern Welcome-Month 3

Half Square Triangle

This month we tackle half square triangles; also referred to as HST. There are many constructing methods. This month’s BOM shows you one method that results in an accurate sized unit without handling the bias edge of the cut triangle.

Once you are able to create accurate HST the sky is the limit.

Can you Spot the Half Square Triangles

The Half Square triangle

Half Square Triangles in 2 sizes

Half Square Triangles

More Half Square Triangles

All Half Square Triangles

There and countless blocks and quilts you can make from HST. How much fun are these half square triangles?!

Just in case you have been putting off getting started on your Modern Welcome we have these delicious charm square collections from Moda at Always Quilting.

Just some of the Charm Square Collections at Always Quilting

It is never too late to get started.

My BOM Grid Month 3

My placement for Month 3 Blocks

Until next time, enjoy your patchwork.

Collect the Half Square Triangle variation instruction this month and start stitching. (You do not need to register or “sign in” to access the patterns using this link. Once the page opens, simply use the “More Options” arrow, to the right of each file, to preview or download that file)

There will be several chances to win some wonderful raffle prizes just by sending us photos of your WIP (Work in Progress) after Month 5 and again with photos of your finished top after Month 10!

Tuesday Treats: One Aurifil size does NOT have to fit all!

I love reading about how people use Aurifil in their quilts and there are some beautiful quilts (& blogs) out there.

However I have noticed that just about everyone has been blogging about how they have used Cotton Mako’ 50, regardless of the stitching they have been doing.

Here at Always Quilting this makes us feel sad that people are missing out on so much fun by not using the full Cotton Mako range.

There are four thread weights in the Aurifil cotton Mako’ range.

There are four thread weights in the Cotton Mako’ range, so Aurifil has a thread weight perfectly suited to every one of your quilt (textile) projects.

All you have to do, to choose the most suitable thread weight for your current project, is to think about the finished appearance you want for the project.

Cotton Mako’ 40 (on the green spool base) is my favourite “all purpose” thread for piecing and quilting.

Cotton Mako’ 40 is my favourite “go to” thread for general piecing, and machine quilting, so this is the thread weight that I am featuring here.

Cotton Mako’ 40 is a nice fine thread so it is an ideal choice for patchwork piecing.

Patchwork blocks will end up the exact size as the fine thread prevents seam fold  “creep”  when the seams are pressed to one side.

Machine piecing with Cotton Mako’ 40 gives “spot on” block sizing.

Hand piecers will also enjoy using Cotton Mako’ 40. The smooth thread slips through the fabric ease.

Hand piecing with Cotton Mako’ 40

I also love using Cotton Mako’ 40 for my machine quilting.

Cotton Mako’ 40 gives good results for ditch stitching and cross hatching

Motif  quilting looks good with Cotton Mako’ 40. The thread creates nice texture and has enough presence to look good when stitching a feature design

Cotton Mako’ 40 works well when stitching motifs

or  feathers.

I love stitching feathers in open spaces!

and more feathers.

Cotton Mako’ 40 creates beautiful texture

Cotton Mako’ 40 works equally well when stitching all over background designs,

Background flowers with an echo

or pantograph designs.

A simple ribbon meander looks good when stitched with a variegated Cotton Mako’ 40

Cotton Mako’ 40 is also fine enough to stitch a close background fill around applique.

Cotton mako’ 40 works for both close and open background quilting.

However, as with all the threads in the Aurifil range, don’t let yourself be restricted to one crafting method.

A Criswell lace motif stitches out with impact.

Stunning results can be achieved when machine embroidering with Cotton Mako’ 40

Machine embroidery fill stitched out with Cotton Mako’ 40

Machine embroidery lace, made with Cotton Mako’ looks just so right.

Make your own beautiful lace.

So I encourage you to think beyond Cotton Mako’ 50 for your next project. Start by trying Cotton mako’ 40 and see what you think.

Watch this space for more information about the other three Cotton Mako’ thread weights.

They all have their place in my sewing room so I plan to feature each one in the future

In the meantime, remember that all you have to do to choose the most suitable thread weight for your next project, is to think about the finished appearance that you want for the project.

Visit our online store to see the full 252 colours in the Cotton Mako’ range.

PS: We would welcome your comments and feedback.

Weddings and Aurifil

Well, there is a connection!!

On a very, very hot day in  March (our southern hemisphere summer was extended this year) , there was a wedding celebration in my family.

A very beautiful wedding dress waiting to be worn

I needed to co-ordinate my mother of the bride (HOW I LOVE WRITING THAT!!) silk dress and jacket with the tie (yet to be purchased) for the father of the bride.

Flowers for bride and bridesmaids just waiting to be used

I didn’t want to take my ‘ensemble’ with me as I shopped, and the said father of the bride was ‘allowing ‘ me (i.e. I told him I would find something) to make the tie purchase on his behalf.

Now, this is where the spool of AURIFIL comes into this little story!!

I chose one of the colours from my dress that matched up with an Aurifil spool colour.  The “Official Aurifil Colour” is medium red – but I prefer to call it a more interesting title of “marvellous MELON”!  Once the selection was made, I put the spool in my handbag, and I could easily take it with me as I looked for ties in the menswear departments at the shops.

Despite some difficulties in finding this colour in ties, as most these days seem to be more sombre – or striped (and I didn’t want to choose one honouring a football team), I finally located one. Oh happy wedding day!!

And a tie, just waiting to be worn

And yes, we had a wonderful time on the day – despite it reaching 38 degrees and 32 degrees around midnight.  The proud parents of the bride were appropriately ‘colour coordinated”