350 block Report 2017- July's Report

The target for this month is 29 blocks.

I am glad to say some sewing has happened this month.

24 blocks for the next stage of my Gypsy Wife quilt, blocks are done. Here comes the hard part sewing them all together.

I pulled out my Scrap Dance Tango project to finish so 2 more blocks for this one, but I need to look up the pattern as I am not sure if this layout is correct.

Two chubby Dresdens flowers that became a pin cushion for a workshop.

 

Borders went on a large wall hanging for 1 more.

Then some major assembling on the Gypsy Wife quilt I have counted each section I sew together as 1 toward my monthly total.

So 5 more as I have completed 5 sections 

One Round we go block

 Fingers crossed I can keep going during August with more sewing. 

So my total is 35 for this month.

Until Next Month

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Under the Pressure Foot #32

There are a few sewing jobs I need to do. Deadlines! Loaming over my head. I need to get on top of them before I sink. With a machine problem last week, I had to have my machine look at and it was returned to me on Friday. So with the other jobs done Saturday was my sewing day. Now I didn't have a whole day but a good 3/4 of the day.

Some work on this project. One block to make so I thought but now I am not sure if this is the correct layout or if I need to make more blocks.

The Gypsy Wife quilt was the other project I was working on.

It is starting to come together. The section I was working on.

I have now finished 5 sections so I am half way through the assembly.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

More Action on the Gypsy Wife Quilt

With all the blocks for the Gypsy Wife quilt made, it is time for sewing the quilt top together. In most cases this is a straight forward exercise. With the Gypsy Wife this is where it gets interesting.  Where to start? Section one is the logical starting point but it didn't look straight forward, so I started at Section 8. It is the need to start at a simpler section and the fact I like to work left to right. Sections 8, 9 and 10 which joins to the bottom of 8 and 9 looked a little easier then starting at 1 and 2 and is the left hand side of the quilt.

This is sections 8 and 9 with half of ten. It needs a good press.

This is where I got to as my sewing machine was playing up. Time to do something about that. I just wanted to finish this top off and I was going to have this machine serviced. She has decided she can't wait. So I will be quilting this weekend or I will change over my Pfaff back so I can piece. I have been using her mainly for quilting.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Round We Go Block of the Month

I know a lot of you have been waiting for the details out our newest block of the month.
Round We Go is an English paper piecing block of the month featuring round blocks. That is right round blocks. Over 12 months you will receive 12 different block designs. Each month you will receive 1 seed pack and fabrics to make 4 of this design mixing the fabrics for different looks. Each seed packet will contain enough papers to make 4 blocks per design giving you 48 blocks over 12 month. The blocks are made using 9 different Sue Daley English paper piecing shapes. You will receive the acrylic templates as well as the papers.
You will also receive the background fabric for your blocks over the 12 months and your binding fabric.
Plus with your first month you will receive a Sue Daley glue pen and a pack of Sue Daley #11 needles.
All of this for $36 plus postage each month for 12 months.
Now I hear you asking what fabrics are going to featured in the Cynthia's Ark version of Round We Go. We are going to be using Gerri Robinson Faded Memories fabric range. Here is a look at the range if you are not familiar with it. It is from Penny Rose Fabrics.

Here is a sneak peek at one of the blocks in the fabrics we are using.

Now there is limited spots in this Block of the month so get in early if you want to join in on the fun. Visit Cynthia's Ark to join.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Rolling Two Projects in to One

I have a group visiting at the end of July and they want to do a little project during the visit. It was decided English Paper piecing and the chubby dresdens will be the shape. They were what I was demoing during the Salisbury fair (working on my Pemberley quilt). So after a little thinking a plan came together as I also needed another pin cushion for The Ark's Pin Cushion Club which I run, so that was it. I will make a chubby dresden pin cushion so I only have to make one project rather than two. Now that should save some time.

My favourite range at the moment is Gerri Robinson Faded Memories for Penny Rose Fabrics. That is why it seems to be everywhere at the moment including this month's Stash Building Fabric Club. Plus there is more coming as it will be the feature range in our Round We Go block of the month starting in August. More details available on my Website .

I think I could of stuffed it a little more but as I English paper pieced the flowers and then hand stitched them together I didn't want to pull out my stitches.
Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

A Little Rest Time

After 4 long days it was time to put the shop back together after the Sewing Stitching and Handcraft Show. It was a great event and all that were involved did a great except for the coffees that took 40 minutes to get and they were barely warm and my Subway sandwich that was disgusting.

Some shots of my Stand. Now I can't share any from the quilt show which is ashamed but when I asked if it was ok I could only take photo for personal use and not to publish any photos anywhere but thanks to Jeannie Gregory I am able to share a couple of her pieces as she granted me permission. It is very important to get the permission before hand.

It still amaze me it only takes me a couple of hours to pack and load the car for a big event and it takes me at least half a day to unload and put the stock back in the shop.

I did get some English paper piecing shapes prepared and stitched together during my Demos which is great. I need to remember to think what I need for upcoming projects and work with them during my demos. I think it would help greatly with my progress.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

First day of the Sewing Stitching and Handcraft Show

After a busy afternoon yesterday setting up for the Sewing Stitching and Handcraft Show. The hard work no glamour here set up day.

Kate was with me today as we helped the customers with all their needs. It was a good and we didn't venture far. Hopefully I will get a few more shots around the fair tomorrow. We back on to the Festival of Quilts exhibition and only have had a few glimpses so far

So all I managed was a few shots of my Stand today.

It was good having a spot displaying some of the up coming workshops we have planned. There's a double wedding ring quilt, English paper piecing Star Cushion, Piping and zipper Cushion, Bargello table runner and I have a Stash Bash Sewing Party mystery quilt on often. Plus there has been some workshop requests which I will be working on. If you have any thoughts for workshops let me know.
Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

Gypsy Wife Quilt Update

I had a good afternoon of sewing on Sunday. It has been awhile since I had a good session at the sewing machine. My aim was to get all the remaining blocks for the Gypsy Wife quilt made and prepare for the quilt assembly.

I was doing well until I neared the end. I was double checking the block sizes as I went, the last blocks weren't measuring up to the pattern. What was going on? I matched the blocks up  with the pattern as they are similar, I was thinking I mixed up the order.

In the end I gave up and walked away. Sometimes you just have to do that.
On returning to the problem I realized all the blocks that were wrong had a border around them that I some how missed reading like the block above which was the only one I did correct.
 I now have to finish them off. At least I worked out what my problem was.
Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

Shhh! Secret Sewing

I received a special delivery on Friday which I have been waiting eagerly for. It arrived and it had some gorgeous fabric from Northcott Fabrics for Seams to Be Sew A Christmas Caroling Row Along starting the 5th September. More details as the event gets closer. A big thank you to Northcote Fabric  for being a sponsor this Blog event.
 Now I can get to the fun part of cutting and sewing my row together. I wish I could share some picture but it is a secret. You will have to settle on knowing what fabrics I am using at this stage.

Remember what they look like, as the event getting closer you may just see a couple of passing action shots.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Under the Pressure Foot # 31

What have I been working on recently! I can say finally I have been doing some sewing, not enough mind you. I have 4 project I have been working on. The big one is my Gypsy Wife quilt. I have managed another batch of blocks. I am getting close to finishing the blocks but not quick enough.

I did complete the binding on my little Travel Companion bag. (pattern is available on the web shop if you are interested.) I just need to sew the button on the front.

I had to complete a quilt for my husband's Aunt's 70th birthday. The label was sewn on last night in between baking some Lemon and Coconut brownies for the party. Just in the nick of time as her party is on Saturday night.

Lastly I have been working on an English Paper pieced table runner using pointed dresdens. They are my favourite shape at the moment.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Finish Along Q3 List

It is time to make our third quarter list of projects to finish. I have selected a mix of small projects for this quarter.

#1 This one need to be finished, it is the closest to being finished with a little more quilting needed and binding.

#2 is the sample table runner from Michelle Yeo Victorian Love quilt. The blocks are made and sewn together ready for borders, quilting and binding.

#3 Red and blue Dresden plate table runner well maybe it will be a table runner it may become a quilt yet. It started as a table runner but I am loved it so I don't want to stop.

#4 A little travel companion bag that just needs the binding once I work out how it goes on.

The one thing I have noticed all the projects I am trying to finish are new projects which means my Project Uninterrupted (unfinished projects list) is not being touched. So here is 

#5 because I need something from that list here if I am going to ever finish something off that list

 I need to finish this round and then the next part squares the quilt out. It is English paper piecing so I am not sure how far I will get but I need to see some progress at least.

I have linked this post up with She can Quilt and everyone else who has made a list of projects to finish. Pop over and have a look at what other projects are being worked on this quarter and maybe you will join us.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

July's One Monthly Goal project

Now this one is on my Project Uninterrupted list. I have been working on new projects lately and I have drifted too far away from my long term unfinished projects which will never get finished at this rate.

 This project was from a sew along I join in with last year Scrap Dance Tango. Now I did select the smallest version and still I didn't finish it. It has been sitting on the shelf in the sewing room, I haven't even put it away like most on my long term projects.

But I am wondering where I got to as there is still uncut fabric which makes me think there is still more to go than I think.

So my goal is to finish the blocks and get it sewn together into a top by the end of July.

I have linked this post up with Elm Street Quilts so pop over and join us or have a look at what other projects are going to be working on during July.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

350 Block Report 2017- June's Report

This month total is 38.

After not reaching the total for the last few months it is time for some serious sewing. Even though a couple of sewing events have not happened, I am going to sew up a storm of blocks this month. That was my plan at the start of the month.

2 Star blocks for my Pemberley quilt

1 set of apple cores sewn together for a feature block on a bag.

3 blocks sewn together for a table runner so 1 more. They are sewn together but no picture.

2 more dresden plates  half blocks created. All blocks are now completed ready for the table runner to be assembled.

6 blocks for my Gypsy Wife quilt which I should of finished but are no where near finishing.

I have done some half flowers for one of my Pemberley borders but they will not be complete until I applique them on and add their centres so I have not count them at this point of time but at least you know I have been working on something more than the above.

Still not very good is it? This month's total is 12  Really that is pitiful. I can't believe it. There must be a mistake. No mistake I am afraid.
 TIme to ask the sewing gods for some sewing time.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia