A New Block of the Month

I have been really quiet here in blogging land. I am still catching up on work from when I was away. It is great to get away but not so great when you come back to a pile of work taller than yourself. Well that's what it feels like. Next time I need to do something about it, so it doesn't happen again or at least not as bad.
The Gypsy Wife Block of the Month is wrapping up over the next couple of months and it is time to let you know what our new Block of the Month program will be.

I like the programs to have different techniques so you can try something different. Plus I like you to have options in the Block of the Month so if you don't like needle turn applique you could machine applique instead.
The new Block of the Month is a Sue Daley Design called Evergreen. I have Sue's quilt in the shop on loan if you want a closer look.

Now the fabrics in our version will be different to Sue's.
Here's the centre block of our version stitched.

The Evergreen block of the month will run over 9 months and will be $36 plus postage each month. You will receive over the 9 months the pattern, acrylic templates, papers for the English paper piecing, fabric for the top and binding.

During the course of this program you will be doing needleturn applique or machine applique, English paper piecing and Hand piecing or machine piecing. So there is a variety of techniques included in this project. This block of the month will start in September, so in the meantime check my blog regularly for my block progress so you get a feel of what the quilt will look like. I can tell you we are using Riley Blake Designs fabrics.

You will be able join this block of the month on our website, ring the shop or visit. Please note when you sign up you are committing to the full 9 months and payment needs to be made with a credit card. You will be able to sign up from the 15th July 2018.

 Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

Places We Go- Aurifil's Designer of the Month Fabric Options

I have been busy preparing for Aurifil's Designer of the Month Places We Go. You can join me sewing a block each month. It is a mystery project Featuring Places We Go with a black and white with one colour fabric theme. So it is going to interesting the places the designers are going to take us to and what the blocks are going to look like. Plus the techniques we may be using.

I have put together some black and white bundles with a spool of Aurifil Cotton ready to purchase or you can pop into store and put your own bundle together at a special price. They will not last long at these prices. Visit my website for prices and stock.

Bundle 1- is a Starter Pack. It has 4 x 50cm wof = 2 metres and a spool of Aurifil 50wt cotton(black/white your choice or leave it to us. This pack is great as a top up for what you have already or to get you started.

Bundle 2- is a Reproduction black and White Bundle and has 7 x 50cm wof = 3.5 metres and a spool of Aurifil 50wt cotton(black/white your choice or leave it to us.)  This is perfect for those who love reproduction fabrics. Fabric is from Antiques range with a Riley Blake Designs Shades Linen for the white solid and Clothworks Black for the other solid.

Bundle 3- is a Modern Black and White Bundle and has 7 x 50cm wof = 3.5 metres and a spool of Aurifil 50wt cotton(black/white your choice or leave it to us.)  This is perfect for those who love a more modern look to their quilt. Fabrics are from Byzantine range, Clothworks black and white  for the two solid.

Now for the colour option can I suggest something from Riley Blake Design Shades range. We have a large range in stock for you to choose from.

Some of the options here for you from left to right you have Sundrop, Peach, Sunrise, Tangerine, Vintage Green, Christmas Green, Robin, Wintergreen, Bubblegum pink, Fuschia, Grape, Teal, Cobalt Blue, Twilight, Turtle Green, Alpine, Mountain Green, Santa Red, Fire Engine Red, Wagon Red, Night time Navy.

I have decided I am going to use Bundle 3 and these are the colours I am considering for mine colour option.

Pat Sloan' s introduction post said black and white with one colour. Could I use a selection of colours but only one colour per block? Interesting thought!
 My shop display, as you can see there are more to choose from so you can pop in to the shop and create your own bundle.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

So Close but....

I planned to finish my Gypsy Wife quilt this weekend. Not a lot of sewing time so I knew I had to use my sewing time wisely.  I squeeze in a hour Friday before dinner and got three quarter through Section 6 which is the last section I had left but it is also the largest section.

As I had to take the shop to the Jubilee quilter on Saturday I thought about it but just wasn't able to get to it on Saturday night.

Sunday came and it was our Project Uninterrupted day(our sew and chat group) in store and I managed to complete it. So I thought. Pleased with the fact I only had to sew the sections together I laid the sections out in order to take a photo to share in the Project Uninterrupted facebook group and that is when I saw the mistake. I could of cried. I need to finish this project and move on to others urgently.

To look at this section on it own. There isn't a mistake but once you put section 6 and 7 together you can clearly the error.
Then it was like where the hell is the mistake I couldn't find it. I asked my husband if he could see it and we were not having any luck. Counting strips and checking the sequence at the top of the quilt compared to the bottom. We had to walk away in the end.

I did go back to it a while later as I was thinking of taking a photo and sending to my friend Maureen who is super good at spotting my mistakes but then I spotted it myself. It turns out I  made the mistake when I was sewing on Friday. I had missed a strip. How to fix it? There was only one way!  Use a seam ripper and and unsew all the section until I got to the mistake.

So now I have to resew this all back together.

Until Next Time

Keep Sewing

Cynthia

All Over the Octagon Quilt Update

It has been quite awhile since I posted anything on this project. I am coming to the end of the octagon blocks. Well maybe! I may need a few more but we will see. I have decided to used Riley Blake Design Shades Linen for the squares. It has taken me forever to decide but the decision has been made for good or bad. Let's hope it is a good one.

With that said I am still working on one last block but I can't decide which fabric I should use in the centre so I thought I would share them here and see what everyone thinks.
Here are the options. Tell me your favourite in the comments below.

Until Next Time 

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Gypsy Wife Block of the Month Update

I have been busy sewing our shop sample of Jen Kingwell Gypsy Wife quilt for our next block of the month. I love bright colours and this will be a bright colourful quilt. It is machine piecing project with a range of blocks some more challenging than others, but that is a good thing. Challenging ourselves that is. Expanding our knowledge.

This is where I am up to currently.

 I am hoping I can cut some more blocks ready for sewing.

There is still time to sign up for this block of the month on my website. It will be starting in the first week of June. Plus if you sign up early you will receive a spool of Aurifil cotton with your first month.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

It's Cotton Carnivale 2017

Yes Cotton  Carnivale  is here. Let me say it was a challenge getting to Noosa this time. The plan was to fly to Sydney then to the Sunshine Coast followed by a short shuttle bus trip to the resort.
I can tell you it didn't go to plan. Due to delays in Sydney I ended up on a flight to Melbourne which didn't get off the ground due to fog. So after a hour and another coffee will finally got going.
By the time I got to the Sunshine Coast  I was only a couple hours late and  my room mate waiting for me.
We eventually got to our destination and after a hike to our room we were back over for a swim in the pool before dinner.
The view from our balcony. We are up a floor this year.

There will be plenty more to come about this weekend. It is a great event to attend and we will learn lots.

Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

Under the Pressure Foot #25

Pressure! There is only 2 weeks left in 2016. I am on holiday for 2 weeks from my day job. So that means some sewing time and weather soaring into the 40's (in the 100 for my American friends). Not good for doing much except staying in out of the heat.
Looking at my To Do List to see what I could finish before the year finishes. I had three possibilities. Two on my list and a new one. Plus I have one that only needed borders.

So I did the borders on the workshop quilt first. Then cleared the tables so I  could start pinning.

I started with my Victorian Fling quilt. It is a free pattern 30's Fling on the Riley Blake Designs website if you like the pattern.

This is my Circle Chic quilt. It has been sitting around for too long considering it has been at this stage all year.

For the third quilt I started laying it out for pinning but the size of it stopped me in my tracks. I am having second thoughts about quilting this one myself. I have put it aside for the time been, I think I will drop it off for it to be quilted by my long arm quilting friend.

Now for the quilting on the other two quilts, maybe tomorrow after I do some Christmas cooking in the morning while it is under 30 degrees.

Until Next Time 

Keep Stitching 

Cynthia

Hourglass Block Fun

I have been work on a hourglass project. I saw Missouri Star Quilt Company Jenny Doan's Super easy hourglass block and had to try it. As it is done with 10" pre cut squares I thought this would be a great  quilt as a shop sample for what to do with layer cakes and Stacker packs.  As I am often asked what can you make with 10" squares and what size quilt do they make. So I went from having a go at a block to making a quilt. Imagine that! The way I do things around here, some of you will not be surprised. I do get carried away and jump from project to project.

So I was using a Riley Blake Designs Stacker pack Unforgettable as I have some yardage in stock for borders and teamed it up with Riley Blake Design  Grey Swiss Dots for the neutral.

This technique requires no triangles to be cut which is perfect for those who don't like triangles.
If you haven't seen it here is the link to Jenny's tutorial.

This is the final pile of finished blocks all 70 blocks as I used 20 stacker pack squares and 20 grey Swiss dots. I left one light square out only because I didn't want to cut another 10" strip for on 1 square.

Now the funny starts how to layout these blocks. Here are a few layout ideas I am playing with.

I will share the final layout with you all once I settle on my favourite. What is your favourite layout for hourglass block?

Also we are going to be stocking some of Missouri Star Quilt Company speciality rulers and products. The first order of rulers are on their way. You will be able to but them online and in store.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Surprise Birthday Quilt Tutorial

Surprise Birthday Quilt.

Doesn't this look like lots of blocks joined together. I have news for you it is one piece of fabric. How easy is that most of the work has already been done for you.

These instructions will help you turn two pieces of quilting fabric into a simple quick quilt.

Cut the top fabric first to the size you want then cut the backing fabric 3 inches longer, you need to give it a good press with an iron before starting.

Lay the backing fabric out, right side down; lay your wadding/batting on top. Lastly lay the top fabric on making sure you line up the selvedge edges with the backing fabric as they are roughly the same size. If you are a little off with lining up, don’t worry we will be trimming the sides up before binding. Make sure you smooth out any creases as you lay out each layer. Pin bastes the layer together or you can spray baste your layers.

Quilt as you like but I kept it simply and quilted along the thick red lines to create the illusion on blocks where there is none.

Now when I bind a quilt I use the edge of the quilt top to line my binding up with but with this type of quilt it is a little harder. As it is hard to line up the top and bottom fabrics exactly with wadding/ batting in between I choose to trim an inch or two off the sides just to tidy up the sides before sewing the binding in place.

Cut 4 x 2 1/2 inch strips from the green chevron fabric for your binding and join the strips end to end for a very long 2 1/2 inch strip. Sew on the quilt using your preferred binding method.

These instructions will work for any two fabrics you choose to use to make a quick quilt or you can purchase a fabric kit at Cynthia's Ark.

Enjoy Keep Stitching

Cynthia

These instructions are written for a quilter who has some quilting and piecing knowledge. 

Cynthia’s Ark PO Box 24 Mallala SA 5502 Ph 08 8527 2120 www.cynthiasark.com.au

Under the Pressure Foot #15

This week there has been nearly nothing under my pressure foot. So I set myself a crazy challenge of 4 Childrens quilt in one day. Three of them are just panels so they will only need pinning, quilting and binding but the fourth one will need side borders add to it to make it a little larger.

Why put myself under this pressure? It is crazy. I know but I have one more event for the year and though I have 3 of the quilt kits for sale I have no samples to show the customers what they look like when finished. I have being going to do this for the last 4 months and still haven't found the time to do it. Over the last month I have been trying to get myself better organised to save time, get more done and go places business wise. My key issue seem to be planning I want to do all these things and I never seem to manage to get to them. So I am working to a new schedule, planning my days better, setting myself time limits, doing the dreaded jobs first and not putting them off so they become huge problems. Which has brought me to this point. Four quilts in one day, now it will be ok if I don't get all four done but if I don't work on them in my allocated time slot that will be another matter. Plus the shop is open so I will be stopping to help the customers along the way.
 So here goes.
I got the wadding box out and there was only one piece that I could use. Of course it fits the pieced one. I don't mind sewing two pieces of wadding together but more then that it is too messy for me. So I better created a table runner workshop for next year. So I started with the Polka Dot Pond Friends first. I added a couple of side borders to make it a little wide and then I was ready for pining.

To quilt this one I just followed some of the outline on the panel, like the water and the clouds. Then some of the straight lines including  some stitching in the ditch of the 2 side borders. Add the binding and it was ready for the hand sewing part by lunch. I will kit this one up for anyone who is interested.

Next on my list was the Surprise Birthday quilt. This one was an easy one as the hardest part was laying the three layers exactly on top of each other as it is just two pieces of fabric.

The fabric shows you exactly where to quilt as it looks like a pieced top, so my favourite Aurifil red #2250 comes out to quilt it. I wonder how many times I have used this red this year- at least three times I am thinking.

Then I finished it off with the lime green from the range for the binding. A kit will be available shortly for you to make your own.

So on to #3 the Busy Builders quilt once again it is a panel making it super easy to make in an afternoon and this one is already available on my website for sale.

So I got three done. At one stage I thought 2 was going to be it but I did the hardest one first. Thomas is still to be done. I will see if I can get it done one night during the week.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Under The Pressure Foot #14

Hi everyone. It is time to share what I have been sewing this week. I must admit I wish I had more to share with you. There has been lots of computer work done this week with the November Bulletin being created and uploaded under the Bulletin tab, posts on the various Cynthia's Ark clubs we have on offer on a number of our social media accounts, work on next year's workshops program and of course designing some new quilt designs.
In among all this I did cut the fabric for the first Stash Bash quilt.

 The Stash Bash is an event planned for next year like our Fully Stacked weekend. It will be a sewing party. In the end this is all the sewing I did about 10 minutes worth. It is a shame I didn't have more time at the machine as there is lots of these little units to make for this quilt. Plus there is 2-3 more quilts to make for this event. So I am going to be busy.

 Hopefully I will find a little more time this week but I won't hold my breath as I know there is more fabric arriving and I want to continue working on my design that uses the Harrington range since I have some fabric early.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

More Animals are moving into Cynthia's Ark

There hasn't been any decent sewing time this week. Just a few stitches in my Farmer's Wife Sampler binding. My Double Wedding Ring Bed Runner did get pinned. So what have I been up to then. I have had 2 new shipments of soft toy patterns, a couple were top up stock like Funky Friends Factory Larry the Lion and Melly & Me Black Sheep, White Sheep. The rest are new and we all love something new, don't we!
There is 4 Ric rac patterns, Baxter, Rumble & Clomp, Hedgehog Circus and their latest pattern Elliot.

I am thinking I will have to make some of the Hedgehogs for the shop.
The other shipment was full of Funky Friends Factory patterns. More Larry the lion patterns plus we now have Plattie Playpus, Diggles the Dragon and Puppy Dog Pete.

I think there will be a shop sample sewing session so we can put some kits together. Some fabric selections for 2 new patterns and one that I had a special request for.

Tune in next week for the sewing session post. We will see how easy these patterns are to make.

                                            Until Next Time

                                            Keep Stitching

                                             Cynthia

Fully Stacked - All Bricked Up #2

We have reached the last day of our Fully Stacked weekend. It has been a blast online and in store. We have had a lot of new visitors to the shopfront which has been great. So for today the quilt release is a pattern I had updated. All Bricked Up #2.

 It was one of my earliest patterns I wrote and it used a couple of charm square pack. This time I have use a 10' Stacker pack The Quilted Fish Madhuri Stacker pack and cut it up to create a more random look to the final design.

 By updating the pattern it is now available in PDF format and paper copy and they are full colour instructions. The original pattern is still available if you prefer a more structural layout to your quilt. Remember all the patterns I have release this weekend are on special until midnight tonight at Cynthia's Ark and to 4pm in store in Mallala.

Plus place an order to get a ticket in the raffle and to enter your quiz answers in the comments box to win. Visit in store(7 Wasleys Rd Mallala South Australia 5502 and make a purchase to get a ticket in the raffle and to hand in your quiz answers to win. At the moment in store visitors are leading as quiz winners.

Until Next time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia