Showing posts with label batik fabrics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label batik fabrics. Show all posts

Saturday, November 2, 2019

My Quiltworx Adventure

This year in store we ran the Quiltworx Vintage Rose Technique of the month program plus a couple of other workshops. This one is mine ready for it's binding.

With the success of these workshops I am taking up the challenge of becoming a Quiltworx certified instructor. I have done a number of projects and love their patterns. They speak to me. They allow me to create challenging projects that I may have thought in the past beyond my skills. I have discovered that Quiltworx patterns are well within my skill level. I want to share my knowledge and inspire others to try them out.

In 2020 we are running Paradise in Blooms plus we will be having other Quiltworx workshop to allow other learn the brilliance of Quiltworx patterns.
This Elizabeth's Paradise in  Blooms on loan to me to help promote the workshop.
Last weekend I ran my first Fractured Paintbox Workshop which went really well and it looks like I will be running it again soon for those who missed out this time.


Some snapshots of the ladies work from the workshop.


All the ladies blocks put together. Stay tuned for more of my Quiltworx Adventure as there is more workshops and projects in the pipeline including this one. All cut ready to sew. Love how this happens.

Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Upcoming Paradise in Bloom Workshop Series

We had some much fun learning the Quiltworx techniques during our Vintage Rose workshops this year, which has led us doing it again in 2020 with another Quiltworx project. It is Paradise in Bloom. Once again we will have Elizabeth Chadwick as our certified Quiltworx instructor guiding us through this series.


Here are the details for those of you that are interested in attending this series of workshops.
There will be 6 full day workshops over 7 months, this will give you time in between workshops to do some or all the homework.
Cost will be $650 for all the workshops and pattern. Deposit is $150 to secure your spot. Payment plans can be set up to pay the balance.
Dates currently are 16th February, 19th April, 17th May, 21st June, 19th July and 16th August. The first date is set. Dates are subject to change at this early stage but hopefully I have got it right.
Fabric is extra, but if purchased through Cynthia's Ark you will receive 20% off our retail price. I have a great range of batik fabrics for you to choose from.
If you can't attend one of the workshops you can catch up with me in one of my Quiltworx sessions, at no extra charge.(Miss one workshop equal one in store session.) They will be scheduled in between the monthly workshops for extra help or so you can work on your homework. Yes there will be homework
Limited places so book your spot early.




Some close up shots of the quilt.
Any questions please ask me in store or online.
Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia


Thursday, September 12, 2019

My Favourite Quilt Block Blog Hop

My day on the My Favourite Quilt Blog Hop. I thought this would be an easy one to choose until I put some thought into it. There are so many I love a couple of times I thought I would feature my current project because often at the sewing stage it is my favourite. Then I thought what about the blocks I return to time after time for what ever reason I need a block, Four patch, half square triangles. How many have we made of them over the years?
In the end I decide the Log Cabin block is a my favourite. It has a number of different layouts and depending on how you use it some times it doesn't even look like a log cabin block.
This is my first log cabin quilt and my all time favourite.

 The blocks are 6 inch and I hand pieced them as my take anyway project over a couple of years. It is full of my batik scraps and believe or not I still have some bags of precut strips left over.

Recently I was string piecing a bag of blue strips for another blog hop project and thought that is the end of the blue strips. Well I was wrong I found another bag of blue strips when I was looking for one of the other leftover colour strips for a bag project I wanted to try. Would you believe it? Do you think I use a lot of blue? lol

Make sure you visit everyone on the schedule as you never know what block might take your fancy to try or fall in love with.

Monday, September 9th


Tuesday, September 10th


Wednesday, September 11th


Thursday, September 12th



Friday, September 13th
Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

Monday, June 10, 2019

My Temperature Quilt Part 7

As you can see I am still way behind in my temperature quilt but here is March's blocks completed.
10-3-19- 28.5 - Yellow
11-3-19- 26- Yellow
12-3-19-28.1- Yellow
13-3-19- 31-3- Orange
14-3-19-29.4-Yellow
15-3-19-28.3- Yellow
16-3-19-31.6 Orange

17-3-19- 32 - Orange
18-3-19-33.9- Orange
19-3-19- 32.4- Orange
20-3-19- 29  Yellow
21-3-19- 30.3 - Yellow
22-3-19- 35.2 -Orange
23-3-19- 26.3 - Yellow

24-3-19- 28.1 - Yellow
25-3-19- 20.4-  blue
26-3-19- 21.6 - Green
27-3-19- 26.5 - Yellow
28-3-19- 30.9 - Yellow
29-3-19- 23.1 - Green
30-3-19- 17.5 - Blue

31-3-19- 22.7 -Green
1-4-19- 23.4 - Green
2-4-19- 27.6 - Yellow
3-4-19- 29 - Yellow
4-4-19- 33.6 - Orange
5-4-19- 34.4 - Orange
6-4-19- 22.7 - Green

Then I was able to get into April's blocks.
7-4-19- 25.5 - Green
8-4-19- 24.3 - Green
9-4-19- 20 - Blue
10-4-19- 19.5 - Blue
11-4-19- 23 - Green
12-4-19- 26.4 - Yellow
13-4-19- 23.9 - Green

14-4-19- 29 - Yellow
15-4-19- 31 - Orange
16-4-19- 34.1 -Orange
17-4-19- 32.7 - Orange
18-4-19- 23.7 - Green
19-4-19- 35.3 -  Orange
20-4-19- 32.8 - Orange

Here is my legend
9- 15 degrees Purple
16-20 degrees  Blue
21-25 degrees Green
26-30 degrees Yellow
31-35 degrees Orange
36-40 degrees Pink
40+ degrees Red
Another good batch completed. I am still behind but at least there is progress. I am hoping it won't take long to get the next batch together as I have a bunch of flying geese blocks ready to layout.  I'm only about 8 weeks behind as I write this post. Lol. At least the machine is set up and the Temperature quilt box is there by the machine ready to go if I find the time.
Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

Saturday, June 8, 2019

My Temperature Quilt Part 6

I have been recording the temperatures but I haven't had time to stitch any. I finally got to the sewing machine and stitched up  four weeks worth of blocks.
10-2-19- 24.5 - Green
11-2-19- 27.4 - Yellow
12-2-19- 21.4 - Green
13-2-19- 23 - Green
14-2-19- 25.5 - Green
15-2-19- 31.8 - Orange
16-2-19-33 Orange

17-2-19- 37.1 - Pink
18-2-19- 25.1 - Green
19-2-19- 24.2 - Green
20-2-19- 24.4 - Green
21-2-19- 27.8 - Yellow
22-2-19- 33    - Orange
23-2-19- 35.1 - Orange

24-2-19- 38.9 - Pink
25-2-19- 39.5 - Pink
26-2-19- 38 - Pink
27-2-19- 39.5 - Pink
28-2-19- 39.8 - Pink
1-3-19-  42.6 - Red
2-3-19- 41.5  - Red
I thought we were going to have a week of pink flying geese bouncing up and down for the week. Not quite with a couple of red ones to finish it off.

3-3-19- 36 - Pink
4-3-19- 36.3 - Pink
5-3-19- 25 - Green Yeah finally got a break from the heat.
6-3-19-21.3 - Green
7-3-19-28.4 - Yellow
8-3-19- 30.9- Yellow
9-3-19- 29.8 - Yellow

Here is my legend
9- 15 degrees Purple
16-20 degrees  Blue
21-25 degrees Green
26-30 degrees Yellow
31-35 degrees Orange
36-40 degrees Pink
40+ degrees Red
More coming shortly.
Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

Monday, February 11, 2019

My Temperature Quilt Part 5

The week's worth of temperatures to sew up.
27-1-19 - 26.4 Yellow
28-1-19 - 30.5 Yellow
29-1-19 - 34.8 Orange
30-1-19 - 40.5 Red
31-1-19 - 25.9 Green
1-2-19 - 32 Orange
2-2-19 - 39.2 Pink

So this is how it sewed up.

Now onto the next week
3-2-19 - 43 Red
4-2-19 - 29.8 Yellow
5-2-19 - 32.4 Orange
6-2-19 - 32.4 Orange
7-2-19 - 31.8 Orange
8-2-19 - 24.4 Green
9-2-19 - 24  Green

This is my pattern guide.
Now as we sew the weeks up we want to keep them in order, so we need to label them some way. I have been using a bulldog clip and clipping the week's block to the back of the pile. You    could pin a note to the top of each block.   I know this won't work for long for me, I will do something to mess them up. That means I need a better plan and the best one I think of is to sew them together into the rows and then I only have to label the rows.

For my pattern my sashing strips are 1 1/2" X 14 1/2" but you it is up to you, you can make them wider or narrower if you like or have no sashing strip.
This is where I got to.

Here is my legend
9- 15 degrees Purple
16-20 degrees  Blue
21-25 degrees Green
26-30 degrees Yellow
31-35 degrees Orange
36-40 degrees Pink
40+ degrees Red

Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

Monday, January 28, 2019

My Temperature Quilt Part 4

Week 4 of my temperature quilt looks like this. I did consider using another colour for over 45 but I had already made my legend block. So I left it.

20-1-19- 34- Orange
21-1-19 -37.4 - Pink
22-1-19 - 40.1- Red
23-1-19 -43.4- Red
24-1-19 -48.8- Red
25-1-19 - 33.4 -Orange
26-1-19 - 31.5 - Orange

Now if you saw my quilt layout in my last post. Click here to check it out. I have three empty blocks, one at the start and 2 at the end. one of these spots would be a great place to put your legend. Down the track a few years, you can still see how the breakdown of temperatures work. The other idea I had was make it part of your label on the back of your quilt.
In my first empty block at the top I thought I would put the year here.You can applique it, machine or hand embroider it in. My option will be to hand embroider it as I am unable to machine it.  More on that in the next post.

The last block at the bottom will be home to my legend.
For my legend block I have 7 colours that represent my temperatures so this makes it easy. I can select one of each colour from my piles and sew them together. For a change I somehow made things easy for myself. If you are using a different amount you need to take your block length without the seam allowance and divide it by the number of colour to give you the size. eg my finished block size- 14" block length divide it by 7 = 2. This mean your blocks need to be cut  4 1/2" x2 1/2" including your seam allowance.


Here is my legend
9- 15 degrees Purple
16-20 degrees  Blue
21-25 degrees Green
26-30 degrees Yellow
31-35 degrees Orange
36-40 degrees Pink
40+ degrees Red

 Next time we will look at the sashing strips to join your blocks together as I think we will need to be sewing our blocks together regularly, so we don't have to mark them.  Though this is an option if you need it. We don't want to mess our weeks up now.
Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

Sunday, December 30, 2018

My Temperature Quilt Block Tutorial.

I have been preparing to start my Temperature Quilt on the 1st January. I am using the flying geese block. So if you are tempted to join me here is a tutorial on my block.

Cut 2 x 2 1/2" neutral squares and 1 x 4 1/2 xx 2 1/2" coloured  rectangle from the your  Temperature legend to match the days high temperature.

Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the neutral squares.

Put a square on the left side of the rectangle as per my picture.

Sew along the outside of the line. See how my stitched line is just touching my drawn line.

Trim the corner off with a 1/4" seam allowance. Fold the neutral triangle back to reform the rectangle.

Press.

Place the other square on the other corner , making sure your diagonal line running from the centret to the bottom right corner

Sew on the outside of this line like you did with the first corner. Trim the corner off leaving a 1/4" seam allowance from the stitched line.
This completes your block.

Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

Sunday, November 18, 2018

Fire Island Hosta Quilt Progress Update.

I have been doing some work towards my quilt during the evening time. As Elizabeth had set us homework I feel I should lead by example and get the homework done. So I have set myself 30 minutes in the evenings if I have caught up on the days job to make some progress on the homework.
So far I have made progress.



I have completed the 8 sections for the pieced leaves, but there is still the other 4 leaves to complete. Plus some more pieced sections have to be cut and pieced.
Until Next Time 
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

Monday, January 8, 2018

On Ringo Lake Part 6

We have had the big reveal after Bonnie hit us with some quick fire clues leading up to the big reveal. Once that happened I had to find time to put a few blocks together so I knew what it was going to look like.
In the end I managed 8 blocks the day before the big reveal.
Then we had the big reveal and at this point I had to consider how many more blocks was I going to make. I did finish block 9. To go any further I need to make more blocks.

Anyway I did get an afternoon at the sewing machine to continue a little bit further on this project. I got most of the sashing done and another block and I was ready to lay it out so I could work out how much more did I need to get this to the quilt top stage. I am do a smaller version to see if I can get it to the quilt top stage before the end of January because once February hits it will be put aside for other projects. That is how Allietare and En Provence has ended up in my unfinished project list. If it is at the quilting stage it has more of a chance of being finished within the year.
This is where I got to by the time I have to stop to take care of dinner. In theory 3 more blocks and a few more sashing strips needed then the set in triangles.

 It will be tight to get all that done before the end of January as I am back at work from the 8th. We will see what happens.

I have linked this post to Bonnie's blog post so pop over and check out how everyone is doing on their On Ringo Lake.
Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia



Tuesday, December 26, 2017

On Ringo Lake Part 5

We are working on clue 5 over the Christmas weekend. We are all busy at this time of the year so squeezing some sewing time can be hard. I did manage to fit a couple of sewing sessions in to work on clue 5.

I did make a mistake cutting when I stop to check my baking. I came back to start cutting the second side of my blocks. I didn't double-check before cutting. Lucky I realized and stopped so I only ruined 5 blocks. The top one is wrong and the bottom one is what I was suppose to cut.

These are my blocks done. So I am ready for clue 6. Believe it or not.
I have linked up with Bonnie's blog to share my progress, so pop over and check out how everyone else is doing.
Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

Monday, December 11, 2017

On Ringo Lake Part 3

Clue 3 was released by Bonnie. What are we making this week? These little matching blocks.

More work for the Simple Folded Corner ruler. Boy I am glad I purchased this ruler. I do find some of these angle blocks challenging. Even with my full attention I am known to get some backwards, twisted, or the wrong way while the whole time thinking I am doing it right. So I made my test block and made sure it was sitting on the cutting table for me to refer to it as needed. Plus I then stack the completed blocks on top to make sure they all matched.

I wasn't able to complete them all but that is ok. I can keep working on them when I have time.

Here are all my parts so far.

I have linked up with Bonnie's Quiltville blog so pop over and check out everyone else progress.
Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

Sunday, December 3, 2017

On Ringo Lake Part 2

We are at Part two of Bonnie's mystery. This week we have flying geese units to make, lots of them.

Now Bonnie said we will have the chance to use the Simple Folded Corner ruler. I purchased mine a while ago but had not used it. So it was time to try it. No more drawing lines on the back of the fabric. Pair them up, line the ruler and trim the corners off.


Finally sewing, then pressing and repeat with the other side.


Then you end up with your Flying geese units. I must say the ruler worked well, cutting out the drawing the line on the squares and because you cut the corner off before sewing you can press straight away. 

Before you know it you have completed your blocks. I can see more flying geese in my future now with this ruler.
I have linked my post with Bonnie's post, so pop over and check out how everyone is going on Clue 2.
Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

Monday, November 27, 2017

On Ringo Lake Part 1

It's that time of year that Bonnie Hunter starts us on a mystery quilt adventure. So many will I, then I really need to finish what I have before starting something new, followed by maybe I will just collect the clues for later.
Then the colours are released and I think do I have them in my stash. If I have what I need in my stash maybe I should do it.
Well this is what I found just in yardage, so I am going to use it up. Once again I find myself starting a new project.

So Clue 1 was released late Friday night our time and I can tell you I was in bed as I was working on Saturday with an early start. It wasn't until I got home late Saturday that I had the time to look at what the first clue was.

With more work on Sunday it was not looking good for me to start, but I did find a little time in the sewing room after lunch to make a start on Clue 1.

I managed a couple of strip sets.

Followed by completing 10 of the  nine patch blocks out of 50. If I have some time during the week I will continue but I'm not promising anything.

I have linked my post to Bonnie's post for the link up so pop over and check out the progress of the other Quilters participating in this year's mystery.

Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

Thursday, April 27, 2017

Scrappy Flower Garden Blocks


The scrap boxes are still full and I need to do something with them. Up pops a request to make a scrappy block for a Row Along in one of the Facebook groups I am a member of. The blocks have to be 6" or 12" in size.

 So out came the batik scrap boxes. As I played with my flower idea I decided I could do both sizes as I could see a scrappy flower garden quilt in these blocks. Then I could keep making more blocks and make the quilt so time in the near future, once I finish my row along quilt with the group. Of course I am getting ahead of myself. Focus on the current project at hand.

Back to the blocks for the Using those Scraps Up Row by  Row Along.                                                   My 6" features a single flower and my 12" block features two flowers in it.

Cynthia’s Scrappy Flower Garden Block (6”version)


You need the following to make a block from your scrap box. 6” block
6 x 2” assorted blue squares (Sky) or neutrals                                            2 x 2" green squares (grass)                                                                2 x 2 ½” assorted green squares (for HST)                                              4 x 2 ½” assorted flower colour fabrics (for flowers HST)                              4 x 1” blue squares/neutrals                                                           2 x 2 x 1 ¾” blue rectangles (Flower Stem)                                              1 x 2 x 1” green rectangle (Flower Stem)
To make your block
1.     Start with your flower 2 ½” squares draw a line diagonally on the back of two of your squares. Pair with a contrast square and sew a ¼” either side of the drawn line. Cut along your drawn line and press your seams to the darker fabric. Trim your HST to 2” squares.
2.     Draw a line diagonally on the back of your 1” blue squares. Pair one blue square with each of your flower HST as per picture.

3.     Sew just on the outside edge of your drawn line.
4.     Trim the corner off a ¼” from your seam line as pictured. Press your block. Repeat with all four flower HST.


5.     Repeat step 1 with your 2 green 2 ½” squares and make 2 HST.
6.     Layout your block as per picture. (Sorry I got carried away and went straight into sewing the block. Hopefully you can see the parts)

7.     Sew your squares into rows. Pressing rows 1 and 3 to the right and row 2 and 4 to the left.
8.     Lastly sew the rows together and press.

This completes your 6” block. Make as many as you need for your row.


Now the 12"  Scrappy Flower Block
Scrappy Flower Garden Block (12”version) By Cynthia Woodham

You need the following to make a block from your scrap box. 12” block
16 x 2 ½ ” assorted blue squares (Sky) or neutrals                                        2 x 2 ½ ” assorted green squares (grass)                                        4 x 3”   assorted green squares (for HST)                                              8 x 3” assorted flower colour fabrics (for HST)   4 for each for flower                8 x 1 ½” blue squares/neutrals                                                          6 x 2  ½” x 2” blue rectangles (either side of the Flower Stems)                        3 x 2 1/2” x 1 ½’” green rectangles (Flower Stem)
To make your block
1.     Start with your flower 3” squares draw a line diagonally on the back of four of your squares. Pair with a contrast square and sew a ¼” either side of the drawn line. Cut along your drawn line and press your seams to the darker fabric. Trim your HST to 2 ½” squares.
2.     Draw a line diagonally on the back of your 1 1/2” blue squares. Pair one blue square with each of your flower HST as per picture in Step 2 in the 6" version
3.     Sew just on the outside edge of your drawn line.
4.     Trim the corner off a ¼” from your seam line as pictured. Press your block. Repeat with all four flower HST.  Make 2 flowers with your 8 x 3” squares.
5.     Repeat step 1 with your 4 green 3” squares and make 4 HST.
6.     Layout your block as per picture.

7.     Sew your squares into rows. Pressing rows 1, 3 and 5 to the right and row 2, 4 and 6 to the left.
8.     Lastly sew the rows together and press.
This completes your 12” block. Make as many as you need for your row.


 This would make a great flower garden row quilt, which I think I will be making to use up more of my scraps if there is anything left in my scrap box after all these rows.

These blocks was designed by Cynthia Woodham for the Using those Scraps- An Aussie Row by Row (2017). This block pattern is for personal use only, not to be copied in any form without the permission from the designer. Copyright © Cynthia’s Ark 2017
             Until Next Time              
                                Keep Stitching                                     
Cynthia