Prismatic Star Update

Today I had the pleasure to do some sewing. I have had limited time to sew and it has been playing on my mind. I have a big load of projects to sew over the next year and I don't want to get behind at this early stages.
I was using this little machine today. I don't use her very often, so she needed a run and working on my Prismatic Star quilt doing Foundation paper piecing is straight forward.

 It's like I step back to the 1970's with this machine but she runs a treat.

 My sewing space for today in the shop's classroom. It reminds me that we must fix the storeroom up so I can have a corner for a permanent sewing area. I have 12 more diamonds to make to complete the outer ring of diamonds in my star.

I managed to get the first stage completed, so I am ready to trim and cut ready for Sunday's sewing session.

My thinking was to get to this stage at least. Tomorrow I will trim and cut the strip sets for Sunday. A step completed each day, and if I get more done even better.
These diamonds, once I finish them will surround the centre ring of diamonds below.

Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

Another Beginner's Workshop to Ruler Work Quilting

This has been our most popular workshop this year. This is the second time I have run it and plans for a third one is well under the way in June. We had a very informative workshop starting with the ruler that comes with the ruler foot. This is a very useful ruler to have you can do lots with it as it has the straight side and the arc on the other side.

I have quilted quilts with just this ruler, my double wedding ring is one of them.

After a session at the machine learning how to do a checkerboard pattern and exploring the curved side we stop for a cuppa and some of my Lemon & Coconut Slice.

My sample piece.

In the second half we looked at the Sampler set, Crosshair ruler and book and with a little demo from me they all had a go at their sampler set templates.

From this workshop there is plans to run my Placemat workshop again which I created to use the Westalee Sampler Set to expand your ruler work knowledge. Also I am working on a how to quilt a small project using the Westalee Sampler Set where you will bring a small project ready to quilt and we will explore options on how to quilt your project. With everyone doing different projects you we be open to see how others quilt their project and see options you may not have considered. More details coming soon,

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia 

Cushions and Ruler Quilting Together

We had the Zipper and Piped Cushion Workshop on in store. With only one student doing the workshop we took the opportunity to do some quilting  using the Westalee Rulers. It is something we have trying to schedule in. With the Beginner's class in a couple of weeks I can see a need for more of these sessions. Once you have your machine worked out you want to quilt quilts, not keep doing practise samples. There is a lot out there on using the rulers but not too much on how it use the rulers on pieced tops. So that is what I want to focus on. How to quilt pieced tops. So watch out for those workshops once you have done a Beginner's Class.

Joy's managed to finish her two cushions in the one session. They have worked out beautifully.

While Brenda  was quilting her Sands of Time Quilt from one of my workshops from last year.

I was quilting my table runner which was created from my Dresden plate English paper piecing demo pieces from last year fairs and shop demos. It is my project selected in our Project Uninterrupted challenge and One Monthly Goal for January.

It was a lovely day of sewing. There is always something to learn that makes life exciting.
Next weekend's Desert Sky workshop is going to be an exciting learning experience on foundation paper piecing. If there is a spot I plan to join the class myself , at the moment there is a couple of spot left. If you want more details click of the Event/Workshop page here on my blog.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Cynthia's Ark Classes and Workshops for 2018

I have been busy behind the scenes working on the class/workshops for 2018. I am hoping there will be something for most people from the beginners to the experienced.  You will find all the details on our 2018 Workshop/Class page here and at the top of the blog so you don't need to find this post. With that said, this post will have the projects pictured to give you a better idea what each workshop is. A picture can say things easier than words sometimes.

 Sat 10th February- Curved Ruler Table runner

 Saturday 10th March - Circles Table Runner

 Fractured Paint Box Quilt -Date hasn't been set yet. It will be a Sunday workshop.

 Desert Sky Quilt- Date hasn't been set yet. It will be a Sunday workshop.

 Saturday 31st March- Bargello Table Runner.

Double Wedding Ring Quilt Workshop Date not set yet but will must likely a Sunday workshop.

Also new will be our Summer School on Friday evenings. Each session will be a small different project featuring different techniques. The first session on the 29th December will be focused on English paper piecing and a set of mug rugs. This is the perfect class to try English paper piecing if you haven't tried it yet. It is addictive.

 As you can see the workshop list isn't quite finished but I felt I needed to get out what was set so you can book for those workshops.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Stash Bash Sewing Party

We had our first ever Stash Bash Sewing Party on Saturday. The workshop is based around one block that make four different quilts. The quilt  that everyone decided to make was the Catch Me if you Dare quilt which features on the cover of the booklet.

The pattern booklet and fabric pack are available at a special price until midnight Monday 14th March (Adelaide time). The pattern booklet is available in PDF format and Paper format. This way everyone is covered.

The Sewing Party went down a treat. Everyone was eager to learn and sew. That made my job easier.

I was really nervous about how the workshop was going to go but in the end it was a party with lots of fun. Lots of blocks were made. Mandy and Lisa completed their 72 blocks each and pieced together in their windmill blocks with Julie at 35 blocks getting her half way through her blocks. 

Julie's Block

Mandy's Block

Lisa's Block

Lisa and Julie are make theirs with the La Vie Boheme fabric pack and Mandy is using the Dazzling Blues fabric range which she has been looking for a special project, so she could cut into it. Now there is some Dazzling Blue fabrics left in store and I can make up some Stash Bash Sewing Party fabric packs up if everyone is interested. Just let me know. 

                                                       

Plus we even had some fun playing a few hands of Calendar Bingo after lunch. A customer favourite these days and there was prizes for the winners.

On Sunday I have the Diamonds in the Breeze quilt been made in the workshop. This is a slightly harder project, only in in the fact it has two blocks in it but still they are made from the same block but the fabrics are in different places in one block. Plus a lot more blocks to be made. Now this one hasn't been made yet, so I am looking forward to seeing this one come together.

I will try and take a few more photos today. I was too busy in Saturday workshop teaching and helping that taking photos didn't cross my mind but at least I did get a picture of their first completed windmill block.
I will run this workshop again later in the year so if you couldn't make this weekend workshops,  let me know what dates would suit and I will see if I can arrange another Stash Bash Sewing Party sooner than later.

Until Next Time 

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Stash Bash Sewing Party Update #2

We have 4 days left before our first ever Stash Bash Sewing Party happens. Hopefully by now you have seen the first Stash Bash Sewing Party project Catch me if you dare quilt. Today I would like to share another one of the quilts that features. It is the Breezy Basket Quilt. This one is a little more challenging than Catch me if you dare but very doable as both quilt feature the same block.

Quilt top finished. Thanks to Kate and Maureen who helped piecing this top.

Quilted and binding on ready for me to finish.

Also the Stash Bash Sewing Party booklet is now available to purchase and on special until the 14th March 2016. You can purchase it in PDF format or a paper copy plus the matching fabric pack is available, 3.75 metres of fabric in total. Visit Cynthia's Ark to purchase your today.

 Fabric pack featuring La Vie Boheme fabrics, currently $70 

Stash Bash Sewing Party Booklet #1 currently $13.50 (paper copy) $10.00 (PDF format)

Now there is still a few spots left for Sunday workshop in store if you are thinking about joining us. It is $45 10 am- 4pm and include morning/afternoon tea, Booklet with all 4 patterns in it, games and special in store discounts. Ring me to book your spot on 08 8527 2120 or book online at Cynthia's Ark. It will be a fun weekend.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia