I am so happy to be sharing with you today, a king size quilt finish!
Swoon quilt is like a must-have, must make in a quilter’s life. It is Camille Roskelley’s pattern based on the traditional block, the carpenter’s wheel block.
Hi!
A couple of months ago I made this quilt but never got to share with you here on the blog.
This was a really super quick quilt. Big blocks and no measurements really. I just slash and sew – then trim to size. I love this line, super cute for unisex babies. The fabrics are all from Giraffe Crossing by Riley Blake.
I really enjoyed the simple stippling on this quilt.
The backing with leftover strips. All random. No measurements really.
I guess nothing beats stripey binding! Yeah?
Baby quilts are fun, quick and much loved. Now the quilt lives with a cute baby and am so happy to see it being used.
Hugs,
Amira
Are you always frustrated with failure to get the right exact closure while you join the binding in the round?
Doesn’t it seems to be so hard to estimate?
Well, don’t estimate no longer, I have a binding tip that will solve that very problem.
Here is a tip which I use all the time for joining the binding tape in a round.
Perfect Binding Joint
- I find it easier when I leave about 5″ free binding tape at the beginning and leave a gap of about 10″ unstitched at the end of the round.
- I place the binding tape so that it overlaps (like the first photo above) and cut the the extra binding tape so that the overlap only measures about 2.5″ — which is equal to the width of the binding in the first place. If you use a 2.25″ then the overlap is 2.25″.
- Then I place the binding tape perpendicular and right side together merely leaving any excess on both ends. Just make sure it is not twisted.
- Trim the triangular excess seams and lay it back flat on the quilt. Finish the binding as you normally would. I personally love machine binding but sometime I do sit and blind stitch my binding.
This method is definitely my go to and never has failed on me yet. Give it a try!
Hugs
Amira
Hi!
With Quilt Con coming soon in February and awesome quilters are getting back feedback on whether their quilt got chosen or not to be in the show – the hot topic of what is MODERN QUILT is getting spiced up around the blogosphere and quilter’s Instagram. So, I think this would be a perfect time to also open this topic here on the blog.
It has been a while since the last time I thought about posting this “controversial” topic. Time just didn’t feel right. And there is also this feeling of self-denial that I need to overcome so that things are not biased and purely thought over before posting it out. I have also read some great post about their thoughts on the topic here, here, here and recently here.
Firstly, why is it a hot topic?
There are affiliate links within the post which I may earn a small commission, please find full disclosure here.
Well, modern quilting is something that is trending lately and somehow, being a part of the modern quilting world suddenly seems like the cool thing.
Let’s put Echosmith Cool Kid song here.
“I wish that I could be like the cool kid, cause all the kid, they seem to fit in”
See? It is as if being the cool kid – being modern and all seems right and being rejected or having your quilt labelled NOT modern seems like a big rejection to become one of the cool kids in town.
When put like that, it sounds kind of childish doesn’t it?
I know some quilter’s feeling got hurt when their quilt got rejected from Quilt Con Show (see some beautiful #quiltconreject on Instagram), but I would like to make it clear here – it doesn’t mean your quilt is not BEAUTIFUL! Neither it meant your quilt was not Modern. They were just so many entries — from last I heard was about 1300! So there’ll be many quilts not chosen anyway, despite having all the criteria. So, don’t feel rejected. Give yourself a pat on the back for trying and try again if you really want it.
So, I think it is important to make it clear to yourself what defines a Modern Quilt. I know everyone has a different perspective on this; hence the controversial issues. However, I would like to point out that once I made myself clear about the definition of Modern Quilt, I felt much happier and have found the true me rather than trying to do something that I think would belong. I would not spend my precious time just trying to fit in. If what I make (something I love) fits in, then I would give it a try to put it in the show. However, if it doesn’t fit in, I would not even bother to try. Your time and feeling are precious. Of course it is very frustrating to find something you made – so be”you”tifully made got rejected. So, save yourself from being hurt. Save your time and gain some knowledge on the criteria of the quilt they require in the quilt show (applied to any kind of show) before you go ahead and spend your energy on it.
My turnover:
I joined the webinar by Jacquie Gering over on MQG website (link to webinar here for members only) a few months back on the definition of a modern quilt which made my perspective on modern quilt much clearer. I have to admit though, the first few weeks after watching the webinar, it kind of got the better of me. I felt that I was not MODERN enough. Guess what? It is TRUE. Most of my quilts are not modern– but why do I have to be sad? Why does it get to me that I am not making modern quilts? I started reviewing my feelings, my quilt making choices, what I envisioned for the future of my quilting world would be like (yeah – serious quilt talk here.. hehe) and what I enjoy most.
I have come to the basic root of my quilting style: I quilt what I like — it is a therapy for me. I don’t want to stress about my quilting style. That does not serve the purpose of this hobby anymore if I do that. So basically- the talk got me to find the real me and be proud of what I quilt – whether it is modern or not. Sometime, I may want to try a modern quilt which I have tried here and here, but most of the time, I just want to quilt what I think to me would be fun for me.
So what is a MODERN QUILT?
As summarized from Jacquie’s webinar : A modern quilt should have a modern aesthetic. It should fit a modern home hence should also meet the modern criteria in terms of Modern Interior. Click here for the definition of Modern Interior Design.
Some quilt criteria that a modern quilt may have :
- minimalistic: minimal colours, shape or pattern
- bold strong colours and defined lines
- improv piecing technique
- lots of negative space
most are very similar to what a modern interior should be. Modern interior should have minimal clutter – I think a modern quilt should have minimal pieces to match this criteria.
A quilt can have a level of “modernness” as well. In the webinar, Jacquie mentioned this as a continuum. One side of this continuum may have a bit of the modern influence in the quilt where as the other side would have been something that is really modern with all the criteria and all. It is a continuum because there is no clear defined boundaries. However, you can actually use this continuum to define your quilt.
Ask yourself some of this question: and make a continuum.
- Which type of quilt makes you think ” o yes that is SO modern!” Put that quilt in near the right side of the continuum (tips : you can use the criteria above)
- .Which type of quilt makes you think ” aaaa, that is kind of modern – or not… or maybe? ” Put that quilt on the near left hand side of the continuum
- Now, take your quilt. Where, in that continuum does it belong? Does it look more like the left hand side or more of the right hand side.
That is how modern it is. (there may be a slight difference from one to another opinion, but I believe there’ll be more people with similar ideas of where their quilt belong)
Continuum of Quilts Aesthetic
Here is an example of how I would do mine.
I would take one of Jacquie’s quilts and put it on the right hand side. And put one of mine on the left. And choose a few of my other quilts and try to define it. Remember, I am not being harsh but being true to myself.
Why my continuum look like the above? here is my point of view :
Jacquie’s quilt Shattered Remix (right hand side) : It has minimal colours, improv piecin, lots of negative space. I would definitely say this is a modern quilt when I see it. So it belongs on the right side of the continuum.
My I heart Quilt : I have a problem saying this is a traditional quilt, maybe self-denial, but I think the colours still fit in the modern quilt maybe??? (perfect quilt for the other end of the continuum)
My True Tone Patchwork Quilted Runner : Improv but ordered. Use of solids. Modern but the clear definition between the lines of the negatives and the colours are clearly define making it look more traditional.
My Briar Rose Starry Diamond Quilt : lots of negative space but the choice of fabrics is a bit soft – kind of blend with each other, the whole shape of the diamond star seems traditional.
My Improv Hexagons Quilted Placemats : I’d say this is more modern – it has some improv piecing, bold colours and lots of negative space. But I think it can be modern if I quilted it minimally and use different size and wonky strips for the hexies. – but I like it the way I made it.
So there, with that –I would say I mostly quilt something that is more of a traditional quilt with a hint of modernity, so I belong in the left side of the continuum. Shall I try these quilts in the Modern Quilt Show? I probably not. If I would, I would maybe make the Improv hexagon more Modern by using more wonky strips, minimal quilting and make it in different sized blocks. But I didn’t want to and felt I don’t need to and I don’t have much time (hehe).
Anyway. most important thing is: wherever it belongs in the continuum or even outside of the continuum – it is still beautiful. And still be loved and in fact, I think many quilters, including myself love traditional quilting more often than not. So, be proud of whatever type of quilter you are and please don’t feel the need in order to belong, you have to be doing the same thing! Be you! Make BE”YOU”tiful quilts!
Well, what do you think of my version of the continuum? Drop a comment telling me what you think about Modern quilting and has it affected you in anyway? By the way, I belong to Canberra Modern Quilt Guild, and sometimes I do feel like my quilts don’t belong to “show and tell” but I have enjoyed all kind of quilts at the “show and tell” that I bring mine anyway no matter modern or not. Every quilt is beautiful even if you don’t fancy it. And every quilter should enjoy looking at other quilter’s work so, it is still worth of “show and tell”.
I am in no mean to hurt anyone by my opinion above. As I said – even if your quilt is not modern, your quilt is is still beautiful. Don’t let the label hurt you.
Phew! That was a length wordy post!
Want to learn how to do improv piecing?
If you are interested to learn more of improv piecing, check this class out. I certainly have enjoyed learning to do it, but I guess the finishing style and the process just didn’t feel so much of me, and it’s okay.
Hope to hear your thoughts on the topic.
Hugs,
Amira
In this post, I am going to share with you a sewing tutorial for simple, super cute, sweet Pencil Pouch with a bow on it!
Perfect gifts for girls. Handmade with love from you and so sweet with endless option of colours of course! Of course, you can always skip the bow, and make it in band instead for the boys!
(Click on Pin it button on the top left of the photo to pin it for future project!)
Step by step sewing tutorial for zippered pencil pouch
There are affiliate links within this post for your convenience. Please find my full disclosure here.
Material requirements:
- Exterior : 2 pieces of 5 x 9″ – I used
with
for extra sturdy
- Lining : 2 pieces of 5 x 9″ – printed cotton
If you are looking for fabrics, I would love to recommend online shopping HERE> I love their customer service, cheap capped international shipping (since I am an international) and their fabric bundle comes in such a beautiful package.
(for all four of the above pieces, cut round /curve both bottom corners as in the photo. (you can use a coin to trace first). Make sure all corners are same.Then cut a slit about 1.5″ at the middle of the curve – this will be darts. See photo for a better idea.
- Inside batting: 2 pieces: 4.25″ x 9″ – for shape and soft feel of the pencil pouch – I use
, or you can use
for a more sturdier form.
- Bow : 8 x 3″ piece – for bow + 3.5 x3 batting for shape and 1.5 x 4″ for the middle band
- Bow strip : 2.25 x 10″ – cotton colour matching with bow
- zipper ends: 2 pieces of 2.5 x 2″
- >
Sewing Instructions
- Fold the top edge of the exterior pieces about 0.25″ and place the batting in place, matching bottom corners. You can you basting spray or just school glue and iron them so that they stick if you find them fiddly to work with.
- Sew darts on all 4 piece of the main body except the front exterior. We are going to make the embellishment first. Start by making the strip – fold inside the seams and place onto the exterior piece about 1.5″ from the bottom. Top stitch to place.
- Handstitch the middle together in a nice even scrunch forming a bow shape.
- Fold a band of fabric so that the seam is inside. Fold one half bigger than the other so that both seams are hidden when folded again. See the first two photos below.
- Then wrap around your bow and stitch close to form a ring. Don’t mind the seams – this will later be hidden under the bow.
- Turn and top stitch closing the opening gap and all around.
- Make the bow by folding the 8 x 3″ piece right sides together in half (horizontally) and placing a batting on either side. Sew the edges and leave a gap for turning.
- Place the bow in place and hand stitch with a whip stitch in place. Pull the thread nicely to make sure the stitches are not that visible.
- You can choose to embroider the name for more personalization. I use free motion technique to embroider mine
- Trim the zipper to 8″ total in length. Cover the ends with the 2.5x 2 ” fabric as shown in the photos below.
- Place the zipper edge onto one of the lining edge leaving a 0.5″ space at each right and left sides. Place the folded top edge of the exterior on top of zipper close to its teeth as in photo 1 below.
- Top stitch using a
.
- Sew the dart for the exterior piece
- Fold the lining in place and press with an iron
- Do the same for the other side.
- Putting right sides together, lining facing lining, exterior facing exterior -sew around the edges and leave an opening gap on the lining side.
- Trim close to the sewn line around the zipper are -this will reduce bulk when turning making it look neat
- Turn right side out and press.
VOILA!
I hope you enjoy the tutorial! Tag me on my Instagram or add it to my Flickr pool if you make any.
Here are some more I’ve made. It was such a fun little project!
For more tutorial click here.
Pin this for future reference!
NOTE : I no longer promote Craftsy/Bluprint as I used to due to the way the subscription is currently being carried out. I had the issue of cancelling my subscription when the company changed hand and I find that cancelling through calls is inconvenient. However, I do still stand behind these classes I promote and if you are subscribed, you can surely check these classes I recommend on the platform. If you are looking for another online platform to learn craft such as quilting, do check out CreativeBug. It is much cheaper in subscription (subscribe now 3 months for only $5). Thank you.
I have been making more of my Girlfriend’s Wallet and this time round I use pastel colors as these are custom orders.
I realized I didn’t have much pastel fabrics in my stash. I am not into much pastel but I still love them. Maybe it is a new beginning to start a pastel stash!
Anyway, this time I reprinted my Girlfriend’s wallet pattern and found the watermark was just covering some of the words, so I decided to remove the watermark, added some minor changes to measurement of the card pocket for more room for adjusting your card slots. It still works if you decide to use the old version of the pattern, as this is just a minor change to allow more room for errors.
I was feeling really organized and had all my cut pieces labelled as per instruction. The fun alphabetical printout makes it so much fun and cute!
I made two of the wallet. Easier to go through the process all at once. Makes production much faster too!
I added clasp at the side of the wallet. This clasp can be used to hold on to keys or even to slide in a wrislet. Perfect for a short stroll without handbag. Everything in one place!
Here is a short tutorial on how to make the clasp:
Just before the step of sewing down the interior piece with the exterior,
1. Cut a piece of 2.5″ square from the fabric you want to make the clasp holder with. Iron on the light interfacing.
2. Fold the horizontal side seam inside about 0.5″ in like the second photo below.
3. Fold it again in half, folded edges meeting each other. Top stitch close to each side.
4. Slide in the clasp through the sewn piece and pin in place. Continue to sewing the exterior to interior piece together as per instruction in the pattern.
I hope that helps!
Have fun making your wallet.
GIRLFRIEND’S WALLET
NOTE : I no longer promote Craftsy/Bluprint as I used to due to the way the subscription is currently being carried out. I had the issue of cancelling my subscription when the company changed hand and I find that cancelling through calls is inconvenient. However, I do still stand behind these classes I promote and if you are subscribed, you can surely check these classes I recommend on the platform. If you are looking for another online platform to learn craft such as quilting, do check out CreativeBug. It is much cheaper in subscription (subscribe now 3 months for only $5). Thank you.
I am working on several work-in-progress projects at the moment, and I am sharing one of them today with you: the courthouse quilt. It is so hard to concentrate on one as I really do get bored easily. Currently I am still quilting my swoon quilt (seems like it never ends!) and sewing few small items in between to get that feeling of satisfaction and a finish!
In between those, the only patchwork/quilt piecing I am into these days is the Liberty Courthouse Quilt. Partly because these were easy enough to chain piece and I had cut and organize them well to just pick up from where I left whenever I want.
I am loving it so far. I love the soft feel of of the Liberty fabrics and the Organic Voile Cotton 
The texture of the voile
The scrappy look and the busy prints of Liberty aginst those soft white voile is just perfect. Just the way I had it in mind.
I am not sure how big this quilt shall be, I am just going with the flow.
So far, I am loving it. I may play around with the layout as my blocks continue to grow.
Courthouse Quilt Block Measurements
Here are the measurements I used for a 7.5″ square block, so you can make one too!
| 1 (printed centre) | 1.5 x 1.5” |
| 2 (printed) | 3.5 x 1.5” |
| 2 (printed) | 5.5 x 1.5” |
| 2 (printed) | 7.5 x 1.5” |
| 2 (solid) | 1.5 x 1.5” |
| 2 (solid) | 3.5 x 1.5” |
| 2 (solid) | 5.5 x 1.5” |
In my mind, I may finish this early next year, and maybe… MAYBE …. I want to hand quilt it. But am sure the quilt won’t be done anytime soon if I were to handquilt it.. what do you reckon? Handquilt it or not?
Here is the Craftsy class where I learned to do applique and hand quilt. I have fallen in love with the hand quilting Sarah does that I really want to try it!
NOTE : I no longer promote Craftsy/Bluprint as I used to due to the way the subscription is currently being carried out. I had the issue of cancelling my subscription when the company changed hand and I find that cancelling through calls is inconvenient. However, I do still stand behind these classes I promote and if you are subscribed, you can surely check these classes I recommend on the platform. If you are looking for another online platform to learn craft such as quilting, do check out CreativeBug. It is much cheaper in subscription (subscribe now 3 months for only $5). Thank you.
Pin this image, so you can reference it next time!
Hi!
A week ago I finished my third hand knit socks. I am slow with all my knit and crochet projects mainly because I don’t spend enough time with them. I would say I knit pretty fast (I am doing it the continental method) but I get bored after 2 or 3 rows! When I get bored I stop and it may be another week before I get hold of it again!
Even though slow, it has an end. So here is my latest knit socks finished. I haven’t blocked it though. That can wait. It is not socks season anymore here down under.
The sock pattern is Crocus from the book Toe Up Socks for Every Body by Wendy Johnston. I really enjoyed making this socks, I love the lacy look too.
I did mistake here and there, but I just move along. Where I can repair I did, where I can’t I just keep going. I am not that good at correcting knitting mistakes yet, sometimes it just made it worst. So, I am pretty happy and proud with this finish.
Online Class for two-at-a-time toe up socks knitting
If you are interested to learn how to do a toe up socks two at a time, this class is also a great start.
Well, here are all three socks. See how my patient grew? The third socks have a longer leg part!
Here is the blog link to my first socks and my second socks.
As a reward to a finish I bought 4 more sock yarns? Was that a wise move? Haha. I am a sucker for things that is colourful! Here are the new sock yarns purchased from Skein Australia.
I can’t believe I chose all 4 with similar tone! There were like a million choice ! Sometimes you don’t realise that you kind of have a colour that you are more keen on….don’t you feel the same?
Well, till next time,
Have a gorgeous day! Spread some love and choose happy!
Disclaimer : This post contain an affiliate links.
Hi!
So here is my first post officially here on the new site! Thank you for bearing with me while I get my new header up, and sort the pages and tabs above. I am planning to do so in the next few weeks.
Anyways, after rereading my About page while transferring it here, I realized I haven’t shared the latest view of my sewing space which is ever changing from time to time. We have limited space and things have to move around to fit. This few months, my sister is here visiting me, and I made sure my sewing space has room for a sofa bed. It was a lot of work trying to minimize the things around my sewing room!
It feels good though, removing things I don’t really need and things that I know I can never have time for. I also found some old W.I.Ps which I am eager to come back to.
After all the cleaning and sorting, I have to say I am so much happier with the current organization. Small space, but I am happy to work in it. I even quilted my gigantic swoon quilt with this kind of space and it made me think that, really I don’t need a big space to quilt such a big quilt! Though it would probably be much easier..
So my current W.I.P s that really consume most of sewing time these few days have been this large swoon quilt. I really love and enjoy quilting it though there a times, when I feel like a little regret having to quilt this so densely because it is taking AGES! ..not to mention the many, many bobbins that I have to wind.
Today I finished quilting all the nine blocks and the sashings which felt really great and a great achievement. I have a crazy idea about quilting the border with trellis fence as the background, but I am having a feeling that it will not get finished anytime soon if I do so. So I am weighing that idea over getting it done as soon as possible! What do you think? Any idea how to quilt it? I’d love to hear it out…
Thanks for visiting me here and wishing you a wonderful weekend!!
Links you may be interested to look into : Swoon quilt pattern by Thimbleblossoms , my About page
XOXO
Amira
Hi!
Listing items in Etsy can be exhaustive.
Make item, Take photos of item. Edit photos. Upload. Make listing , details descriptions and waiting.
But hey, I made a promise that I will try and upload at least three items per week. This seems more achievable than trying to stock up as much as possible. I will let the shop grow slowly as making items I sell is fun and I can’t have too many of them so selling them would be the best choice. I would love to find new homes for the items I made.
If you are interested in buying any of these items, head on to my etsy shop here!
If you buy from me, please know that you are supporting my creative life and I really appreciate that from the bottom of my heart. In fact, even your visit here to my blog is a pleasure for me and is a great support from you! Thank you.. Thank you thank you!!!
This quilt is also for sale!!!
