Drunkard's Path

I promised Kate that I would try and finish something for her forthcoming exhibition in September at Come 2 Quilt. The big decision was which box to open first (oh there are so many) or, more to the point, which project would be more easily achieved. I eventually decided on a drunkard's path project. Drunkard's Path is my all time favourite block. It fascinates me. There are so many variations and so many names for the same block. This design came from McCalls Spring Edition 2007?!!!! I know. I know.

After a bit of unpicking, some blocks had been sewn the wrong way round and therefore abandoned with lost hope. It didn't take long to put it right and all blocks were stitched together and borders made. This quilt is for Sarah and Olly. Sarah asked if it could be made a bit bigger and I am in the process of adding another row. The blocks are 14". Sometime this week I have to make the really big decision on how to quilt it. I think I have a plan.



Being me means that I save the scraps. Someone said to me that the way I made my drunkard's path blocks wasted fabric and so to prove a point that with a bit of careful thinking it doesn't. I make my blocks using a method of paper piecing. You cut out two squares of fabric and lay a paper template over the top and tack through the layers just above and below the curves, then you cut away the top layer to reveal the curve underneath. Now this is the really clever bit, with a pin/needle you turn under the curved edge just 1/8" and stitch the edge down. Remove the paper and trim the back. It may sound like a complicated way of stitching this block but believe you me it works brilliantly and is so easy. Does any one else do it this way? I also have a plan to use the spare curves that were cut away.

Back to the scraps.

This little pile of cut out corners were put right sides together
and trimmed on a 45 degree angle. Being a big block there were decent sized angles to play with.



As you can see, the only wastage are those really thin straggly bits and they can go in the doggy cushions.



All those scraps have now become this .... ta da! A cushion top to go with the quilt.
The unusual setting happened by accident as I sewed the rows on the wrong way round and I decided that I liked it so it stayed put. I haven't measured it but it is about 15".



This week has been quite productive and I have also completed block 12 of Camelot.
That means now just 4 more to go.

Valentina has put together all her blocks and it looks fab. Do go over and check it out and also leave her a get well message. She has been very ill but is thankfully on the mend.



The 12 blocks together.




Hope you stayed this far and if you did enjoy your sewing.

Love Shirley.x

Hurrah! A finish.

It isn't exactly a quilt but a finish is a finish nonetheless and my sewing room in now fully painted, curtained, everything in it's place and fully functioning. It seems a pity to get in there and mess it up. I just go in there to sigh and think how lovely it is.







On Wednesday I met with Sue from I Sew Quilts. I was lucky enough to win this beautiful book by Clare Kingslake as a giveaway and as Sue was visiting friends near to where I live we met at the garden centre for a cup of tea. We were so busy talking that neither of us even thought to mark the occasion with a photograph. I already have my eye on several projects. Sue also gave me a copy of a book by her friend Orlando Murrin which has some delightful photographs and yummy recipes. Thank you all for your kindness and generosity.



Last year I fell in love with this quilt on the cover of Country Homes and Interiors. I thought that the blocks looked quite large and as it is a well known block, drafted my own at 15" and here is block 1. Won't need so many of these to make something lap size. Nice and easy and so satisfying.



My mum used to read Woman's Weekly magazine and I buy it myself now and again. My friend thinks it is so old fashioned but I don't think so. Well, they are in for a challenge and to mark their 100th birthday they are asking readers to knit a pennant in order to break a world record for the longest knitted bunting. I have made my effort. The closing date is September 19th if anyone is interested. The pattern was in the craft special that is currently on sale.



I have been doing some cleaning( yes, I know but it had to be done) and cleaning should come with a health warning. As I have sciatica again and a blocked nose the moral is housework is a pain in the bottom and don't move the dust.

Happy stitching.

Love Shirley.x

A Farmer's Wife and Daughter

It has been a long time since I made any blocks for The Farmer's Wife quilt and as you can see I managed to make block 11 - Broken Dishes. It seemed a good opportunity to tell you a little story that is interesting and appropriate for this quilt.



Last year at my mum's flat I came across this diary. Mum said that she bought it at a book sale at Keele University some years ago and that she bought it because it was of local interest. I didn't get to tell her all that I found out. My sister in Law Sandra is also interested in geneaology and she did a lot of research for me.



The diary belongs to Anne Burnett Hambleton and is dated 1883. She was born in 1865 the daughter of a well off farming family. By looking through geneaology web sites discovered that she married her cousin Arthur Hambleton, also a farmer. They were a well known and prosperous family from the Butterton area of Leek, Staffordshire. We also learn that they married in London in 1889. We wonder why. They went on to have at least two children.

The diary cost 1 shilling and could have been a Christmas present. The writing sometimes is difficult to read, sometimes written in ink and much neater and other times in pencil and scribbled. It has some interesting entries and things that we take so much for granted.

It appears in the diary that Anne lived with an Uncle and at this point we don't know why, but this house was quite large as it had a billiard room. She mentions that she had a wash in the newly installed bath and that she had her head washed as opposed to a hair wash and that she was allowed to wear her hair up for dinner. Her Uncle had promised her "some pretty , gold things" for her next birthday. Imagine her excitement at watching a magic lantern show for the first time. Here we are with all our technology and I am able to tell you all this and I wonder what she would have made of it.

Most of the entries in the diary tell of her studies assuming at this point that she is still a student. Anne went away to school and was living in Birkdale, Lancashire in 1881. We know that she was musical and sang in recital's at the town hall. She tells of receiving 3 valentine's cards, 2 of which she thinks came from male family members, the other is a mystery beau. I also think from the diary that she may have had a crush on someone as she mentions him only by initials and mostly she saw him at church. She also tells of paying 7/6d for a pair of shoes. A princely sum of money. I think she also had a little streak of mischief as she tells of being told off for mocking a teacher.

The burning question for me is, did she meet William Morris? She certainly moved in such society and William Morris was a frequent visitor to the area. Still a lot more to find out. They have a lot of family papers in the vaults at the local museum so, if and when I find out anymore, I shall let you know.

This means that I now have a plan for my Farmer's wife blocks and I shall dedicate it to Anne Burnett Hambleton - A Farmer's Wife and Daughter.



Happy Stitching

Love Shirley.

Birthday Treats

Monday 4th July was my 52nd birthday. I had a lovely day with some nice gifts and a trip out to Becca's Quilt Emporium with Sarah.

Some people get cakes. This mum was given a very pretty tiered cake stand. Can you see cakes?!!! No! Not even an oatcake. Look again. Yes, they are potatoes. Dug up fresh from Olly's veggie patch. Thanks Olly, I appreciate the effort that went into growing and picking. I also had some lovely bath products which have been used and are divine. My favourite perfume, necklace and a lovely little cushion from Rachel.



My birthday treats from the Wednesday girls was a surprise. I had a hospital visit with Rachel last week (all is well) and I went to sewing later and so completely forgot about a birthday celebration. I was spoiled and thank you ladies, you are all such lovely, thoughtful people and you make me laugh.

The cup and teapot were from Wendy along with some lovely vintage buttons and some ribbon. Pat gave me the lovely bundle of fabrics and thread. Margaret gave me the wooden spoon and a pattern for the lovely cupcake wallhanging. You Aussies may recognise the beautiful hand towel as it came from a shop in Melbourne and came home with Rosemary. They also gave me some other fabrics and buttons. Yummy muffins baked by Wendy for us all to share. Kate gave me some bath oil and said that she was making me something but hadn't finished it yet.



Yesterday Kate gave me my present. It was a most lovely surprise and thoughtful present Kate and it is perfect for my sewing room. You will have to click and enlarge to appreciate it in full. I have not decided yet where it will eventually live but it definitely marks out that room as my territory now. Still tidyish shelves but things are creeping in on the tops of books rather than being put away.



My husband gave a beautiful orchid. I hope I will be able to keep it going. I am not known for my green fingers.



I have done a little bit of sewing just in case you were thinking that I have given up. This could become an addiction. Simply take one charm pack, make a card template, cut out a circle and turn a small hem and gather the thread. Fasten off. It looks like a littel mob cap. You need to tweak it a little to flatten the shape and distribute the fullness. When the pattern tells you to use quilting thread they tell you for a reason. I used ordinary thread and it broke when I gathered the first one. Quilting thread - much better. I have a few ideas for these little beauties. You will have to wait and see.



Happy Stitching.

Love Shirley.x

Hot Pants

If you need a good idea for using up those leftover pinwheel blocks or indeed any other blocks for that matter then check out what the best dressed legs are wearing. I spotted this in a magazine whilst waiting for an appointment and just had to bring the page home with me. Of course you will then need a matching jacket and bag.



Kate is in finishing off mode ready for her up and coming exhibition in September and behind her is a quilt based on a Navajo Blanket. It comes complete with a dream catcher.



Yesterday at sewing we had a new recruit in the form of little Raya seen here with doting mum Wendy.



On Sunday we decided to take a trip and headed for Woolacombe on the North Devon Coast. The sand there is lovely and soft and it has good surfing waves. On the way there part of the road had been closed for maintenance and we were diverted through the country roads. The scenery was spectacular and well worth the detour but on route we passed a village that was holding some sort of fun day - The Rackenford Scarecrow Olympics. Various scarecrows were placed around on seats and in gardens and then we spotted one running, one hurdling, swimming and even one pole vaulting over a hedge. That in itsself was funny but just as we were leaving the village and it never entered my head to get my camera out of my bag ,doh!there was a pole dancing scarecrow clad in leopard print lycra. My husband piped up with the comment - "now that would be worth watching". Tickets anyone?!!!



Happy stitching.

Love Shirley.

Keeping Records

Some time ago I was given a lovely little folder as a gift from the secret santa at my sewing group. It is a thimbleberries book and inside it has pages in which you can record the details of the quilts you make with a space on the opposite page for a photograph. I know with digital technology it is easy to store these things on computers but this is just such a lovely idea. There are pictures of quilts throughout the pages and at the back there are plastic pockets for storing bits of fabric etc.



In this photo you can see Sarah holding a little baby quilt. All the details are recorded on the page and is a great reminder of something made and given away as a gift. It is easy to forget dates gone by and as you can see this one was made in June 2003. It is also a visual reminder of what you have made and how your work has progressed over time.



My secret sister Nicky (we have so many quilty things in common that I think we must be related) asked me about quilt labels this week and I thought I would show you this lovely book that I have. It is by Barbara Baatz and is an American School of Needlework publication. It is full of lovely iron on transfers suitable for a variety of quilts. The transfers can be cut out and are meant to be ironed on to polyester or poly/cotton mix fabrics to make them colourfast and washable. What I tend to do is iron them lightly onto cotton fabric and then go over the outline with a permanent pigma pen and even do a bit of colouring in. You could of course embroider over the lines or add applique. There is plenty of space to record the essential details that are a must for future posterity. Think of how we long to know more details of who made those antique quilts and your ancestors or future custodians will be very glad that you gave them that information. You can of course make labels lots of other ways and keep it all very simple, after all, it is the information that is the important bit. All that work on the front surely warrants something interesting on the back too.



Camelot Block 10. The perfect piece of fabric for some lovely fussy cutting. The template was a perfect fit for this fabric and pattern.



Block 11. It looks very pale but isn't as pale as the photo. This means that there are 5 left to go.



My mum gave us two lovely rose bushes called Silver Wedding 5 years ago and they were duly planted. One flourished and the other became quite sad looking. My husband lifted it and replanted it and we thought that it wouldn't survive but the other day I suddenly realised that this lovely flower had appeared. I am so pleased. The other bush is much bigger and has produced a huge amount of fabulous, delicate scented flowers.



This beautiful chaffinch has been nesting in the hedge by the window and it has been a pleasure watching it flit in and out with tasty morsels for the baby. One evening I heard a thud against the window and stealed myself to look expecting to see a dead baby bird but no, it was just sitting on the window ledge looking at me as if to say "what happened". By the time I grabbed my camera it had recovered and flown off.



Happy Stitching

Love Shirley.

Thou Shalt Not Covet......

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbours fabric, particularly when she is wearing it. This is Pat's shirt (yes, she is wearing it) and she is very lucky that I have not cut a square out as in the patchwork adverts, you know the one. Husband is asleep in the chair and wife has cut out bits of his shirt and is quilting them whilst her friend looks on. I adore this fabric.



We have been to St Ives this weekend for a little bit of rest and recuperation. It would be churlish of me not to call in the bead shop and buy one or two or three, ok, more than a few things. Someone has to keep them going. Well, I wasn't alone in there and that shop is really an Aladdin's Cave of sparkly bits and pieces and I would like to challenge anyone to come out empty handed. The woman before me at the till said to the assistant " when I come in again later don't say - back again?, you haven't seen me before, right!".



The weather on Saturday was lovely and hot and we sat in our deck chairs watching these Cornish Luggers or fishing boats. This one just let down its sail as I clicked the camera, the sails are traditionally a reddish canvas. The bead shop is just behind those boats on the opposite side of the harbour. Honestly, I WAS watching the boats.



Progress on Camelot means that I have passed the halfway stage now. All the templates are ready and waiting. The pieces for block 10 have been prepped. It takes me so long to decide on colour combinations and even then when I have cut them out I make changes.

Block 7



Block 8


Block 9



A bit of a finish in the knitting department. Remember the yarn I bought at the Quilt Show at Malvern? well, it has become a very colourful shawl. Beads have been added at the edge and are knitted in. I was told that the ball of wool would knit the shawl and I ran out before the end. Rather than buy another ball I just undid a few rows and added the beads and held my breath that there would be enough to finish it. I finished with about 6"s of yarn to spare. I am not that fond of the colours but wanted to see how it knitted up and the pattern was very easy. The pattern came free with the yarn and is Noro Kureyon. ( Details in previous post). I am sure that I have something more suited to my taste in my stash and will definitely make another one.


My niece Megan has taken up patchwork and is busy making hexagons for a quilt for her new bed. She is well and truly hooked. As we live so far apart lessons have been conducted by email and phone and I am impressed with her keenness. According to Meg, today's Daily Mail newspaper says that quilting makes you happy. Now we already knew that didn't we. You can see a bit more on her blog. When her exams are finished then hopefully she will post a bit more.



Sorry, for the long post. I must blog more often and then I won't need to write such an essay.

Happy Stitching.

Love Shirley.x