Small is beautiful

Honestly, when it's like this outside the only sensible thing to do is stay in and make stuff

I've always wanted to make a patchwork quilt, I bought a book about it years ago but have never plucked up the courage. Also I was a bit worried about 'tweeness overload' - it was a very old book and obviously dated. I thought the idea for a patchwork quilt for our bed might tip P over the edge - he is very supportive of my craftiness but wouldn't choose 'fussy' decor. However, he just smiled and suggested I start with something smaller than a quilt for a king sized sleigh bed - he might have a point!

Since I started following sewing blogs I've seen some beautiful modern quilts and the itch to make a quilt has grown. I like the idea of repurposing and using up scraps of fabric so I'm squirreling away suitably coloured bits and pieces when I come across them - I have some beautiful old pillowcases I found. Our giant quilt is still some way off but I'm working towards it.

When I made my Scrapron for Karen's Apronalong the seed was well and truly sewn. And whilst I don't have the biggest stash in the world I am genetically incapable of throwing even little bits in the bin so patchwork strikes a chord for me.

Then I found the tutorials by Jenny at Missouri Star Quilt Company. Wow, what a resource, I was blown away by the number and quality of the videos, it's so clear. I love craft books (my collection is reasonably described as 'out of hand') but I learn things more quickly if somebody shows me and I have a go. I feel like Jenny's my own tutor - I should probably add her to my Christmas card list!

I might be just a little obsessed, but it's really got me fired up. So I decided on Friday night to make a doll's quilt as part of Little A's birthday present, she is 2 tomorrow. It's been really useful to practice on something so small (which I failed to take a photo of once I'd bound it!). The binding is pale blue, the backing fabric is lilac and I quilted it. The wadding I have would have made it too thick, and a bit stiff, so I just put an extra layer of thick cotton in the sandwich and that seemed to work fine. Totally made up using scraps - bonus!

My enthusiasm is obviously catching because my SiL has asked me to make 2 quilts for my niece and nephew (OK, I'll be honest - having a little panic!). Little A will be moving out of her cot and into a bed in the next 6 months and they're planning to redecorate the children's room. This calls for a more direct approach to quilt fabric shopping - I can't just wait to stumble across the perfect pieces.

As Wednesday was my NWD my brother 'Han' and I headed over to Rochester to Hometown. I might have bought some fabric for both the children but it's OK because I have a project so actually do need them. Oh and I got a charm pack to try one of Jenny's tutorials - I think I need another small project before I go for it properly and crack on with the quilts, hone my skills a bit. I'd planned to browse, my brother's an enabler, perhaps because he has such a yarn buying habit himself. Our mantra Wednesday was 'can I afford it? do I cause anybody harm by buying it?' - you can end up with a lot of stuff if the answers are 'yes' and 'no'!

My only other crafty achievement this week is these ...

Jammie Dodgers roughly following the Matt's tutorial at accordingtomatt

Some crocheted biscuits, again for A, as she is getting a toy kitchen for her birthday. Really easy to make and again using up scraps.

Hope you're warm and toasty wherever you are.

Jacq

X

PS - I forgot to say, the Harry Potter Studio Tour was brilliant. I would recommend getting the audio tour if you can, I learnt lots about the costumes - fascinating. I didn't know they would have 10 versions of many of the costumes so that they could age them, show them damaged after magic spells etc. i'd post photos but we took 180 - suffice to say it's worth a visit. So glad our tickets were for last week though, I would not have fancied the journey in the snow!

My cape outside No 4 Privet Drive

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