We’re only halfway through November and I have already had half of my Around the Block patchwork blocks returned to me. 

I have to admit that I really had no idea about how these would look, particularly in terms of my fabric choices.  I was worried that they’d be too dark because of the number of chocolate fabrics I had chosen, but as it’s turned out they’re not dark at all.  There’s a lovely variety of pattern and value – well, I think so.  I am so thrilled with how this is coming together – thank you SO much everyone who put in the time to make these for me!

It’s often a little risky laying out patchwork blocks on the spare bed – see that little blonde in the corner of the photo?  A moment later I was looking at this:

And then she was jumping.  I made sure to rescue the blocks before I rescued Stella.

Rather than showing you additions to the fabric stash (and don’t worry, that will happen soon – just placed a couple of orders, shhhhhhh don’t tell) I thought you may be interested in some of the additions to my patterns stash.

I recently bought these four patterns through Crafty Mamas and I’m really keen to make some clothes for myself.  If only I could work out what size I am and what size I’m likely to stay – I’m praying that all my efforts at the gym will kick in soon and I will lose some of the padding I have accumulated over the past winter, as evidenced by the number of summer clothes that no longer fit me.  These patterns have terrific details and there are videos on YouTube to support their use.  There is more info on the Hot Patterns website.  The first one I’m going to try is the cowl top from this pattern.

For more Sunday Stashers pop over and visit Tamara.

Take one invitation to a disco 7th birthday party.  Add a request for sparkles.  Search out some lycra and stretch foil sequin remnants from GJs Discount Fabrics.  Mix in New Look 6797, entirely inspired by a disco party top made by Nikki.

And you end up with this:

Clare decided to have the ties knotted at the back rather than at the front.

The sequinned fabric can be a little scratchy, so it is underlined and bound in the hot pink lycra on the top and some stretchy slinky gold something I found in the stash for the skirt.  I left the sleeves as is – a little bit sheer, and not too scratchy because of the loose flutter shape.

A leftover piece of fabric made a super quick headband – cut to length and tied.  She was very happy and has headed off to the party with a huge smile on her face.  Apparently “Groovy Girl” is going to be there providing some dancing lessons, and there will be a mirror ball.  Oh to be six years old turning seven!

More designs from the same pattern book I showed you last week.  Once again, very crochetable today.

I especially like the tops in the bottom photo.  What about you?

Now this is what I called a tried and true pattern!  You can see earlier versions here and here and even here.  And I suspect that it is going to get another whirl to make Christmas presents for my cousin’s daughter.  This is View D/E, made in a size 1 for my skinny little Stella (who is almost two and a half years old but has no fat on her whatsoever).

The fabric is yet more of the $2 per metre bargain cotton from Spotlight you’ve seen before here, with the facing in a superb Kaffe Fassett print that matched perfectly.

And the most exciting part?  Stella wore it today and I even managed to snap a quick photo.

Perfect for today’s very hot weather!

New Look 6281 is now out of print, sadly.  I made this pattern for Clare a couple of times when she was much younger, and pulled it out late last week to give myself a quick-fix satisfying dress to sew for Stella.

The main fabrics are all Kaffe Fassett quilting cottons, and I wish I could remember what the lining stripe is!  It’s such an easy pattern to put together but looks quite effective with the fabric blocking.  The bodice is lined, so armholes and neck are smoothly finished, and there’s a simple (vintage) button and loop at the back.

Sadly, Stella is not half as compliant as Clare when it comes to modelling my latest creations.  Maybe one day I’ll get a photo of her wearing this!  Summer seems to have started early here in Melbourne, so dresses like this are ideal.

I’m a little behind with blogging/tweeting/emails at the moment, so my apologies.  Busy sewing/crocheting/keeping house/working/ferrying children/catching up in real life.  Steadily working my way through my pre-Christmas list.  And regularly going to the gym – gasp!  I’m actually enjoying it.  Now, pick yourself up from the floor!  Four visits a week, one with a personal trainer who makes me work HARD.  Starting to feel some muscles developing and maybe even a little less flab.  One month down, here’s hoping that I can keep up the momentum.

Whoops, I missed Friday! So here is Vintage crochet Saturday.

Fashionable peasant styling with the gently gathered neckline, beautiful lace pattern, not sure about the colour.  Otherwise, definitely crochetable!

Lynn sent us gorgeous Wonderland fabric to make zig zag blocks for her this month.  As usual, I practised first with some Kaffe Fasset fabrics.

I did some maths to get this to be a 12.5″ block, since most of my practice blocks are 12.5″.  It’s all flying geese units – I found plenty of tutorials on the internet to help me figure out how to make them.  I recalculated to make a 15.5″ block for Lynn, but barely had enough of three of the fabrics I’d chosen (moral of the story – choose different fabrics if there is barely enough of some but plenty of others).

They were great fabrics to work with, but I’m not completely happy with my own efforts here.  It’s a little smaller than required too.  Hmmmm.

Fortunately, the other zig zag block I made went a little more smoothly.  My first practice wasn’t quite right.

This block is based on the ones designed by Kathy Doughty for her “Fractured” quilt that was in a recent issue of Down Under Quilts.  I modified it to use four fabrics instead of two and also made it a four by four block rather than three by three.  My next try was more successful, since I’d figured out how to stack and shift the fabrics to get the result I wanted.  I also made it a bit smaller, to give a 12.5″ block.

A little bit more maths later to get a 15.5″ block, and I was thrilled with how Lynn’s block turned out.

I really hope that she likes them and I am sure that her quilt is going to look superb – her bold choice of fabrics and design work together quite dramatically!

Since I set the other Around the Block participants the task of making me blocks containing whirling, spinning or pointy things, I figured that I’d better have a go at it myself.  I started with some practice blocks.  Flying geese units:

and a pinwheel in a square:

Then I launched into the “real” fabric.

After which I promptly ran out of the fabric I needed to complete the second block.  I’m hoping to come across some more of that orange ribbon flower fabric to finish it off eventually.  If not, I’ll make it again with other bits and pieces.  Lesson learned – when in a quilting bee, send out WAY more fabric than you think people will need.  I’ve been very excited to see the other blocks participants have made for me already – and November has only just begun!

This week’s Sunday Stash is a gift from the very generous Peggy.

My blog was the first one that Peggy came across, back around the time that Stella was born.  She has been unfailingly sweet to me ever since, and clearly she knows me well – just see what she sent me!  Fabric, including those saturated tones of Kaffe Fassett, fantastic black and white Michael Miller damask, crochet books and magazines, and gorgeous green cotton yarn.  All with a beautiful card.  Thank you so much Peggy for thinking of me and for brightening my week.  You are one of life’s special people.

For more Sunday stashers pop over and visit Tamara.