Our Wagga

The back of the new Wagga. A combination of bits and pieces I've collected, made, worn, purchased recently or over time.
The Mona Lisa tea towel's a beaut! I gave her a pretty crown of lazy daises.

The same as the last one I made my son, but this is all dyed (I ran out of the colours on his and we liked it so much I had to replicate it). So, it's all old blankets dyed with Landscape dyes.

Red bunny I had stitched on a skirt. The writing is from a tea cloth with Welsh Spoons all over it. A big part of my ancestry is Welsh and I have the looks, apparently, so...

I must have made that feathered star 25+ years ago! Note the John Wolfe's 'Paris Garret' ex skirt. 

There are the Welsh spoons. And a couple of bees from an old cushion I made a had as a class. Back in the day. I keep everything significant or loved, regardless of the space is takes up. It's my space anyway, so I may as well use it how I please.

Churn Dash Love

I found the quilted peachy-pink satin bedspread (lining) at Wandin North Op Shop for $4! It's a page out of my childhood. Well, not mine exactly, but that time when people had that type of thing. None of this polyester rubbish, it feels so silken and luscious. I don't even know if I want a V cushion, but it was too perfect and I might take up more reading, or embroidering in bed, so it will be perfect. 
Reminds me of a 60's McCall's Needlework photo shoot.

The buttons on the cushion are actually (very) old lead disks, self-covered. Grandma's stash.

Cousin Ivy's Pineapple Lilly (Eucomis).
I made the Churn Dash quilt top years ago. It's all satin-backed shantung and old silks etc. The back is turned out and ties hold the layers together.

I can't figure out my camera. I might have to actually read something, but time is always too precious. So, sorry about the dullness of the shot. It' actually amazing and rich in colour and smells pretty.

This is the new shed/arbour/patio between the house and the vege garden. Nice brickwork my dear.

My First Born Is 40! So...

The real colours are a bit softer. I liked it so much it was hard to give away (which is the best mark of a good present). All made using woollen blankets, the ducky blues hand-dyed.
Size: 2.5 metres square. Huge! Roll on winter. It was very hot making this beauty.

He looks happy. Is he happy?
Now I'm cutting a smaller one the same, for us, because we need those colours in our lounge-room and the OTL always pulls up a blanky and has a little sleep.

The One True's Log Cabin Quilt

Made mostly using vintage Japanese silks.
The idea is (as I keep saying) to use my stash. But... I had to buy extra, which is like having permission to go sick at the lolly shop (Kazari/Ziguzagu). Plus use Phillips Shirts fabric for the back.
The quilt is around 1.2-3 metres square.

The anomaly in the corner was accidental, but I'm happy to leave it.

Back, obviously. I put a facing all round to get a good edge. It's difficult otherwise to do the zig-zags neatly.

Just Quietly...

It's the hubby's (60th) birthday soon, so I want to make something nice for us. I've long thought Log Cabin's were an excellent way to use/showcase my gorgeous fabrics. So here it is. I work on it at my Dad's, so he knows nothing about it. Surprise!

The only thing is, I leave for work while he's still in bed, then he turns it down to breathe and release boy fumes... and I maybe make the bed at night... so really the quilt will spend its beautiful, silken days on the floor in a crumpled heap. But there it is!
My Dad's enjoying the way the logs shading can be arranged to make various patterns. I may change it yet, as I delve into the ever reducing hoard of cloth and pick out new bits. But at least I can lay it out on the floor there. We don't have any floor over here at my house.

Japanese silks and other exotic lusciousnesses.

Finished! And It's Only October!

Considering that Ruby's birthday was July... it's still pretty good going I think. The bulk of it was done then but I wouldn't let her see it and gave her some nice books (she's in love with Mark Ryden).

So, here are details of the quilting. It's with woollen thread (aurifil Lana 8402 which I Love, and used in my Bluebird embroidery amongst other things) and is coarsely worked. I used to tie them all but this style of patchwork suits quilting. HERE'S the rest of the Wagga, and if you want to look at all of them, go here.
Oh, and, this is made from an old blanket, a length of wool found at the Op-Shop, one small (blue) new length and bits and pieces from my accumulation. The back is various old tea-towells, scraps of embroidery Ruby did as a child, vintage dresses, a skirt I used to wear all of the time, Japanese fabrics etc.

We pulled a few of these out of a wall near the Ballarat Art Gallery, probably two years ago, and now they are very happy. Our little bit of Portwenn.

Sadie's New Doll's Quilt

My five year old grand-daughter thought we should 'organise some sewing' when she came to stay. Which means that I, under her direction, make something for her dolls. Parts of this quilt I have had, done and waiting (some nine-patches and the appliqued Dresden Plate) for years. Sadie chose what and where, pretty well. She seems to choose well too, and could see if something was right or not. Good work Grandma! I mean Sadie.

Leif's Blanky. This Isn't It But I Haven't Taken A Photo And I'm At Work So Can't Anyway.

Leif on his first birthday with Aunty Ruby.

I'm making Leif a quilt. Years ago, when I used to teach patchwork, I made this quilt top (the one I haven't photographed yet but will)....(this pic is picked up on the net). My background is dyed with onion skins and I may have muddied up some of the print fabrics that way too.

(We had the top on the wall in our mud brick house. With a troupe of red-heads, the tans and old reds and blues were lovely!)

The back is velvet. I've used up all (ALL) of my gorgeous gold and tan velvets. Some I have had since I was 17 years old! I can't believe it's all gone!

(I love that! It is my intention to use as much of my fabric as I can. I have nothing that is not beautiful and useable).

So... I ran out just before I finished the back and NOTHING else looked right. We went (way out of our way and for no other reason) to Spotters to find some velveteen or something appropriate and there was NOT ONE fabric in golden tan. Nothing! So I bought a skein of alpaca in a bulky knit and am knitting the gap.

Good, clean fun!

I'm so glad to have a red head to sew for! I love the earthy colours and I certainly can't wear them, not with my yellow Welsh looking skin.

xxxxx