CHARM ABOUT YOU

Is it just me? It seems like time is speeding up and the days are flying by. I have a to do list that goes on forever but struggle to even check off one thing a day. The fact that this week is half term isn't helping! There's little chance of getting much proper work done but I am really enjoying having the kids around (mostly, sometimes I am pulling my hair out!). 

I had fun making this time lapse video of my hand quilting, it's weirdly apt considering how fast my days are going!

Fat Quarter Shop has a fabulous new pattern 'Palisades' with a video tutorial, which is so fun! You can click here to get the pattern and find out more.

It is another of those very clever patterns that looks tricky but the method and instructions are so clear that it comes together quickly and easily! 

For my version I used the beautiful Chalk & Paint by Sew Caroline for Art Gallery Fabrics. I love the colours and mix of prints, so modern and fresh. The text print is really inspiring too, with words like 'create', 'believe' and 'dream'.

The pattern comes together so easily. I used my 1/4" foot and all the points are perfect! I didn't even trim the blocks, choosing instead just to trim the dog ears with scissors as I was sewing the blocks together. I hope the quilt police don't come after me!

I had a bit of a nightmare when it came to quilting, the plan was some straight line quilting to mimic the angles of the triangles but I have lost my hera marker, my favourite marking tool. I couldn't bring myself to use a pen because of the lighter colours on the quilt and ultimately it was the excuse I needed to change tack because really I prefer hand quilting. As I was basting the quilt though, it occurred to me I might as well tie the quilt - I was on my hands and knees on the floor anyway.

Hand tying a quilt as been on my 'to sew' list for a long time, ever since I used the technique to back a crochet blanket. You can read about the methods I used in that blog post.

Tina from Emily Ann's Kloset
Amy from Diary of a Quilter
Erica from Kitchen Table Quilting
Melissa from Happy Quilting
Melanie from Mostly Crafty
Amanda from Jedi Craft Girl
Afton from Quilting Mod
Brooke from Silly Mama Quilts
Megan from Quilt Story
Heather from Quilt Story
Rachael from The Floral Suitcase

Recently the Fat Quarter Shop asked me to if I would like to make their latest free pattern from It's Sew Emma, the Nail Polish Quilt Pattern. I used to manage a make up counter (yes I also used to be a University lecturer but guess which job I enjoyed more?) and I still love playing with make up so I jumped at the chance.

I decided not to make a quilt because I literally had bottles of nail polish dotted all around my house and thought this would be the perfect pattern to create a bag to keep them all in. I swear I found bottles of polish hiding in every room, no wonder I can never find the colour I want!

I chose my favourite colours and realised I have a lot of polish in pink and orange. I tend to use the gorgeous Rimmel Instyle Coral the most.

I can't be sure of the exact colours of Kona I used, I must get better at labelling my fabric, but I suspect they are School Bus, Orange and maybe Melon and Bright Pink. I seriously need to get some colour cards for solids! Inside the bag I used this Littlest print, which has fast become one of my favourite low volume fabrics.