Project 13 Finalizing my African batik crossroads quilt

Now that the backing is done it was time to combine all pieces together and finalize the quilt. I had bought some basting, unfortunately it was that horrible synthetic stuff, as I could not find the nice thick cotton quality I had used for Alexei's quilt (bought in the US). I tried different techniques for the quilting. I glued (or so I tried) the different layers together. Only the synthetic basting did not really take to the glue I found out the hard was as I was quilting. I tried using my embroidery foot (or free style foot) to have the fabric slide easily through the sewing machine ......... and then ended up using the normal foot and of course the lower layer started going in different directions. I am happy with the result, even if there are quite some irregularities. A learning curve going upwards and that is what matters. (13 March)

Project 12 Curtains in the living room

I have cats, and each time we have a new kitten, the most popular thing to do is to ruin my silk curtains. Unfortunately Che died last year and the ruined curtains were still a sign that we had a kitten. After 6 months it was time to do something about this. I still had silk left over (a good thing I had bought 20 m in Cambodia) and made a new set of curtains. The window looks presentable again (10 March).

Project 11 Backing quilt Cross roads

Now that the front side of the quilt was finished, time to concentrate on the backside. I used different batiks to create one big block, finished it with the blue backing I had decided on. Happy with the result (21 February)

Project 10 Blue sweater for Brigitte

And done, not sure how long the sweater took me. I made it at least twice .... The first time it was too small for my friend so took it all apart (oh how I loath that). And last night finished it. So now this one can be sent to my friend. Next cardigan I knit should be one for myself. I don't think I knitted anything for myself in 2016.

And of course my lovely cat Glacon walked in to my picture

Project 9 Alesya's dress

It all started out with Sue bringing me some fab fabrics from Tanzania. And there was more than enough to make two dresses. So instead of cutting the fabric in half and share, I suggested I make the two dresses. It turned out there was enough to make a baby dress as well. Alesya's dress is a bit different in style, afterall she is 9 now, turning in to a little lady. I asked her if she wanted pockets and she said yes.

Project 7 and 8 Emma's and her little baby sister's dress

Last year November my dear friend Sue, supplier of lovely fabrics, brought me some more fabrics. So in return I said I would make a dress for her niece Emma as well. In the end I ended up making three cute dresses; one for Alesya, one for Emma and one for her baby sister due in June. As the prints are rather large I bought some mint green solid colour fabric to play around. Emma's dress was not too complicated to make. I had forgotten the work that making a baby dress entails; the tiny details, the little surfaces and fine work that is needed ......

They are finished, packed in an envelope and ready to be mailed tomorrow morning. May they enjoy wearing them.

Project 6 Calendar 2017

As each year we make a calendar for the close family, and each year I am later and later and later. This year beats all, it is February and the calendar was finally made and created this Monday (6 Feb). I got an e-mail today that it has been shipped today so should be here shortly .......... Better get the envelopes ready to send them immediately.

Project 5 All blocks sashed

Yeah, am excited. Over the weekend finished all 18 intersection blocks and was on a roll. Cut all strips and squares for the sashing. Just as well that the weather was awful. The rain would not stop poring down, two days in a row, that was for the weekend only, not talking about Friday here .....

So on Sunday ended up sewing all blocks together in rows ..... and as the rain kept falling .... sewed the rows together ..... and HURRAY .... the quilt top looks good. Am so pleased with this. It was quite a bit of work .... and halfway got discouraged. Maybe was most discouraged while making the intersection blocks, all the different fabrics just look too hectic together. I tried different colours for the sashing, had some green African batik, but it did not look right so decided for solid blue in the end.

Slava and Alesya are holding the quilt top while standing on the stairs.

Project 4 Block 6 Intersection block

And the last of the blocks, the intersection block, connecting all blocks throughout and ensuring lines all over the block. I did not have enough "reds" in my Woodin stock so ended up using solids, some Woodins, some Tanzanian Batiks and some from Mali. And doubt crept in as it looked rather messy all these colours, no cohesion. WHAT am I doing??????? Oh well too late to turn back as these blocks are the last to make, 18 in total. It took me quite a while to cut them all. I did upgrade to a larger ruler as the one I had was too small to cut long strips nicely. Once my ruler had arrived it all went faster. Hurray :-) It just took me a while to sew them all together ...

Project 3 African batik bag

I saw this cute bag in a crafty store in the South of France over summer. Something I could make with all the fabrics I have. As part of the Christmas gifts I made this. It is for my husband's niece. I wasn't sure if anyone would like it, but all loved it. Let's hope the niece likes it, she will receive it shortly.

I used three different fabrics for the outside and a fourth one for the inside. A soft (5th) fabric was used for the handle. The bag also has an inside pocket for phone and other small things. I did make one adjustment and closed the sides a bit.