Q1 2016 Finish-A-Long

Hello again!

Recently I was tagged on the Finish-A-Long on Instagram... I have done some investigating and I've decided to join the 2016 Finish-A-Long - it might give me a much needed boost to my sewjo (sewing mojo) and hopefully I'll complete a few projects too!!!  Anyway the first part of the Finish-A-Long is to post my proposed list of projects that I will finish in the first quarter... so here goes!

1. Antique Flower Garden - pieced, quilted, bound... just waiting for me to hand sew the binding.
   
   
   
2. Butterflies - appliquéd, pieced, quilted... just waiting for the binding to be added and then hand sewn.
   
   
   
3. Flower Foundation Papers wall hanging... I started this years ago as a class to teach members at Point Nepean Patchworkers and Quilters how to foundation piece, others finished I never did!!! 
4. Swoon - blocks 1 - 3 are complete but my sewjo has disappeared for the others, I'm hoping to find it and get this one done in time for our first 2016 Challenge Group Meeting in February. 
   
    
   
   
5. My Favourite Things... I get so far and then stop at the last bit, I just have to finish putting this one together as all the blocks are finished.
   
   
6. Christmas Bunting - this one was a dare with a friend, she won, I was all talk and not much action!
   
   
   
   
   
   
7. Bunting House Pin Cushion by Cinderberry Stitches - I started this at a stitchery retreat and didn't do much more after the first day.

Long term goals for the Finish-A-Long is to get started on Carolyn Konig's Marriage Quilt BOM (I have been getting the monthly mail outs for a year now and not progressed beyond cutting out month one), working on my Judy Newman needle turn appliqué quilt, French Market Medallion, Fairyland by Natalie Bird, oh and let's not forget Farmer's Wife!  I'm sure there will be more added to the list - but that can be added to the Q2 2016 Finish-A-Long list!!

So if you are inclined to also join, I have included a link to the instructions on Mrs Sew and Sow's blog.

The Farmer's Wife Quilt Challenge - ready, set, GO!

Quilt Challenge 2013-2014 is The Farmer's Wife Quilt!  I purchased the book a few years ago when I was looking for a pieced project with NO applique... However I didn't get started straight away cos I was stuck on selecting colours.  Stuck until I saw these colour variations!  This gave me the idea that I could do this in fresh, bright colours - so I have raided my stash (and purchased a lot more fabric) to use in this project.  It is a massive project and I'm not quite sure how I will fit it, University and work in but I'll give it a good go - it will also be the only project I'll work on this year... LOL!

Anyway I have decided to use mostly Tilda Fabric - not all of it is from the one range, I'm trying to go for a scrappy look so the different ranges and the fact that I have not selected any background fabric will hopefully give it that look.

Today I started with washing my fabric.  I stopped pre-washing a few years ago but recently read an article that outlined the pros and cons of pre-washing and the look of the quilted project after the first wash.  Most fabric shrinks the first time washed and I'd rather it shrink before I use it rather than when in a finished quilt, the shrinking of the fabric gives your completed quilt a slightly puckered look and while I don't mind it there have been some quilts where this happened and I was very disappointed.  Pre-washing also gets rid of all the chemicals that the fabric is treated with to keep insects away - great when you are making a walling hanging that you don't plan to wash, not so great  for you while sewing as you are exposed to these chemicals!

Washing line full!

Now I'm off to iron all forty-five pieces!

The only time I like ironing!