New Sewing Machine :) & Autumn

Hello!

This week on Instagram (@beaspokequilts) I was saying that Autumn is my most favourite time of year.

The light is perfect

Its not to hot

or to cold

Things start to slow down

I see more family & friends

Its Perfect cooking weather......

my list could go forever

but most importantly its lovely in The Shed this time of year and I'm getting lots of stuff done :)

I'm trying out a new sewing machine at the moment and instead of finishing off the last bits of two quilts I'm working on 

I have given myself a challenge to make a jelly roll quilt.

I rant on a lot about consistency in my patchwork classes 

- If you make a mistake - make the same mistake through the whole quilt

- try to use the same sewing machine for a whole quilt

- use the same rulers or at least check that the cutting mat at class matches the one at home

Things can be out by a few millimetres from manufacturer to manufacturer and it can mean the difference between blocks joining or not joining.

anyway - Thats why I started a new quilt

To try out the new Bernina 7 series machine (this is not a sponsored post)

My Long arm quilter friend Kim is a Bernina Dealer and she has kindly let me use her machine to see if I like it :)

Whats not to like ??!!? 

I will eventually probably write a blog about the machine. I currently have a Janome, Pfaff and now a Bernina in my studio and they all have their own merits.

any way back to the jelly roll quilt

Often in my classes I am asked "what can you make with a jelly roll" or "how many jelly rolls to make a quilt"

so I bought five Moda jelly rolls - all different designer collections and I am making a Trip around the world quilt

Here is a little math

5 X Jelly Rolls = 33 X 6 strips

Each set of 6 strip = 2 X Blocks

5 X Jelly Rolls = 66 Blocks 

Each block measures 12 inch finished

If I use 8 X 8 Block configuration

= 64 Blocks

This will make a king sized quilt

96 X 96 Inches

I was making around 8 blocks a day

and with a bit of procrastination it was taking me 3hrs.

I've had two days of no sewing so I'm behind on my schedule....

Friday I was being social and hosting a lunch and today (Saturday) was our kids sports day.

Hopefully next week I can finish it off!

Although it is School holidays....

In other news I popped into Calico & Ivy Balmain, Sydney store

They are closing down early May 2013

and have a most things reduced in store.

Its worth a look if you are in the Sydney area

I picked up some Liberty of London fabrics so I can make some more Leather bags and have liberty as the lining.

How cute are the Tea Cups?! 

and last Thursday I dropped into NSW Leather at Waterloo,Sydney again and picked up some more sheep skins - Its so lovely and soft.

I now have some teflon feet to try out(Thank you Christine Mitchell from Hobby Sew Top Ryde) for sewing leather with the Bernina 7 series machine - Fingers crossed it makes it easier than with the standard foot. 

I had some lovely emails and comments from my last blog post about sewing with leather - THANK YOU!

I stupidly deleted them in my half asleep state and couldn't retrieve them.

I usually reply.... so - sorry I didn't reply and thank you very much for writing to me :)

I've also had some emails about pattern errors - which is unfortunate.

 Sometimes its a mistake in the editing process and sometimes its diagrams being taken out because the pattern is too long for the amount of pages allocated to my story... etc etc

Either way it reflects badly on me.

It happens alot to everyone - when students bring other peoples patterns from magazines to class they do tend to have errors...

It pays to read the pattern all the way through and double check fabric requirements / block / finished sized - I can usually pick up a mistake or at least correct it for a student so we avert any disasters when I'm teaching.

In the future I will try to get a read through before patterns go to publication - but things go through so quickly its hard for magazines to do.... I'm not sure what the answer is?

I like sharing my patterns and having my quilts published but I don't want a bad name.

If you ever have any issues with my patterns please don't hesitate to email me

Anyway I best be off!

The Girls have soccer tomorrow morning and I need to make sure all their gear is ready - Otherwise it will be mayhem.

Xx Siobhan  

I'm still here!

Its been a hectic fortnight here

Thought I would let you all know that all is well - just a tad busy!

I have had a few emails asking what I'm up too :) Its lovely especially when I'm busy to open up my emails and read that I'm missed or people wanting to know what I'm up to.

We have had another birthday - Which generally means lots of cooking & present preparation for me.

To prove how busy I was - I didn't even get a picture of the birthday cake! It was my first attempt at a ice cream cake and something I will definitely try again. Incredibly easy and delicious.

I'm enjoying the last of Autumn, its my favourite season for food and weather - not to mention the light for photos.

My husband picked up a box of fresh figs on the weekend and we ate them with everything!

best of all was on fresh made banana bread sliced & toasted with ricotta and figs on top......... Heaven

On the quilting front - I had a question about the rug that features in my Log cabin photo. Its a Danish design and made in Nepal.

Its has many names the original the rug was called Pinocchio named after a Danish lolly it has also been called the Freckle rug, smarties rug. Lots around if your interested in buying one.Just check that its a fair trade rug.

I have mountains of Fabric projects that I'm working on and as usual I cant show them........

below I have a sneaky look at a quilt I was working on for CLOTH Fabric in Sydney Australia. I love working with the light weight linens - so easy to sew. I like the extra width of the linen too.

I've also been doing a bit more photographic work which is really great 

hope your all ok and enjoy your week

Xx Siobhan

Autumn changes

Its amazing how the change of season has an impact on my productivity.

The height of the sun in the sky, the lovely golden light and warm - but not too warm days.....

lots of baking

Im in designing heaven

I'm currently working on 3 quilt designs for a few fabric houses, sorting out my own cushions that are being sold on my etsy store & taking commissions for quilts.

 I have also been playing around with the idea of modern fresh fabrics in traditional patterns

I have sample blocks strewn all over the house. 

I was also reading Denyse Schmidts new book "Modern Quilts - Traditional Inspiration". The images are lovely and quilts beautiful. Denyse talks a bit about her love of contemporary furnishings and design and how she felt that bedding wasn't being showcased in the same arena.

I nearly fell off my chair!

It was like she had read my mind.

I know you can buy some nice bed linen and bed covers - but nothing beats a patchwork quilt.

anyway!

Here is yet another look at my cushion panels that I have designed and had printed.

I have been to Paris three times in the last three years, its lovely to go back. 

I always stay in St Germain des Pres - I have all my favourite spots, the florist in the cushion panel below being one of them.

cushions made & designed by me.
painting by Dorothy Napangardi

Cushion Panel - St Germain des Pres

I'm also a bit addicted to instagram

am I the only one that loves the in between season?

Xx Siobhan

Round and Round

Instead of sewing my little liberty squares this morning as planned - I headed out into the great outdoors.

I'm very lucky to live in a beautiful part of Sydney that is very close to both the Harbour and lots of Bush, we also have some fantastic buildings and spots that I now pledge to show you. 

Instead of my usual lazy pictures of Quilts and progress in my backyard - I'm going to show you round the streets of my town! 

Honestly with the business of life and family I don't get out much, this spot is only a five minute drive from our place - we really should come here more often, Its so peaceful and beautiful and free :)

and much nicer pics to be taken as well!

I currently have 6 of these squares done, only 14 more to go......I have all my cutting done - so not too much more to go.

Beautiful Sydney Harbour on a lovely Autumn day, I'm on the north side. This is where we go to watch the fire works on new years eve, Its not so peaceful on new years eve but still  an amazing view.

Four of the Liberty squares, eventually it will be 4 squares across by 5 squares down - a nice double bed size.
I have 20 different liberty materials and the aim is to try not to have anything similar too close.I want it to be very eclectic.
Lets see how I go. 

I think this is my Favourite combo of Liberty Fabric so far.

The thing with Liberty is - it is a very diverse range, Liberty seems to go with everything. I'm yet to see Liberty look bad, except maybe a 80's dress that I owned - thats more to do with the design than the fabric admittedly.

I'm looking forward to finishing this one and I will keep you posted.

A very clever friend in Ireland designed and printed this bag and I begged for one to be sent to me in Sydney - Its enjoying its life in Sydney as you can see, Thanks Gav.

and ME! 

You may or may not have noticed that most of my titles elude to a song - I like the idea of Life having a sound track - I have a song for most occasions. Most of my song choices pre date the year 2000. Every now and then a newish song sneaks in but I tend to stick to the old goodies. 

Here in Australia we are celebrating Mothers Day on Sunday. Best wishes to all the Mums out there and hope your kids give you lots of kisses cuddles and hand made cards. 

Take care and enjoy 

Xx Siobhan

turn turn turn

It's been raining in Sydney - A lot.

Kids are back at school and I'm catching up on emails and my Fabric stuff. 

 I picked up four Quilts from Kim Bradley my machine Quilter (she did a fab job). These lovelies are being made in collaboration with Cloth Fabric, Wont be long till you can have a good look at them. In the mean time check out their web and have a look at the fab fabric.

I have been putting together my Liberty Quilt for My Calico and Ivy Class that starts next week, check out the classes and make sure you sign up lots to chooses from! 

I've also been putting together some fabric pieces to be framed.

It's crisp outside, I can see the beginning of bare tree's and  bright Autumn colour  - Perfect creating weather.

Hope your week is Good

Xx Siobhan