Quilt Along: Part Eight

We're now going to put together the smaller blocks that go around the centre block and border.

I've separated the blocks into six stacks from when I laid the quilt out on the floor. It also helps to take a picture of the blocks as you've laid them out for easy reference. Ask me how I know :)

The blocks are divided into...

a. Left inner blocks

b. Right inner blocks

c. Top (first row) inner blocks

d. Second row inner blocks

e. Third row inner blocks

f. Bottom (fourth row) inner blocks

It'll make sense eventually. Promise.

1. We're starting with the blocks (Stacks a and b) that'll go on the sides of the inner blocks.

The left and right are the same, so for each side, you'll need two nine-patch blocks with a diamond block in the middle.

2. Pin to the centre block and border and sew together.

Press and admire :)

3. Repeat with the right side -- two nine patch blocks with a diamond block in the centre again.

If you're just joining in, here's likes to Parts one through seven.

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Part Six

Part Seven

The next part will finish the inner blocks, and I'll post that in a couple of days.

Dad On Seinfeld?

After dinner we were watching TV and while I was poking around on the computer, the hubs goes "Honey... Is your dad on Seinfeld?"

The hubs and his mum think my dad looks like Jackie Chan. So of course I start yelling, "OMG NOT EVERY CHINESE MAN LOOKS LIKE MY DAD!"

Then I looked up.

OMG. It's my dad! Well no, it's not, but it sure looks a lot like him!

I realise only my sisters and mum will have any reaction to this post, but I assure you it's pretty funny. I can't find a picture of his side profile to show you the resemblance, so you'll just have to take my word for it.

(Yes, my husband records reruns of Seinfeld. And makes me feel old because I watched them live back in the 90s.)

Quilt Along: Part Seven

We're finally going to put our quilt together!

Hopefully by now you'll have a nice stack of 12.5" and 6.5" (unfinished) blocks. As you know, I made mine out of scraps, and I love how crazy and colourful it looks.

I've mapped out where each block should go, but you can always do it your own way and put the blocks wherever you choose.

Since I'd used the same fabrics in a few of the blocks, I laid out the blocks like so to make sure the same fabrics didn't sit right next to each other. Aren't they purdy? I just love star blocks :)

And here we go with the borders! You'll need a total of 1.5 yards (well 1 3/8 yards but you'd have very little room for error when cutting and straightening out) for the borders.

1. For the first inner border, you'll need to cut two 3.5 strips, cut width of fabric (WOF).

2. Choose your centre block, which should be a diamond star block.

3. For ease of attaching the borders, lay the two 3.5" strips on top of each other and trim off the centre fold.

You should end up with four strips of 3.5" by approx 22".

4. Attach the borders to the centre block.

I started on the sides then the top and bottom,but you can go whichever direction suits you.

Press and trim as you go.

And there you have your inner borders attached! The block and borders should measure 18.5" (unfinished).

If you're just joining in, here's likes to Parts one through six.

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Part Six

Since this part is insanely simple, the next part will be coming up later tonight. I just wanted to separate them for reference purposes.

Man-Repelling

I came across the blog Man-Repeller a while ago and have since realised there's plenty in my closet that have man-repelling qualities.

It's easy to realise this when your husband points it out to you. Extreeeemely helpful.

The other day...

Hubs: "You look very nice today."

Me: "Thanks... but I always look nice..." (I'm really not this cocky. Pinkie swear.)

Hubs: "Well see this dress fits you nicely. You have some dresses that kind of come so far out... and... they make you look bigger than you are..."

Me: "Are you talking about my French Connection dress???"

Hubs: "Err sure?"

Me: "But it's French Connection!"

Sometimes fashion just trumps everything so I'm still wearing those billowy dresses :P

And as if to prove my point, Prada's latest offerings are drenched in man-repelling abilities.

No bueno, Prada. No bueno at all.

I'd totally wear the shoes in the last two pictures though.

Pictures courtesy of The Sartorialist.

Quilt Along: Part Six

We're on to the last part of making blocks! The end is near!

In this part, we're going to make the small pinwheel blocks. It's be the same as the pinwheels in the centre of the pinwheel star block, but here it is again :)

1. For each pinwheel block, you'll need two 5.5" square pieces from two different fabrics.

Fabric A: 1 piece

Fabric B: 1 piece

2. Pin the two 5.5" squares right sides facing and sew along the edges.

3. Cut the squares diagonally both ways. Again, I suggest you move around the cutting mat instead of moving your squares.

4. Press the HSTs open and trim the little corners. You should end up with four HSTs.

5. Arrange the pinwheels like so, and sew them together.

And there you have a 6" pinwheel block! For the quilt, you'll need to make eight of these little blocks.

If you're making the block using the traditional HST method, you'll need four 3 7/8" squares.

Fabric A: 2 pieces

Fabric B: 2 pieces

You'll pin them in two sets of A + B.

And if you're just joining in, here's likes to Parts one through five.

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

If you have any questions, just ask! :)

Does Not Compute

The hubs and I grabbed a bite tonight and as we were getting ready to leave the sandwich shop...

Hubs: *Gesturing to our drink* "Do you want me to refill this or throw it away?" 
Me: "Yeah, might as well."

Hubs: "UMM. Which one is it?! Refill or throw away???"

Me: "Yeah, okay."

Hubs: "Oh. My. God."

Me: *Hysterical laughter*

This happens more often than it should. It's okay if you feel bad for the guy. I know I do.

Quilt Along: Part Five

How's everyone going with the blocks? I'm happy to say there's only a few left to make, and they're all 6" blocks.

In this part, we're making the small diamond blocks.

1. For each diamond block, you'll need two 5.5" square pieces from two different fabrics.

Fabric A: 1 piece

Fabric B: 1 piece

2. Pin the two squares right sides facing and sew along the four sides.

3. Take your rotary cutter and ruler, and cut diagonally both ways. Again, I suggest you move around the mat instead of moving the square.

4. Press the half square triangles open and trim the little corners. You'll end up with four 3.5" square HSTs. (Trim the HSTs to 3.5" if necessary.)

5. Arrange the four HSTs to form a diamond in the centre. Sew them together.

And there you'll have your diamond block. For the quilt, you'll need eight diamond blocks.

If you're using the traditional HST method to make the HSTs, you'll need four 3 7/8" squares.

Fabric A: 2 pieces

Fabric B: 2 pieces

You'll pin them in two sets of A + B.

And if you're just joining in, here's links to Parts One through Four.

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

If you have any questions, just ask! :)

Cape Love

I have professed my love for the cape once or twice before. I shall do so once again.

Want this cape, please. Want want want...

Le sigh.

Quilt Along: Part Four

We're now all done with our 12" blocks (yay!) so we're now going to move on to our 6" blocks, starting with the nine-patch block.

In Part Three, we made nine-patch blocks for the centres of the stars, and you should have eight left over. We'll need ten nine-patch blocks altogether, so the good news is you'll only need to make two more!

I've already given the steps on how to go about making the nine-patch block, but here it is again :)

1. To make the two nine-patch blocks, you'll need six strips of 2.5" by 8" pieces from two different fabrics. (You'll only really need them to be 7.5" long but I like the extra half inch to give you some leeway.)

Fabric A: 3 pieces

Fabric B: 3 pieces

2. Swop out one of the srips from each set like so.

3. Sew the strip sets together and press.

4. Take one of your strip sets and trim one edge so you have a nice, neat line.

5. Flip it around and cut three 2.5" strips.

You'll end up with a little extra at the end. Set the three 2.5" strips, discard the extra bit.

Repeat with the other strip set, and you should end up with six 2.5 strips.

6. Swop out one strip from each of the strip sets.

7. Sew them together and press.

You've now finished all your nine-patch blocks :)

Since this bit's fairly simple, I'll post the next part in a couple days!

If you're just joining in, here are the links to Part One, Part Two and Part Three of the Quilt-Along.

Let me know if you have any questions!!

Vampire Weekend Awesomeness

Last week I thought to myself that I'd like to watch one of my favourite bands, Vampire Weekend, at least once in my life. They always seem to do gigs too far away, or they'd be sold out.

This past Saturday, I suggested to the hubs that we go to Northampton for lunch and a walkabout, and after lunch, he spotted an ad for an upcoming Vampire Weekend gig! And just in time, because the gig was tonight lol

They're amazing live and did almost every song from both albums (they didn't play The Kids Don't Stand A Chance unfortunately) so it was very satisfying indeed :)

I had so much fun, although I'm reminded by each gig I attend that I'm no longer cut out for standing / dancing for four hours straight... *sigh*

The supporting acts were really good too... The Dum Dum Girls kicked off the evening (I took a picture but it's a terribly blurry one) and Beach House, pictured above. I swear I've always thought it was a guy singing, but my husband informed me after the set that it was a chick. Oops.

Dr Seuss Strikes Again

Remember that Dr Seuss baby quilt I made a little while ago? Well, here's its mother...

I made a large lap quilt version of it in the style of Denyse Schmidt's Hop, Skip and a Jump. Just slightly less wonky.

I must admit that when I'd finished the quilt top, I had a tiny panic attack because I thought it's far too loud, and no one's going to possibly like this. Especially when it's going on the couch, rather than the baby's room. Then I told myself to shut up.

But after I'd finished it, and I almost didn't want to give it away! I gifted it to the mummy-to-be this afternoon and she was utterly thrilled with it :)

I put a black and white gingham on the back, and it was super soft after a wash. Even the hubs made a note of how soft it was. There needs to be more gingham in my future...

I did the quilting very similar to the baby quilt version, but instead of doing double lines, I alternated the white and blue threads. And I didn't keep the lines super straight either... which definitely lends itself well to a Seuss-inspired quilt.

The binding kills me. The mini stripe is almost blinding to look at in yardage, but when made into binding, it's too damn cute.

I love how it sits with the gingham especially. So glad I didn't go with a red solid!

It's one of my most favourite quilts I've done, and I hope mother and child share many, many cuddles and snuggles under it :)