Saturday 29 September 2007

9 patch and more !

What a funny old week it's been. Seems to have flown but I can't really think what I've done with all my time ! Had some work done in the house midweek and had workmen traipsing about looking thirsty......Seems the more cups of tea I gave them the faster they worked - lol ! Still all done now.

I've done a little sewing. Saw the disappearing 9 patch on Helens blog and thought it looked interesting. Anyway on Wednesday I had the perfect excuse to have a dabble as one of my best and oldest friends gave birth to a little boy - Alfie. I have yet to see him but you can be sure I will be going there this week. I have been friends with Samantha for 34 years. Yes - we met in Primary school and have stayed friends ever since. Out of all my friends she and I are the only ones who share a love of sewing ( and knitting ). Samantha has 4 brothers and I have great memories of her and me making clothes on an old hand-turned Singer with one of her brothers turning the wheel for us - lol ! This usually took place in her front garden and I can't remember if we bribed her brother or threatened him or what. We used to get the bus into a small market town near our homes and buy dressmaking remnants from a stall and come home and make things. We never used patterns and god knows what we looked like but we always wore the things we made. I wish I had photos.

Last year her cat had kittens and that's how we got our lovely Tizer.



We already had 2 cats and had no intention of having another but when I went to see them she offered him to me. She had some-one who wanted him but was reluctant to let him go to them as they lived near a busy road and she was worried about that. Of course I said I'd have him then. So glad we did as he is a little love and a real character. There is a point to this - honest. Anyway because of this I wanted to use some nice kitty fabric for Alfies quilt and this is what it came out like. Perhaps a bit unusual colours for a baby but they all seem to work well together.


Have you ever read the books by Lisa Boyer ? In one chapter she mentions a fear of floral fabric and couldn't find anything with flowers on. When rooting through my stash for fabrics for this I realised I have the opposite affliction. I have so many floral fabrics it's unbelievable. I struggled to find some nice fabric for this without any flowers on. That's why the quilt is not as babyish as it could be. Still I like it and as it's a bit dark will perhaps not show up the sick marks so well - lol !
I also found time to visit my warehouse again and came out with more treasure.



Can't seem to keep away lately. When I re-organised my fabrics last week I made a bit of room and I have a fear of empty drawers - :-p My order also came from Thousands of Bolts and this is luscious. Took 12 days to get here ( the longest time ever ) and I was on Postman watch from day 6. Thought it was never coming ! I have a bit of a plan for this stuff but not just yet.



I also started knitting myself a cardigan. I have lost quite a bit of weight this year and need new clothes. Went clothes shopping with DD Jess in the week and couldn't find anything I liked. And clothes are so expensive - I will not pay £50 for a jumper when I could make it for half that amount - would rather buy fabric !! So got the old knitting needles clacking away last night. Will show pictures when it's done - if I don't lose interest by then. Just off to baste Alfies quilt now. It measures something like 30 by 40 inches so shouldn't take too long.

Just realised I forgot to draw for the UFO - will do it tomorrow ! Enjoy your weekend xx












17 comments:

dot said...

Love the fabrics. I agree with the price of clothing. I just can't believe it and I don't particularly care for the fashions either. I like your nine patch. I guess I really never thought about my fabric print leanings. I will have to pay more attention to that. I have made two of the bags. They certainly are fun to make. Enjoy your day.

Joyce said...

The nine patch is a very cute quilt for a baby. I don't think baby quilts should be too babyish. They do grow up after all and might still like the quilt then.

sewkalico said...

The baby quilt is lovely - well done! I have some of that cat fabric line in cream and green - it's really cute. Boy, am I glad I don't live near your fabric warehouse, those fabrics are great!

Unknown said...

This is beautiful, just right for a little boy.

meggie said...

I think the quilt will be wonderful for a little boy! Lovely & bright, & something to grow up with.
Lovely fabrics you have there!

ldahospud said...

Oh, I love that Disappearing Nine Patch! Great colors and fabrics, and I love how it turned out.

Ali Honey said...

Great quilt! Love your new fabric especially one of the reds.

Now I have heard plenty of excuses but never a FEAR OF EMPTY DRAWERS before! That's original well done.

Teresa said...

Your disappearing 9-patch has come out very well! This is a block I have recently come across, but I havent tried it myself yet

loulee said...

Love the fabrics. Great new stash.
Alfie is a lucky little man to have you beavering away for him.

Belvie said...

I like that Disappearing 9 Patch...but I really like that fabric the postman brought!

I feel better knowing I'm not alone in the clothes shopping issue. It seems to be a problem not exclusive to the US also...since you are in the UK. Wouldn't it be nice to have a definite place to send our complaints about ready to wear clothing!

Floss said...

Nice baby quilt, I think it look great, with not being so babyish he will be able to use it longer.

Know what you mean with getting cats, that very similar to how we got our last one.

Boy you sure are picking up some nice fabric at that warehouse.

Laurie Ann said...

I really like that pattern you used for the kitty quilt!

Colleen formerly of South Africa said...

Thanks Andrea for the lovely comments on my blog. I love your "NON BABY" quilt! I think babies do grow up...and I've made more than 100 baby quilts...(my sisters are breeders...what can I say) and very few were in Baby colors..so they can be lap blankets later!LOve the fabric too.I am definitely in a fabric rut here...seem to only buy the geometrical prints made in South Africa. Colleen

Jeanne said...

You chose great fabrics for the nine patch quilt. I love that block, too.

Helen in the UK said...

Love your Disappearing 9 Patch. The inner border really sets it off :)

Lynda said...

Many thanks for showing your Disappearing 9 patch. I think using the same fabrics make a very interesting subsidiary pattern. There must be lots of possibilities in this block .....

Made By Claire said...

I love the fabric that you have bought. I want to make baby H a quilt as the one that my mum made when he was born is too small. I am definately going to make the 9patch quilt. It look pretty easy to put together. Cute cat