Friday 23 May 2008

Sunglasses at the ready...



I have finished my swap quilt for Kates ALQS and it's bright - lol ! MUCH brighter than these photos show.

I must admit I never used to quite see the attraction in miniature quilts but now I LOVE them. Because they are small it is nice to experiment with colours, techniques etc knowing that if it completely comes out rubbish you haven't wasted much fabric. So for this little quilt I decided to do a block I've always admired - the pineapple. I picked my fabrics and did one just to see. This is 3 inches finished..



Yes I liked this so I made some more.



Then borders which took me ages to decide on. I was considering a pieced border but the blocks itself are so busy it would have been overkill. Very simple quilting in the ditch with invisible thread inbetween the blocks. And some straight line quilting with ordinary thread in the borders. There you go - job done.



Just because I wanted to I counted there are 328 pieces - lol ! I hope **** likes it.


Besides this I haven't done a great lot of sewing this week - seem to have been running round like a headless chicken.

I was a bit naughty the other day and managed a little trip to the warehouse... I only went for some curtain lining - honest ! Only another 12 yards to add to my bulging cupboards :-)






Seeing as how I'm on a bit of a mini quilt fest lately I've also started one for myself. It is quite hard parting with these little quilts so I've made these little 3 inch stars to cheer myself up. With a bit of luck I will have time this weekend to get some more done. We are going car-boot sale hunting on Sunday. I have a dream of finding a Singer Featherweight waiting for me for about £10 - lol ! I live in hope.



Have a great weekend and I will try and post a bit more next week xx

PS . A few of you have asked for the pattern for these little stars. It's a free pattern from this site. There is some good stuff here for paper piecing.




40 comments:

Unknown said...

That little pineapple mini quilt is simply adorable - I'd love it to be coming to me

sewkalico said...

Gorgeous mini-quilt. well done! I also like the pineapple block, but have never done any... yours are great.
Great fabrics from the warehouse (better selection than online that's for sure!!!)
And the stars. Love, love, love those stars!!!!!!

jovaliquilts said...

Terrific pineapple blocks -- love your fabric choices. :)

Those stars are great! How do you make those? Do you use a pattern?

Jeanne said...

Andrea, your little pineapple quilt is gorgeous! I'm glad you are hooked on the mini quilts and I look forward to seeing them on your blog in the future. The fabrics that had to come home with you are wonderful, also. Love the star blocks.

Unknown said...

The pineapple mini is amazing: so accurate and yet so much fun.
The two stars look very promising too. And if you find a second featherweight for 10 pounds, could you buy it for me please!!! Take care.

Rose Marie said...

That mini is adorable and so nice and bright and cheery! It's hard to let those swap quilts go but at the same time I know that a little bit of me is hanging on a wall somewhere in this world and that puts a smile on my face.

...tiktakro... said...

I hope your whish come true !;)) ( ref. Singer Featherweight). And if I would live close to you I would dare to whish one, too ;)) ( at the same price, of course- LOL )
...and I love those mini-pineapples, too.

Vicki W said...

I love your mini quilt! I've only made one myself but I lvoed it and want to make many more. Good luck with the Featherweight search!

Mad about Craft said...

Lovely little quilt!!!

Good Luck at the car boot!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Andrea,
I have just discovered you via "Life's Free Treats" aka Meggie. Your quilting is excellent. The little pineapple blocks are beautiful. You have a really good eye for colour. Well done! Just wondering where about the fabric warehouse is that you go to. I will be in Liverpool in August and haven't found many places around Merseyside and North Wales that sell nice fabric.
I will add you to my favourites and come back to visit you again quite soon.
Cheers for now,
Jenny

Tracy said...

Oh that is wonderful! I think you have re-inspired me to make miniatures again. I really enjoy reading your blog.

Anonymous said...

I've never tried a Pineapple block - always put it in the too hard basket - but your blocks are stunning and so small!!! Love the colours to and I don't think they are too bright...vbg....just right for a cheery present. Well done....ohhh and love the new fabrics too.

loulee said...

Wow! Great little quilt. That is sure to be loved where ever it's going.
Cute stars, can you show a tutorial for them?

Anne Ida said...

Oh, your little pineapple quilt is wonderful! Wish I had joined this swap and it was for me! But, alas...

Your mini stars look wonderful - I really look forward to seeing what you do with them! Is there a tutorial coming here?? - I haven't seen these before...

Great fabrics!

Clare said...

Lovely blocks and brilliant colour choice.

I too hope there is a Featherweight at a French car boot sale with my name on it (whoops - a pig has just flown over!).

Kate North said...

Gosh, yet another quilt I wish was coming to me! It looks great.

Lynda said...

miniature is fabulous! The colours are wonderful, and it has all gone together so well. Makes me think that I might like to try a miniature myself!

Beertje Zonn said...

What a lovely quilt.
Kind regards

Sonnja & Beertje Zonn
from the Netherlands

Beertje Zonn said...

Thanks for de link!
Kind regards,

Sonnja & Beertje Zonn
from the Netherlands

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous quilt and colors used. You partner is sure to love it!

Wendy said...

I love the little pineapple quilt. Aren't they so addicting to make these little quilt....I'm hooked for sure.

Paula, the quilter said...

The mini pineapple quilt is so, so cute.

chrisanne said...

great mini quilts like the colours Where is this warehouse you keep mentioning - we are holidaying in Wales shortly

sophie said...

Andrea, it's fabulous. The small quilts really are addictive aren't they. I never would have thunk it, but I can't stop . . .

Unknown said...

Your little quilt is so beautiful, I wish I was in this swap and your partner!

Julia said...

You are really giving me the miniature quilt bug! This is so cute!!!

Chocolate Cat said...

WOW! Love the little pineapple quilt!

Ali Honey said...

Congratulations, that quilt is adorable. You have done an amazing job on those wee blocks.

Keep hunting in those car boots, you never know what you may find - fabric, threads or other goodies and maybe what you really desire.

meggie said...

Your little Mini quilt is a real heart stealer!
Glad you are making something to keep yourself.
Good luck with you sale-ing!

Made By Claire said...

For such a small quilt it is beautiful. I think I may have a go at that pattern one day.

Teresa said...

I have been trying for three days to tell you how much I love your pineapple quilt. Doggone these word verifications - all I am getting is a red x. Hope this one goes through. I like your stars too - and can't wait to see the quilt you are making with those.

Mary said...

Your minis are wonderful! The pineapple quilt is just astounding! I cannot wait to see your finished stars too. Perhaps one day I will have the nerve to try a mini myself! Thanks for sharing!

Kim said...

Wow! A lot of good stuff going on here! Thanks for sharing the paper piecing link.

Toni said...

What a wonderful little quilt!! It's not bright, it's just right ;)

I love these swaps as well to use up my stash and scraps and definitely work outside my comfort zone in colors and techniques!

Cute stars, perfect for quilt labels! Thanks for sharing!

Floss said...

The pineapple mini looks terrific.
12 yard will sure make a lot of minis.

Kieny The Dutchlady said...

I love your pineapple! It's a wonderful little quilt. I can see why it will be difficult for you to give it away.

Fadentante Gabriele said...

Your mini pineapple quilt is realy fantastic, I like the pattern and the colours. You have done a great job.

Gabriele

Tonje said...

Those stars are the cutest!!! And your pineapple quilt must have been some job... 328 pieces... wow!

*karendianne. said...

Oh goodness sakes someone stop me! That little quilt is adorable, perfect, spectacular, brimming with fun and cute and I love it. What else is left to say? The phone is ringing. I'm being stopped...

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh my gosh! You won't believe that is my secret project I"m working on this week at my mom's! Wait till you see it. Only mine have more sides, and finishes in a 2" square! I"m nuts! I'm hoping to get a shot in progress tomorrow.