happy christmas to all across the quilty world

me and my daughter in typical competitive mode.........

stocking fillers

Thanks to Melinda Quilts Etc for her tutorial on pocket tissue pouches
they are addictive and take only 4 rows of straight sewing, but have a nice finished look to them
Here is my version:

Cut 2 rectangles fabric
5 1/2 " x 6 1/2"  = exterior fabric
5 1/2" x 7 1/2 " =  contrasting lining fabric

line up one short edge of both pieces, right sides together and sew  with 1/4" hem

Now line up the opposite short edges and sew with 1/4" hem, don't worry that the fabrics are different lengths, thats right

turn the tube you have sewn inside out and press

turn it over

fold the 2 short ends to the middle

hem each short side at 1/4 "

neaten up raw edges with pinking shears

turn inside out and use pointy object to turn out corners

fill with pocket tissues, best to unwrap them but keep them same way up in pouch

cute huh?

beware , they multiply if you don't watch out

liberty pouches rule

Just a quick update on my liberty pouch obsession

LOVE grey at the moment...........

liberty box pouch

Found this great  tutorial which dealt with my fear of sewing zips

http://modernquiltlove.wordpress.com/2009/07/14/perfect-box-pouch-tutorial/

I was in London today for a conference and during lunch time, I zoomed over to Shaukat , Old Brompton Road.
The staff in there all had there ears glued to their mobiles , but still asked me if I wanted help ( whilst on the phone ) and told me there was also a downstairs section  which was a cave of liberty fabrics wonderful, wonderful, oh oh TOO MUCH CHOICE
managed to get out with 6 half meters, and 6 metres polka dot cottons for linings

Look !

So back home to try the  pouch
have to show you the  first one for a laugh..........

looks like an avant garde something?

by 3rd attempt I was getting the hang of it  enough to use some precious liberty fabric
think its good enough to give as a gift.....
mmm, I feel a lot of pouches a coming on, be warned

we love kona solids

 Trying out the key quilt from  this book which arrived recently, compiled by Susanne Woods

this is the plan

I chose glacier, jade , chartreuse with ivory from my lovely kona colour chart

However, having major problems quilting it as I  microstitch basted it on my king bed, and  its just not taught enough. Too much puckering at the end of machine rows of linear quilting.

After struggling to get a few rows done, have decided that maybe a bit of hand quilting may work better......made a slow start.

Next time, must send  my quit off to have it basted on longarm, when I retire I want to move to somewhere with floor space to baste....dreaming of a sewing studio.................