Happy Christmas!

Happy Christmas - à la Dear Jane

Christmas Tree Skirt - Low Volume / Neutrals

Christmas Tree Skirt - Neutrals / Low Volume

Over the past few years I have been meaning to make a Christmas Tree skirt for the large tree that stands in our hall during the Christmas period. 


Christmas Tree Skirt Design

Back in December 2012, I had the forethought to take measurements of a suitable size before we packed it away in the attic and the 'design' stayed pinned to my notice board for a while.

Christmas Tree Skirt - Neutrals / Low Volume

In November 2013 I decided to make a start on it with the hope that it would be done in time for Christmas (2013).  Here you can see me chain piecing some quarter square triangles in neutral / Christmas fabrics.

Christmas Tree Skirt - Neutrals / Low Volume

I managed to get enough squares together to make the top, but it didn't quite make it for Christmas 2013.

Christmas Tree Skirt - Neutrals / Low Volume


Not to be beaten, between Christmas and New Year 2014 I took some time out to piece up a backing for the Christmas tree skirt.

Christmas Tree Skirt - Neutrals / Low Volume

Finally, I have got the Christmas Tree Skirt on the longarm quilting machine.  I used a pantograph called 'Let It Snow' by Patricia Ritter.  The quilting pattern features snowflakes so I decided to add some white fabric and applique those areas of the quilting.


Christmas Tree Skirt - Neutrals / Low Volume

The Christmas Tree skirt is off the frame, the skirt trimmed into a circle, the centre cut and a binding attached.  

Christmas Tree Skirt - Neutrals / Low Volume

Most importantly, it is under the tree for Christmas 2015!
 

Dear Jane Quilt - Block B9 Tinker Toy

Dear Jane Quilt - Block B9 Tinker Toy

Here's a pre-Christmas quickie, B9 Tinker Toy.  Easy English Paper piecing for me with just a touch a colour in this blue Dear Jane block.

If I have a bit of time I like to do a bit of research on these block names and here is what I found for Tinker Toy

Tinker Toy Construction Game

I am sure over the years a 'Tinker Toy' has been a staple for Father Christmas when filling stockings and a quick check on Amazon shows that they are still selling them in a more 'whizz  / bang' style for the 21st Century.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 13

Allietare Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt 2015 - Part 4

Allietare Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt 2015 - Part 4, Suzi the cat

This is Suzi the cat, my Mystery Quilt assistant.  She can't believe how much time I spent just cutting out this week!  IMHO Part 4 is a bit tricky and I needed to spread it out over three days and take great care in stitching each set as a batch.  It was made all the more tricky for me because I have switched my colours around.  I read the instructions many, many times to make sure I had the right combination of fabrics.

Allietare Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt 2015 - Part 4

Many, many 2" strips later I had cut about 720 pieces in total.  Again, if Bonnie told us this up front, the rotary cutter would probably not come out of its box.

Allietare Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt 2015 - Part 4


With more trapezoids, I decided to take advantage of the bonus triangles you can get from the stitch and flip method.  This meant an extra 480 lines of stitching for me, but also 480 bonus triangles to play with at a later date. 

Allietare Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt 2015 - Part 4



With the others from Part 2, I think I could make quite a substantial quilt from these half square triangles which will finish up 1" square.


Allietare Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt 2015 - Part 4

So here are all 30 sets done and they make a good dent into the total quilt and we are way past the half way mark.  The whole 'set' thing has completely thrown me this year.  With no more clips to keep these together I will just keep them laid out for the next two weeks  until they are made into a quilt.  They should be safe ...



Allietare Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt 2015 - Part 4, Suzi the cat

Bonnie is giving us Christmas Day off and plans to release Part 5 on Boxing Day.  Joining up with all the other Mystery quilters for Week 4 at the Quiltville blog!