I put the finishing touches to my Garden Blooms lap quilt this week. I started it for Sarah nearly 2 years ago and it has taken rather a long time. It is based on the “Garden Blooms” pattern by Piece O Cake designers that was featured in APQ Feb 06 issue. I have hand appliqued and hand quilted it, which is why it has taken so long. Since I started blogging, I don’t seem to spend as much time in front of the TV hand sewing as I used to. In order to speed it up, I free motion quilted the two outer panels. I conquered my fear of FMQ and am sure with more practice I will have better stipples – being a perfectionist didn’t help but I could only unpick it so many times ! The main thing is that Sarah is happy with it. However as the weather is finally warming up, it may be a while before she needs an extra throw at night.
Unfortunately my Pfaff is overdue for a service. Part of the machine fell off over the weekend and is now taped together with masking tape. I rang my local service centre and it is going to be four weeks before they can look at it. Hopefully it will keep chugging away until then – I think I would get withdrawal symptoms if I couldn’t sew for weeks. Especially as I am working on this secret project.
It was my Mum’s birthday last week and I added some baked goodies to her birthday package. I made up a batch of custard shortbreads – her favourite!
Posted by Lisa
Hi Lisa – the quilt is beautiful – you’re such a talented lady. I am intrigued by the secret project but I love it already. And as for the custard shortbreads… mmmmm Look forward to seeing the secret project when it has been revealed. x
I hope your machine keeps on running! With Christmas coming, a broken machine would be a bummer.
The quilt is lovely and, yes, the important thing is that the receiver loves it! đ
Such a sweet quilt, hope your machine doesn’t take too long to be repaired.
Your quilt is really really beautiful, and I cant wait to see what the secret project is.
The quilt looks amazing, I have yet to try FMQ! I visited Textile Traders, on my regular Tuesday visit to Balcatta, & picked up some Farmer’s Market fabric too – thanks for the tip.
Blessings
Janelle xx
ohhhhhhh…
i think i can see a christmas project in the making….yah….
What a beautiful quilt. I have never tried quilting, but that looks like a lot of work! It will look lovely with the florals from the bedroom makeover.
I can’t wait to see what the secret project is. I wonder if its something advent-ish?
I love that quilt! It is absolutely stunning!!! I bought that magazine because of it đ I have only looked at it so far, and dreamt of making it! I’ll stop now, I’m using far too many exclamation points! LOL!
PS: Did I say how much I love that quilt?!
Beautiful quilt. My sympathies on your Pfaff. Perhaps if you threaten to replace it could help.
Love the quilt – it’s beautiful. And I hope your machine holds together for a few more weeks!
Kris
Wow, this garden blooms quilt is amazing! Look at all that work you put into it! Very impressive.
PS – I think I know what that secret project is, but I won’t spoil the surprise. It’s coming soon.
Know what you mean about being without the sewing. I am moving and trying my hardest to have it with me. It is sanity having it there making things.
Love the quilt. Is it hard to machine quilt? I want to try it my quilt. Is there anything special I will need? Web pages I can go to learn or anything?
What a lovely quilt. The quilt that my mom made me (32 years ago) is keeping me warm as I type this. What a treasure! I hope your machine pulls through for you!
The quilt is beautiful!!!! I love the applique. Good for you for conquering your fear of free motion quilting, it can be so scary lol I love the colors in the quilt too, so happy and bright. Can’t wait to see what you are making, is it an advent calendar?
well done on finishing Sarah’s quilt , it’s beautiful, give yourself well deserved pat on the back
lisa x
Your Garden Blooms quilt is gorgeous! That looks like a lot of hand applique work, I’m so impressed. I haven’t even attempted hand appliqueing, I’d hate to think how long it would take me to finish.
Cant wait to see the project. Looks like an advent calendar to me. When can we see it?
Teresa
oooh is the secret project an advent calendar?
Beautiful quilt, I have to admit I am a little intimidated by free motion quilting too. Custard shortbread sounds wonderful, and your new secret project has me very enticed!
x
the quilt is beautiful! what a sweet gift!!
I love Piece of Cake, and your quilt turned out absolutely beautiful! Hope your machine holds out for you; my very ancient Elna just recently bit the dust đ
Gorgeous quilt.
Andi đ
I loe Piece O Cake designs. Have done a few of their quilts myself. Yours is beautiful.
Oh THANK YOU for linking to your cookie recipe. I was just trying to think this morning who it was that posted this recipe awhile ago (I have it written in my notes, but I would have had to search through them LOL.) I managed to get some custart powder when we were in Scotland, so now I need some recipes to use it!
Oh! And that quilt is ADORABLE!
Gorgeous quilt – really pretty! Ohhh, looking forward to seeing the secret project!
How lovely! What a lucky gal!
gorgeous quilt! congratulations! so sorry about the machine. 4 weeks…yikes…they must have a bunch of machines to repair.
FMQ scares me too! Your attempt looks great, I would never have guessed you hadn’t done much of it. I love the quilt, the background fabric is very sweet.
beautiful and two years is not so bad, could be worse…and good things are worth waiting for
Well done! Nothing better than a beautiful finish!!! I would miss my machine too! You may need to get another hand project ready… and I’m guessing you only need 24 of those little secrets đ
gorgeous quilt! It is so nice to complete one isn’t it?
oh the quilt is beautiful!! I can’t imagine how many hours of hand stitching and hand quilting it took. It’s very special!
Quilt looks great. Sorry about your machine. The falling off bit was a bit scary…….
The bag and tag for you mums biscuits look stunning.
With Smiles
Kathryn
Sarah’s quilt looks gorgeous, your FMQ looks great đ Hope your trusty machine holds on so that we get to see another photo of progress you have made on your mystery project! Lovely packaging for your mum’s birthday baking – another great idea. Hugs to you and Sarah. Jx
Love your quilt Lisa! It looks beautiful. FMQ needs practise. (Hence my doll quilts! I am one of those perfectionist types too.) I love the look of your secret project. The numbers are just awesome!
The quilt is darling! You did a great job making it for Sarah. I feel your pain about your sewing machine. Hope it holds together for you!
what took u so long to finish? its so sweet
Custard shortbreads sound so delicious. I need one now to go with my glass of milk.
amazing quilt. it is gorgeous.
curious as to what the secret project is……..
and i love how you packaged your mothers treat.
so cute. hope her day was lovely.
The quilt is so sweet! I love the custard shortbread! Yummy!
I hope your machine stays together until you can get it fixed!
When my machine ‘fell apart’ last time my husband ‘fixed’ it for me. When I sat down to stitch next….it only stitched backwards! I think that everyone needs a ‘little man’ to fix their machines once in a while. Luckily mine is just down the road and will drop everything if he senses a quilter in distress over forced separation from her machine! The quilt is lovely. I dream of overcoming my fears of free hand quilting. Well done – Jen
Your Quilt looks just Beautiful..Understand about the FMQ..I am a bit the same…
cheers
maree
The quilt is beautiful! You always do wonders with fabric! I hope your sewing machine holds up for another month. I hear ya about not being able to function without it.
Congratulations on the completion of your quilt! It looks gorgeous! I hope your machine holds out until the service, it’s not a good time of year for it to go down.
I’m amazed at how many wonderfully creative things you get done! Love the quilt, and I looove the looks of the secret project! đ
The quilt is gorgeous! Are you making an advent calendar? đ
Ruth xx
Congratulation on finishing the quilt.
My seven year old, fifth child, does not have a baby quilt yet. I have the fabric and hope to start cutting this week. No, it is not a baby quilt, she passed that an I am going straight to twin. Quilting is my addiction so I do not start one too often or nothing else would get done.
I am without my machine at the moment and it is all wrong!
Gorgeous quilt.
Lovely quilt!
Can’t wait for next post and see the new things!!!
everything is stunning! i just love the quilt!
What a beautiful quilt. You are so dedicated and talented. Your daughter must be so proud. I hope you machine gets better soon and you are so sweet baking your mother’s favourite custard shortbread for her birthday.
It looks great – I love the colours
That’s surely a work of art! Well done! đ
Lovely quilt, you’ve done a great job. The secret project looks interesting…I’m assuming Christmas. Gosh I haven’t started any Christmas sewing yet. Yikes time is ticking!
Hope we get to see the finished project and that the sewing machine holds togther.
Love the quilt…what a happy quilt, such joyful colors! But oh, no…part of sewing machine fell off??!! Hope you’ll get your machine back and up and running very soon…I know that feeling–LOL! Can’t wait to see more on the secret…hhhmmm…Happy weekend to you all ((HUGS))
Gorgeous quilt, that turned out so wonderful. You have a Pfaff? Those are the best sewing machines ever.
Wow! The quilt looks amazing! Fabulous. Interesting looking secret prooject too…
I bet your happy to have it finished, thats great. I have a half finished attempt in my cupboard. I think its going to be there for a lot longer.
Well Done on a finish..it looks great! I know what you mean about perfect stipples, thats why I don’t attempt them…they would never be good enough!! CAthy
Wow the quilt is just gorgeous…
Great ideas for the pedias. I love the quilt. it is beautiful.
Your Garden Blooms Quilt is so beautiful!!! I hope you can get your sewing machine pretty soon, you have so many wonderful things to work on! I’ll be looking for your secret project; I’m curious about it!
Well done finishing that beautiful quilt Lisa! I love Piece O’Cake designs. I bet that Sarah is thrilled!
Happy belated wishes to your Mom!
The quilt is a wonderful reflection of your never ending talents. I never graduated past the glue gun. LOL!
Sweet Wishes,
Sara