Orca Bay Mystery Quilt - I've made a start

Last night  I finally made a start on my Orca Bay Mystery Quilt.   1 little 2.5inch square hourglass block - only a couple hundred to go~!

Two little 3.5inch square blue string blocks ... only 70 to go.   These are a lot of fun to make.  I am using Carol Doak foundation papers to sew these on (because that is what I had otherwise I would have cut up an old phone book as Bonnie suggests).

These blocks will come to life this weekend I hope.

I can't wait to see the next step ... hopefully it will be the red blocks.

Happy Quilting for now ..... Jane 

Quick Coaster Mat Tutorial

 This is my tutorial for quick coasters to make ... a great handmade gift for  Christmas. All you need to make one coaster is six 5 inch squares of fabric.

Here I have four 5inch squares which are my "top" fabric and two 5inch squares which are my inside and back fabrics.

 Fold each 5inch square of top fabric in half.

 Lay each one down with the fold facing in towards the middle.   (So you have the raw edges on the outside)

 this is the third piece being laid down.  See how I am laying them down on top of each other.

 The last piece is at the top.   We need to tuck half of this under the first piece we put down.

 So lift up the top piece and fold back the very first piece we put down.

 Lay down the last piece.  Then put the first piece back down on top of this.

 There you have it.   The four pieces all tucked into each other so you have only four halves showing.   This is where you can have fun co-ordinating fabrics.

 Next step is to place the remaining two 5inch squares onto the stack.   First peice to go down will be your backing fabric, place it face down onto the stack.    Then, the inside piece so the right side is facing up.   This piece of fabric can be something like muslin - you won't see it.

 Turn the whole lot over and pin the in place.

 Stitch around the outside with a 1/4 inch seam.

 Trim off the corners.

 Open the centre hole and turn inside out.

Voila ... a little coaster.  You will need to iron it so it sits nice and flat.

If you like you can run a line of top stitching around the edge, you could even quilt it, embroider it, embellish it or anything you wanted to make it unique and special.

I hope this tutorial is easy to follow.   I love these coasters because you can throw them into the washing machine and wash them when they get grubby, and they are easy to iron back into shape.

Enjoy ... Happy Quilting for now ... Jane x

Orca Bay Mystery Quilt - my fabric selections.

 Orca Bay Mystery Quilt (Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville)   These are my Civil War fabric choices.

Blues

 Neutrals

 Black (some of these look navy on the computer but are really quite black)

Reds


I am going with the same colours as Bonnies.  I have been collecting these Civil War fabrics for about five years now, so I am very happy to be using them for something lovely and scrappy.   Can't wait to see the finished quilt.

The first block is hourglass units - 2.5inch square  Blacks and Neutrals - nice!   You can see more here on Bonnie's site.  Orca Bay Mystery Quilt.

Enjoy.

Bonnie Hunter's new Mystery Quilt - Orca Bay

I have decided to do Bonnie's latest Mystery Quilt.   I haven't done one since I did the Double Delight one in 2008 - my goodness was it that long ago.

Bonnie has uploaded the Introduction and Part 1 ... Look at my right sidebar at the little orca link ... it will take you right to the link.

I am using mostly Civil War fabrics I think ... I'm still deciding on which ones to use ... but I won't be starting to sew for a few weeks yet - at least I don't think so!

Anyone else joining in?

A collaboration

I finally got the binding done on my quilt ...

 This quilt was pieced by my friend Helen (The fabrics are all from my stash) and when she had finished piecing it I quilted it with the pattern Maple Leaf.   Finally getting the binding done and is now ready to be used.  

It is so sweet - using a whole lot of Civil War fabrics and quilters muslin in the cream squares.   Thank you Helen ... this would have taken me years to make without your help!  xxxx