I did it. Chookshed challenge is completed. Sashiko

 Yes, I did it. I started this quilt back in 2014. https://jobutterfield.blogspot.com/2014/02/sashiko-with-jane-macdonald.html

   It was with Jane MacDonald on a sewing cruise around New Zealand. It was so much fun about 12 years ago and it is finally finished.

I did do a simple machine quilting in the ditch as I didn’t want to take anything away from the sashiko. Next up was the binding decision. I didn’t want to frame the quilt and have always wanted to try a facing. After watching a few tutorials I decided on this one. You sew corner triangles to cover the ends of the side pieces. 

When folded over it looks very neat without a heap of bulk in the corners.

So I spent a couple of days hand stitching the facing down.

Next up I knew it needed a little bit more to lift is. It was supposed to be tied with red thread in the corners around the smaller blocks but as mine were all different sizes I decided to do some hand quilting with the red thread.

I put some masking tape, which was cut at 1/4”, around each block and went ahead with a running stitch

. 

I think it has worked out great. Just enough colour added. 

The backing was a Japanese print from my stash. Not enough of one so I had 2 * 1 metre pieces in similar colours. I had just enough to get all the facing too. 

I am so thrilled it is now completed 14 years later. 

Thanks to Deana & Chooky for the push with 

Jane’s finished quilt.

And slowing down to rest and stitch on a Sunday

https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/2026/02/slow-sunday-stitching.html

Rainbow Scrap Challenge (RSC) BLUE for Betty

I have jumped on board with Betty over at 

 https://rainbowconnectionquilters.blogspot.com/

Betty has a group of ladies that make wonderful quilts for charity. They meet monthly but as I am in a different state I join in on their 1/2 hour zoom on the 1st Saturday of the month. In the past we have done a specified block and posted it to Betty. This year is a bit different. We are to make a row of any design we like but it must be made in one colour. All shades or scraps. Your own choice to measure 56” wide and up to 10.5” high. We were told the 6 colours to make. 1 per month in what ever order we choose.

As I also follow Rainbow Scrap Challenge (RSC) I will be making mine in their colour choice. January’s colour is BLUE. That’s easy to do. Out comes the blue tub. 

https://superscrappy.blogspot.com/2026/01/scraphappy-saturday-last-blue-saturday.html

 I used up some potato chip (PC) blocks 

Blocks are made.

Then joined into a row.

This has been posted and I’m off to find some more designs while I wait to see what February’s colour will be.

A special embroidery gift for a friend.

My friend is having a special birthday soon so she deserved a special gift. On her invitation she said NO gifts but I can’t let that happen. I made a beautiful embroidered monogram for my MIL many years ago (no photo). Here is the pattern I followed. Very simple with my hand scribbled notes. I did a workshop in Gisborne with Delma Moore.

I copied, cut and paste bits of the pattern to make the initial ‘V’

I wanted to use silk but couldn’t get it where I live so I am using satin as the base. All drawn on and ready to start. Then green is stitched in stem st.

Sewing some beads in the centre of the daisy flowers.

I took the beads off a crazy patchwork piece I had made with an online class I did years ago.

After lots and lots of bullion stitches I finished the embroidery. Now I’m hand stitching it to a quilted floral fat 1/4. I lined with the left over satin.

This is a better colour

I have decided to add a flower trim around the edge of the circle. But first I need to add more beads. Out comes that box of goodies.

They do take some time to stitch on. I am getting there.

I will be making it into a gathered bag. So it can be used as a delicates/lingerie bag. OR my first idea was for it to be a hot water bottle cover because she always uses one but then thought it was more suited for delicates. 

When it’s finished I’ll do another post.

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY, zoom & GREEN sewing for Betty

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY

last night Chooky held a zoom session and continued today, AUSTRALIA DAY.

https://chookyblue.blogspot.com/

It was so hot here today so it was best spent inside and under the air conditioner.

I think we got to 45 degrees Celsius, 113 Fahrenheit.

Tomorrow is supposed to be 48 Celsius, 118.4 Fahrenheit.

I finished the day working on my Bonnie Hunter mystery, Lupine and Laughter, border.

I started Sunday night and continued on Monday with my sewing for Betty @ https://rainbowconnectionquilters.blogspot.com/ for her charity rainbow row quilts. I decided to jump ahead and do a green row of terry Roland blocks. These measure 4.9” finished.

And here they are all joined together in a row.

Now, on the blogger, google and apple (iPad & phones) front for doing posts and adding photos. What a nightmare. I have spent hours trying different things. Signing in and out, a different log in, emailing to blog and sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. So if you see a photo know that I have been pulling my hair out.

So cheers to everyone for a great AUSTRALIA DAY.

 

Double ended oven mitts for RSC

 Back to clearing out some blue scraps and finish off my oven mitts.

I got 2 made. 

What it looks like on the oven door.

These are going into the gift box.

Linking up with So Scrappy for RSC

Lupine & Laughter mystery clue 8

 I was up to date with Bonnie’s mystery but a special project took over. I am now back to it. Clue 8 which is the last clue and reveal. I feel that this quilt has been easier than a few of my others I have done. Maybe because I am no longer working I have managed better.

Anyway, next pieces are all cut.

I have started sewing the assembly of my blocks. Just taking my time. 

Block ‘a’ is half sewn. No to iron before the next sewing day.

Dear Jane stitch along G7 & F7 & G6

 I have completed the first two blocks in the stitch along.

Week 1 is block G7

I have decided to qayg and use scrappy squares for the backing.

Week 2 is block F7

All quilted and side sashing added

I will add the back brown sashings when I join the blocks into rows. 

As this quilt needs a 1/2” sashing this works well for the qayg method. 

I will have to think what to do when I come to the borders though.

The next week was made and here it is. Week 3 G6

This one was a bit of a challenge. It took a few hours. It’s not exact but the pattern allows for a few variances. The quilting has been done ready to sew into the row.

You can click on the Dear Jane tab above or this This link  to find links to all my other  blocks blocks

Progress on my sashiko project

 I have spent some time on my sashiko project. Had my brain working.

No. 3. Chookshed challenge is in full force. 

I have spent some time calculating cutting and placement. The pattern we received when doing this class was only a guideline. There were no definite measurements. So I finished the stitching, ironed and trimmed, then calculated the sashing and worked out the missing blocks.

And everything is cut ready to sew together 

I am excited to get this sewn together. It’s now together and I have these hexagons ready to stitch on.

So they are glued on ready to stitch

The baste it glue works well

Hand stitching the hexagons on.

Linking up with Slow Sunday Stitching.

https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/2026/01/slow-sunday-stitching_0209953682.html

I have just finished stitching all the hexagons.

Dear Jane stitch along

 2026 has seen me join in a Dear Jane stitch along. I started this quilt in 2016 back when I was sewing along with the Kilmore quilters. I moved away and didn’t continue with them but did make some blocks. It’s time they got a move on.

This is the book I am using

this is Jane Stickles quilt it is designed from

the shaded ones are the one I have completed

G7 was the first this stitch along was to do. I had already made it and I have now decided that I am going to work it as a QAYG. I am using all scraps browns/beige fabrics so the back will be really scrappy browns.

The second block on the list was F7. I hadn’t made this one but it is an easy one.

These blocks are an unfinished 5”. They are a mixture of pieced and appliqué. Lots of techniques will be used to make them but there are some great sites to follow for help

This is the one I was following

 https://thatquilt.blogspot.com/2009/09/f-7.html

and a new one to me

http://www.susangatewood.net/mypatterns.html?fbclid=IwdGRleAPFmxRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xNzM4NDc2NDI2NzAzNzAAAR7Cb5ThSItHYGMiiWGrvEXQyxHVWMV1dyf1Xo4ewkrP8KupCg9_3JqBm4xLQg_aem_sc2wmJJuKiB5W2gW2YMDpQ

My Japanese, sashiko pin cushion

 Ok… after being on zoom at new years and the discussion about my thoughts on my pin cushion. I acted.

Yes, after 2 years I did something about it.

I chose fabric, thread and a design.

I drew my lines, started sewing and then it was done.

A little stitch gathered up and filling put in. I now have a pin cushion in my special hexagon pot.

And don’t these special pins look so good in their new home. A set of sewing tools and a special cheeky owl for Tony.

Why has it taken 2 years to do something that only took about 3 hours to stitch and complete.

Anyway, it is done now and is very special to me. 

I love it.