Christmas Hexy placemats, scrap placemats

 I attended a tutorial at our group to make some fun placemats.

I had a few Xmas stitcheries I had won in raffles many years ago from retreats I had been to. So when this tutorial came up at my quilt group I thought it was time to use them.

This was an easy project to make and fun too. I have donated them to Meals on Wheels for their Xmas gifts.

Then I used all the leftovers to make 5 placemats for Meals on Wheels.

Playing with leftovers.

 Having a play with my leftovers from the mystery weekend. I had extra blocks made,  then the blocks for the step outs and the scraps of fabrics. I didn’t want to put them back in my stash or in the bin so I have designed a small quilt.

This was the design of the mystery but on a much smaller quilt it didn’t suit.

Then there was the op point look. I didn’t like the look of some rows not having the white through it so I kept playing.

Then this layout happened and I am happy. The border swirls are the leftovers from the flip corners on the blocks. I haven’t trimmed them yet but will trim to 2”. I also added the set in side and corner triangles in a small dot fabric.

Time for some crochet OCTOPUS

I had a play with some crochet and decided to make an octopus. I had made one a while ago and liked it. I hadn’t stitched the eyes on yet. So I completed that one. She has a bow on her head.

And made 2 more. A friend wanted a blue one for her daughter’s friend so that’s a good reason to get stuck in.

My friend also took the pink one as her daughter just had a baby girl .

BLOGGER PHOTOS ARE WORKING

AMAZING

PHOTOS ARE UPLOADING FROM MY IPAD.

IT’S WORKING

I’M SO EXCITED

 

Edited with sock photo. Time to work with some knitting.

 I have wanted to knit some socks for quite a while and have friends make them for me. Many years ago, I’m talking 25 years, I tried using double pointed needles (unsuccessfully). Tossed them aside and didn’t try again. It’s time to put my big girls pants on and try again.

After buying a nice sock book, watching many tutorials and searching google I decided now is the time.

Winwickmum has a knit along for basic socks.

https://www.winwickmum.co.uk/2015/04/sockalong-yarns.html

I bought this yarn from Bendigo Woollen Mills. 

I have taken my time and even did a test swatch.

I tried the circular needles, but I just couldn’t manage so I went on to the double pointed needles (DPN). Tossed my surprise I managed and without any holes.

So here is my progress. 

I got a little lost when decreasing along the heel so I have put it away until I have time to sort out which row I am doing.

Overall, so far, I am extremely happy.

My friends little bag and some scrap placemats.

 My friend recently made a wristlet bag. I thought it was a great idea for a quick trip to the shops or to put your rotary and scissors in. 

It is an easy design which makes 3 pockets.

I just used the left over fabric from our scrub stitching pouch

Then I made a 2nd one using up the selvedge scraps off my table.

I think I used a bit too stiff an interfacing but they are still ok.

While I was cleaning off my table, instead of packing or throwing away the scrap fabrics, I made up 3 charity placemats. Last year we donated 150 to meals on wheels. I am not focussing on them like I did last year but I will still make them throughout the year.

Zippered placemats for my brother and sister-in-law

We caught up with my brother and SIL when we’re in Melbourne a while back. They saw me using my zippered placemats. I thought I would surprise them and make some for them. I know they love bright colours so the hard part was choosing some fabric.

I had these mitred corners left over from a quilt I did at Judy’s of Cornerstone Creations. They were bright and perfect.

Then for my brothers I did rainbow stripes and caravans. They are always away in their van travelling all over.

And the backs were just as bright.

When they received their parcel they sent a message to say they loved them…

Happy days.

Scrub Stitchin version of Simply Serene

 The project at Scrub Stitchin this year was a version of Simply Serene. I changed up the side of the blocks to larger and I made the set in triangles around the edge in the one fabric to make it the border. I do love it.

I wasn’t sure how to quilt this but on Chooky zoom we were discussing machine stitches. I love the look of the serpentine stitch. My machine only does a tiny one which isn’t suited to quilting but Susan said I could manually program it into my machine and store it into the memory for future. Oh yes please. Susan sent me the info on how to do this and IT WORKED. I am thrilled.

So this is how I quilted it.

My daughter loved it so much it was decided it would be for my grandsons 18th birthday. Now it’s all completed there is no rush later in the year.

Another charity baby quilt for the hospital

I put together a small baby quilt for the hospital using leftover fabrics. There are some flannelette pieces in there to make it a bit snuggly

Scraps were used on the back too.

I quilted it using the triple zigzag stitch on its widest setting. It works out great. 

Rainbow strips for Betty

 I have been taking part in making rainbow strips for Betty. 

Explanation here. https://rainbowconnectionquilters.blogspot.com/2026/06/rainbow-show-and-tell-so-far.html

Out come the yellows. I had previously used up all my smallest pieces of yellow fabrics. I worked with the smallest out of this tub.

I just cut 2.5” strips and made 10.5” blocks. I wasn’t really happy with them. I then paired them up and sewed diagonally and cut. My brain wasn’t working and it’s not my best strip. As we had to cut down to 56” wide I took off 1 strip from one block. It has made it a bit odd. 

Here is my orange tub

I made blocks in a log cabin design.

All my blocks have been sewn together into a 56” strip.

 Making another row for Betty. This month for RSC the colour is PURPLE. Out comes the purple tub.

I have these pieces leftover from a recent quilt. Cut 2” * 5”.

Sorting out the smaller pieces that I’m cutting into.

More pieces are cut and sewing is started. 

I have made 2 lengths of braid. Now to decide which way to join them.

I have stitched a strip in between so I didn’t have to match seams but I think they matched very well

After making all my rows off they went in the post and I received another 6 strips back. These were made by all different ladies.

 

Now to work out how to put them together. This is the layout I chose. Look at the fun backing.

I decided to cut all the leftover strips into 2.5” strips for the binding. Nothing went to waste. 

Here is the finished quilt. I even quilted it with my triple zig zag stitch. I changed it to full width and 3.5-4 stitch length. I then drew a circle and stitched away. When I had enough of that circle I drew another one. It was a lot of fun.