CHOOKSHED challenge finish.. Bookcase quilt

 Wow. I can’t believe my progress.

I have quilted a flower pattern around the border. FMQ different flowers. I have not done these before so don’t look too closely.

Then I tried a wood grain effect on the actual book case. Not too bad. Although I had trouble with my glide thread fraying. But only when I was going backwards. Obviously I couldn’t get my hand movement to match my foot speed.

I have trimmed the quilt

This was an international block swap organised through QATW. ( quilting around the world)

One of the blocks I received was a cat. Mmm how could I use this block. At first, I thought of putting it on the back as a label. As time and my thought process progressed this block will now be on the front.

I decided to remove the background pieces of the block and adhered vliesofix and iron on wadding.

Turned it over and ironed on to the front. I have already quilted the area behind where the cat was placed. This cat now sits in front of the book case.  Very pale and hidden though.

So I appliquéd a fancy stitch in a darker thread  to make it stand out. The stitch looks a bit like fuzzy fur.

I added google eyes and embroidered a face.

Next up was to finish off the quilting around the books.

The binding is attached. As is the label.

And hanging sleeve.

It is now all hand stitched and completed.

Here is the start date of when I joined all the blocks.

Now, how will I add the finish date?

The only thing I last added was a finished date embroidered. 

This quilt was started in 2019. The top done in 2020. Quilted started in 2021. And completed in 2025.

My quilt is done and I am so happy. Thankyou Deana for getting me inspired.

Have a look here  https://dreamworthyquilts.blogspot.com/2025/03/chookshed-linky-for-march-maureens.html  to see what else has been achieved by others linking up.

Time to start quilting & NO COMMENTS are coming to my email

 Apologies if I haven’t got back to some of you if you have left comments. Blogger is not sending them through to my email again. Why do they keep changing things? It is so frustrating. I am checking every couple of days but it is more time consuming. So SORRY.

NOW FOR THE SEWING STUFF…..

Before I could start quilting I needed to give my machine some love

Look at that dust

I was in an international swap with some ladies in the USA back in 2019. We each had to make multiple book blocks and another item on a bookshelf block. In return I received many blocks from other people. I managed to finish the top in 2020. It was basted in 2021 and started quilted in December 2022.

I will have to do another label to show the completion date.

I had done more quilting on this quilt than initially thought.

Trouble was the bobbin thread was coming through to the front on the black fabric. The thread kept on breaking. This was probably the reason for putting it in the cupboard. 

So I got started.

Took my time and the sewing went much better. I have nearly finished the black background areas.

I am using glide thread which is very slippery. I found these little clips that fit onto bobbins. They keep the thread from unravelling 

I wound a couple of bobbins ready for a sewing session.

I tried a few flowers on the border. My machine was sewing well. I am not the most even quilters but I am happy with what I do. There are a mix of flowers. No set design. Just whatever happens.

This quilt might see a finish…

February & March CHOOKSHED challenge

 I know it’s a bit late but here it is.

February I was to work on making project bags/pouches. 

So here is bag no. 7. I think I like how this one is working.

I decided to put a plastic front so I can see what’s in the bag. I received this fat quarter for a birthday swap a few years ago. I love it. I started by sewing a border around the plastic edges so there was no plastic in the side seams. So much easier.

I started attaching the zip before I realised I should have turned the top strip up the other way. Oops. I’m not changing it.

I did all the sewing and am really happy. Time to turn it out the right way.

So the printed panel that was supposed to be the front of the bag I put in as the lining in the middle. It can be seen through the plastic window. I think this is my favourite so far. 

All up, 7 project bags made and 1 chocolate zippered pouch.

I did email the chocolate company the photo of what I did.

11

This was their reply….

“ Hi Jo,

Thanks for reaching out and for your patience as we got back to you! It's been a busy choco season at Tony's, and that can affect our response time.. we make sure to answer every message, and we're happy you got in touch with us. :)

OMG we love what you did with our wrappers! We shared the photos you sent with the whole Tony's US team.. definitely a highlight of our week. We're so grateful to have such creative chocofans, and we're so thrilled that you shared photos of your bag with us.  

Thanks again for taking the time to reach out to us with your awesome bag.. we hope you have the sweetest weekend!

Choco cheers, 

Megan
 
“

Now for March # 2 challenge project.

Mine is to get this quilt quilted. 

I have started, actually, done more than I thought.

As you can see by this block the top was done in 2019-2020. 

It has some quilting done already so it’s time to get it done. 

Now is time to link up with Deana and go see what everyone else has done in February and what they will be working on in March

https://dreamworthyquilts.blogspot.com/2025/02/top-done.html

Machine quilting.

 I have had my bookcase basted for the whole year.

 I did a swap with the QATW girls for these blocks. It was started in 2019 and the top put together in 2020. It’s about time this one was finished.

I have started quilting it. I am using the Westalee rulers. 

My first attempt was bad. I changed needles, thread, tension and cleaned the machine. I got so frustrated with the thread breaking, fraying and skipped stitches. I could also see the backing thread on the front at repetitive areas. I couldn’t fix it. So it went on the floor. Now, we didn’t go away for Christmas so I picked it up again. Wound a new bobbin and had no issues at all. I am not the best quilter, especially when the top and bottom threads are different colours. But, I will go with how it’s working. This quilt is for me…

Basting my QATW Bookcase quilt.

 I am on the way to quilting another quilt. I got it out and spray basted it ready for a quilting day.

I chose this small print floral for the backing as it reminds me of old time wallpaper. I think it matches really well.

It is now all basted and ready for me to start. The binding is already cut too.

PROGRESS WITH MY BOOKCASE QUILT

I have hand appliqued the birdcage hanging from a hook on the bookcase.

I also forgot to say on last post that I received my order from Jude... 3 beautiful cases with 1000 precut squares. Jude has done the work for me.

Now I have completed my Xmas shopping too. I do have an idea of what to use mine on. I'll have to search for the pattern now.. It is a quilt I have always loved.

ZOOM STITCHING

Well what a weekend it has been. I joined in with Chookyblue and so many other bloggers again for a ZOOM day of stitching... 6 am - 10 pm... So much talking & stitching was achieved....

I started out with this plan.

Spent the day machine blanket stitching. If it wasn't for talking and sewing with bloggers I would not have got very far.

It is a very boring job for me so a little bit of company helped. I managed to get it all sewn and even changed the design a bit.

I moved the 2020 patch onto an orange background so it can be seen better and have to attach the pin onto the tank of the bike. It is now ready for basting. Next weekend I hope to have it quilted ready for their AGM.

QATW BOOKCASE QUILT HAS MADE PROGRESS

I have had this quilt hanging on my design wall for a while. I did a block swap with the ladies from QATW and i need to do something to finish it. Here is the book title and book I made for this bookcase quilt.

I was sent a block that was a front of a camera but it was far tooooo big to be in this bookcase. so I trimmed it down, added borders, added a title - EYE SPY WITH MY LITTLE EYE -- and now it has become a front on book sitting on a shelf.

I have added doilies under the lamp, clock & jug with dish to give it the homely feel.

I then decided on what I wanted to do with the borders so added them Then it was time to decide what to do with some extra blocks. The cat & the bird cage. Well I put a hook in for the bird cage. Now i just have to hand applique it.

Next was the cat. I wanted him sitting on the floor but I am still deciding if i want him further towards the bookcase or more to the edge as he hasn't got a tail

Here it is so far. I now have some hand sewing for SLOW STITCHING SUNDAY