Quilting Pleasure and ARAMINTA DESIGNS

Introducing candy - my new mascot (Candy was made by my gorgeous friend Tracey) ---------------- My latest quilt top.  A little different to other baby quilts I have made.  Hopefully, with quilting and binding it will come up ok. I should start the quilting process, but I really want to start my Puff Quilt.  There's a lot of cutting out to do, so I need to get to it. ---------------- Here's an idea for using a quilt outdoors.   (Thanks Tina.) QP by Rhonda

  Hello friends, I just had to start today's post with this quilt, it is gorgeous.  You can buy a digital pattern and you'll have it in your hands in no time!  You can also watch the tutorial  https://www.missouriquiltco.com/pages/book-review-quilt-tutorial   Jenny Doan has used a layer cake of   Kaffe Classics Prism 10" Squares   by Kaffe Fassett for FreeSpirit Fabrics.  They are so colourful, vibrant and creative.  I adore them.  When you see the quilt hanging behind Jenny, you will be enchanted.  ---------------- I promised that I would explain why you need 3 pool noodles when making your quilt sandwich. Watch this tutorial and you will understand.  Using pool noodles has been a game changer for me when putting the 3 layers (backing, batting and quilt top) together. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpmWfZdxGSI ------------------- Now it is time to baste your quilt.  I have found a really great series of tutorials on YouTube from the Fat Quarter Shop, called the Ultimate

  Hello friends, Quilt Backing  A great idea for your backing is fabric that is extra wide, i.e. 274cm wide.  If you have made a small quilt you may well be able to just have one width of fabric (no joins).  If it still isn't wide enough, no problems you can just join 2 pieces of fabric. The backing fabric can be any colour or design that you want.  It can compliment the quilt top or be a total contrast. The front of this table runner..... and the back. I have found (but it could just be me) that fabric the same weight as the fabrics used in the top gives a better quilting result. Batting or Wadding This is the "filling" in your quilt sandwich.    There are many different types of batting.  Here are your choices. Cotton  - it is made with natural fibres and is soft and comfortable. Polyester  - holds its shape and thickness.  It keeps you warm without the weight. It is non-breathable but resists mould and mildew. Wool  - it is very lightweight and is used for warmth.  It

  Hello friends, So you have your pattern/tutorial, bought your fabric, cotton and tools.  You've watched the tutorial over and over.  You have cut up the fabric for the block or strip set, sewn the pieces or strips together.  You have pressed the seams of each join - press to the dark side.   Fabric pieces have been sewn together to create a tiny block.  Then these tiny blocks are sewn together to make the block design.  Tiny Log Cabin (Center Street Quilts) Photo with thanks.  centerstreetquilts.com You have done that over and over according to the pattern/tutorial. Before you sew all the blocks together,   l ay out all the blocks to make sure you’ve got a layout that you’re happy with.  D oes something catch your eye that doesn't look quite right?  Take a photo, this really helps to point something out to you and helps you to know where you had what and where. Pin the blocks together and label each row so that they don't all get mixed up, (I've done that before). Pre

Hello friends If you have sewn a quilt and become addicted but feel that you can only have so many quilts in your home, think about quilts as gifts - or donating a quilt.  There are so many organisations that would gratefully accept quilts. I have sent quilts to an organisation in Victoria that provide gifts to families who have had a down syndrome baby.  They are so happy to receive them and it is nice knowing that your little quilt means a great deal to a family. These are a few charities that you can donate to: Country Women's Association of NSW Days for Girls Australia Giant Steps Grace Centre for Newborn Care Hornsby Kur-ing-gai Women's Shelter Inala Sydney Community Services UNISSON Disability Amelie House Beecroft House  It is also wonderful to gift a quilt to someone who needs a little TLC. These are my latest baby quilts as gift. QP  by Rhonda

Hello friends Colour! Do you know where to begin?  I'm sure you know what colours attract you and others that you don't care for.  I had never thought of it before, but having a colour wheel in your tool repertoire is a great idea. There are 3 basic categories of colour theory: the colour wheel, colour harmony and  the context of how colours are used. Primary colours are blue, red and yellow. Secondary colours are green, orange, and purple. Tertiary colours are yellow-orange, red-orange, red-purple, blue purple, blue-green, and yellow-green. Colour harmony is something that is pleasing to the eye.  Colour harmony gives visual interest and a sense of order.   Some basic theories of harmony are: Analogous colours are any three colours that are side by side on a 12 part colour wheel. Complimentary colours are any two colours that are directly opposite each other such as red and green. Nature  provides perfect inspiration, it always creates a harmonious design. Colour context - b

Hello friends Welcome to Monday Does the thought of sewing a quilt seem overwhelming?  Why don't you start with a table runner?  They are easier to handle and you get quick results.  You may then feel able to take on something larger like a baby quilt or lap-size quilt. I made these two with jelly rolls and they are very simple.  The quilting can be "stitch in the ditch" - which is sewing along the seams.                                                                           These were made for Christmas gifts but could be used all year round depending on your decor. Here is another simple one but the placement of the squares forms a beautiful pattern. QP by Rhonda

Hello friends Fat quarters are another pre-cut fabric that I have used for making quilts.  They are really versatile. T hey are cut from half a metre of fabric that is then cut across the width of the fabric to make nearly a square. The size & shape is popular as it offers a lot of possibilities when cutting including bias cuts and appliqué. Australian fat quarters are larger than American fat quarters because we measure by the metre and Americans measure by the yard.   I have done a quick survey of fat quarters that I have here and they all vary!  Helpful Hey! Just check you will have enough fabric for what you need and what you purchased.  Measure twice, cut once.                               Here are some quilts that I have made using mostly fat quarters.                                                                                                                                                                     I have managed to add a "Follow" button to my blog. 

Hello friends I felt like doing 2 posts today.  I feel like we need to see some beauty which may give us inspiration for our next (first) quilt. I feel like roses today. Oh so beautiful, have a gorgeous weekend xx. QP by Rhonda

Hello friends, So today let's look at Layer Cakes - they  are pre-cut fabric.   They are a curated bundle of   10" x 10" squares , featuring an array of coordinating fabric from a designer's collection.  Layer cakes are beautiful. Here is an example of a pack, called Painterly Petals by Ten Square.  I wanted to use really bright colours as I want to make another version of the  Pins & Paws Quilt by Missouri Star Quilt Co.      Here are two quilts that I have made using layer cakes. Layer cakes are wonderful for making large quilts. QP by Rhonda

  Hello friends So today I would like to talk about Charm Packs. Charm Packs are pre-cut fabric.  They are a curated bundle of 5" x 5" squares , featuring an array of coordinating fabric from a designer's collection. Here is an example of a pack, called Petal Power by Me & My Sister Designs Moda.  I wanted to use really bright colours.                                                               With this pack I am going to make the Pins & Paws Quilt by Missouri Star Quilt Co.  It is a cat silhouetted on a dark or light background.  On the Missouri Star Quilt Co. website they have 3 different tutorials - all are gorgeous, just slightly different size blocks and techniques.  You can also download a digital pattern (it is on special at the moment, but just remember it is in US dollars).  Here are some quilts that I have made using charm packs.                                                                                                                            

                                      How cute is this!  Scribbly Gum Quilt Co has had this card designed to go with all their parcels.  It's so exciting to receive a fabric parcel in the mail.  When choosing over the internet it's a bit of luck - but they certainly didn't disappoint.  The fabrics are darling.  Thank you Jodie from Scribbly Gum. Hello friends, b efore we leave the world of jelly rolls I'd like to show you some quilts that I have made using a jelly roll.                                                                                                         Jelly roll patterns can be very simple or a little more complex.                                                   This is a lovely way to display your precious quilts. Log Cabin Quilt Next post I will discuss charm packs.                                                                      QP by Rhonda