More on Road 66

The holidays sure cut into sewing time but the fifth and final row of blocks for my Road 66 quilt (from Di Ford's book Primarily Quilts) are stitched together! I think that this is one of my favourite rows although rows one through four are right up there!

These blocks were so much fun to make with the fussy cutting and sewing. The hexagons are 1 1/4" which I find rather large but it means that the quilt sews up relatively quickly.

It addition to stitching the fifth row I also managed to add the third row. As you can see I've still not added the half hexagons to the top row but think I will wait until the top is together to add them.

I have a lovely coral fabric that I may use for the narrow border that will surround the quilt and then I think I will use this print for the final wide border. It is a Moda fabric from Edyta Sitar's Hope Chest line of fabrics. I love the golden tones and the soft pinks in this print.

Also don't forget that my Ottoman Pincushion Pattern is free until the end of the year. Go to my Craftsy shop or you can just click here to be taken directly to the pattern! I would love to hear from you if you make the pincushion. I've got ideas for more of them so when time permits I will test out my ideas and write up the patterns!

I'm linking up with WIP Wednesday over at The Needle and Thread Network. This is a great place where Canadian textile, fibre and fabric artists share what they are working on with others. If you have time pop on over and see what everyone is doing!

I likely won't post again until 2016 so I wish you all a very happy, healthy, safe and prosperous 2016! Until the next time, happy sewing!

Karen H

A present for you

I'm so sorry for the long silence but life is still busy. My Mom is recovering from her broken elbow but it will still be several weeks before she is out of the cast. Fortunately it is the time of year when people visit so there has been plenty of company (and baked goodies) to fill her days!

I've been working on my 2016 quilt along project and a number of other projects. One of them is an English paper pieced Ottoman pincushion pattern. As a thank you to all of you lovely readers I am making this pattern available to you free-of-charge until January.

I used a variety of fabrics to make these pincushions. The pink and gold one on the left is made with scraps of Dupioni silk! How luxurious is that?

I also used scraps of upholstery fabric to make a couple of the pincushions. I was given small squares from designer fabric sample books  and I used them to make these two.

Want a closer look? Is this cute or what?

I also love the warm colours of this one. The fabric I used for the to is a heavy upholstery fabric but it was perfect for the Ottoman and oh so pretty!

You can get your copy of the pattern in my Craftsy Store. To go directly to the pattern click here.

I hope to get back to posting on a regular basis in the very near future. Wishing you all a very happy, healthy holiday season. Until I post again, happy sewing!
Karen H

Still busy but trying to sew

I'm still crazy busy trying to work on a variety of projects including the sew along for 2016. Last Friday my Mom fell and broke her right elbow. She is in a cast for six weeks (at least) and there will be no sewing for the time being although knowing her she is trying to figure out how she can create something without moving her elbow.

She did manage to finish the hand applique work on her latest small African quilt just before the injury so I thought I would share it with you. She loves to create vignettes that depict the lives of women (usually grandmothers) and children. This time she also incorporated her love of quilt making and embroidery. I'll machine quilt it for her and when her arm is completely healed she will add her magical touch to really bring this quilt to life!

For my part I've managed to stitch the fourth row of my Road 66 hexagon quilt which is based on the design in Di Ford's book, Primarily Quilts. There's only one more row to assemble and then I can sew the rows together. I think that won't be in the near future what with helping my Mom every day, Christmas and other commitments.

I have been reading all of the lovely comments and will reply to each one as time permits.

Until I post again, happy sewing!
Karen H

Road 66 - Row 3 and more

I've kind of lost my blogging mojo because I am so busy with so many things right now. With trunk shows, teaching, visiting, planning QALs and company I just don't seem to have much in the way of free time! But today I've carved out a few moments to share my progress on my Road 66 quilt from the book Primarily Quilts by Di Ford.

This is row 3 of my Road 66 hexagon quilt stitched together.

Even better I've now stitched the first two rows together and the lovely path made of coral diamonds is starting to emerge. The little triangles are made with a darker coral/rust and they are a subtle colour change that I think is quite effective! As you can see I've still not added the fillers along the top edge.

Now I'm on to row 4 and I can add row three to the quilt. There are five rows in total so it will go quickly.

There was a question about the size of the quilt and the hexagons. The hexagons are 1 1/4" which is slightly larger than I normally use. The hexagon portion of the quilt will measure about 58" and I believe the length is around 68". To it will be added two borders and they will bring it up to a full size quilt.

I've got ideas for some new fussy cutting tutorials so when life slows down a little I will get to them! I'm afraid however that for the next couple of weeks my posts will continue to be rather sporadic but once the holidays are over I'll be back in the saddle and will publish more regularly.

Until the next time, happy sewing!
Karen H