Bernina quilt for all Sewing Machine Challenge 2025 - July

The only assignment this month, was to combine the blocks into a 20 x 40" piece in preparation for a 16" bag. It took me about half a day as most of the blocks and/or rows had to be enlarged with additional pieces to get them all the same size and in rows of 20".  I sketched out the bags dimensions to decide what should go where and even cut some blocks in half.  But I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Still have to quilt all the additional pieces but with me taking on extra draughting work, all the hobbies are on the back burner for the next few months.

Courthouse Step Runner

During one of our quilting group's meetings last year, we decided to take part in some of teacher Annie du Toit's classes to broaden our skills and to bring more variety to our group meetings.  Luckily Annie was doing a class about an hour's drive from Bloemfontein and decided to sleep over and do the class in person rather than via the internet.  

So, on the 2nd of March our group convened at Marietjie's house and started cutting and stitching.  It was such a wonderful and instructive morning.  When we left at midday, everybody had most of their blocks done and ready to stitch into a runner.

I added a fifth round of steps and a wider border as our tv cabinet is a bit wider.

As with the Strata Star table runner I stitched in February, I again used machine embroidery, the walking foot as well as free motion to do the quilting.  I used four different designs in each of 4 of the blocks with all 4 designs in the center and 5th block giving a different look to every block.

On the border, I decided to stitch a free motion feather, the first time ever I tackled a feather.  Since I started quilting in 2010, I so wanted to stitch feathers, but was totally intimidated and scared to even try.  I stitched the stem with the walking foot and failed miserably on the first two attempts.  Whilst drawing it out on a piece of paper to show my husband what I was trying to accomplish, I realized what I was doing wrong.  On the third attempt I succeeded and stitched a feather all around the border.

Although I didn't stop far enough from the edge as to not catch the feather in the binding, I am extremely proud of myself that I have finally overcome my feathered fear. 

The embroidery designs I used is this set from Embroidery Library.  On the maroon I stitched with a matching variegated thread and on the cream with a mother of pearl metallic thread.

Below are some of the other members runners.

Frances van Schalkwyk

Marietjie van Rensburg

Rika van der Merwe

                                2023 is going extremely well with two finished quilts thus far.  

Prizes won

It's been a long time since I had written a new post as I haven't been doing any embroidering or quilting.  Me and my son both had Covid two weeks apart and my husband had an operation on his back, the 3rd one.

This year I entered 7 items at the Bloemshow of which 4 have won prizes.

Spiral Burst

Stack and Wack

These two quilts both won 3rd prizes.

Mandala

2nd prize

Heart Quilt

1st prize

Heart Quilt finished

I finished this quilt and is really pleased with how it turned out.

All the crazy patch hearts embroidery designs, are available at Molly Mine

Below are some close up photos of the blocks showing the free motion quilting done in more detail.  I chose to meander mostly as to get the quilt finished rather than spending hours wondering what motifs to use where.  Judges don't prefer quilts that is just meandered, but it is my quilt and my decision after all.  I don't quilt for awards, just as a hobby.

Below is a close up of one of the corners showing the stitching done.

Now I have to get myself started on another project as I am still struggling to get back my mojo after all my work issues the last year or so.  I am working from home sitting cooped up alone in my office all day, so I am struggling to get myself to spend the whole evening alone in the needlework room as well.  But when I do get myself to do something, I enjoy it and after a while forgot about all life's trouble and problems which never ends in our life.  

My contract at my current employer expires at the end of March and my son quit his new job after a month, so I am really struggling holding my head above the water.  All prayers for us are sorely needed.  Please do let me know of any job opening for a young man with 2 years administrative assistant experience, data capture etc. if you know or hear about anything.  It would be greatly appreciated.

Row by Row Quilt complete!

I manage to complete the quilt with 12 hours to spare before our quarterly meeting on the 5th of November!  And this is what the end result looks like:

Below are some close up shots of the quilting which was done in 10 days time whilst working fulltime as well.

I embroidered a label to compliment the quilt's design:

And last but not least - it won first prize!  I received this beautiful goody box sponsored by our local Pfaff dealer containing a Rotary Cutter blade (always welcome), a measuring tape, pin cushion, 4 fat quarters (what will be stitched with this fabric?) and various metal charms which will most definitely come in handy.

Thanks Marie!  And everybody who voted for my quilt.

Below is a photo of all the Row by Row quilts on display.

It is truly amazing how diverse one quilt pattern can look.  From a single row to form a bell pull to a 3d story book roll from Mariaan who dyed all the fabric she used herself.

2016's Quilting Project - Free Motion

Whilst deciding what our quilting group was going to do as a project for the year, I remembered this project of mine stuffed in a drawer for almost 20 years.

 

I originally wanted to make a carpet but after discovering that the fabric I bought was too dense, I gave up and put it away.  It took about a week of drawing the pattern and I was not about to throw it away.

 

As the fabric was already partially damaged in the centre, it was decided to use applique to cover it up.  The rest will just be stitched in a dark grey with tone on tone free motion in the open areas.



 

Casper kept me company although he decided to lay on top of the fabric making it impossible to move it at all!  He is 17 years old, outlived our house fire of 2014 and stayed alone at the damaged house for 6 months! So, I guess - he is allowed!

 

4 of the Rotary Cutters is working on a medallion quilt similar to this one

 



whilst the others is doing the Free motion project depicted below.  A beautiful wall hanging.

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

Free Motion Quilting

After free motioning various quilts over the past 3 years, I am at last feeling that I'm actually getting it right.  It is an art that can only be accomplished with hours and hours of practice (well, for me anyway).  I am so glad that I persevered!

I can't write about this without thanking Hettie Pringle, under who's guidance 4 of us did a beginners course in 2010.  Although we thought it quite a daunting task to free motion, Hettie inspired and helped us with valuable advice. 

3 weeks ago, my friend, Sonia Botes (read this post) asked my help with the quilting of a play mat for her granddaughter.  I used the loop-de-loop pattern and this is how it turned out:

 And over the Easter weekend, I free motioned the Outreach quilt I wrote about in this post: