Now.....About The Fusion Quilt .....

Hello lovely lovelies, lovely friends♡ Here I am again on this sunny Sunday morning to talk about the fusion quilt I've been fashioning. Some more happy, fusion squares dancing with gorgeous colours and patterns have been finished.

Last week a couple of lovelies had a few queries as to how a fusion quilt is fashioned. I did smile at Julie's comment that each square looked like a "fancy schmancy pot holder". =) I must say, Julie, I would have to agree with you♡

A fusion quilt is basically making quilted squares and crocheting each square together, which in essence is fusing sewing and crochet together.

Each square consists of a fabric square for the top and another fabric square for the backing. As my quilt is made of quilting cotton for both the front and backing, there is a square of batting in the middle of the two finished squares. I have seen fusion quilts fashioned with a fabric square for the top and a fleecy fabric for the backing. In this case there would be no need for batting.

The batting and the two fabric squares with right sides together, are machine stitched together leaving a gap to enable turning out to the right side. 

The sides are then trimmed and neatened  and the corners clipped giving a neater and more defined corner when the square is turned right side out.

Or......the quicker, more efficient, but fuglier photo......method. =)

Push out the corners with whatever implement you use and then press with an iron. Quilting is done at this point. I machine quilted diagonally from corner to corner.  I then mark 1/4" in from the edge and draw a line around the square. Some lovelies, machine stitch all the way around as a guide for the blanket stitch. I don't as I prefer to only have the blanket stitch skipping all the way round. Then blanket stitch is sewn around the square at 1/4" intervals. Blanket stitch is needed to have something to work the crochet stitches into. 

When all the crochet edging around each square is finished the squares are then joined together either by crochet or hand stitching, forming the quilt. I love that each square is a complete component crocheted together to form a completed quilt. Hopefully, the joining of all my pretty squares isn't too far away.

What I'm loving about this fusion quilt is the completely different aesthetic of the front and back. On the front, vintage inspired, muted colour palettes of Tilda, and on the back, bright and cheery florals. I love that it is two quilts in one. I love too, that this quilt has been fashioned from what's in my stash. It's a good project for using leftover batting, too. It's certainly turning out to be a fabulous 'user-upper' of my fabric stash.

The back is as lovely, if not lovelier, with all the floralicious florals♡

I'm aiming to have enough squares for a quilt that will rest atop a queen size bed. A very roomy lap quilt, if you will. =) Perhaps, in the not too distant future I will begin the crocheting of each pretty square together to form the quilt. I'm rather excited about that.

Enjoy your Sunday, lovely lovelies♡ 'Tis time for an early morning cuppa here and time for a little Slow Sunday Stitching. 'Tis time to relax and enjoy some quiet moments.....calm moments; and with crochet hook and wool, let my fingers dance merrily around some more pretty squares♡

Until the next time........

Of Wintry Days, Fusion Quilts and Tulips♡

 

Hello lovely lovelies, lovely friends♡ A pleasant week has been enjoyed down here, cosying down in front of the fire while I  continued to work on my fusion quilt.

My goodness it's been chilly. Ice has covered the ground most mornings but of course ice-sheathed mornings usually mean sunshine-filled blue, blue skies, which of course always cheers me up and warms dem ol' bones of mine. Sunshine♡ 'Tis one of my favourite things. In winter, sunbeams  shine through the windows of my home in different rooms at different times throughout the day and I of course follow it, seeking out cosy corners, soaking up the warmth and cheeriness.

'Tis August. The last calender month of winter. I'm a wee bit excited about that. I'm filled with great joy, with the thought the spring bulbs will soon be blooming everywhere. Though, I will have to wait a little longer for the host of golden daffodils to sashay in the garden. There are smudges of yellow to be seen as the jonquils begin to stir and flower. It will be wonderful to once again have vases of flowers throughout my home.

And speaking of vases of spring bulbs throughout my home, yesterday my good husband and I drove through hill and down dale to a farmer's market and bought oodles of tulips from a flower stall. Some tulips for a dear friend to cheer her day and some pretties for moi, to cheer my day.......and Pete's. =)

When we lived in Sydney Pete and I  would quite often arise at 4am on a Saturday morning to drive to the flower markets by 5am. It was the highlight of my week; and believe it or not, Pete was always up for an early Saturday morning flower market outing. All the flower growers would gather in a huge warehouse where there was bucket after bucket over-spilling with floralicousness. We would chat to the growers as our arms became heavy laden with bunches of blooms. The colours were spectacular and the potpourri of fragrances was heavenly. After our arms could no longer hold any more flowers we would sit for a while and enjoy a coffee at a cafe as we watched the hustle and bustle of  the busy market. We would be home by 7 where I would arrange the blooms into vases; both for me, and more often than not for a friend or two, to put a smile in their day. I must say I do miss our early morning jaunts to the Sydney Flower Markets........but even so, I'm still happy I......we.......escaped cacophonous Sydney and settled in this far rural outpost. Besides......we kinda have our own little flower kingdom flourishing here. Just not in winter. =)

Now.....about the fusion quilt. This week I machine stitched more fabric squares together and crocheted around more squares. Later on, for Slow Sunday Stitching, I will mark some finished squares so that I can blanket stitch around the edges in readiness for crocheting. The blanket stitching is my least favourite task for this quilt as it takes a while to stitch around all the four edges. I'm using a rather large needle and it takes a bit of oomph to go through the layers. A bigger needle is required so that the 3 ply wool will fit through the eye. This needle could do some serious damage if indeed I chose to wield it. Into some objectionable person, perhaps?? Just joking.....but then....... =)

It looks rather dull and gloomy outside my window. The fire is a-blazing so I think I will blanket stitch and crochet around some squares and soak up the warmth. I might knit a little, too. I'm starting a new jumper for Lenox. I hope you enjoy your Sunday when it arrives at your place. May there be sprinkles of love and delight throughout your day♡

Until the next time.........

Back In The Land Down Under

 

Well hello, lovely lovelies, lovely friends♡ After a wonderful holiday in San Francisco I'm back home in the Land Down Under. Actually, I've been home for yonks.  I had the most wonderful time away hanging out with 'my' little man, Lenox. Oodles of cuddles. Oodles of snuggles. But. Goodness me. It has taken me many weeks to recover.  Me thinks this Granny caper with newborns is for grannies who are much younger than I. I came home for a wee rest. =) 

Oh, how babies quickly change into the next little stage. When I first arrived Lenox was restless so there was many a time I would send my daughter to bed and I would settle him, rocking him to sleep. After all he is a newborn and getting used to this world he has entered.  Lenox and I participated in many many moments where secret granny/grandbaby communication transpired, and I must say it was a joy. In the last couple of weeks of my stay Lenox had become quite the conversationalist in his very own baby language and charming all with his smiles. So, so very sweet. 

Upon arrival at San Fransisco I did wonder if my progress through Customs and Border Protection would be thwarted. I did wonder if they would seize my phone and see how the land lay re my thoughts on all things America and one Donald J Trump; but all went smoothly. Quicker than quick, too. I'm guessing they haven't read my blog. Probably a good thing. =)

The weather in San Francisco was magical. Warm sunny days where I would at times sit on the deck and knit and drink tea, soaking up all the glorious rays of sunshine. Ahh....the wonderful healing powers of sunshine. Alas, I've been brought back to earth with a freezing thud, as Old Man Winter has settled in for the duration where at times he blusters and rages day and night. And I might add Old Man Sun is loathe to show his face.

Whilst in San Francisco although I spent a lot of time at home, we did manage to squeeze in some  days of exploring quaint towns by the sea; eating out at fabulous restaurants. Every visit to San Francisco, a drive over The Golden Gate Bridge is a must as there are always quaint towns over the other side to explore. And.......each time I visit San Francisco a visit to the shop Anthropologie is mandatory. This store is so my vibe.  I love wandering around this fabulous shop. My eyes ricochet from one beautiful pretty to another. Always having an interest in fashion, design and fabric I never cease to be delighted with the array of clever designs and beautiful fabrics hanging from the coat hangers. Oh......the florist section........ 'tis to die for.  Love, love, love Anthropologie!

On the drive home from our little shopping expedition we encountered hordes of people lining the streets for the 'No  Kings Day' protest. Well, of course to show our complete concurrence with the dissidents my daughter honked the horn like there was no tomorrow. You know...........to metaphorically drown out those squeaky tanks that rolled along at the wannabe king's birthday parade, and the preposterous aggrandisement he bangs on about. I'm still giggling at those pictures.  I'm guessing the Grand Poobah wasn't impressed at the casualness of the  troops marching. I'm guessing he would much prefer a parade of those seen in North Korea or Russia. You know the ones, where if one's goose step is out of sync one might find themselves face planted on the pavement after having being mysteriously pushed from a ten storey window. Goodness....he is a fool.....and a tool! He is rather genuine at being fake.

But.......with all waggishness and facetiousness aside the wannabe king and dictator causes America....the world to become more dangerous as he huffs and puffs and blusters through every new day.....every new week. Goodness. The drama! The corruption! The evil! Enough said!

While I was away I knitted and finished two woollies for Lenox; a cardigan and a vest. Remember the little crochet granny square pretty I fashioned a couple of months ago?? Yes, that was a gift for my wee Lenox.

These last couple of weeks I have been designing and sewing a cubby house in the guise of a cute cottage, that will pop over a table. It's my sweet Riley's birthday tomorrow and our little miracle baby will be two. To see her now, an active, with all engines firing wee girl, it's hard to believe she was once a 1.2 kilograms wee poppet attached to many tubes in the NICU. It's amazing to me that she is now 2 years old.

But.....about Riley's table cubby house. It's very cute. A wee cottage made from a pink canvas fabric with green and white gingham for the roof. There are windows fashioned from a thick tablecloth plastic which are festooned with pretty valances; just perfect for Riley to play peek-a-boo. The windows are framed in strips of a cheery hexagon fabric from my stash. There's a sweet puppy snoozing away and a green-eyed cat keeping one eye on the pup and the other eye on Riley. Flowers are blossoming freely springing up from daisy-covered grass;  sashaying around the cottage; and sweet birdies are singing many a merry tune. Fingers crossed that Riley will while away her day happily playing make believe within her little cottage.

This is my second tabletop cubby I have fashioned. There is a reason why I don't conjure up too many tabletop cubbies. =) Way back in 2017 I  fashioned another tabletop cubby for a little boy in the guise of a pirate ship. Riley's cubby house cottage was a little less arduous than the pirate ship but the stitching and figuring out of some of the details took a little time. Let's just say I'm not in a hurry to fashion another. Though my daughter sent me a paper template of the tabletop it was a wee bit tricky as I couldn't  check at intervals the fit on the table as I sewed each stage. Fingers crossed. =) The best thing about a tabletop cubby is that it can be folded and put away whenever the table is needed for meals and other activities. 

Today is Sunday. Slow Sunday Stitching. What to do.....what to do?? Me thinks I will enjoy a little crocheting around the edges of some fabric squares, for a fusion quilt I am fashioning. Gorgeous 9 inch squares of Tilda fabric. Alas, these fabrics have been ever so patiently sitting in my armoire waiting to be fashioned into some pretty or other. I acquired these fabrics three years ago and though I've used these in small pretties, now is the time to go all out and have them dancing ever so gorgeously in one quilt. Yes indeedy, an enjoyable Sunday afternoon sitting in front of the fire crocheting around and around gorgeous squares dancing in Tilda florals.

The back of each square is a floral fabric from my stash. So, in essence, two quilts in one. Glorious Tilda fabrics on the front and sumptuous florals on the back. How fabulous.

I hope your Sunday is a pleasant one♡ Mine has been. How could it not, with candles a-glowing, fire a-blazing and a little crochet to enjoy♡ Yes indeedy, an afternoon enjoying a little crochet love♡

Until the next time......