Bit of this and a bit of that

I started thinking of how to use these blocks today.  Wendy had sent a fair bit of leftover fabrics with these blocks and I am keen to do something with it before it gets absorbed into the rest of the donated fabrics or mistakenly used for another project.

 I spent a bit of time cutting and I have a plan but this is all I am going to show you!  Lots of 4 1/2 inch squares and not so many 4 1/2 x 5 1/2 inch rectangles.  You will just have to wait and see!  Hee Hee.

On other news I had a wonderful email from Karen telling me she has posted me some batting.  I can't tell you how exciting it is to get an email from someone that I don't know at all offering support.  It is a real validation that what I am doing is worthwhile.  Thanks so much Karen.

I have also had some emails promising to send some nine patches for the Block of the Month!  Yay!  They should soon be here and I will be so excited to show you in a post.  AND so excited to get started on the quilt or quilts!  Exciting!

Big day of layering quilts tomorrow - no idea how many we will get done but there will be three of us working on them so you never know!  I am really looking forward to getting them quilted and bound!

Till next time.....keep spreading the word and happy stitching!

Another parcel.......

Australia Post is starting to wear a path to my door these days and I can't say I am complaining.  Today I received a big box from Wendy and in it was this great quilt top and backing-

Another quilt top and backing-

Another quilt top - haven't got as far as shoosing a backing for this one-

more fabric for backings - probably enough for about three quilts, maybe more - 

and yet more fabric- 

and some great orphan blocks - these

and these.

Thanks Wendy.  I have sorted backings for the first two quilts and have labels on them already.  Haven't got any further but have the blocks on the design wall and am thinking about them. Some of the fabric Wendy sent have been used in the star blocks here so I am planning to use more of it to add to the stars.  Not sure what yet, but the ideas are ticking away.

AND whilst checking out some of my favourite blogs I came across this.

Tarnyia has excelled herself making three great green and blue quilts and LOTS of binding!  Woo Hoo!  thanks Tarnyia!  Check her blog to see the full pictures of these quilts.

Aside from Wendy's goodies, today's job has been to iron labels onto backings and stitch them down.  I managed to get these quilts ready for layering, quilting and binding.

That's it for tonight! 

Till next time........keep spreading the word and happy stitching!

Labels!!

It has been a busy weekend here.  All sorts of things to do - grocery shopping, kids here there and everywhere, all the usual activities of life but I still managed a bit of sewing.   My goal today was to get enough labels sewn to use in the 13 quilts that are here waiting to be quilted. 

 Tomorrow I hope to get all thirteen sewn on all the backings but I have Tuesday up my sleeve if don't quite get there.

On Wednesday a few of the Gumnuts are coming over and we will get as many of the eleven quilts layered as we can.  I just need to make sure that I have all the labels on the backs and all the backs pieced where necessary.

On Friday Caz has volunteered to come over and help me quilt some.  I am really looking forward to that!  Can't wait to meet her and also can't wait to see how many we get done!

Now this one, Maisy, is giving me the look - Mum, isn't it time for bed, I am so tired!

I think I will take the hint - lots to do tomorrow.

Till next time............keep spreading the word and happy stitching!

Orphans adopted

The first orphans have arrived for adoption from Pam.

There are some interesting blocks there and I am looking forward to having time to play with them and others that I have received earlier and see what I can do with them.

It has been one of those days today!  I have been having trouble with my internet for weeks and have had the tech out four times, including this morning.  Basically the internet would just slow down annoyingly slow but I still had enough useful time that I could keep going but today, because of the something the tech inadvertently did my internet when down COMPLETELY!!!!  Not happy!  Anyway it is back now.  Should it happen again I have worked out I can take my laptop and sit in a Maccas and conduct business - at least enough to keep AHQ running!

Tomorrow will be a better day!

Till next time......keep spreading the word and happy stitching!

Updated version of how you can help.

Now that we have been running for a month (where did that time go!) I thought it would be a good idea to post an updated version how you can contribute to Aussie Hero Quilts and Laundry Bags.

When we first started (all of a month ago) one option was to send completed quilt tops to me which I would finish and put in the mail.  I did this because originally I could not promulgate the personal postal address I was using which meant all quilts had to go through me.  i felt it would be too expensive for completed quilts to be posted at that time.

Now I have a central address which I will pass on in time for everyone to send off their parcels and as long as those parcels weight less than 2kg (and our quilts do) you can post for free.  We can post twice a year - for a month just before ANZAC DAY and another month just before CHRISTMAS DAY.  The next posting date is the 15th of March to the 15th April.   Don't worry I will give you the address and lots of reminder before then.

If you have started a quilt top and don't want to turn it into a quilt - just email me and we will work something out.  I am sure you will understand that as Aussie heroes grows, as it is gently doing now, I will not be able to keep up with all the quilting and binding.

Laundry bags can be sent to me or dispatched by you and I will talk more about them in another post.  Email me if you have any queries.

What can you do to help.

I have tried to structure this to be inclusive of everyone, regardless of skill, time of financial situation.   I hope everyone can find something here that they are happy or comfortable with. Here are your options.

1. make a laundry bag or two (or three……)  Instructions can be found if you click the button on the left hand side of the blog.
2. make a quilt (or two or three….)  The soldiers quilts are made and sized specifically to fit into a particular sized post box coz then you can post them for free – anything posted to the soldiers in Afghanistan under 2kg is free!   I designed our quilts to be the width of the fabric so about 42” and about 66” or 1.8m long. Basically we just sewed 6 1/2 “ wide strips of fabric together into one long strip – cut that down into 42” lengths and 11 of those made up the quilt tops. Quick and simple – utilitarian but I still think they looked cool and the guys that have received them so far loved them.  Next layer and quilt. Please use cotton batting - Afghanistan varies from being really hot in summer to freezing (or below freezing in winter) so cotton is the most versatile and breathable batting.  Also I think consistency across all the Aussie Hero quilts is important.  Binding is sewn on by machine or hand depending on time available.  I cut my normal binding about 2 1/2 “ but for these quilts, if machining both sides to make it easier to manage I cut 2 ¾”.  Sew on the back first, fold over to the front and use a zig zag stitch if you like or a straight stitch – whatever you are comfortable with.  Feel free to make a more decorative quilt - mine were just simple and basic to get a lot made in a short time. I will pass on the address when we get closer to the next mailing date.
3. if you don’t have time to sew a quilt or a laundry bag, no problems.  Cut some 6 ½” strips and send them to me to be incorporated into quilt tops here.  Or you can buy or send me 1m of fabric for a laundry bag and send it to me!  I will make it up.
4. If you want to sew something but don’t have fabric, let me know and I will send you a kit to make a quilt or laundry bag.
5. If you are time poor but still want to help, you could buy some batting online (we always need batting!) and have it shipped to me for the quilts.  Batting is one thing we are in short supply of and always have to buy.
6. Join in the block of the month program and sew a couple of blocks.

 If you have any other ideas how you can help, please let me know.  I am definitely open to suggestions.  I try to answer all emails as long as you are able to be contacted.  I try to get back to you on the day you contact me but I am coordinating this on my own with sewing help from my quilt group, so please bear with me if it takes me a day or so.

Now on to some happy mail - These lovely quilt tops were all made by Caroline from NSW.  She has incorporated an Aussie teatowel in the centre of each one and I think they look fabulous!

Thanks so much Caroline - these are really going to brighten up some rooms!


Till next time...keep spreading the word and happy stitching!

BOM's away......

Okay, here goes.  Now I will start this by saying this is only the second time I have written a tutorial so let me know if you think there is anything I have left out or any changes I need to make.  

Our first BOM is the NINE PATCH.  

I did warn you that we would start with a simple block as some of our stitchers are novice quilters.  And besides, I love the nine patch for it's humble versatility.  Here are three nine patch quilts that have already been sent off to Afghanistan.  They are all different but they are all based around the humble nine patch.  Love 'em!

So, gather your fabrics.  You need at least two - one light and one dark.  From the light fabrics cut four 3 1/2 inch squares and from the dark cut five 3 1/2 inch squares.   We will be making a block that looks like this.

Next most important step is to select your quarter inch foot.  Seam allowance is really crucial when a bunch of quilters are sewing blocks for a combined quilt.  Even in our quilt group, full of experienced quilters, we find that all our quarter inch seams are not the same.  So, grab your quarter inch foot - this is what mine looks like.  

 Now grab some scraps and sew a practice seam.  Check that it is an accurate quarter inch and adjust the needle position if it isn't.  In this case, just do your best.  I can trim a little if I need to if the blocks aren't all exactly the same.

Next pin together a dark square and a light square.  Repeat and pin two more pairs.

 Sew your squares together.

 Once you have sewn all the pairs together, iron them with the seams towards the dark square.

 Now get your remaining three squares and pin to the pairs like this.

 Again press all your seams towards the dark square

 Take the strip that has the dark square  in the middle and one of the other strips and pin together  through the seams.

 I like to pin on the diagonal as it holds both seams to a certain extent.

 Here is the rear view.

Again iron the seams towards the two dark squares.  The middle part of the seam will be towards the light - that is fine.  Once you have sewn those two strips together, pin the final strip to the other side of the strip with the dark centre and sew.  Press the seams again as before.  Now sit back and pat yourself on the back, you have just made a nine patch.  You can now repeat as many times as you like.

Here are some I prepared earlier.

Some of the colours I used would not strictly be considered dark but there is enough contrast with the cream so that is good enough in this instance.  

Now, some admin.  Blocks can be made with any combination of lights and darks and not all lights and darks in the one block have to be the same.  Remember I am teaming them with this red so perhaps avoid red unless you limit it to the middle of the block.

The last date for posting nine patch blocks to me is February 29!  If you post after that they may have to wait for another quilt or quilts to be included in.  If you are posting some can you please let me know how many so that by the time they arrive I will have a layout worked out and can start working on them.  if you are an overseas quilter and you want to join in the fun feel free but it you could post yours a bit earlier - say around the 20th of Feb that should allow for most of the blocks to be here together.  You can make one block or more - your choice.  I am sure there are some of you that absolutely won't be able to stop at one......like me!

I hope that makes sense to all of you - leave me a comment if you are joining in and also if you have any questions.

Till next time.......keep spreading the word and happy stitching!

More quilty mail!

First up four fabulous laundry bags from Anne in South Australia!  These are going to be very popular!

I also received a gorgeous bundle from Kath in QLD including a girly quilt, some extra strips for the back, some fabric for binding and some $ for batting - someone is going to love this quilt!

And we weren't the only ones receiving mail.  This quilt and the two quilts made from quilt tops made by Tarnyia (which you can see here) all arrived at their destination this week.   This is for our quilting Major and was made by my new blogless friend from WA, Marg.  I haven't shown a picture of it before as I didn't want to spoil the surprise just in case our quilting Major read the blog.  I think it is wonderful.

 Love these stitcheries!  "the difficult done daily, the impossible performed overnight, miracles by appointment".  Cute huh! 

I don't think Marg or the Quilting Major will mind if I share a couple of portions of the thank you email Marg received.


"I received your very beautiful quilt in the mail today and you have certainly made my week, a truly high point in my time here. I can't thank you enough and to celebrate I'm going to change my bed linen, put it on my bed and sleep under it tonight. My office is filled with colour, quilts for the two girls on my team arrived today as well as the laundry bags. I'm a quilter myself so I'm in seventh heaven. Unfortunately apart from a bit of knitting there's been little opportunity to do any of that and I must say I miss it. I need to send the other quilts to different locations which are also very cold at the moment and I'll ask for photos of the quilts actually on the beds and send them to Jan-Maree to put on the Aussiequilt site. 


I don't underestimate the effect your quilts and crafts have on the guys over here. It's lovely to realise that so many australians are thinking of the troops over here and although we are very well looked after it's the little things that we all miss and gifts like yours bring home a bit closer and generally there's a warm glow. I know for a fact that the guys are enthusiastic about them as well."


If that doesn't give you a bit of a warm fuzzy feeling you must be a snowman!  


Till next time........keep spreading the word and happy stitching!