Perfect Points.

Accuracy in Patchwork:

Do you get annoyed at losing your points in half square triangles? 
Do you rip it out when it is not right?
Do you admire people who get it perfect every time?

Well I have discovered over the years that is it difficult to get it right every time. However I have put myself to the test and discovered that it is not just a case of hit and miss. If you really want your points to be perfect then unfortunately you have to work at it. 
Accuracy is the name of the game. There are three things that affect your perfect points.

1. Accuracy in cutting.
2. Proper pressing.
3. Accurate seam allowance. 

There are a number of other factors which also influence the outcome. 

1. Thickness of thread.
2. Marking lines both for cutting and sewing.
3. Methods used for the process.
4. Machine feet.
5. Rulers.
6. Marking tools.

This is my first block using all half square triangles. I made the blocks bigger and then cut them down to size. On Close inspection I would say I got the points 90% perfect. 

The problems I encountered during this exercise where encountered during the sewing of the intersection of the seams. The machine had difficulty keeping a straight line through the bulk of the seams. 
For this block I had to open some of the seams in order to keep unity and ensure the block did not have seams meeting in the same direction. 

Christmas will be upon us before you know it, getting an early start is always a good idea. I love batiks and decided to design a small wall hanging. I used steam-a-seam light because I can move the pieces around before permanently ironing them in place. This design also gave me a chance to use a decorative stitch on my machine to finish the edges on the trees. Easy quilting with straight lines following the shape of the trees adds even more texture. I made a couple of kits up and was delighted when they both sold, so I will have a few more ready for the RDS in Dublin next month and may also try it out in traditional fabrics.

Reindeer Prance by Deborah Edwards for Northcott

NEW COLLECTIONS 2015:

July and August are busy months for me at Seams Sew Simple. With the arrival of all the Christmas Fabric, cutting, folding and pricing fat quarters, as well as updating all my social media and online shop. Making up the samples for the up coming shows and getting ready for winter sewing. I thought I'd share some of this seasons collections which are available at www.seamsewsimple.ie.

Reindeer Prance from Northcott by Deborah Edwards.  I love the prancing reindeer in this soft blue colour way. Snowflakes and a hint of metallic adds the right amount of sparkle.


                                                                                                                                                                          

 With a hint of metallic, Reindeer Prance brings to life the magical sparkle of the holiday season. The dark navy background of the panel and the glistening stars reminds of a clear night sky.  Again the snowflake prancing reindeer with his curly antlers makes this a special fabric perfect for Christmas.
Borders and blocks can be added to the panel for either wall hanging size or larger if you prefer to use it on the couch as a decorative throw, or as they do in my house curl up with it in front of a glowing fire with a good christmas movie on the telly.  ooooh feeling warm already!














White Christmas.  This lovely silvery colour way matches in beautifully with the navy of the panel and the soft blue's of the first fabric. This can be used as the first border on the panel to create the perfect frame. Remember to sew the short sides, top and bottom first, that way you only use one strip instead of two. After that you will have to use corner stones for the next border if like me you don't like joins on the long sides.

In contrast this silvery blue adds the finishing touches.
Can be used as borders or in blocks to enhance the reindeer panel.











Below is a finished Quilt which you can see on the Northcott website giving a lovely idea of what you can make these beautiful fabrics into this Christmas.

Reindeer Prance by Northcot

Quilting Treasures Petals

I love these pretty flowers and sprigs on the Petals Basic Range by Quilting Treasures. The free downloadable pattern is an extra bonus.      
  Free Pattern             Seams Sew Simple

                                    Having some fun making birds out of scraps.

For my latest quilt I and using the Vintage Range from Makower.  I love the duck egg blue's. I have chosen two fabric's for this Churn Dash Block. They are 10" finished. Easy to cut and very quick to stitch . When put together they form a secondary design.  I am going to use only one border to finish. 

Aurifil Thread

Makro 50

Orange Coloured Spool

Hand Appliqué
Ideal for all types of hand applique. From needle turning to using prepared shapes, the 50wt is thin and with all the colors available you can match your shape perfectly.

Hand Piecing
A great weight for hand piecing.

Lace
50wt is a wonder for both Bobbin lace & Machine lace.
Machine Appliqué
Ideal when a very fine finish is desired. This weight disappears so your fabric is the feature.
Use for a straight stitch, small zig zag , Blind hemming stitch , and Blanket stitch.
Machine Embroidery
Great results every time. Use 50wt in the bobbin as well, or your regular bobbin thread
in which case tighten the top tension a little. Use a Microtex 80/12 needle.
Machine piecing
Gives a great result with a nice flat seam every time.
Machine quilting
Use for very detailed machine quilting with a lot of back tracking such as feathers and
 heavy background quilting . Perfect for quilting that creates texture when you don’t
necessarily want to see the quilting lines. Use the same thread in the bobbin and a
Sharp/Microtex, quilting or even denim needles 80/12.
Longarm quilting
Perfect for creating texture where you don’t want the thread to be a feature. Backgrounds,
stitch in the ditch, basting quilts, whole cloth quilting, micro quilting for dense
background designs. Match bobbin thread.

Valentine February

Heart to Heart. This beautiful Wall hanging was made by my friend Kathy using fabrics from my shop. I think it is a great project for February after all it is the Month for Love and Romance. 

Block Party

Well done to Imelda who has completed four blocks in just two lessons.  Her nine block sampler will be completed in no time. Rail fence and card trick are next. Quarter inch seams and points are on the agenda.

Red is the Colour

Oh dear, My blog page needs an update. Just not enough hours in the day. I must confess my facebook page has been getting all my attention lately. I just love this block from McCalls Quilting website. With St Valentines Day just around the corner I think this would be a good block to use in a table runner. If only I could find the time!!!!!!

Time Passes

Has it really been that long since my last post. Time passes so quickly when you are busy. I guess my face book page has been getting all the attention lately. Since my last post I have started teaching beginners patchwork classes in cabin. One lady brings her son with her, so he has been making blocks as well. I will post his project when he has finished. I just loved this Northcott christmas panel so I had to make one for my shop and it will most likely finish up in my house at Christmas. 

Roscommon Lamb Festival

I took advantage of these lambs at the festival last weekend. I was sorry I didn't have a finished quilt to drape over them. But you get the picture. I heard since that one of them was spotted in bits all over the town on Monday night. I know there was a smaller one so maybe it was him. Vandals!!!

Fat Free Chocolates

Chocolate Box
I finally finished my chocolates for the International Quilt Festival of Ireland. 

I left an empty space and so far everyone who has looked at them states the obvious.
There's one missing!!!

The prize for this competition is a hamper full of real chocolate.  Yummy
Which would you rather have???

Seams Sew Simple

I am in my sick bed at the moment with a head cold. Not very pleasant so this is probably the reason I cannot seem to be able to get the link for my Seams Sew Simple page pasted to my blog site. Therefore I will just paste the direct link here for now.  https://www.facebook.com/Quilts.Patchwork

You can see more of the new range of Stonehenge fabrics on Seams Sew Simple face book page as I post them.

Janome Embroidery Machine

I painted this shamrock using a stencil cut from freezer paper and using an old tooth brush I applied the Markal paint sticks. I then used my new embroidery machine to write the Ireland underneath. This is the first time I have used an embroidery machine and I think I am going to enjoy it.
I will give more details about the machine in my next blog. If you would like to connect with Seams Sew Simple facebook page you can find it at    https://www.facebook.com/Quilts.Patchwork
In the mean time I hope you are all enjoying this wonderful weather. Tip of the Day!  Don't forget your sunscreen.

The Farmers Journal

The Farmers Journal have been running a patchwork project for the last few weeks. I have been buying the issues but have not started the project yet. With so much on the go at the moment it will have to wait for a while. Working on Seams Sew Simple web site at the moment, lots of hard work ahead.

Nature

I took these photo's in my garden a few weeks ago. I love the robin posing in the middle.

What a great place to find inspiration.

International Quilt Festival of Ireland.

My Panel for the International Quilt Festival of Ireland.
Here is a close up of the torc I have stitched and then painted with gold fabric paint. I have started to free motion around it in a blue variegated thread. I will highlight the torc further using some gold foil. The picture below is of the whole panel. I have free motion quilted most of it, using different threads and pattern. It has been photographed on the floor and I think it needs to be hanging to get a better view.

You will be able to see more of these panels hanging together at the festival in June.

New York Beauty

Great way to spend a Sunday doing an amazing workshop with Tracy Watson.  Just look at those points, her technic was extremely accurate. This was an all day workshop from 10 until 4 pm, blocks take some time to make but the results are well worth it. This workshop with Tracy is highly recommended. You can contact Tracy at

tracy@pixelbrush.ie

Patchwork in Roscommon

Humble beginnings. Here are the after photos of my cabin. I have three sewing stations, set up with Janome JP760 computerized quilting machines. A selection of fabrics form Fabric Freedom. Quilters starter sets comprising of Creative Grids self healing cutting mat, ruler and a rotary cutter. A nice selection of Aurifil machine threads. Please ring me on 0879185054 if you would like to visit or arrange beginners lessons.

My web site www.seamsewsimple.ie is currently under construction and hope to have it up and running soon.