Resolved to Sew...

You must have seen the mega giveaway at Ali's blog, the similarly named but unrelated Veryberryhandmade.  There is a Blogger's Draw with a huge pile of UK fabric shop prizes, all you need to do is share your 2012 sewing resolutions so here goes my entry...

I have plans rather than resolutions and the first is to put my new machine to good use and make more quilts.  I have already done the little Round the World- A Walk down the Road quilt, started my Swoon- a slow burn long term commitment project and also started a quickie simple quilt for my sister- her birthday is end of February

It is an easy design from Jane Brockett's Gentle Art of Quilt Making, squares, rectangles and all about the fabrics.  These are very Gemma!

 Also planned- lots of clothes.  At least 1-2 dresses- we have a wedding to go to in April so one or both of those voiles has got to become something and there are a couple of skirts in those bolder prints below.  I decided to make all skirts rather than buy, that way I get the details I really want, like pockets.

There are more clothes planned, no idea when I am going to get the chance but one day , this year, hopefully.

Also have a few paper piecing projects in the pipeline, some very close to reveal-the photo is the tiniest peek, and the Fat Quarterly retreat to go to and teach at- it is going to be a great year although having seen the other teachers I am more than a little nervous.

And if I won...that would be lucky, I think I would choose as my favourite and my best the Fancy Moon voucher, they have some great fabrics and the delectable Merchant and Mills accessories.   You can still enter the draw up to Thursday 26th Jan, gotta be worth a try.  It's been a while since I put any music links on, so a current obsession, James Blake's cover of an old and beautiful Joni Mitchell song x

Shallow and Material things that make me happy

A few hours left to enter my Accuquilt Go! Baby giveaway here.

My car had pretty much had it and at rather short notice I had to buy a new (to me) one.  It is the first time I have bought a car with a year's warranty rather than the wing and a prayer that I usually receive after handing over a few thousand pounds.  I am the sole driver in our house so the onus on car purchases is firmly on me.  This one is a honey, even I can get excited about it and I am not fussed about cars.

I knew a new car would come around now so I have been saving and saving- I am very risk averse and loans are hard to get so handing over such a big wodge of money was hard but a relief, I don't think this car will need attention for a long time, no more trips to the garage.  My blood sugar needed something to recover with, my local shop still has a few of these...

Cadbury's creme egg are my favourite chocolate sweets.  Strictly speaking only around for Easter, these must be close to being out of date but hey, there are only three and I've eaten one already.  A bit of reading matter to go with the cup of earl grey and the choc- how about McCall's Quilt It Book II-1974  magazine picked up in a charity shop today.  It has patterns based on some traditional quilts. I liked this Ocean Waves quilt until I read of the 2000 triangles that made up the design.

This curtain is a great way to showcase  the Rob Peter to Pay Paul pattern, and some random wicker bird cages.

And who doesn't feel the need to have a Yo-yo vest of many colours- click on the pictures to see them larger and in eye watering detail!

I'll do the accuquilt draw tomorrow and kick off the Courthouse Steps pillow tutorial- I am going to spread it across a few posts..x

Wonky self sufficiency house

Wonky block number 2 for Paula 

Looking at the pic this could so with a better press but I am happy with it.  I did the garden free form and the house from drawing out a paper template.  My top tip is to make the block an inch bigger than you need to, even then when I trim it down it is often a teeny, tiny bit skant- only the tiniest bit I promise Paula!  I finished this before we left for a final holiday day trip to...

No photos allowed inside do landscape pics only! Located on the outskirts of the Georgian city of Bath, UK in the most beautiful setting and is a great museum, fully recommend a visit.

  

Family friendly, interesting, detailed and a whole load of beautiful quilts to admire.

V&A Quilts 1700-2010

If you get the chance to go - take it, what an amazing exhibition and it finishes 4th July.

No photography but there are great web links on the V&A website.  It was incredibly busy, you really need to prebook your ticket and then queue up and collect it well before your alloted time to make sure you don't miss it!  Your journey through the exhibition is themed so there is a mix of old/new, male/female, professional/amateur, group/individual quilts.  For more details click here for the V&A account of it all and lots of pics. Youc an also find curator Sue Pritchard's blog- good for more pics and info and fun stuff like design a textile or upload you own quilt into their big online display.  Quilts and sewing is an emotionally connecting activity, it was hard not to cry on some exhibits-

Grayson Perry's exploration of abortion with 'Right to Life',  

The HMP Wandsworth quilt commisioned for the V&A 2010, a floor map of the prison and embroidered with heartbreaking statements-'One man one portion', 'I miss my family'

Changi Girl Guide Coverlet made in Changi Prison, Singapore 1943 meeting once a week, all hexies and some embroidered with names in their handwriting style, a secret present for their guide leader.

   The exit from the exhibition was directly into the bookshop where all the fabric and quilting/sewing/art books are housed- v clever ploy, and a lot was v expensive- but  couldn't resist a bit of fabric.  One bit will be for my Modern Swappers. 

 I couldn't stay in there forever and my camera was allowed elsewhere.  This Tracey Emin bag designed for Lonchamp 2004 was in 'Fashion'

Incredible digitally printed Alexander McQueen dress, don't normally like a lot of designer stuff but the cut and finish was breathtaking 

This beautiful pieced dress by John Loss 1966

An exquisite appliqued and hand detailed Ossie Clark dress 1970, the year I was born

and a whole 'Textiles' gallery that I'd not been in before full of fabrics, samplers, lace, linen.

Sorry for poor pic, these are dimly lit rooms- I love text fabric and this takes it to a new level- silk stitched on linen by a young girl circa 1850 telling the story of her early life.

Gorgeous modern block printed linen but from 1913, Vanessa Bell

A dress maker's promotional doll mid 18th century, 

I never quite know what to do with myself in places like the V&A,  I have been twice before and I always feel like rushing up to people and telling them to make the most of it, look at it, don't walk by, I can never quite believe we are all allowed in.  

I hadn't been in 'Ceramics' gallery before and I do like a pot

this above and below, Eric Ravilions for Wedgewood 1937

Stig Lindberg, wow! I love his designs -Fairytale Country pattern 1951

and Bersa tablewares 1960

In the 'Modern' gallery, great fabric, 

and a simple and beautiful netsuke in the Japanese gallery

I am always overwhelmed.  If you haven't been to the V&A it is the most fantastic way to spend a day.