Hexies!

At the September meeting of the Toronto Modern Quilt Guild, we learned how to make hexagons and diamonds using a technique called "English Paper Piecing". I have admired hexagons on other blogs for quite some time now but was intimidated by what I thought would be too finicky of a technique for me. However, they are actually quite simple to make.

I made this wall piece for my parents room. It is very simple but cute. Plus, it matches their quilt :) 

Quilt for Mom and Dad

Side 1 (Totally a reversible quilt)

I finished this quilt last week but didn't get around to taking pictures til today. I am so happy with it. We had a party for my Dad's 50th birthday on the weekend and I gave a few 'quilt tours' around my house to show people some of the quilts I made. I got to talk about what "modern quilting" means to me and show off some of my work.

Side 2 (originally the back but I just love it too much to make it only the back, haha) 

I really love the back and I think that it is a very good representation of what I picture when I think about modern quilting. The colour scheme is definitely not traditional. I also think that the many different elements that make up the back lead  it to be full of movement. Although I have not made very many quilts (this is my 4th) I have many ideas in my head about quilts I want to make. I am very drawn to the simple blocks with sashing in between.

The fabric along the top of the back (from Tula Pink's "Prince Charming" line) has become one of my all time favourite fabrics. I love showing it to people and asking them to tell me what they see. They can always get the smaller details (boy reading, bike, chasing butterflies) and they ALWAYS miss the giant turtle. I chose to put it at the top by where my parents' heads will be because it seemed so dreamlike to me.

See the quilting?!? I think it is the perfect quilting design for the quilt. I love how the quilt is so square-like with lots of 90* angles but the quilting is very flow-y and dynamic. Good contrast...

I am going to take it to the Toronto Modern Quilt Guild meeting this weekend. I am looking forward to seeing what other people in the quilting community think of it. I am so new to quilting that I feel like I can learn so much from people who are more experienced. 

Yes, I know the pictures I giant but I just thought big quilt=big pictures :)

Quilted macbook case

Front (the coloured bit at the top is the front of the velcro flap)

I made myself this quilted case for my computer. It has a few of the fabrics I am currently obsessed with (hence why my last few projects have all looked very similar). 

Close up of back   (echino <3  )

Back of case 

I am definitely starting to get the hang of these cases, now that I have made three. I really enjoy making them as they are both pretty and functional.

Inside lining of case and back of velcro flap. 

Bon voyage, Lake!

Modern wall quilt

My little brother moved to Paris, France last week to attend Sciences Po for a school exchange. I made him a couple going away presents. I made him a quilted wall hanging as wall decor is probably not going to be high on his 'to buy' list for his new place. I didn't take a pic of the back but it is a funky coloured wine bottle print, which I thought was appropriate given he is going to France.

One side of the eye mask 

 I also made him a sleep mask. I thought this was a very necessary gift after he told me he sometimes puts a pillow over his face to keep the light out in the morning. I think that an eye mask is a much safer alternative to a pillow...it has a much lower risk of smothering. I have been obsessed with bird fabric lately so both side of the mask used bird fabric.

Other side of the eye mask

Best quilting day EVER!!!

Side view

I quilted my first quilt on a longarm machine today. It was the most incredible quilting experience I have  ever had. I went to Red Red Bobbin, located just outside Brantford, Ontario.  Louise and Jim, the lovely and super kind couple that own Red Red Bobbin were the greatest teachers. As most of you know, I am a totally self-taught quilter (and even sewer, I guess) so I have a lot to learn about the technical aspects of the art. They taught me everything I needed to know to be able to work the longarm on my own...however, it was a lot of information so they helped me every step along the way. 

Robin the Longarm and I (Jim took this photo and emailed it to me minutes later without me even knowing!) 

I was pretty set on just doing some sort of free hand design, maybe some loops and swirls. When I got to the studio though, I soon realized that I might as well try a pantograph. Louise and Jim were able to find one that was exactly how I wanted my design to look and that was going to be okay for a beginner. I am so so so happy with how it turned out. It wasn't easy but I am sure I will improve with practice. Now all that's left is the binding! 

 I highly highly recommend Jim and Louise at Red Red Bobbin. The offer long arm lessons as well as their own quilting services where you can send them the top/back and they will quilt it for you.