It's Coming along, Slooowwwly

Here are some update photos of the granny square blanket I'm making for my boyfriend. Once these squares are complete then that's basically just under half of the blanket done!

Baby Play Mat Quilt!

I have started making a baby/toddler quilted play mat for my boyfriend's brother's soon to be born baby. I didn't know the sex of the baby when I bought the material but since then I have learnt that it will be a baby girl. Anyhow the colours I chose are neutral, neither traditionally boys' or girls' colours but bright fun and almost tasty! I used my block book again but this time it let me down, the measurements were wrong by an inch! Thank God I didn't make that many before I realised they wouldn't fit together. I might use the spare bits as part of the border's corners. I've never made this pattern before so it's been fun and also quite easy because you just have one corner that has to match up.

Here is a photo/mock up of how I plan to finish it with the border. I was also thinking the purple material as the binding.

February Swap Block

For February's block swap my swap partner asked for a block that featured a star. I have used my new quilt block book to make a simple 9 patch star. Whilst my sewing machine has been playing up and causing me trouble using, the book has been easy to use! Here is a photo of the block. This is the first time I've made this block!

Awesome Quilt Blocks Book!

I love my new quilting book that Axel bought me at the Australasian Quiting Expo. It has patterns and measurements for 1000 blocks. All the measurements are seam inclusive so there's no need to add or convert measurements just cut out the pieces and viola beautiful blocks! There is a square and triangle section, hexagon section and some others which are more free form and for these they have the outline of the pieces which you then photocopy to size and use as a template. Here is a photo of the book and my first attempt at using the book. I also tried a product which is new to me- quilt basting spray an adhesive spray used instead of pining everything together. I don't think I like it that much as it makes everything quite stiff and doesn't completely keep the material in place. I think it will be good when making coasters or table runners but not blankets and larger quilts.

Akki's Granny Square Blanket

Before my boyfriend left for Germany I had him pick some yarn he liked and that I would use to make him an afghan. As you can see he loves blue. I decided to use each colour twice to make a single block and then each block will finish with 2 rows of navy so that will mean each block will look like it is bordered with 4 rows of navy, just like the brown worked as a border in the lapghan. My boyfriend asked for an afghan that will fit a double bed but I think I will only have enough time and yarn to make one for a single bed. Also I have to take it to Germany and it would just be impossible to take something that heavy and bulky. I have 16 weeks to finish it and about 30 of these large squares to make so really I'll need to finish the squares in about 10 weeks with 6 weeks to crochet the borders, sew in the ends and stitch the whole thing together. Now that I put it like that ahhhhh I don't know if I'll make it! But I will try my best.

I just remembered I forgot to show you all how I finished the border on the lapghan. I opted for this simple scalloped edging which I think is quite effective. It took a while to do but I think it was worth it, giving the lapghan a finished and professional look.

January Block Swap

This is the block I sent my January block swap partner. I hope it's scrappy enough for her as this is what she asked for in her description. The fabric is left overs from my sister's 21st birthday quilt and a toddler quilt I made for my neighbours' son. I am enjoying being part of the block swap and while I was disapointed not to get one from my November partner I did get one from my January partner and it is quite lovely. I will post a picture of the January block I received later as I have not yet taken a photo of it.

The Little Lapghan is Finished!

Here are some photos of the lapghan I started last year. This is my first ever granny square project and I am so proud and happy to say that I have finished it. It has been a great learning experience, first having to learn how to crochet a granny square and then to figure out how to sew the pieces together and then sew in the ends. I am enjoying having this little lapghan warm my legs while I work on the computer or warm my shoulders and back as I use it as an extra blanket when I sleep under my doona. I've already started a new granny square afghan project but I'll save that for another post! Until then I hope everyone is well and happily crocheting along.