Is it Tuesday already

It can't possibly be Tuesday! The year is speeding by! This afternoon I put the last stitches in a new quilt that I was desperately hoping to finish before we headed to Portland, Oregon for Spring Market. The borders were all cut and set to go and 'YES' I did it! Albeit very last minute. Our suitcases are packed and we are ready to go! I think there might be enough time for a 4 hour snooze......

There was just one other last minute decision to make... do I take something to stitch or do I just sit back and catch up on some long overdue reading? Mmmm I think after the week I have had, reading will be my choice!

I had better head off to bed now, but I will be back soon with a report on all our adventures in the US.

Until then,

p.s. if you are also in Portland, don't forget to call past and say Hi!

How many Hexagons...

How many hexagons are in the last border of Mrs Billings? I have been asked this question quite a lot lately, there must be a few of you coming to the end of your quilt. There are lots... if I tell you the exact number I might scare you away :) 

How many hexagon quilts can one have? As many as you like - is the correct answer I guess... there are so many different patterns, so many different sizes of hexagons, so many different colours and piecing variations! We have seen lots of hexagons at the shop lately and there is something very beautiful about each and every one!

These little lovelies are 1/2" hexagons and are from Sue's new quilt 'Ring of Roses'.

 This circle of roses are also from Sue's quilt. 

I found this lovely fussy cut rosette on Sue Garman's blog. Sue has loads of gorgeous hexagon photos this month. 

Have a look here for more eye candy! 

 Tara from Tazzie Quilts has made some lovely hexagons for her Mrs Billings border.

I took a sneak peek at Tara's blog this evening and found that she is now quilting her Mrs Billings. 

I can't wait to see it finished! 

 Ros has been stitching up a storm with her Ring of Roses too.

Don't you just love the 4" hexagons in that fussy cut border!

 I just had to show you a close up.... fantastic work Ros!

I have finished a quilt or two this month... my fingers are itching... maybe I need to start another hexagon quilt too!

Until next time,

A Somerset sojourn

This June Somerset Patchwork is going on a sojourn to Brisbane 

to visit the Quilts from the Victoria and Albert Museum (London)

29th - 30th June

The exhibition 'Quilts 1700-1945' is on show at the Queensland Art Gallery

from 15th June - 22nd September.

Would you like to join Karen and Sue on Saturday 29th June for a guided tour of these outstanding quilts and

visit the original 'King George III reviewing the Troops' as shown above?

Other attractions at the gallery include 'The Rajah quilt' 1841, on loan from the National Gallery of Australia

and a selection of quilts from Ruth Stonely, a well known Brisbane quilter.

After visiting the gallery Saturday morning, there will be an afternoon and evening of stitching 

followed by a full day of fun and activity on Sunday 30th June.

Karen and Sue will bring along their large collection of English style quilts for 'Show and Tell' 

along with a sewing project for you to work on during the day on Sunday.

The cost of the weekend will be $250 - 

this cost will cover entry to the Queensland Art Gallery with a guided tour Saturday morning, 

stitching Saturday afternoon and evening with Karen and Sue. 

PLUS

On Sunday we will have a small project for you to sew using our traditional hand piecing techniques. 

A fully catered lunch, morning and afternoon tea.

The event will be held at the Riverside Hotel, Southbank, Brisbane - a short walk to the gallery, 

city centre and other attractions along the Brisbane River. 

The hotel has accommodation available and also provides on site parking for visitors.

For more information please contact the shop 03 9807 3399,

 visit here to download a booking form or send us an email!

Sue and I would love to see you there!

What a week! or two...

The past two weeks have been full on with 'stuff' happening at the shop, new block of the months to organise, 

AQC (Australasian Quilt Convention) here in Melbourne to set up - man - and pull down, 

and loads of things to get finished for our upcoming trip to Portland for 'Spring Market' ... 

life is never dull at my place these days!!!

AQC is held at one of our most beautiful historic buildings here in Melbourne.

I met these two lovely ladies Lenora (left) from Elm Grove Patchwork and Linda (right) from Gum Valley Patchwork. 

Linda's gorgeous hexagon quilt 'Dear Prudence' caught my attention. 

These little hexagons are 3/8 inch in size and lots of them were fussy cut... OMG! 

Visit here for more information.

Here is a quick pic of my newest quilt 'Vivary Park' almost done. 

It has gone off for its official photo this week and the pattern will be available soon! 

While I have been waiting for its return I had a look through some larger pieces of fabric that have been lurking in the stash for a while and I think I will be able to complete this project as I intended - to use fabric that I have located on the dining room table 

or in my pile of 'stuff' at home! I have found this a very interesting exercise, 

not sure I will be able to do that to often!

Back at the shop the girls have been hard at work. 

Kim has made this quilt using the New Orleans fabric that came in a few weeks back. 

She has even pieced together the backing using leftovers. Very nice Kim!

Adrienne has started her star-a-day project. 

I love this project.. everyones stars are delightful.

Kim has cut some stars too! 

Each time she uses a fabric the template comes out and 4 diamonds are prepared ready to stitch when the time arises!

Until next time,

Merrimack...

Merrimack photo as promised, finished at last :) The templates should be arriving this week, the fabric is all but sorted and the pattern for month 1 is almost complete! Enrolment forms are available and I think we are ... ready to go ...! I hope you like it.

THEN...

What do you do when you have finished a quilt - you start (or finish) another of course! This group of Irish Chain blocks surround my appliqué centre that you may have seen on a previous post. I have had a wonderful day off today and spent most of my time piecing these blocks as well as sitting quietly in the sun (for a few minutes) appliquéing the last of the hexagons in place. Unfortunately I ran out of fabric with 4 blocks to go, drat, that means I will have to break my rules on this project and use some fabric from the shop; NOT just fabric that I have found on the dining room table or in my personal stash. Never mind I was very, very close to achieving my goal!

Even though I did have some quiet time today I mostly felt like this lady... I don't drink coffee but I do know how she feels! My downfall is black tea and when you are on a roll there is always more and more consumed. Luckily I didn't have to thread the sewing machine needle.

Until next time,

Green Fabric! Plus Show and Tell...

There have been many calls, emails and questions about my last post... Where did that 'green fabric with the birds come from'? The group of fabrics that I have been using for my most recent quilt have been accumulating for a little while; when I found them I chose to look deep and only use what was in my private stash! That is a common phrase Sue and I hear at the shop each week, and this time I decided I would have a go at using my older fabrics too!

The 'green' fabric is from a range by Anna Griffin, I think it is about 6 or 7 years old! I have been hoarding it for a little while now and until recently had forgotten I had it! But it was perfect for my new idea.

I thought you might like to see just how little these hexies are beside a US 1 cent and an Aussie 5 cent.

This past weekend was are Sunday Sewing group. The girls were working hard and here is a little of their Show and Tell...

Appliqué and Hexagons by Catherine

Ring of Roses in Red by Julie

Mrs Billings from Jane

Appliqué from Val

Until next time,

p.s. don't forget - we are still in Birthday Sale mode at Somerset for another week. There are lots of new specials on offer!

While trying to be tidy...

A few weeks ago I decided to try and be a little bit more tidy in my sewing 'spot'. I took a good look at the space, moved 'stuff' from one spot to another, located a thing or two that had been missing and found a little pile of fabric already sorted waiting to become 'something'! I had a quick look at that something I had drawn up some time ago and decided - no - that wasn't it, but wait, this new idea was! The space is still a mess (more on that in a later post) but this group of fabrics has started to turn into a new quilt. Not sure of it's name yet but if all goes according to plan you will see it finished soon.

These were the fabrics I discovered under the mess that is called my work space!

Some of the fabrics turned themselves into hexagons.  I am STILL in love with hexagons!

And these two prints, which fortunately I had loads of, were joined by some Tea Stain background and are now transformed into an Irish chain.

I am not 100% sure how this quilt will end, but I am enjoying every step along the way,

Until next time,

p.s. Merrimack is quilted, the binding is on and it's ready for a photo. I'll show you how its going next time!

10th Birthday Sale...

It's our birthday ...  

this month marks the 10th anniversary of Somerset Patchwork 

and to celebrate we are having a Birthday Sale...

There will be lots of 10's in store... 

a large range of fabric on the bolt - red spot specials - at $10 per m (50cm minimum)

10 % off all fabrics on the shelf

plus, take an additional 10% discount if you are a fabric club member (20% discount in total)

Sale starts Tuesday 2nd April and continues until Saturday 13th April,

lots more specials available in store!

See you soon!

Show and tell....

We had an amazing time last weekend at our Summer School Reunion. Most of the girls were working on Sue's 'Ring of Roses' quilt with lots and lots of fussy cutting! Visit Sue's blog to see more of our weekend activities.

Check out this one from Ros - love the hexagon border!

Lots more fussy cutting from Leigh -

Sue J. has added a slightly more patterned background -

Anna's little hexies are very sweet -

Anna has started cutting her six pointed stars ... but ran out of fabric!!!!! This piece shown below measures 30cm x 110cm but unfortunately there is only enough repeats for 5 diamonds, not 6 - another 30cm will be required to finish off the star (now that's a dedicated stitcher!)

 Joan joined us with her Mrs Billings centre -

And look what followed me home from Bairnsdale! Mmmm couldn't resist!

Until next time,

Summer School Reunion

The weather here in Melbourne has finally started to turn, no more 30+ degree days just lovely cool mornings, 

delightful low 20's during the day and back to cool nights (just perfect for a good night sleep).

Now that summer is over we are having a Class of 2013 Summer School reunion - Sat 23rd & Sun 24th March.

Did you start a project? Were you unable to attend? Do you need a little encouragement to continue?

If any of these apply to you and you have some free time this weekend Sue and I will be able to help you start, 

continue or complete one or more of the many classes we held in January. 

There are limited places still available - if you are interested please contact the shop.

This gorgeous 'Ring of Roses belongs to Leigh... I wonder what it looks like now!

I hope you can join us,