Bee in my Bonnet Row Along - Rows 2 and 3

Hurray! I've caught up with the Row Along Quilt over at Bee in my Bonnet at last!

Although there is only one row every two weeks, I missed Row 2 when I was holiday, and I really wanted to get up to date so I've spent the past couple of days doing rows 2 and 3.

I find it so relaxing just following instructions sitting with the laptop next to my sewing machine, but I have to admit I'm not used to working on such a small scale as these tiny blocks.

The squares for the easy triangles in both rows were just 1 1/2" square.

 

There were 44 of the little blighters to rotary cut and draw diagonal lines on for Row 2 and 48 for Row 3! To be honest I didn't mind the cutting and marking. It was the sewing that I found rather challenging. If your accuracy is not quite 100% on, say, 4" blocks, you can usually fudge the piecing and make them line up (or is it just me that does this?). But with really tiny blocks there is no room for fudging!
The seam ripper has been put to good use over the last few days... first, the butterfly row ended up too long! Lori told us to measure the completed blocks before joining them.... and I did! No, I hang my head in shame - I measured the first butterfly block I completed... I got too complacent after that, so it serves me right that I had to undo quite a few of them!

They did all fit second time round, and when they got their borders added and I placed the row next to row 1....

..... I have to say I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome.

I carried straight onto Row 3, feeling quietly confident as the tutorial said it was only a filler row - one that could be done in an afternoon. Well, yes, I did manage it in an afternoon - first time round! Again, accuracy was my problem. I've been very selective about which bit of the row I photographed here! - no, that's not cheating... it's just called saving face! I had to bring out the seam ripper again, and I know I'm not going to have an easy task when we come to put these rows together, because the top and bottom edges of this row are definitely not straight.
Once again, I've learned a lot by doing this Row Along. I've learned I need to slow down and sew more accurately when working small scale. I'm rising to the challenge though. I'm actually looking forward to row 4 already.

Back from my Holiday

I'm back in blogland!!!! I've been on holiday and it seems as though I haven't blogged for ages.We took a family holiday in North Devon last week. The weather was extremely kind, the company good and the scenery spectacular.
We explored quaint Devonshire villages.....

We climbed steep paths.....

which are part of the long distance coastal path which goes all around Britain, and once at the top we were treated to views such as this.



We spent time relaxing, and wriggling our toes in the sand.

So now I'm back and can't wait to spend some time with my sewing machine again. I've (nearly)

 finished all the holiday laundry, so it's time to get creative. I missed the second week of the Rows Quilt Along over at Bee in my Bonnet so catching up on that is my first priority, and then I have some sewing I want to do for my Etsy shop. I have lots of  ideas for new sections that I want to put in this shop, so watch this space.... it's going to be a busy, fun week!

 

Fresh Sewing Day - September

 September - the start of the new school year, and for my daughter-in-law the start of a career as a teacher. We all think about the kids, but sometimes it's a new start for the teacher's too!
So what was achieved in August? Looking back, I finished a lot more than I thought I did.

First there was the Garden Trellis quilt, I'm really pleased with this.

Then there was four-patch baby quilt, with some hand quilting. I really enjoyed doing this, but the baby that it was for, that I felt certain (but for no good reason) would be a boy, turned out to be a GIRL!!!!

So I had to quickly turn round and make this bunting for her instead!

And finally, not a complete finish, but a segment finish - the first row of the Row Along (quilt along) over on Bee in my Bonnet

 

Hopes for September? Well, firstly get further than putting the fabric together for the How Far Will You Go Quilt Along which is all I've achieved so far!, and secondly make a Kindle cover before I go on my hols and get it all scratched with sand!! The rest can be serendipity.

 

Linking up to Fresh Sewing Day  and Small Blog Meet over on Lily's Quilts