Monday 11 March 2013

Nancy Drew! And a Giveaway!

Finally I get to reveal my quilt. I am quite shockingly proud of this. Expect a mother-load of photos. But first - welcome to day 5 of the Nancy Drew is a Clue bloghop! Please be sure to visit the others taking part today, listed at the end of this post, and thanks to Carol for cheerleading us all!

So.....here it is!
001
Admittedly a slightly odd size - dictated by the layer cake I bought plus a couple of half yards of one of the book spine prints and the red faces one. I've only got scraps of the cake left and about half a fat quarter of the other two.
005
The backing is some delicious grey polka dot flannel which, with an old blanket sandwiched in between, makes the most huggable quilt you can imagine.
009
This is absolutely perfect for snuggling on the sofa with my knitting handy and an old mystery on the tv.
Detail of Quilting

This is the first time I have properly quilted a quilt. I've tried it before but always a bit haphazardly and without great results. This time I think I've got it sorted.
006
I used a stencil (blogged about here) and used my beloved water soluble marker to get the lines drawn on. After that it was easy to use some nice shiny blue rayon as the top thread and just a plain white cotton as the bottom. I adore the effect. Then I used a charcoal bias binding to link the black on the front with the paler grey on the back.
Folded Quilt
Seriously - I couldn't be any happier with this quilt!

Nancy Drew was my gateway to what is now a serious mystery habit. As soon as I saw this bloghop announced I stalked the Sew We Quilt site until sign-ups opened. Sew much fun! Here are my fellow day fivers:


And finally...the giveaway! This is open to everyone regardless of location. All you need to do is leave me a comment telling me your favourite quilt pattern. I am on the look out for a pattern for my next quilt so would love some inspiration! You can link to a picture or just describe it in a few words. I'll be using fabrics all with a sewing theme in case that influences you. And what do you win...? Remember the U'R Priceless bloghop a few months ago? That was my first time with a sew-in frame as I much prefer the ones you glue. Which is what you'll be making if you win!
Frame Purse for Kit Tutorial
Up for grabs is one of my Fabric Purse Frame Kits which will shortly be joining the Stitchmarker Kits in my etsy shop. It includes everything you need (including a tutorial booklet) apart from thread and either a needle or your sewing machine.  Giveaway closes on Sunday night at midnight UK time.

Now go and visit everyone else in the bloghop - hoorah for Nancy Drew!

81 comments:

Dolores said...

Great quilt. I'd love to make a little purse.

sew.darn.quilt said...

I really like your hexie quilt and using an old blanket is so clever, this gave me an idea for a couple of wool blankets that we've inherited that not one member of my family can have next to their skin. Allergies!
Thank you!
Cute idea with the purse, thank you for the chance :)

Chiska said...

That's awesome! I have a quilt my Mom made for my ages ago when I went to college that has an old blanket it in it and now it's the old blanket--I still love it though. I don't have a good pattern suggestion for you. I'm kind of taken with the I-spy polaroid quilt. It looks like old polaroid pictures scatterd on a background.

Thearica said...

My grandmother used lots of old blankets for her batting. Her quilts were always so snuggly!

Love your hexie quilt!

Rebeckah Austin said...

Awesome quilt :)

DeborahGun said...

I love improvised piecing quilts- no need to cut accurately. I love looking at Oh Fransson blog spot for ideas for these. Thanks for the lovely giveaway - would love to try making a purse.

DeborahGun said...

I love improvised piecing quilts- no need to cut accurately. I love looking at Oh Fransson blog spot for ideas for these. Thanks for the lovely giveaway - would love to try making a purse.

Judy B said...

Love your Hexie Nancy Drew quilt! Thank you for sharing and the great giveaway.

Theresa said...

What a fabulous quilt, I love hexagons and I love the Nancy Drew fabric so this is an absolute winner for me.

Linda said...

What a lovely quilt, I've started experimenting with fleece backing, but I've not thought of using a blanket like this. I would love to have a go at making a purse. Thanks for the chance to win,
.

Linda said...

What a lovely quilt, I've started experimenting with fleece backing, but I've not thought of using a blanket like this. I would love to have a go at making a purse. Thanks for the chance to win,
.

Vickie said...

You should be proud of your quilt, it's awesome ! Great job on the binding to !

Needled Mom said...

The hexies are wonderful in that fabric. Nice work.

Alcea Rosea 31 said...

Your quilt is beautiful, I love hexies. I need to practice my quilting, yours looks so neat and perfect for that quilt.

Jenn Fisher said...

I'm in love with the quilt, very nicely done :)

Jenn:)

www.nancydrewsleuth.com

Betsy said...

my favorite pattern is cathedral windows. Thank you for the chance to win this lovely prize.

krislovesfabric said...

The quilting on this is spectacular...love your quilt :)

Marla's Crafts said...

I love scrapy quilts but right now just made the Burgoyne Surrounded quilt in black and white. It went together so nicely and it will be beautiful when done. I should have it pieced by tomorrow. The little purse is so cute for the give away.

Daryl @ Patchouli Moon Studio said...

Wonderful Hexagon quilt. I love using flannel backings too. As for the quilt suggestions, I really like making those Twister quilts. You can find the ones I made here: http://patchouli-moon-studio.blogspot.com/2012/03/twister-around-world-quilt.html ande here: http://patchouli-moon-studio.blogspot.com/2012/06/twister-pinwheel.html
and here: http://patchouli-moon-studio.blogspot.com/2011/08/another-lil-twister-quilt.html
Those should give you an idea. You can buy the template or make your own. I used the Lil Twister size, but there are large ones and tiny ones too.

Unknown said...

Wonderful quilt and so clever on using o;d blankets for batting...thanks for the idea. Lately i am liking the modern impov blocks it is a very freeing way of cutting. I would love to make that cute purse so please add me to your draw...I am a follower

Kathy L said...

Very original idea for this hop. Thanks for the chance to win. I love making scrappy quilts.

Quiltin Jenny said...

I love your little hexie quilt! So cute!

My favorite quilt pattern right now is a disappearing 9 patch. It is so quick and easy, and shows off my favorite fabrics without having to cut them up too much.

JuliaP said...

A truly unique quilt,love those hexies! Favorite pattern of mine ire pinwheels. You can see how I used them in my quilt for this blog hop on Friday.

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

I love your quilt too!! please throw my name in the draw....try going to 'Freemotion by the River'...Connie has a patter for Garden fence up that is just adorable. I am about to start one myself.

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

I love your quilt too!! please throw my name in the draw....try going to 'Freemotion by the River'...Connie has a patter for Garden fence up that is just adorable. I am about to start one myself.

Sparky said...

Largest hexies I have seen to date..and you did a marvelous job of placing and stitching them together...I too love flannel

Jeanie said...

Love the hexies and the quilting lines! Thanks for the giveaway!

Carol Swift said...

All those hexies certainly made an adorable quilt...love it! Your quilting was perfect on it, too. I'm so glad you hopped with us!

Tammy said...

I love hexies of any type or sort. SO this project is tops with me for sure. I saw a cute pattern recently on a blog. Check it out she has lots of cute patterns.
http://funthreads.blogspot.com/p/free-quilt-patterns.html

apple blossom said...

love Nancy Drew meets Hexies quilt

Rosa said...

Your hexie quilt is just gorgeous.Thanks for sharing and the giveaway!

Michele T said...

Your snuggle quilt looks great! I plan to make the following quilt for my new boss who is expecting: http://pinterest.com/pin/185914290839760706/

Linda said...

Your hexagon quilt is just beautiful! Great job!
Check out the Moda Bakeshop pattern pages for some great ideas for your next quilt!

Domestic Bliss said...

Wow... you did an amazing job designing and making your quilt.
I don't know a quilt pattern to suggest, as I've made so few quilts... they take me a long time. I'm hoping, though, to learn how to use precuts and fast piecing...not there yet.
Your little fabric purse is darling!!

Just Quilt It said...

Cute quilt--looks inviting to snuggle and read on a rainy day. I like the exploding pineapple pattern right now--so simple to make and can be made to any size you want--no measuring--just cut, sew, and press.

Patty said...

Like everyone else, I LOVE hexagon quilts. Yours is GREAT! I like Sunbonnet Sue and the other Sue, Dead Sue. They are so funny. Thanks for the chance to win the coin purse kit.

Scrapbook-ChickADoodle said...

Great hexie quilt! Really beautifully done!
Congrats on being one of the chosen.

For very quick quilt that looks more complicated than it is, I like Disappearing 9 patch howver my current fav design is Winding Stars by Deonn Stout.
Thanks for the opportunity to win.

Amy said...

I love your Hexie quilt! I always look to Moda bake Shop for inspiration and there are so many great bloggers out there, I like.

Calicojoan said...

Wow, that is just adorable. It looks perfect on the red bed!

Anonymous said...

My grandmother used old blankets and such for batting. My mom used our worn out flannel pjs for batting in pot holders and such.

I think your sewing theme fabric would look good in an Attic Windows quilt.

senstrings at [yahoo.com]

Mara said...

You should be proud of yourself you made an awesome quilt, this is coming from a hexagon addict.

Gill said...

Great quilt - I love hexagons!
How about a churn dash quilt? it's one of my favourite blocks? or the x plus block which seems very popular at the moment??
Thank you for sharing!

sandra said...

What a lovely quilt to cuddle under, love the idea of old blanket for batting. Very creative project.

sandra said...

What a lovely quilt to cuddle under, love the idea of old blanket for batting. Very creative project.

Britt-Inger said...

Your Hexie quilt is wonderful and must be very cozy to snuggle under.
Thanks for sharing

OhioLori said...

OOOOOH!!! Love your Hexie quilt!!! Awesome Job!!!

My favorite quilt pattern...since I am a new quity person....is any easy one!!! lol Am working on a HST quilt now...doing for my Daughter....in all Book/Library kinds of fabrics..with a neutral color same in each square. You might like a sewing themed one too???

thepiececorps said...

Your cozy quilt is just adorable! For piecing I love, love using jaybirdquilts' Hex'nMore ruler, lots of options there! For the actual quilting I love FMQ on machine! I love love love the little frame purses, TIA! B-)

The Slow Quilter said...

Giant hexies are great. I do not have a favorit pattern yet, put I do like making Drunkards Path Blocks since you can arrange them to your likeing. Thank you for the giveaway.

Agnes B. Bullock said...

FABULOUS - love everything about it!

love the trip around the world quilt pattern- first quilt book purchased and first full size quilt ever made

Kathy H said...

I think your quilt turned out perfect, the lovely hexies, the quilting and the fabric. Plus I love a flannel for its coziness. I have the book, quilts from the quiltmaker's gift. It has so many patterns that I love. I have made several and I think I will probably continue to make the rest. Just love that book.

Susan @ Blackberry Creek said...

Oh yes, very nice. I love hexies.

Rilene said...

Cute little purse! My favorite quilt pattern is the sawtooth star, aka northern star. I love your hexies!

Vicki H said...

Wonderful quilt. I can't imagine binding all those inside and outside corners, job well done. What kind of blanket would a person use? I like the disappearing 4-patch block. Thanks for sharing.

Cindy said...

Hexie quilts are so fun. No wonder you are so happy with it...it looks fabulous. A friend once picked up a ton of old cotton blankets from a hospital for a dollar each. I took some and used them for the batting in quilts...works great!

Karrie said...

I love the quilt! It turned out great. I love to use flannel on the back as well. I do a lot of scrappy quilts and square quilts with sashes. Thanks for sharing with us :)

-karrie

Cecilia said...

Great quilt! I love hexies, one of my favorite patterns is the Turning Twenty. Thanks for sharing and for the chance to win a cute coin purse kit.

Unknown said...

I love your quilt and the purse is adorable! Thanks for being on the hop...these fabrics were quite fun, weren't they? pbstrand@msn.com (I can't wait to show mine tomorrow!)

Linda C said...

Congrats on getting top 2 honors for the day for your wonderful hexie quilt. My all time fabric quilt block pattern is Crown of Thorns. Commercial patterns? Terry Atkinson's Daisy Chain.

Suze said...

I love the quilt with the hexies. What a great idea to use an old blanket as batting. I'm not good at pattern suggestions because I have so many that I want to make. I'm currently making a needleturn Sunbonnet Sue and plan to make a coordinating Overall Sam from the same fabrics. Thanks for hopping and the inspiration.

Marcy said...

Your quilt is lovely. You made great use of the different fabics.

charlotte said...

Too cute. I have been lusting after hexagons and I might just have to try this way. Love the uneven edges.

Stephanie said...

I love the hexagons. My favorite is thee disappearing 4 patch, I am planning one now.

And I love the little purse!

Bonnie58 said...

I love anything with stars - the brighter and bigger the better. Thanks for sharing and for the opportunity on a great draw.
bonnielarson58@gmail.com

jan said...

Love the hexies but especially the way you quilted it! great job! Thanks for sharing!!!

nicolesender said...

I still love the Log Cabin quilt pattern.
nicolesender(at)yahoo(dot)com

LJ said...

Love your hexie Nancy! You really utilized all the fabric well. Super looking quilting. I'm just getting into quilt stitching and feel so inept; just keep on practicing!

StitchinByTheLake said...

I love, love the shape of this! blessings, marlene

Bobbie said...

love your hexies and love that size- the framing of each ones gives it an almost 3d effect! so cool! Bee in My Bonnet always has some fun quilt patterns going on. http://beeinmybonnetco.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-bee-in-my-bonnet-row-along-row.html

Judy Cooper Textile Artist said...

Lovely quilt! Thanks for sharing.

MoeWest said...

I love your hexie quilt! You did a great job with the quilting. My most recent quilt was a bow tie block. Check out Moda Bake Shop for lots of free patterns.

Janarama said...

Your hexie quilt is beautiful! Right now my favorite quilt pattern is the Twister.

Laura said...

I can see why you are so pleased with your hexi quilt. It is great and the quilting is perfect!

Corrie said...

Your hexie quilt is awesome, I bet it is cuddly. Quilt pattern, right now I'm working on Arcadia from Moda Bake Shop.

Jenny said...

What a fun hexie quilt! I love it! As for a quilt pattern, I've had my eye on the disappearing nine patch quilts...looks fun and easy!

Catherine said...

Your quilt is beautiful! I like your choice of threads. Water soluble marker is one of my best friends too!

I like making star quilts. The stars are made with HST`s. It`s a pattern that`s been around for a while with many variations. Jane`s Fabric and Quilts has a nice tutorial as does Cluck Cluck Sew.

Sallie said...

Great job! My favorite quilt is Northern Wilderness at http://www.northernthreads.net/p-17930-northern-wilderness-pattern.aspx.

Melinda said...

I like the hexie quilt very much. I love making string quilts with selvages.

vicki said...

`LOVE you quilt. I am so new to quilting, I don't know what to suggest. Thanks for sharing and for the giveaway. vickise at gmail dot com

Louise Riley said...

Dear Lixie,

congratulations oon your quilt, it is a real beauty! I have always been a fan of this design http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.cedarlightgrove.org/images/charity/quilt-lakota02.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.cedarlightgrove.org/lakota-star-quilt-charity-drive/&h=960&w=1280&sz=437&tbnid=iNrmmfSSAe-aPM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=120&zoom=1&usg=__87Ft-tYy1Gc4GxczDTArOlCuiys=&docid=VgwbFsU1tnQ_WM&sa=X&ei=hNtBUY5HidY9peGBmA8&ved=0CGkQ9QEwBg&dur=11788

it is pretty simple and very satisfying to put together and with clever use of colour you can really do amazing things with the design that make you interpret it so differently. xxxx

Tricia said...

Hiya Lizzie!! Wow what a great job on your hexies! They can be a bit of a challenge, but look really great when they're done. For my pattern suggestion, I have to say "Feedsack Commons" by Windham Fabrics. I did my first one in "Make It Do" fashion with Civil War Era reproduction fabrics. It was a FREE pattern from Windham and can be found here.

http://www.windhamfabrics.com/cgi-bin/fabricshop/projects.cgi?patternID=110

Here is a picture of mine in my blog. I'm currently add more borders to it to make it bigger.

http://tricia-ramblingsofaquilter.blogspot.com/2012/04/one-step-at-time-pita-top-flamingo-wins.html

Thank You for sharing your pretty quilt with us and for the chance to win your lovely purse kit.

Sincerely,
Tricia

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