Quilting Weather

Rain = quilting weather.

It was nice in the morning, but got cloudy in the early afternoon with rain off and on. 

What's better than spending time in the sewing room? Well, not actually a 'sewing room'. My 'sewing / quilting room' is the dining room table, because that table is big; 42 x 84 inches / 107 x 255 cm. I love that! 

I have just finished two RSC (UFOs) quilts, the Scrap Jar Stars quilts. Yes, I know; I have to take photos!!! I WAS going to take photos today! Then it got cloudy, dark and dreary! SIGH! 

I have two quilts to be quilted; UFO #20 (Country Charm) and #8 (Got the Blues), both thread basted. (UFO list) 

I'm quilting 'Country Charm' in loopy swirls design.

About 1/4 is done.

My goal is to get it done by the weekend. Let's see how that goes! 

 

RSC Week 21 - Orange

Another week has passed (how did that happen?).

What has happened in your sewing room?

This is the only orange that happened in my sewing room - one 9-patches from 2" squares

In between working on my UFOs - mostly quilting - I've been piecing some scrappy 16-patches. As I've mentioned earlier; I have thousands (I'm not exaggerating!) of 2" squares from swaps as well as my own. Some are used, but there are still a lot. I just have to start somewhere, right? I've yet to decide what to do with these blocks.

Seven 16-patches (2" squares) from swaps

Now that I have 'Dear Nina' back home and in perfect working condition, I uses it for piecing and 'Helena' is set up for quilting. That way I can alternate between the two. It's good to take breaks from quilting big quilts, and piecing together squares is a no-brainer.

Daily life in Mauritius

Quatre Bornes fruit- and vegetable bazaar

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Linking up with

SoScrappy - RSC 2026

Melva Loves Scraps - Sew & Tell

Small Quilts & Doll Quilts - DWM (Design Wall Monday)

 

RSC Week 20 - Orange / Small UFO Finish

Another week has passed and it's time to show what I've been up to with orange.

As I mentioned in my previous post, I don't have any orange yardage left. There are squares in different sizes. I have a few orange 5" squares left and I just couldn't leave these cute cats in the box! 

Two squares + leftover black = two mug rugs! 

The quilting will happen another day.

After finishing four big UFOs (I need to take photos!), it felt good working on something small. 

UFO #22 is FINISHED!

This is the table topper or candle mat I wanted to finish two years (!) ago! I ran out of the black garland lights fabric (narrow border) and it was put on hold. Some of the pieces were already cut, it was an easy UFO to finish!

Measures 14.5 inches / 37 cm square

Small table topper / candle mat, measures 11.25 inches square (28 cm square)

I had some leftover fabric in that bag and whipped up some cute Snowman mug rugs. 

I'm not in a hurry to finish these, the quilting will happen eventually. 

Linking up with

 Angela and RSC 2026 (Rainbow Scrap Challenge)

Melva Loves Scraps - Sew & Tell

Small Quilts & Doll Quilts - OMG (One Monthly Goal) 

RSC Week 19 - Orange - An RSC FINISH - BOM 2026

Remember '70s has moved from my UFOs/WIPs list (UFO #14) to FINISH! 

I got the idea to make a quilt in orange & brown in May 2023. That year/month, orange was the RSC color as well. Who does not remember the 1970's when orange and brown were popular? I think I had enough of these colors at that time! Orange is not amongst my favorite color, but if I had to choose between orange and pink, I know I would have a big problem! LOL

I have to say I like how this quilt turned out, mixed with Moda Marbles Steel and Slate blues. Such a pity Moda doesn't do these two colors anymore. 

The idea was to make it entirely in orange and brown, but I ran out of Moda Marbles Chocolate Brown. I didn't have any other brown to match and I didn't want to purchase more fabric (and pay a fortune in shipping!). I had to come up with another solution and ended up with the Steel and Slate blues, which was just enough! 

Sashing, or no sashing, I thought? 

I decided on sashing. The only fabric I had enough of, was one in orange/yellow, also used for a few blocks. It was not enough for the outer border. I found a very dark brown in my stash, which was just enough too! The binding has some tiny lighter brown flowers. 

I love pieced backings, but for this quilt I fell in love with this 108" wide backing from Rubin Design Studio (eQuilter) and had to purchase it! It fits perfect in the colors.

How to quilt a quilt, is always my question. 

For this one I went for custom quilting each block. It takes more time to quilt, but I love the look when it's done. 

First blocks made: May 2023

Flimsy / Thread basted: Jan / Febr 2026

Started quilting: Beginning April 2026

Finished: May 5, 2026

Hours of machine quilting + burying thread tails: 39 hours

Threads used: 

King Tut: 911, 992, 930, 1029

MasterPiece: 168, 180

Size: 70.25 x 59 inches / 178 x 150 cm 

A Quilting Life's BOM 2026 - May

was posted this week

An easy block to make

Testing Serpentine stitches

Quilting the Zip Quilt today. 

My goal is to finish this one by end of May.

It has been nice and sunny all week

...this is what we woke up to this morning; dark, dreary, rain. 

Don't even see the mountain in the distance. 

We took advantage of the nice weather and did quite some yard work

These are pink guavas. On the photo they are still a bit 'green' (not 100% ripe). We have to pick them before the birds and fruit bats eat them! 

Ripe pink guava

Linking up with 

Angela at SoScrappy (RSC - Rainbow Scrap Challenge) 

Melva Loves Scraps - Sew & Tell

Small Quilts & Doll Quilts - OMG (One Monthly Goal)

RSC Color for May is Orange / A Squirrel popped in

Who sent the squirrel?!

...and one can't work on UFOs all the time, right? 

 

I've been admiring the '99 Charms quilts' in RSC colors at GraceandPieceQuilting. Nancy has done a fabulous job on those quilts, using 5 inch squares from scraps, and quilted beautifully! 

I got inspired! 

I have a shoe box full of 5" squares and wasn't sure how to use them. Not that it was a priority to use them, but after admiring Nancy's quilts, I decided to do the same. Thanks for the inspiration, Nancy! 

There were squares  in colors I have more of than other colors;  

'99 charms' quilt in red and red & white

Blue and yellow

Brown, orange, green and some neutrals to fill in.

I'm out of orange, no yardage. The squares used in this quilt is what I had left from other projects. I have orange squares in sizes from 1.5 up to 4 inches, but no yardage.

(Dark and dreary today, the photos don't give justice to the colors)

It did make a dent in the box, but I think I still have enough for 2-3 quilts in the same size. They would be more scrappy in colors. 

I loved making these quilts. They are fun and really fast to make. They are all flimsies and I'm not going to finish them now (unless I get bored with other projects). I think I have some flannel pieces I can use for backing. 

Since the RSC color for May is Orange, I continue quilting 'Remember 70's' UFO. I've given it that name due to the colors that were popular in the 70s; brown and orange. Thinking about it now, not a bad combination actually, but after having those colors in the kitchen for some years, I really hated it! ..and I know for sure I'll never use these colors as interior colors in any room! lol

I have a couple of flimsies and a finish to show, but that'll be for another post. 

Linking up with:

Angela and RSC 2026 (Rainbow Scrap Challenge)

Melva Loves Scraps / Sew & Tell

Small Quilts & Doll Quilts - Design Wall

 

RSC April 2026 - PINK / Dear Nina is back!

It has been some busy days since my previous post.

It has been yard work and decluttering. I've gone through lots of papers, tossed or shredded most. I couldn't believe how many quilt patterns I've collected; 2 big ring binders! I've kept one stitchery pattern! It has 12 cute snowmen motifs, how could I toss it?! It would make a fun winter / Christmas quilt. 

Last week was 'sewing week'. 

Yes! Dear Nina (Bernina 440 QE) is back from the spa in South Africa! She had a total breakdown and the dealer here nor Bernina Switzerland, did have the spare parts to get it repaired. A DF offered to take it to SA for repair. Now she's back! The S-board (motherboard), L-board (circuit board), and a buttonhole sensor had to be replaced. I've been 'test-driving' and so far so good! 

Since the RSC color for April is pink, I decided to sew some 9-patches. I don't know how many 2" squares I have, it's a lot! I just have to start somewhere! I was into 2" and 2.5" squares swaps for 2-3 years (?). I have made bed quilts using all (almost!) 2.5", but haven't done much to the 2". 

I got carried away and made 10 blocks using 2" squares

Pink is not amongst my favorite colors, but I have to admit these blocks look good, don't they?   

I'd been lurking at Pat Sloan's '182 Day Solstice Challenge' QAL (first block posted Dec 2016). 

I made the first blocks in May 2024. All blocks were done, except block 8/25; 'Never ending love'. 

I wanted to make the heart(s) pink, but ran out of that color. I gave in and purchased 10 pink/red FQs (Fat Quarters). I didn't like the 3 layers (original pattern) of hearts, instead I added one pink heart. 

....and when that last block was made, I decided to assemble the quilt! It's big; 86 x 86 inches (approximately 220 cm square). I'm almost done! 

Another RSC BOM I didn't finish last year, is A Quilting Life BOM 2025. 

I have most colors, but a few missing, like pink

This is the February block 

I used bits and pieces of pink for the centre block. The pink used for the log cabin, are some from the FQs I purchased. 

and May block in red and green

I'm also doing A Quilting Life BOM 2026, in red, blue and white

March block

April block

I'm currently assembling the Basket quilt. The centre is done, but I ran into a problem with the second (pieced) border. It turned out too long to fit the first border, so I have to come up with a solution. UGH! I'm below zero in math, but I can't let the quilt win and let it become a UFO again! I'll make it work! lol 

Together with our DF Allan, we went for a hike in the Black River Gorges

One of the view points; facing the west coast

Linking up with Angela and the RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2026) 

and Sew & Tell at Melva Loves Scraps

  

WIP: Basket Quilt and Mini-Dwellings

We've had some nice cooler days, but the last couple of days the weather has been sultry! Wind from North (Equator), means hot! I had to do a couple of errands Wednesday morning, and I have to say I was glad when it was done and I was home again!

Today is Equinox (March 20). The beginning of the 'cold season' for us living on the Southern Hemisphere, although we won't feel any difference until beginning April. Can't wait for cooler days! 

Since my previous post, there has been some progress on the Basket Quilt. 

All the small triangles were cut and pieced together with the 4-patches,  for the second border. 

The corner blocks are done too

As I have mentioned earlier; what I have left of the basket weave fabrics as well as the first (gremlin) blocks I made (and didn't like that much), go into the pieced backing

There's no more I can do on this one until I get the ordered background fabric for the basket blocks.  

A little progress on the Mini-Dwellings stitchery

The tree is done.

Trunk & branches are backstitches, leaves are lazy daisy stitches. 

It has been years since I did lazy daisy stitches, it took me some stitches getting into it

Thread Update: The parcel has arrived and is at the Customs! I should get it by next week. 

Even if I haven't worked with red fabrics, at least there are a few red squares in the blocks for the Basket Quilt that should count. 

Linking up with Angela and the RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2026) 

and

Melva Loves Scraps - Sew & Tell

 

Basket Quilt and Mini-Dwellings WIP

I'm still waiting for the quilting thread! SIGH! 

The 'problem order' made it through US Customs and has made it to France! Scheduled to arrive next week. 

Meanwhile; progress on the Basket quilt

The 4 scrappy 16-patches corner blocks are done

The small 4-patches - measure 2.5" square - for the second border is done; 72 out of 72!

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Mini-Dwellings is UFO #25 on my UFO/WIP list

The small house block has been sitting on my sewing table for weeks. The idea is to make a small wall hanging, but I wanted to add that little extra to make it more interesting. I wanted to add some embroidery, but haven't found the 'right' design.

This block is leftover from 'Dwellings' I finished last year. 

During the weekend, I flipped through several issues of Australian 'Creating Country Threads Stitchery' magazines to see if I could find something I like. 

I did! 

I chose three stitchery patterns, and this is a combination of the three. 

I don't have a lightbox, I had to tape the pattern and fabric to the window to get the design transferred. The shades on the fabric make it look dirty.

I dived into my DMC floss to see if I have the recommended colors. 

I have 9 colors out of 5. That meant going to the neighbor town for shopping! 

I got what I needed, and it was a nice long walk. 

These are the colors + black. 

I may swap the purple with another color, I shall see when I'm there...

 

Basket Quilt UFO - WIP

It took me some days deciding on how to do the basket blocks, since I was not that eager to do the original block design. Then I saw Melva's beautiful Basket block and knew right away my blocks need a 'flower pot'! 

I think the left one looks much better and I decided on that design. 

I also get to use up my basket weave fabrics that have been sitting on the shelf for some years! What I don't use for the blocks, will be used for a pieced backing. I made 5 of the design to the right, those blocks will be used for the backing too.

The pattern calls for 16 Basket blocks and I'm happy to say they are all done! 

I went through ALL my stash looking for suitable background fabric for the blocks. The one I intended is not enough! Of course! It's a beautiful Crab Apple Hill Studio called 'Tea Rose'. IMO; it would have been perfect. I need about 2 yards, I have only 1 yard. I have a few in neutrals cream, but I didn't like any of them, they look a bit dull. So, I went hunting online and did order one with tiny flowers in muted colors that should fit. 

I love making this quilt (so far! lol), but there's something with the block I don't like, but I can't pinpoint or explain exactly what it is. Hm.... they look like the Gremlins?! LOL

What do you think? 

Next step is to make 72 4-patch units for the second border, using 1.5" squares! That means I need 288 1.5" squares! Good thing I have quite some cut already, for this ongoing project I haven't worked on for a very long time. I forgot to add this one when I did my UFO/WIP list for this year.

I haven't done anything red this week. 

I have A Quilting Life's BOM for March to do. It includes red. It should be done by next week. 

Update on the delayed quilting thread order: The company has re-shipped my order, hopefully with the right custom papers this time. 

...and I'm still waiting for other quilting thread too. SIGH! I have 5-6 quilts thread basted and ready to be quilted. Oh well, I have more than enough other WIPs to work on, while waiting... 

Linking up with Angela and the RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2026)

 

True Blue - A Flimsy, Pieced Backing

'True Blue' is a flimsy! 

I started working on this quilt in January this year, when the selected RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge) color was blue. I was not supposed to start anything new, but... 

1) I couldn't resist making a blue and white quilt

2) it's a relatively small quilt with only 20 big blocks

There are 3 different blocks, easy to make, before the corner units.

Bad me seldom read carefully through any pattern. I didn't realize it calls for 160 triangles! First I read it was 80, but that is sets of 2 triangles! 

OK! No problem! I had lots of 1.5" fabric strips. In addition to the already cut strips, I needed to cut more blue as well as white strips. A bit tedious to sew all those small strips together, but I finally got there! 

It gets a pieced backing. I hope to get a better photo of the backing after it is quilted. I need batting for this one, so it'll have to wait. 

I've been working on this one and the Basket quilt while waiting for ordered quilting thread. I have to rant: I ordered thread from an online shop in the US on February 14 to be shipped UPS Expedited. The company is not able to get the right custom papers to UPS! I had a look at the tracking again last night, and again (2nd time!) the package is returned to sender due to missing commercial invoice! I paid US$ 50 for expedited shipping, and after one month they have not managed to provide the right custom papers!  I just can't believe it?!?!!! It is so unprofessional! Usually expedited shipping takes about 2 weeks from the US. Due to the delay, I requested a shipping refund and got it. What happens next, I don't know. I suggested they use another courier, so let's wait and see what happens. 

Coffee With Dad - An RSC Flimsy, Another WIP

As the title says; Coffee with Dad is a Flimsy!

Viola at Familie Barwitzki challenged me to work on my UFO #26, since 26 is her birthday. Now that Swirling Stars is on hold, waiting (forever! due to shipping error from the online shop!) for ordered quilting thread, I accepted the challenge. 

In my previous post I mentioned I had too many blocks for one quilt. 

That is absolutely not true! I don't know where my head was, or better say brain (it must have melted in the heat these days!), when I figured out I need 36 coffee cup blocks! I had 64 blocks and thought I would use the 'leftovers' for another smaller quilt. 

OK, it didn't turn out! After re-reading the pattern, I noticed I misread. It reads; 'make 36 sets of 2 matching'. It's there I made the mistake; I must have read '36' only. LOL

The idea was to make it a lap quilt size; approximately 60 x 72 inches. It grew bigger! lol Instead of the intended size, I made it 60 x 84 inches. 

A pieced backing is done too. (Photos later).

The chosen RSC color for March is RED

I did part of A Quilting Life's BOM 2025 last year (RSC colors). I'm doing the rest of the blocks this year

One of them is the block for March, in red

Next up to work on: UFO #5 - Basket Quilt.

The pattern is called 'Retro Baskets' by Chris Jurd, published in Marvellous Machine-made Quilts magazine. I can't find any date/year this magazine was published. I got it from an ex-pen friend in New Zealand, in May 2008. Some pages are missing, she kept patterns she wanted to make. 

I don't have any records of when I started working on this quilt. I believe it was in 2020, since it is on my UFO list 2021 (#10).

After making the first two blocks (whenever that was), I got a bit discouraged. I didn't like the blocks; they looked dull and lacked contrast (here). Great suggestions from my dear quilting friends, I ripped off the outer border and changed it to low volume fabric (here).  

I've spent hours (over)thinking what fabrics to use on the next blocks. I pulled out this, that and fabrics I could think of. I didn't like any of them! After sleeping on it, I came up with the idea to use leftovers from 'Over the River and Through the Woods'. It may not work either.... together with the fabrics I chose when I decided to make the quilt. I'm NOT going to buy any new fabrics for this one! What I have, has to work! lol

More pondering... SIGH! 

Then, looking at the blocks for the umpteenth time! 

There's something with them I don't like, but what? Then I saw Melva's beautiful basket block and knew right away this is how I want to make them look like a basket with flowers, if you follow what I mean

Years ago, for unknown reason, I decided I needed to add basket weave fabric to my stash. Don't ask me why, because they are still there! LOL I don't remember how many I bought, I have 6 half yards left. I also have one in bright blue that will be used as part of the backing on True Blue. Another one was pink. (YIKES!) If I remember right, most of it was used to make Arreli's pink quilt and RSC blocks. 

I made another block, using basket weave fabric for the 'basket'. 

Doesn't this one (to the left) look more like a basket with flowers? 

Which one would you prefer? I think I'd go for the one to the left. I don't want more overthinking! lol I've already spent 3-4 days pondering about this one. The few blocks I've already made can be used for a pieced backing.

It's still hot here. We are not much outside, except yard work / weeding (when the weather allows) and grocery shopping in early mornings before it gets too hot. 

Yesterday we decided we have to get out for a longer walk. Layer of sun protection, bottle of water, and out we went. We went to the neighbour town Rose Hill and back, about 6.2 miles / 10 km. It was hot, about 89.6F / 32C with a nice breeze, it was bearable. 

On our way home, we discovered a breadfruit tree with fruits 

(click on the photo to enlarge)

Although it is classified as a fruit, it is used as a vegetable; like potatoes

 

Lots of fruits on this tree

The trees become monsters and usually have a lot of fruits

Linking up with Angela and RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2026)