Isla's Unicornia Quilt {Progress} || Pattern by Claire Turpin Designs

I can't explain how thrilled I am to see how this border worked out! I'm a terrible procrastinator at the best of times - but that's when I have lots of great options and I can't pick my favourite. This time, I couldn't find a single print that I liked! I found the blocks to be so busy and colourful that nothing seemed to match. And my other battle was that I had originally planned on making Isla a more pastel/quieter quilt compared to her last rainbow triangle quilt. I fell in love with the gorgeous border on Claire's original - it's a white fabric with tiny grey dots. See it here. Claire had used it throughout the quilt blocks and then on the borders, and it balances the design so beautifully. I followed the same direction using a white with grey words in the same blocks, but it just didn't work as a border! 

So, I ditched my pastel ideas and chose that stunning Plummy Metallic print by Cotton And Steel, purchased from Carols of Midland. It is the opposite of pastel, don't you think? I can't help myself, and it just looks perfect in her room against her Liberty bedhead (see first pics above).

Useful Links

Unicornia Quilt Pattern by Claire Turpin Designs 

Fabrics from Carols of Midland 

Liberty fabrics from The Strawberry Thief and Materialise Your Life 

Rhapsody Dolls from Rhapsody and Thread 

Polka Dot Cloud pillow from Kmart 

Unicorn Painting by Courtney King 

Dream Even Bigger banner by Zilvi 

Liberty Bow Garland by Rhapsody and Thread 

Unicorn banner by Little Olive and Co 

Mirror Name by Arlo and Co

Isla's Unicornia Quilt {Progress} || Pattern by Claire Turpin Designs

I couldn't resist this Unicornia quilt pattern by Claire Turpin Designs, and I'm so glad I didn't. It was so fun to make, and I loved choosing the Liberty prints for each unicorn. I especially loved creating the rainbows.

I feel like I must note though, for those interested in making this quilt, as perfect as I think it is, Isla's quilt is not exactly like the original. I feel like it's important to mention that - especially if you're using my pictures as a reference. Think of mine more as inspiration and follow Claire's pattern better than I did (giggle)!

Most importantly, despite the minor differences, Isla is thrilled. She couldn't wait to line up her unicorn friends in front of it and have a picture with ALL of her new unicorns. I think it's possible that I was glowing with pride.

Now for the borders, quilting and binding!!

XxT

 

Isla's Unicornia Quilt {Progress} || Pattern by Claire Turpin Designs

Sewing the blocks together today was a tiny bit stressful as I made a couple of mistakes when cutting (whoops). And I had forgotten to add a butterfly - see the last picture?! Isn't she pretty?

But easily fixed and overall the blocks look amazing! I love how the colours compliment each other so perfectly.

This pattern is Claire Turpin Designs > Unicornia Quilt.

Liberty fabrics are from Materialise Your Life and The Strawberry Thief.

Remaining fabrics are from Carols Of Midland.

Now to join the blocks!!!

Isla's Unicornia Quilt {Progress} || Pattern by Claire Turpin Designs

Half way through the appliqué and I can't decide if I love the unicorns or the rainbows more! Adding the eyes to the unicorns has added personality too.

Just keep going, just keep going...

Unicornia Quilt Pattern || Claire Turpin Designs

 

Liberty Sew Together Bag || Best Christmas Gift Ever

Most people would recognise this pattern as the Sew Together Bag by Sew Demented!

When the pattern was released, mum made one for herself and I drooled all over it, but never thought for a second that I could make one for myself! I dread anything to do with zips and this has FOUR (argh!). So I hinted that maybe this might be a good Christmas present... and TAH DAH!!

The English-Paper-Pieced hexie patchwork was a special treat made using my new blue/red stash that I picked up in The Strawberry Thief's recent destash on IG.

I got to choose the lining fabrics, which were a mix of Liberty prints from both The Strawberry Thief and Materialise Your Life. And the final pops of colour came from the zipper colours! So many unique ways to customise this truly unique pattern.

If you haven't tried the pattern, I would recommend giving this one a go - or begging someone with better than beginner sewing skills to make one for you (skeehee). The bag itself has been really handy. It sits right next to my machine holding everything I need. And when the kids are in bed and I want to watch a bit of telly whilst stitching, I just take the whole bag with me. Super handy!

Learning Courthouse Steps Via Jen Kingwells Quilt Lovely Book - In Liberty Of Course

The latest quilting book "Quilt Lovely" by the incredibly talented Jen Kingwell is nothing short of amazing. I still find myself quite intimidated by most quilting blocks - until I've tackled and mastered them (after much cursing and usually two bottles of wine).

 

I couldn't resist learning the Courthouse Steps Block through this gorgeous heart block. The pattern in the book actually calls for a bunch of blocks to make that very sweet cushion as seen below. I doubt I'll complete the entire project... I wish I had/made more time for personal projects. My heart is actually set on creating a hoop wall of newly learned blocks... Fingers crossed I can pull it off. I'm certain there will be plenty more Jen Kingwell blocks to learn and proudly display!!

 

So here's a look at the inspiration and Liberty scraps I want to use. Oh and I chose the Liberty print Travelling Threads as my 'neutral/low volume' print - which isn't exactly what Jen means by low volume... but I wanted to use Liberty and this was the best I could find in my stash.

So I found the pattern quite easy to follow. The only trouble I found was working out the order in which the cut pieces had to be arranged as this is not explained. I know that more experienced quilters would work this out very easily. But as a novice, I had to do a bit of deducing and scribbling on my book. I kind of pieced them together the way I thought they would go - as you can see below! I balanced the prints as best I could. In hindsight, I wish I hadn't included the yellow Kayoko print as it draws the eye too much in the finished block - but I found it hard to resist that gorgeous yellow.

I laid them out in the order to sew - that made the most sense to me. Well it kind of made sense, in the sense that I had to recheck every step 5 times to make sure I was doing it right!

And this is how my little blocks worked out. At the time I couldn't envision the end result, but they pieced together easily once I got my rhythm.

Sewn together, amazing!

Overall, I really enjoyed it! I find that I get really stressed when I'm learning a new technique and don't just relax and enjoy the time. I worry that I'm making mistakes and hate not knowing how it's going to work. I think that's because I'm a step-by-step person. I can't read a pattern or recipe and just figure it out. Maybe in time, with practice, learning, experience, and wisdom, that relaxed nature might develop.

 

Next up, I want to learn Jen Kingwell's Pinwheel Block. Can't wait!!

#inlibertyofcourse #libertyprint #libertyfabric #travellingthreads #betsy #kayoko #john #gemma #tatum #jenkingwell #jenkingwelldesigns #courthousesteps #quiltlovely #patchwork #rhapsodyandthread

 

A Bubba Quilt For A Beautiful Baby Girl

I couldn't wait to give this gorgeous little quilt to my beautiful friend at her baby shower today! I was itching to show her pictures as I was making it - to make sure the colours would match the nursery - and from what I saw of other gifts she recieved, the colours match perfectly. Phew!!!

Here's how I went:

Fabric piles cut and ready to be laid out

Laid out and ready for sewing

Quilt top sewn together and looking so beautiful

Finished view of the top

Finished view of the bottom

Rolled and ready for wrapping

Wrapped and ready for giving xx