Mad March

March was madness. But in between getting through the first six weeks of Ethan's life and the completion of a total bathroom renovation (that was 10 weeks without a bathroom - what an effort!) I did manage to complete a couple of quilts this week. Here they are for your viewing pleasure....


This first quilt is for Scarlett. I saw the pattern for this in an Australian Patchwork and Quilting and I had intended to make it for her before she was born (hilarious!! she is now nearly 4). By the time I had finished making all of the little star blocks she was almost out of her cot, so I added a sashing and a coloured cornerstone and a couple of borders and voila! it is now fit for a single bed. The pattern is called Jake's Stars and is by Carolyn Konig...if you like it you can purchase it here or it is in Vol 13 No 12 of APQ if you happen to have one laying around.



When playing with so many different fabrics I think there is always one that becomes your absolute favourite and mine in this quilt is the lavender spot. Delicious!



Mum quilted the quilt for me using a pattern called "Pretty Posies" it is probably my all time favourite pantograph. I love it. Here is a close up of it from the back of the quilt.


My next finish is my string quilt. This one is for me and uses scraps from all of my civil war fabrics. I love this quilt, so much so that I am making another one for Scarlett in pretty colours - but more on that later. The wadding in this quilt is Hobbs Heirloom wool wadding and it is worth every cent. It quilts up like a dream and it is so snuggly.



This is such an easy quilt to make and this one is extra special to me because my husband helped me make it. I was demonstrating the technique at the Australian Machine Quilter's Festival and of course was running behind schedule - so Greg and I cracked out the spare Janome and after a quick how-to we spent the afternoon in a session of dueling machines whipping up blocks together. Nothing like a man sewing to quicken the pulse.



I love this quote from Teddy Roosevelt on the label...it is something that I am trying to live by and the perfect adage for a scrap quilt.


And finally a close up of the backing fabric. To me backing fabric is important and I will spend hours looking for the perfect one for my quilts. I particularly like cross-stitch prints for my backing...I can't remember which fabric collection this one is from but Blackbird Designs do a great range of cross-stitch prints.




So, goodbye March and hello to April, Easter, Anzac Day, the Royal Wedding and Hot Cross Buns!


This is how we ended March in our house.....storytime.

What did you do on the last day in March?

P.S. I am linking to Friday Finishes over on Amy Lou Who's Blog. Go for a visit and check out what other crafty peeps have been up to.