Teaching the Next Generation - Awesome Ocean Quilt

If you have been around here a while it will be no surprise to you that my Lily LOVES handmade.

She likes to think that every new quit has to first go on her bed!  

Not always possible but we do try.

When we both saw Elizabeth Hartman's

"Awesome Ocean Quilt"

being offered as a Block of the Month we couldn't help ourselves but to sign up.

And because I have this "thing" for the Robert Kaufman Sparkle Linen I may have just made an alteration to the background fabric.  I will share my change with you when the first instalment arrives.

"Reef" by Elizabeth Hartman

We (because if I say 'we', referring to Lily and myself then Hubby can't really complain can he!) 

have signed up through The Next Stitch HERE incase you are interested. 

Best I get back to our Bjorn Bears Quit. I wouldn't want to give Hubby any reason to roll his eyes at me when he realises another new start is about to happen :) and it's 10am, School Holidays and the girls are still in bed, time for some sewing before they come out wanting pancakes!

Happy Stitching,

Sharon

P.S. The reference to "Teaching the next generation" would be to love fabric, handmade and shopping!  If they fall in love with fabric, well lets face it they will have no money for all "those" items that are less desirable and as parents we try so hard to steer our children away from :)

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A laugh with my girls - Garment Sewing - {Book Review}

It is School Holidays here at the moment and the girls and I have been waiting somewhat impatiently for them to arrive so that we could enjoy some early morning lay-ins and get into some garment sewing.  Those that know me, know that I do not sew clothing but Keegan has shown an interest, she must get this from my Mum, and is always signing up to the textile electives at school. So when the opportunity arose to review the new book,

  "Sew Caroline Weekend Style" 

by Caroline Hulse, 

Keegan suggested that we should. 

Both Keegan and I have read through the book a couple of times before we, well that should be Keegan and Lily, picked our project!  We decided to make the "Saturday Morning Shorts" as shown on the cover.  The book does come with a Disk with the pattern pieces on it but there is also a link inside the book to download the pieces which is handy as my Apple Mac doesn't have a disk drive.  Must say that I do love that you can print off the pattern pieces as many times as you need them. You can cut the size you need at the time and not have to worry about tracing etc.  and the next time you need the pattern, print again and not worry about where you put the previous pattern pieces.

Keegan set to joining our pieces and then cutting out the appropriate size.

We cut Keegan's shorts out first and then went back and cut the pattern down for Lily.

Both girls raided my stash. Lily found some Pug Fabric (Pugs and Kisses from Michael Miller) and Keegan went for my Libs Elliott Stash and grabbed out the "Hexed" print (available through Andover Fabrics)

This was such a hands on project for the girls. I even had Lily cutting out her own shorts, with my Tula Pink Scissors!

There were also lots of laughs and giggles as the girls took in turns using my sewing machine.

 And I am happy to report that by the end of the afternoon we had two almost completed pair of shorts. I decided to add elastic to the waists so that is my job for tomorrow. We also added a bow each pair.  We all think that they came out really well which was thanks to the great beginner friendly instructions in the book.

And how cute is this little pom pom detailing on the legs.

Keegan is already plotting her next make from the book, the "Darling Shift Dress".  I already have the fabric requirements in a note on my phone so I have them handy for when she finds the perfect fabric.  

I am also eyeing off the "Pool Tote" so it's added to my must make list.

Yes this book also has a couple of bags, a headband and a great idea to personalise some 'flip-flops'.

So I have to send a huge thank you to both Caroline Hulse and the team Fons and Porter for sending me a copy of this new book.  The instructions are so well written and beginner friendly that it made for a perfect afternoon sewing with both my girls, lots of laughter and giggles along the way and both girls having new shorts at the end of it all.

I can recommend this book, especially if you have a budding garment sewer in your home like I do. It is beginner friendly (yes I know I have said this a couple of times but it really is), has a tools of the trade section, fabric selection guide, fabric care guide. Needle guide right through to stitch selection, how to correctly measure yourself and finishing techniques.

Here are a couple of places Online that you can find the book if you are interested. These are NOT affiliated links so I am not receiving any payment if you do decide to purchase. I have added them for your convenience just incase.

Interweave 

Amazon

Fishpond

Until next time,

Happy Stitching Sharon x

Please note that Fons and Porter did provide a complimentary copy of the book "Sew Caroline Weekend Style" for my review. All opinions expressed are my own.  Thank you.

You can also follow Lilabelle Lane Creations here

Bjorn Bears - A new Quilt for Lily is in the making. {Giveaway Winner Announced}

My little girl, Lily, absolutely LOVES hand made.

She always wants the newest quilt in the house on her bed and that is usually where they end up.

I have done some research into the archives and the last new quilt that Lily had made for her was Lollies, pictured here.

And as a total coincidence, this finish was blogged two years ago TODAY!

Lily has been patiently waiting for my Tenderness quilt to go on her bed but with it off on another little holiday, this time to New Zealand that is just not going to happen for a while yet.  

I had started to make her, her own version. She has picked all the fabrics for the flowers etc, I just don't have the time or speed at the moment to stitch it for her so we have started another quilt, machine pieced, just for her and her bed.

We are making "Bjorn Bears" by Elizabeth Hartman.

A fun quilt made with rainbow solids. I had purchased this one as a kit but swapped out the background fabric for a Sparkle Essex Linen.

I started by chain piecing all the the muzzles and truth be known, I had made the weeks ago but they became lost, or just covered in other projects on my cutting table but we are back at it now. 

Then when it came to piecing the faces I made a "Design Error". Well that is what I am calling it.

The 'happy' bear on the left is my version and the one on the right is how the pattern is written.

I wasn't too sure if my OCD could handle have my version in the quilt so I pondered a remake.

When posting my 'whoops' to Instagram many said that they liked my 'happy' version and as it happens so does Lily. She actually prefers the 'happy' version and has asked for more of those to be in her quilt. So we are going to have a mix.

I love it when a quilt takes you on its own little journey.

I am also changing out the solids on the ears for Liberty fabrics to soften the quilt and to give it a little more of girly feel. You can also see the Sparkle Essex Linen here. It has a gold fleck through it.

It turns out that photographing 5 Bjorn Bears once pinned to my design wall is a little hard but here they are.

And No. 6, another 'happy' bear was made this afternoon.

I am hoping that I can do a couple a day until all 25 Bjorn Bears are made.

I will pop back and share my progress next week.

Before I go, one last thing. 

The Giveaway Winner of a copy of my new pattern "Gone Crazy" and the bundle of Kona Solids was Susan T.

Susan has been contacted by email and her prize is being posted to her this week.

Congratulations Susan.

Happy Stitching,

Sharon x

You can also follow Lilabelle Lane Creations here

Celestial Star meets Inklingo - For the Hand Piecers

Celestial Star meets Inklingo

I am so excited to share that the cover quilt 

"Celestial Star" 

from my new book

"Quilting on the Go ..... English Paper Piecing"

is now available at Inklingo.

When Linda from Inklingo first contacted me about the requests she had received and the possibility of having Celestial Star made available I was so honoured that so many hand piecers had shown interest in my pattern.  

I have to confess that I have not used Inklingo. I love my English Paper Piecing. 

But I have been told by many hand piecers that Inkingo is a great tool for those that like to Hand Piece. The Inklingo files allow you to print your hand stitching and cutting lines directly onto your fabric with your Inkjet Printer, at home, for hand or machine piecing. 

As an English Paper Piecer I would buy a pattern, or in this case the book and then grab the papers. In this case you buy the Book and then the Inklingo files.

There are three options to choose from. 

First is available at 100%, which is the size of the original.

HERE

Next is the scaled down version. We all know that sometimes it is fun to play in a smaller scale.

So the next version is at 75%

HERE

Last but not least is for those that like things a little bigger and this version has been scaled up to 125%

  

HERE

 Regardless of which version you decide to go with you will still need the book,

"Quilting on the Go ... English Paper Piecing" for the pattern.

I am looking forward to seeing more Celestial Star Quilts coming to life.

If you are looking for more information on Inklingo, follow any of the links above and you will see that there is more information and videos on how Inklingo works.

You can also follow Lilabelle Lane Creations here

Gone Crazy - But you already knew that right? {Giveaway}

"Gone Crazy"

Is the newest addition to the "Lilabelle Lane Pattern Collection".

A fun bight colour explosion of interlocking stars teamed with a fussy cut stripe!

You should all know by now that I do love a good fussy cut :)

"Gone Crazy" is entirely English Paper Pieced.

I have finished mine as a hexagon but it can easily be squared off if that is your preference.

The pattern includes a colouring sheet so you can plan your placement.

I also imagine this one with the interlocking stars in geometric prints and the background (Stripes) in a graduating rainbow across the quilt.

Linda, from Ladybug Quilting here in Bendigo worked her magic on this one for me.

I went for the swirl / circular all over design to contrast with the stripes.

As with all my English Paper Pieced patterns, this pattern also includes the "Scan N Cut" friendly pages for those that like to make their own papers with the connivence of their Scan N Cut Machines. 

The shapes used for this quilt are also readily available at your Local Quilt Shop, so I won't be kitting up the papers for this one.

 So grab those solids, 5" Charm Squares work great or go and sign yourself up for a monthly solids club like I have at The Next Stitch and give yourself a reason to cut into the beautiful solids that arrive every month and slowly stitch yourself a new quilt.

I have been receiving my monthly solids bundle from The Next Stitch for over 8 months now and I have quite the lovely rainbow of solids to play with. At the end of my 12 months (you can join in at any time) I will have 72 of the most popular and versatile kona colours in my stash.  

My Quilt, as pictured finishes at 32" in length each side with an overall length of 54.5".

This pattern is so versatile that you can make it as big or as small as you wish.

"Gone Crazy" will be available through all Quality Quit Shops. If they don't have it in stock just ask.

It is also available Wholesale through Creative Abundance and Checker Distribution.

It is also listed in my Etsy Store as a PDF.

** PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED **

 Time for a 

G I V E A W A Y

(Sorry but this Giveaway is limited to post within Australia only)

Wendy from The Next Stitch has kindly donated a custom Kona Solids bundle so you can make a start on your own "Gone Crazy Quilt" and because you will need the pattern I will post a copy of the Pattern to the winner also.

The fabric bundle has 36 metric F1/16th's (10" x 11") of glorious Kona Solids.

More than enough fabric for your interlocking stars.

And lets face it, who would not want to sew a rainbow, especially this rainbow.

To enter, pop on over to The Next Stitch HERE, scroll right to the bottom and sign up for their Newsletter and then leave me a comment here to go into the drawn to win. If you already subscribe to "The Next Stitch Newsletter" just leave me the comment saying so 😎

The Giveaway will be drawn at random next Monday the 11th at 8pm and the winner will be notified by email.

Happy Stitching,

Sharon x

You can also follow Lilabelle Lane Creations here

Pretty Handmades Book Showcase

Today is my turn on the "Pretty Handmades" Book Showcase.

Lauren's new book is is full of beautiful Felt and Fabric Sewing projects.

Each project is teamed with detailed and beginner friendly instructions.

I decided that my first project from Lauren's new book would be the

"Posie Patchwork Pouch" 

I enjoyed adding the Hand Quilting in a co-ordinating Aurifil Floss.

I also decided to make the tabs at each end a little bigger.

I didn't have a lace zip on hand so I have used a regular zip and added my lace to it and I also added a running stitch through the lace using the Aurifil Floss.

The August Liberty Society Bundle works so well with the Sparkle Essex Linen and Lauren's beautiful pattern.

Lauren, huge congratulations on your new book 

and thank you for being there for the chats during 

the writing process for both our books xx

Here is the list of the talented makers that are participating in Lauren's Book Showcase.

Be sure to pop on over and see what they have made. I am sure that we are in for some beautiful makes in each makers own style.

  1 Sept 2017     Lauren Wright             www.mollyandmama.com.au                

   2 Sept 2017     Jemima Flendt             www.blog.tiedwitharibbon.com             

   3 Sept 2017     Sharon Burgess          www.lilabellelanecreations.com            

 4 Sept 2017     Lauren Nash               www.transientart.com                          

5 Sept 2017     Sarah Edgar               www.alittlehappyplace.blogspot.co.uk

   6 Sept 2017     Ange Hamilton            www.alittlepatchwork.wordpress.com   

 7 Sept 2017     Elea Lutz                    www.elealutzdesign.com                     

  8 Sept 2017     Sarah Scott                 www.piccolostudio.com.au                   

 9 Sept 2017     Martina Bahre             www.avaandneve.com.au                   

10 Sept 2017   Heather Andrus           www.quiltstory.blogspot.com                

 11 Sept 2017   Faith Essenburg          www.saranaave.wordpress.com           

12 Sept 2017   Alisha Orlando            www.ministryoffabric.com.au                

13 Sept 2017   Bev McCullough          www.flamingotoes.com                        

14 Sept 2017   Stacy Olson                www.stacyolsondesign.com                 

 15 Sept 2017   Ali Phillips                    www.arabesquescissors.com               

 16 Sept 2017   Mollie Johanson          www.wildolive.blogspot.com                 

17 Sept 2017   Kristyne Czepuryk       www.prettybyhand.com                       

18 Sept 2017   Xanthe Grundy           www.wife-made.com                            

19 Sept 2017   Anne Oliver                 www.lolliandgrace.com                        

20 Sept 2017   Larisa Shurupov          www.stitchingnotes.com                      

21 Sept 2017   Sedef Imer                  www.downgrapevinelane.com             

22 Sept 2017   Wynn Tan                   www.zakkaArt.blogspot.com                

 23 Sept 2017   Veronica AM               www.VividFelicity.wordpress.com         

  24 Sept 2017   Minki Kim                     www.minkikim.com                               

  25 Sept 2017   Elise Baek                   www.eliseandemelie.com                     

 26 Sept 2017   Megan Price                www.dollyhenry.com.au                       

   27 Sept 2017   Nadra Ridgeway          www.ellisandhiggs.com                        

28 Sept 2017   Ayda Algin                  www.cafenohut.com                            

 29 Sept 2017   Jodi Godfrey               www.talesofcloth.com                          

  30 Sept 2017   Lauren Wright             www.mollyandmama.com.au                

Also, Lauren will be hosting a giveaway at the end of the Book Showcase on her own blog and Instagram, so keep your eyes open for that.

Happy stitching,

Sharon x

You can also follow Lilabelle Lane Creations here