My First Quilt (And What I've Learnt)

Here is my first ever quilt.

I decided to make this for my nephew

when I found out my sister was pregnant towards the end of 2014.

I already had the grey and yellow jelly rolls from Craftsy, I got the fleece backing from Ikea and

the polyester batting and cotton binding from Spotlight.

This quilt took me a long time because I would get discouraged

by curvy lines and minor mistakes, as well as not knowing

whether I wanted to use batting or fleece or cotton.

What I've Learnt:

1) Plan Ahead! I started not really knowing what I wanted the finished quilt to look like. While I might have still changed my mind, a plan would have been very helpful!

2) Quilt's don't need to be this thick! I had to make my binding 5" wide so I could wrap it around but this may have been difficult because I'm a newbie.

3) Go SLOW! Don't rush. Just. Don't. Rush! Simple.

4) As above, going slowly = straighter lines!

5) Fleece would make a suitable batting and backing fabric!

6) And lastly - Practice makes perfect!

A Secret Project

I'm super excited about this project for several reasons:

** It's not crochet **

** It's yellow and gray **

** It's got polka dots, checks and chevron **

It's a Quilt for another nibling!

(Nibling: collective term for nieces and nephews)

My sister is having her third baby and we don't know what it is

but she has chosen yellow and gray as the nursery colours.

I knew she loved these two colours together 

(because I do as well and we have some Very similar tastes)

so I had already bought some yellow and grey jelly rolls from Craftsy

I have started sewing a quilt with alternating yellow and grey strips

making sure the patterns don't clash too much.

Here's a preview of the first 9 rows I've sewn together

Now the reason this is a Secret Project is that my sister does Not know I am making this.

It is my very first quilt and I wan't it to be a complete surprise!

Archer - The Mystery CAL

I participated in a Mystery Crochet-a-long (CAL)

Hosted by Stacey over at Fresh Stitches.

None of us had any idea what we were crocheting

until the last clue was released.

So this is Archer, the Dog.

A Jet-setter Sweater

Another Christmas Present.

This jumper was 6 months in the making.

Simply because I lose interest easily and got sidetracked 

with other, quicker projects.

This is for my younger sister, Danielle.

That's me trying to be a model.

And a bonus picture of kitty Olivia, who had

to get in on the 'photo-shoot'

Pattern is from 'Crochet Today' May/June issue.

A Bat for Christmas

Another Crochet Christmas Present.

This is Igor the Tiny Bat.

The pattern is by Stacey Trock at Fresh Stitches.

She makes the cutest Amigurumi patterns, I am such a fan of hers.

Sewing

I've been practicing some sewing.

How cute are my little pins below?

I made this tote bag. The stripes aren't even but this is why I have been practicing.

The more I make, the better they will look, right?