Thursday 25 July 2013

Let's Get Acquainted!

Hello everybody!

I am extremely excited to welcome you all to A Note to Follow Sew as part of the Plum and June Let's Get Acquainted New Bloggers Blog Hop 2013!  Let's have a round of applause for Beth, what a star!

Plum and June

About Me

  • I named my blog after a line from Do Re Mi from the Sound of Music, my all time favourite film.  I've been to Salzburg and am a card carrying member of the Total Geek Club when it comes to that film.

  • I passed my driving test in April 2012 following two previous attempts and the experience of learning a new skill inspired me to do something I had always wanted to do - make a quilt.  I took a class in September 2012 and have not looked back!

  • I was keen on sewing as a child but it fell away in my mid teens.  I am so glad to have picked it up again and to have retained some idea of what I'm doing!  I still use my childhood sewing box (she's a hand me down from my cousins) and I love her.

  • My aunt lived in America for a while and learned to quilt while she was there.  She's a big sewing inspiration for me and has extremely kindly agreed to make my wedding dress for me. She sewed gorgeous bridesmaid dresses I wore to her children's weddings and I wanted to continue the theme.

  • I don't own a sewing machine. I pinched my mother's to go to the initial quilting class and just didn't give it back.  It is a Brother PX 100.  We are more like casual acquaintances than friends, and I'm looking forward to investing in a better machine soon (preferably one with more than one speed - super fast!).  All suggestions welcome - what do you recommend and why?

  • To make sure I would stick at quilting before investing in equipment, I taught myself to crochet and knit.  I've had more success with the former and there is occasionally a bit of that in this blog too.  I think I just like making snuggly blankets!

About A Note to Follow Sew


  • I started the blog as a means of recording my projects initially but soon made it public.  Blogs had been so helpful in teaching me the basics and I soon wanted to join in with comments, discussions and questions.

  • I blog about new quilting purchases under the heading Brown Paper Packages (preferably tied up with string)  because receiving a package through the post is a wonderful feeling, even if you ordered it yourself!

  • I have also started a series of posts on helpful things I have learned along the way - the real Eureka moments.  They are called Every Day's a School Day and are by no means the voice of an expert, rather things I have learned the hard way  (the hard way involves a seam ripper).  Of course, I started this before I read all the helpful advice on the Hop about naming posts so they are easy to find on Google.  As they are not really tutorials (more of a virtual headslap) I will continue to call them this.

  • Posts about an idea or piece of fabric with so many possibilities attached are called Potential.  I love a blank piece of paper, new ball of wool or fresh fabric and the potential for it to be turned into something special.

A Few of my Favourite (Quilting) Things

  • The aforementioned sewing box
  • Rainbow quilts
  • Scrappy quilts
  • The last stitch on neat binding
  • Buying fabric, looking at fabric and sorting through piles of fabric
  • Solids, and bold but simple patterns, especially together
  • FMQ  - this is really fun (she says never having done it on a larger quilt)
  • My first completed quilt 

Finally, a picture of a quilt!

A Few of my Favourite (Other) Things

  • Lists, especially "to do" and "top five..." (preferably with bullets)
  • Stationery (everything from pretty notebooks to office label makers!)
  • Photo albums and scrap booking 
  • Puns 
  • Politics (but that's the day job and won't be popping up here, I promise!)
  • Indie bands and 90s Britpop of all varieties 
  • Giving presents

Quilting

I am still a novice and have only completed a handful of quilts/quilted items but here they are in all their beginner glory!








Work in Progress - the BIG Quilt


I really wanted to get this top finished for my stop on the hop, but alas it was not to be.  Half square triangle squaring takes AGES - they should have come with a warning.  Anyway, this is it, my first BIG quilt:


Stitch Gathering

The other exciting thing I am doing this summer is attending the Stitch Gathering.  This is a one day quilting and sewing retreat in Edinburgh, Scotland.  I am taking two classes on quilting, one on making improvised blocks and one on making a jelly roll quilt.  I can't wait!


So there you have it!  I'm still very much a beginner but I'm having so much fun.  Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to check out A Note to Follow Sew.  Please also have a look at my Last Week counterparts - we've hopped our legs off for weeks and are delighted to show off our work!

RobinSue @ RobinSue Quilts
Elisa Lea @ Lovelea Designs
Elizabeth @ In the Boon Docks
Emily @ Sew E.T.

You can find the list of the rest of the Blog Hoppers here.  I have done a round up post of all their Let's Get Acquainted posts, which you can find here.

Auf Wiedersehen, Goodbye!


Blog Hopping Grand Finale - A round up

This week is the last week of the Plum and June Let's Get Acquainted 2013 New Blogger Blog Hop.  A massive thanks to Beth for facilitating an excellent event.

As it is the last week, I thought I would do a consolidation post of the event.  It is also my week to post for the hop and you can find my entry here.

So, these are the wonderful hoppers and their posts for the hop.

Friday 7th June
Nancy @ Owen's Olivia - read all about Nancy's blog here and watch the Simplicity Girl hop one more time!

Amy @ 13 Spools - read Amy's post here - who could forget the Fire and Ice Quilt?

Ashley @ Wasn't Quilt In A Day - read Ashley's post here and be inspired by the scraps quilt.

Casey @ The Studiolo  - read all about the Studiolo here - the fonts, the sharks = divine!

Nanette @ Yeah, I Made That - remind yourself of Nanette's post and the fun hexie dresden here.

Ange @ Heart Of Charnwood - I was extremely impressed by Angela's hexie quilt here.

Kim @ Robot Mom Sews - Kim's starter for ten and some excellent top tips are here.

Erica @ Kitchen Table Quilting - Erica's post for the hop is here - so many gorgeous stars!

Friday 14th June
Julie @ Jolie Maxtin - Julie the speed reader posted for the hop here - thank our lucky stars!

Melissa @ Melia Mae Quilting - Melissa's long arm made me want a shot here.

Adrianne @ On The Windy Side - Adrianne introduced her blog here - love that scrappy trip!

Molli @ Molli Sparkles - the world was a much more fun place after Molli dusted everything with sparkles here.

Laura @ Little And Lots - fourth time's a charm as Laura introduced Little and Lots here.

Sarah @ Duck Egg Threads - check out Sarah's lovely clamshell pillow here 

Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation - Kelly introduced her blog here by announcing a Link Up (Needle and Thread Thursday) and a QAL!

Cari @ There's A Thread - you can read about Cari's blog here, including a pattern for a great applique pillow!

Valerie @ Between Quilts - Valerie introduced her blog here, check out her Racing Stripes quilt!


Friday 21st June
Leigh Anne @ Ella's Cottage - Leigh Anne showed us newbie quilters what could be achieved in a couple of years here.

Stacey @ The Tilted Quilt - Stacey's log cabin hexagons stood out for me here.

Sarah @ Quilt Candy - Sarah made me think it is always sunny in Jersey and showed us her stunning quilts here

Jackie @ NW Patchwork - Remind yourself of Jackie's lovely mosaic and storage dream here.

Liz @ Beadqueene's Bits And Baubles - Liz showed us round her hobbies here.

Erica @ Happy Fabric - Erica introduced her blog here - happy is right!

Stephanie @ Simple Sewendipity - Stephanie's blog and lovely quilts were introduced here.

Lauren @ Seraphym - check out Lauren's blog (and her divine monochrome quilt) here.

Amy @ Cloud CouCou Crafts - Bloom Bloom WOW - check it out here.

Friday 28th June
Green @ So Sew Green - Green introduced us to her lovely work and fun facts here.

Gwendellyn @ The Rainbow Revolts - Gwendellyn showed off some stunning blocks here - must get going on a scrappy trip!

Jessica @ Stitched In Thyme - Swoon, go read Jessica's blog hop post here.

Amira @ Little Mushroom Cap - can't wait to find out how Amira's sewing machine mini quilt turns out - read about it here.

Kathy @ Kayak Quilting - read about Kathy's quilt shop tours (what a great holiday idea!) here.

Michelle @ Factotum Of Arts - A great paper piecing pattern among other delights is available here.

Paula @ The Sassy Quilter - "Saving the world one quilt at a time" - too right she is! Read about Sassy quilting here.

Kris @ Sew Sunshine - Sew Sunshine - so clever!  Read all about it here.

Camilla @ Faffling - Camilla introduced us to her lovely blog here.

Friday 5th July
Christa @ Christa Quilts! - you won't find hexie quilts in Christa's blog, as described here.

Alyce @ Wonderland By Alyce - Alyce showed off her dress making skills as well as lovely quilts here.

Anna @ The Crooked Banana - Anna showed us all her crafty projects (including the awesome SWOON block) here.

Rachel @ Sew Happily Ever After - Rachel offered a mosaic of some pretty fabulous quilts here.

Stephanie @ Quarter Incher - Stephanie shared her love of colourful quilt projects here

Kristy & Shayla @ Sassafras Lane Designs - the ladies at Sassafras Lane introduced their blog here.

Caroline @ Carolines Craftiness - Caroline welcomed us to her blog and lovely quilts here.

Lisa @ Hilltop House Creative Works - Lisa showed us her fabulous creations here.

Friday 12th July
Karen @ Quilty Creations - Karen welcomed us to her amazing new sewing room and showed off her projects here.

Anne @ PlayCrafts - Anne introduced us to her lovely work and the Palette Builder here.  She also provided a link to a great photography tutorial - thanks Anne!

Rachel @ Let's Begin Sewing... - Rachel shared her fabulous projects (and excellent holiday snaps) here.

Jan @ Sew And Sow Farm - Jan took us through life on the farm and quilting here

Anna @ Quilting Along The Grain - Anna took us through her experiences of learning to quilt (bravely starting KING SIZE! Bravo to you!) here.

Cath @ Wombat Quilts - Cath's use of colour and generosity blew my mind here.

Sarah @ {No} Hats In The House - Sarah displayed her fabulous project mosaics here.

Christen @ Love by Hand - Christen introduced us to Love by Hand (and some ace Swoon blocks) here.


Julie @ 627handworks - Julie brought us a wealth of paper piecing inspiration here.

Friday 19th July
Karen @ Little Birdie Quilting Studio - Karen displayed some pretty amazing applique here.

Kathy @ Kwilty Pleasures - Kathy took us through her quilting (and belly dancing - kudos for the photo) adventures here.

Katie @ Snuggle Up With A Dish From Karma - Katie introduced her blog and some lovely rainbow fun quilts here.

Alison @ Making Happyness - I'm still stunned by Alison's hand made wedding dress which you can read all about here.

Kelsey and Amanda @ Everyday Fray - Kelsey and Amanda introduced their blog and displayed some serious determination lugging sewing machines through airports here.

Ella and Nesta @ Ella & Nesta's Little Room - Enter the online diary of Ella and Nesta's crafty adventures here.

Adrienne @ Chezzetcook Modern Quilts - Adrienne's new sewing room and gorgeous quilts were unveiled here.

Nicole @ Modern Handcraft - Nicole made me drool at her wonderful fabric choices and eye for design here.

Aylin @ AyliN-Nilya - check out Aylin's lovely work and fun uses for selvages here.

And this week, these lovely bloggers will be introducing us to their work - I will be updating this once I've checked out their posts too!


Friday 26th July
RobinSue @ RobinSue Quilts
Elisa @ Lovelea Designs
Elizabeth @ In The Boondocks
Jenny @ A Note To Follow Sew - Yeah, that's me, you're here!
Emily @ Sew E.T.

A big thanks also to the bloggers who took the time to enlighten us with their wisdom.

They are 17 going on 18, and boy did they take care of us.

June
Heidi @ Fabric Mutt
Tessa @ The Sewing Chick
Janice @ Better off Thread
Kristy @ Quiet Play

July
Martha @ Weekend Doings
Nat @ Made in Home
Jess @ The Elven Garden
Alyssa @ Pile of Fabric

I have loved being a participant in this blog hop - every single one of you has helped me think about the quilts I want to make (and completely overwhelmed me with ideas) and how I can achieve these while maintaining a balance with other commitments.  I thank you all for sharing your corner of the internet and your creative outlets, and look forward to seeing more of your endeavours! Thanks also to the amazing and patient Beth at Plum and June for organising the hop and for facilitating so many wonderful discussions. 

Bravo everybody!  



Plum and June

Sunday 14 July 2013

Almost there...

The BIG quilt top is almost there!

I had a go at chain piecing and have decided this is how everything shall be done henceforth!  It was so quick as my threads didn't jam and the needle did not need to be re-threaded once.  In short, this is the future.


These are the half square triangles I completed today.  They just need sewn together into blocks and rows, which I really should have achieved but it's been a bit of a lazy Sunday.


These are my aforementioned favourite bits..







In other news, it was inevitably going to happen at some point, but today was the day I managed to cut the table cloth with the rotary cutter through the hole in my mat.  Who puts a hole in a mat?

Linking up with Sewing by Moonlight at the Plum and June Let's Get Acquainted link up.



Saturday 13 July 2013

Blog Hopping - 3

I can't believe the New Bloggers Blog Hop 2013 only has three weeks to go!  I have enjoyed it so much so far and learned some invaluable things about quilting and blogging.  Thanks everyone!  Also thanks again to Beth for organising this shindig - it's been a blast!

The Blog Hoppers this week are:

Friday 12th July
Anne @ PlayCrafts
Cath @ Wombat Quilts
Sarah @ {No} Hats In The House 
Christen @ Love by Hand
Julie @ 627handworks

The other stops on the hop are:

Friday 7th June

Friday 14th June
Julie @ Jolie Maxtin
Melissa @ Melia Mae Quilting
Adrianne @ On The Windy Side
Molli @ Molli Sparkles
Laura @ Little And Lots
Valerie @ Between Quilts

Friday 21st June
Leigh Anne @ Ella's Cottage
Stacey @ The Tilted Quilt
Sarah @ Quilt Candy
Jackie @ NW Patchwork
Erica @ Happy Fabric
Stephanie @ Simple Sewendipity
Lauren @ Seraphym

Friday 28th June
Green @ So Sew Green
Gwendellyn @ The Rainbow Revolts
Jessica @ Stitched In Thyme
Kathy @ Kayak Quilting
Michelle @ Factotum Of Arts
Kris @ Sew Sunshine
Camilla @ Faffling

Friday 5th July
Friday 19th July
Kelsy and Amanda @ Everyday Fray
Ella and Nesta @ Ella & Nesta's Little Room
Nicole @ Modern Handcraft
Aylin @ AyliN-Nilya

Friday 26th July
RobinSue @ RobinSue Quilts
Elisa @ Lovelea Designs
Elizabeth @ In The Boondocks
Jenny @ A Note To Follow Sew - ME!
Emily @ Sew E.T.

Plum and June

Thursday 11 July 2013

On A Roll!

I am staring the BIG quilt in the face and showing it who is boss - take that second row!



Except now I'm not sure about adding in colours!  I love the monochrome and grey row and am wondering if I should have made all the rows with such fabrics (not that I had them, since I'm using charm packs, but still...).  However, I'm also wondering if adding in some colour is making that row stand out more and look better.  Perhaps an entire quilt of it would look a bit drab?

I shall soldier on and in the meantime inform you of my favourite squares in the pink row.




Does everyone else pick a favourite bit when making a quilt from lots of varied fabric?

Linking up with Needle and Thread Thursday and my fellow Plum and June New Blog Hopper, Kelly at My Quilt Infatuation.

My Quilt Infatuation

Wednesday 10 July 2013

BIG Quilt

It's happening people - I am making a BIG quilt!

I'm keeping it fairly simple because it is the first time I have attempted a quilt larger than a baby quilt.  It  won't even fit on my table (which is going to make basting interesting but I'll worry about that when I get there).


I'm using two charm packs (one from a local shop and the one I bought in Bath) and some grey fabric I already had to make a chevron quilt (the inspiration for which can be found here).  The charm packs are 2wenty thr3e and Comma.


I have been through both charm packs and pulled out ten squares in 6 colour themes (including two white/low volume rows for each end).


I am excited to be working on a BIG project!

What's everyone else up to?

Linking up with Lee at Freshly Pieced:

WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced

Sunday 7 July 2013

Blog Hopping 2 - so many ideas!

Since coming back from holiday I have spent a lot of time catching up on all things Blog Hopping.

I am participating in the Plum and June Let's Get Acquainted New Bloggers Blog Hop.  We're about half way through and I am loving being introduced to so many talented and inspiring quilters.  I've too many ideas, how on earth am I going to fit them all in!

The hoppers this week are:

Friday 5th July
Christa @ Christa Quilts!
Stephanie @ Quarter Incher
Kristy & Shayla @ Sassafras Lane Designs

I highly recommend you go have a look!

I'll be posting my entry and a round up of the hop on the 26th July.

Plum and June

Saturday 6 July 2013

7 Days to a Holiday

Morning Campers!

Sadly I'm a little late with the title of the post, as I'm already more than seven days into my holidays. I'm fresh back from Glastonbury and a week of no reception, so time to catch up on all things Note to Follow Sew.

I went to the wedding (of cushion fame) then on to Bath for the second leg of my holiday. While there, I stumbled upon an amazing quilting supplies shop so obviously had to have a half hour out of bus tours to mooch around there. It is called Country Threads and I managed to resist buying everything in the place. I did pick this up however:


I wish there was a shop dedicated to quilting near me, although, for the sake of the bank balance, it is probably best there is not.

Glastonbury was a wonder of music and friends for me. Little to say on the quilting front though, although they did have a crafts area!

We were in Norfolk for a few days and FH showed me round his stomping grounds.  We went boating on the Norfolk Broads (for Bowie fans outwith the UK - "from Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads") which was great fun.


Now we're home I shall be getting stuck into projects such as my stop on the Lets Get Acquainted New Bloggers Blog Hop and my ticket for the Stitch Gathering (more on how excited I am about that in a post coming soon).

Plum and June

Linking up with Lily's Quilts and the  Small Blog Meet (sorry I'm late)!

Lily's Quilts