Monday 27 April 2015

Pattern Testing

A couple of weeks ago Nadra at Ellis and Higgs wrote a post asking for quilters to volunteer to test some new patterns that she is in the process of preparing for her online shop.  I have always liked Nadra's designs and decided that I would volunteer.  At the end of last week I was sent a cute little pattern to test, called 'Sugar Candies'.


I was excited to get started on this sweet (excuse the pun!) little quilt but, before I tested the pattern, I thought it would be a good idea to make sure that my sewing machine was in perfect working order.


I cleaned out all the fluff and lint that was underneath the stitch plate, gave it a drop of oil in the appropriate places, changed the needle and gave it a general clean up.  It is incredible how much fluff you can find and, how much more smoothly the machine runs after it has been given some attention!


Once my machine was ready, I set about choosing some fabrics.


I was careful to cut only the amount that had been specified in the pattern so that I could give feedback as to whether the amounts had been calculated accurately.


I cut out all the pattern pieces carefully and started to sew them together. As this is a 'mini' quilt some of the pieces are quite small and I had to pay close attention to my stitching.


I had a really fun day yesterday putting this little quilt top together.


Today, I will start on the quilting.  When it is finished and Nadra is happy with it, I will show you more!


14 comments:

  1. Christine, you've chosen the most beautiful fabrics for a Spring/Summer mini. It's going to be a gem!

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    1. Thank you Marly! I hope Nadra, the pattern designer will like it! :) x

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  2. I love your fabric choices and can't wait to see the finished mini. Thanks for the reminder to dust out my bobbin case and change my needle. ;)

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    1. Thank you Linda! My machine really needed a clean! I can't believe how quickly the lint builds up!! Have a good week! :) x

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  3. Hi Christine,how exciting that you get to test some patterns,your sneak peek looks gorgeous xx

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    1. Thank you Shez! I am excited and a bit nervous.... hope the designer likes it! :) x

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  4. my sewing machine often looks like that too :) nice to get to test out a pattern!

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    1. It is good to know I'm not the only one!! It is fun to test a new pattern... hope the designer will like my version! :) x

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  5. What a lovely thing to do Christine-I'm sure your feedback will be really valuable, and what lovely summery fabrics you have chosen! xx

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    1. Thank you Alison! With all this lovely sunshine I am starting to feel really Summery! Have a lovely week! :) x

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  6. Good reminder that I should be cleaning my machine too. It is fun to test a pattern - I did that once and really enjoyed it.

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    1. It really is incredible how much lint builds up! The pattern was fun.... I'll reveal the finished quilt when I am allowed to! :) x

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  7. Lovely fabrics and nice to see sneaky peaks of what the little mini quilt - can't wait to see it all complete.

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    1. Thank you! I will post some photographs of the finished quilt when I am allowed to! It was fun to make! :) x

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