Another quilt backing

This week I've been working on another quilt backing - although now I look at it, it could equally be another quilt top!

These blocks are cut 10.5" x 6.5", and I'll use 6.5" x 6.5" pieces to complete the rows.

My aim is to use up my least favourite pieces of fabric, and free up space in my storage containers for yummy new fabrics when the time is right.

It all looks a bit yellow and red above, but I still need four more rows and I intend to use a lot of green and blue in those rows.  I'll intersperse the new rows amongst the rows shown above.

Here's how my kitchen bench has looked this week as I've worked on this backing.

Our main library in Wellington has been closed for a year now due to earthquake risk.  However a brand new library has opened at Johnsonville, and they had some quite new craft books when I visited this week.

These will keep me busy.

(I know COVID-19 is affecting everyone, and it's reached New Zealand too, but I'm not going to talk about it on my blog if I can help it.  I want to keep this as a happy place where you can indulge in your hobby and get inspiration for whatever craft it is that you enjoy.)

So now it's time for the Peacock Party.  What have you been up to this week?  Feel free to link up a recent blog post below.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Quilt backings (NOT the boring type)

It seems like I'm never at home at the moment.  I was in Dunedin on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, and by the time you read this, I will be in New Plymouth for a few days. 
While I was in Dunedin I caught up with my good friend Sue Lucas.  Sue took me home to her house and I got to see some of her amazing embroidery (plus quite a few unfinished quilts). I've got quite a few photos to share, but I'll save them for a future blog post.   

The view from Sue's house. 

Just one of the many embroidery WIPs at Sue's house

In between travelling I've managed to make a few quilt backs and progress three quilts to the next stage.

The fabric is by Tokyo Milk for Free Spirit Fabrics

First up is the backing for my Neptune and the Mermaid quilt shown here:

This quilt is off being basted at Busy Bee Quilt Shop at the moment.  I intend to hand quilt it myself, but I like to get it basted on a long arm machine so I can be sure that the top is centred on the backing.

Next up is the backing for my Ballet with Kaffe quilt by Willyne Hammerstein.  I was quite nervous about cutting this precious Cotton + Steel fabric.

I want to use some of the backing fabric on the borders too, so I had to be very careful with the cutting.  Here's a reminder of what my Ballet with Kaffe quilt looks like.

Then the third backing is for my Kaffe Fassett Green Diamonds quilt.

I'm making a pieced backing for this quilt because I bought a lot of red Kaffe Fassett fabrics for the Green Diamonds class, and I didn't use them all.  The class was two years ago, but I couldn't get enthused about finishing my top, so I've re purposed the diamonds into something else and I'll reveal that soon. Here's what I was aiming for:

And here's how much I sewed together:

Now it's time for the Peacock Party.  What have you been up to this week? Feel free to link up a recent blog post below.  

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter