Tiny snippets of my life in paper crafting, quilting, sewing, organising, DIY, faith, sensory processing disorder, autism, aspergers, chicken raising and gardening.
I am totally new to the foundation paper piecing method - my first lesson was with Kristy just last month. And my first block, a little house, is incorporated into my finished project today. See if you can spot it.
With each of the house blocks I used two charms from the Lu Summers 'Summersville' collection. Then I stuck to solids or tone on tone prints in the primary colours, plus orange, green, black and white.
So here it is. It's a whole paper pieced neighbourhood playmat for the kiddies - complete with faces at the windows, zebra crossings, roads to drive on and a Lorax in the park to keep an eye on the environment.
On the back, also inspired by Kristy's version, are 2 stacks of Lego blocks so that the playmat can double for a Lego mat.
And my middle child loves it!
I used the Quilting in the Rain' s 'Quick Quilt Binding' method of folding the backing fabric over to the front. It was my first time and it was sooooooo much quicker than any other method I have yet used.
I also included a sleeve with the option to hang it on a wall.
Summersville Charm Pack Giveaway I have two charm packs of Lu Summers' 'Summersville' to give-away to two lucky readers. All you have to do is comment below for a chance to be in the running to win one. This is open to international readers too.
The winners will be randomly selected and posted on Sunday Stash #28 coming up on Sunday 2nd September. So you have until 8pm (Australian Eastern Standard Time) on Saturday to enter. Please make sure you leave a contact email that is valid to be in the running.
Thanks for joining me today on the Practically Paper Piecing Blog Hop. See you at the Linky Party starting Wednesday August 29th.
So impressed Fiona! Your play mat looks absolutely amazing! Love all those little touches - the people in the windows and the quilted outlines on the back! Fabulous!
WOW - what a gorgeous playmat! Totally loving the houses - but then fell in love with them when you first showed it on FB. Loving the lego blocks on the back too - very cute. Hadn't heard about that binding method before - but very interested in giving it a go soon.
Yes my first house had closed and empty windows and so would have made it look like a ghost town. It was fun to fussy cut the animals, people and even the NZ landscape for the windows. Also perfect for Japanese fabrics which seem to have lots of little folks.
Wha an awesome reversible quilt! I would have loved that as a child(I was a HUGE lego-girl -- no Barbies for me!!). Thanks for opening this up to us international kids too!!!
Yes Lego is my secret hobby and I love all the Lord of The Rings and Star Wars kits out now. Can't wait for Smaug to be released with 'The Hobbit' kits.
The cutest little quilt i have seen in ages. I have been watching you build your houses and wanted to give them a go..(to make a quilt for my Sin L who is an architect) i just don't have any suitable fabric in my stash
If you win a charm pack, you can start with that Sheila...there are some great ones in the Zakka Sew Along using a simplified version of this neighbourhood. http://www.flickr.com/photos/52979139@N00/7297633246/ and http://www.flickr.com/photos/monkeypatch/7268054794/ are two great examples that inspired me.
OMG, I love this... Awesome job for a first go at paper piecing... soooo making it for my nephew for Christmas, who ordered Car stuff that must be wrapped.. hehe.
I love the array of fabrics and particularly love the tree that uses the fabric with the coloured circles. I always enjoy seeing photos of finished projects - very motivating!
I really love your play mat, I think I need to start taking notice of my quilt mentor and her paper piecing projects... Although I'm still recovering from my first proper finish, lol. Love, love, love the charm packs too, I will hobble around with fingers and toes crossed for the next few weeks, in the hopes that I manage to win one of them! Love Bev
Oh, this is so cool!!!! I have been searching for a pattern to make a quilt for a baby boy....this is definitely it. What an awesome shower gift along with his first set of matchbox cars. I was a pediatric nurse and often drew "towns" on table paper to keep little boys occupied while waiting for the doctor. It's perfect!!!!!!
I can see a lot of thought and planning went into this wonderful play mat! I am so impressed with all the details. I think I would enjoy taking a little hotwheels to this town!
It turned out so wonderful, Fiona! Love how you quilted it. It's such a welcoming little environment for a child to play on...
It's just astounding to me that you've only started paper piecing so recently, yet you've done so beautifully and gotten to the point of designing your own patterns!
You've given me courage to try that fold-over type of binding, too. Thanks for the link.
Haha the link is from Kristy as well...the font of all knowledge for me. Thanks for all your feedback along the way with this project Elnora. Please try that backing fold over binding - by far the quickest method ever. I had it done within 35 mins.
exactly - the back took me 2 days to piece using a kind of bargello style of sewing strips one way and then the other to prevent bowing but I got a bit confused at times. The 'nipples' on the lego blocks were a LOT more fiddly though.
Those quilts are both GREAT! Love all those bright colors, just awesome for the kiddos! I love love love Summersville but havent splurged on any yet...would love to win!!
I was thinking that if my kids did not use it that I could always auction it off to raise money for children or donate it to a waiting room somewhere. Maybe I still will do something less complicated for a cause. Kristy and I did a Collaboration for a Cause Quilt in July and it went really well in the auction.
How fun are houses, but to give them a home- boom boom! Good Job. Still love your Lego, wonder if all that time putting them together as a kid laid the foundation for my piecing now?
Fantastic word Fiona! Well done. I am yet to try paper piecing, need a few less things on the go before I do I think! Congrats and thanks for a giveaway :-)
I love your neighbourhood play mat - I can't believe you paper pieced the whole thing! Way to go! And I think it's genius to have made it a reversible Lego playmat. :)
Yes it was a very labour intensive quilt BUT I also used the 12 house blocks and 12 trees in a recent talk I gave at a dinner for 40 women. They each represented a stage of my life (even though I calculated that I have lived in 22 houses!).
Hi! Your play quilt is fantastic! I love houses, trees and streets! Lovely pattern! Thank you so much for sharing those beautiful fabrics! Your header photo is amazing! Wishes from Greece!
Oh and I love old temples, olive trees and Greek beaches so maybe we can do a trade? I have a few friends planning trips to Greece thesedays and I envy them. Ευχές από την Αυστραλία
Fiona, your quilt/play mat is just gorgeous - lucky kids! I just adore Summersville but haven't got around to getting any - what a lovely giveaway. Thanks for the opportunity. east17girl@yahoo.com.au
Love it Fiona! You are so adventurous and prolific with your quilting! Feeling very inspired. Missing my sewing machine back in London : ) Just before we came over for our hol I finally finished my first Zakka project - the bag - so much fun! (I accidentally linked to Chris'account when I first posted my comment!)
Ooo which bag did you make? the zig zag tote or the messenger satchel? I hope you are enjoying your time back home these couple of weeks. I am surprised your mum does not have a machine at her place.
I made the zig zag tote - I decided to start at the beginning - even though I am sure everyone else has finished the book now! I have all the bits ready for the little house pouch for when I get home. My Mum's machine is in the UK!! Isn't she lovely letting me use it over there : ) She is about to order a new one for herself.
That is one fabulous playmat Fiona! I love it...all the little houses are so very cute! what a great finish!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet quilt/playmat you made. Very lovely.
ReplyDeleteSo impressed Fiona! Your play mat looks absolutely amazing! Love all those little touches - the people in the windows and the quilted outlines on the back! Fabulous!
ReplyDeleteWOW - what a gorgeous playmat! Totally loving the houses - but then fell in love with them when you first showed it on FB. Loving the lego blocks on the back too - very cute. Hadn't heard about that binding method before - but very interested in giving it a go soon.
ReplyDeleteThis is truly fabulous Fiona!! I love the little girls peeping out the window - so sweet! Now you need to make me one :P
ReplyDeleteYes my first house had closed and empty windows and so would have made it look like a ghost town. It was fun to fussy cut the animals, people and even the NZ landscape for the windows. Also perfect for Japanese fabrics which seem to have lots of little folks.
DeleteWha an awesome reversible quilt! I would have loved that as a child(I was a HUGE lego-girl -- no Barbies for me!!). Thanks for opening this up to us international kids too!!!
ReplyDeleteYes Lego is my secret hobby and I love all the Lord of The Rings and Star Wars kits out now. Can't wait for Smaug to be released with 'The Hobbit' kits.
DeleteThis is too cute, well done! I love how you added to the charm pack with similar tones. Great work.
ReplyDeleteI love your quilt, double sided and both sides are fantastic! My boys would love it!
ReplyDeleteThe cutest little quilt i have seen in ages. I have been watching you build your houses and wanted to give them a go..(to make a quilt for my Sin L who is an architect) i just don't have any suitable fabric in my stash
ReplyDeleteIf you win a charm pack, you can start with that Sheila...there are some great ones in the Zakka Sew Along using a simplified version of this neighbourhood. http://www.flickr.com/photos/52979139@N00/7297633246/ and http://www.flickr.com/photos/monkeypatch/7268054794/ are two great examples that inspired me.
Deletewhat an awesome idea.. might have to give it a go for miss 3 but with her trains in mind. :)
ReplyDeletekjbdesigns@bigpond.com
ooo that's a clever idea. Is there train track fabric out there because paper piecing it would be a nightmare!
DeleteLego playmat, such a neat idea!!! Love it!
ReplyDeleteI love your playmat. You have done a great job with the paper piecing. Thanks for the chance to win a charm pack of Summersville. I love that line.
ReplyDeleteThat's very cute Fiona, and a great use of Summersville! houses are perfect for it! :)
ReplyDeleteOMG, I love this... Awesome job for a first go at paper piecing... soooo making it for my nephew for Christmas, who ordered Car stuff that must be wrapped.. hehe.
ReplyDeleteI love the array of fabrics and particularly love the tree that uses the fabric with the coloured circles. I always enjoy seeing photos of finished projects - very motivating!
ReplyDeleteYes alas that was the last of that fabric...I think it may be an old Michael Miller. I would love to have more of it.
DeleteFiona this is fantastic!! You are so talented. Absolutely love it!
ReplyDeletePopping over to see your gorgeous quilt via FBs Quilt Club Australia--it's a lovely quilt and love the houses matched with the Summerville--very cool!
ReplyDeleteWell done on a great first paper piecing project! I bet you are all going to get hours of pleasure from it!
ReplyDeleteThat looks great Fiona, awesome job! Love the lego on the back too.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a great idea! I love all the little people in the houses!
ReplyDeleteThis is fabulous! I'm off to check out the free patterns! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks foe a great giveaway! I love 'Summersville'
What an awesome idea! not only does it make play more fun but clean up can be easier too... pull up the corners and pour into the lego box!!
ReplyDeleteOh yes...my thought exactly...if only they would keep it on the mat.
DeleteI really love your play mat, I think I need to start taking notice of my quilt mentor and her paper piecing projects... Although I'm still recovering from my first proper finish, lol. Love, love, love the charm packs too, I will hobble around with fingers and toes crossed for the next few weeks, in the hopes that I manage to win one of them! Love Bev
ReplyDeleteOh, this is so cool!!!! I have been searching for a pattern to make a quilt for a baby boy....this is definitely it. What an awesome shower gift along with his first set of matchbox cars. I was a pediatric nurse and often drew "towns" on table paper to keep little boys occupied while waiting for the doctor. It's perfect!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI love your Lego border - it is perfect!! Thanks, too, for the chance to win - Summersville is such a great fabric line!
ReplyDeleteCute playmat - good idea for Christmas gifts. Love the charms too - thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteThat play mat is totaly cool! It is going on my to-do list.
ReplyDeleteI love it!! Love the charms. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThis would be a great baby gift. It could be used for floor time for a little baby, but easily grow with a child.
ReplyDeleteYour mat is ADORABLE! KUDOS! HUGS!
ReplyDeleteI can see a lot of thought and planning went into this wonderful play mat! I am so impressed with all the details. I think I would enjoy taking a little hotwheels to this town!
ReplyDeleteIt turned out so wonderful, Fiona! Love how you quilted it. It's such a welcoming little environment for a child to play on...
ReplyDeleteIt's just astounding to me that you've only started paper piecing so recently, yet you've done so beautifully and gotten to the point of designing your own patterns!
You've given me courage to try that fold-over type of binding, too. Thanks for the link.
Haha the link is from Kristy as well...the font of all knowledge for me. Thanks for all your feedback along the way with this project Elnora. Please try that backing fold over binding - by far the quickest method ever. I had it done within 35 mins.
DeleteWhat a great quilt! Can´t believe this was your first paper piecing project! Smart move to make the back a lego playmat - two for one!
ReplyDeleteexactly - the back took me 2 days to piece using a kind of bargello style of sewing strips one way and then the other to prevent bowing but I got a bit confused at times. The 'nipples' on the lego blocks were a LOT more fiddly though.
DeleteThose quilts are both GREAT! Love all those bright colors, just awesome for the kiddos! I love love love Summersville but havent splurged on any yet...would love to win!!
ReplyDeleteI like when mats and quilts works on both sides. Your does for sure!
ReplyDeleteThe playmat looks like fun! I should make one for the younger giant...though he tends not to play on the floor.....
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win =D
love your playmat thanks for the giveaway
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute playmat Fiona - love all of the little houses, and the lego blocks on the back are very cool.
ReplyDeleteYour play mat turned out great! It looks so fun with all the different characters in the park and faces in the window.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful job!! Any child would love it, thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking that if my kids did not use it that I could always auction it off to raise money for children or donate it to a waiting room somewhere. Maybe I still will do something less complicated for a cause. Kristy and I did a Collaboration for a Cause Quilt in July and it went really well in the auction.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great project! My two boys would have loved this when they were young. Thanks so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIt is so cute. I am going to give paper piecing a try in the next week or two. Can't wait.
ReplyDeleteGreat quilt! The charm packs look like so much fun, too!
ReplyDeleteDeborah
homemakerhoney @gmail .com
What a fun quilt! And I'd love the charm pack!:)
ReplyDeleteandri_chama(at)yahoo(dot)com
How fun are houses, but to give them a home- boom boom! Good Job. Still love your Lego, wonder if all that time putting them together as a kid laid the foundation for my piecing now?
ReplyDeleteHi, just read about the charm pack giveaway!!! hoysie@hotmail.com
DeleteFantastic word Fiona! Well done. I am yet to try paper piecing, need a few less things on the go before I do I think! Congrats and thanks for a giveaway :-)
ReplyDeleteI love your neighbourhood play mat - I can't believe you paper pieced the whole thing! Way to go! And I think it's genius to have made it a reversible Lego playmat. :)
ReplyDeleteYes it was a very labour intensive quilt BUT I also used the 12 house blocks and 12 trees in a recent talk I gave at a dinner for 40 women. They each represented a stage of my life (even though I calculated that I have lived in 22 houses!).
DeleteI am so in love with that quilt love it...love IT!!! Such a terrific idea to use it as the neighborhood play mat for the little ones:)
ReplyDeleteVery cute quilt!
ReplyDeleteHi! Your play quilt is fantastic! I love houses, trees and streets! Lovely pattern!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing those beautiful fabrics! Your header photo is amazing!
Wishes from Greece!
Oh and I love old temples, olive trees and Greek beaches so maybe we can do a trade? I have a few friends planning trips to Greece thesedays and I envy them. Ευχές από την Αυστραλία
DeleteWhat an adorable playmat! Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteLooks great! I love little houses, they are just always so sweet.
ReplyDeleteSuch lucky kids who will get to play with this!! Brilliant! Hats off to you!
ReplyDeleteThe mat is adorable.Thank-you for the give away. Becky
ReplyDeletederry04@yahoo.com
Fiona, your quilt/play mat is just gorgeous - lucky kids! I just adore Summersville but haven't got around to getting any - what a lovely giveaway. Thanks for the opportunity.
ReplyDeleteeast17girl@yahoo.com.au
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteLove it Fiona! You are so adventurous and prolific with your quilting! Feeling very inspired. Missing my sewing machine back in London : ) Just before we came over for our hol I finally finished my first Zakka project - the bag - so much fun! (I accidentally linked to Chris'account when I first posted my comment!)
ReplyDeleteOoo which bag did you make? the zig zag tote or the messenger satchel? I hope you are enjoying your time back home these couple of weeks. I am surprised your mum does not have a machine at her place.
DeleteI made the zig zag tote - I decided to start at the beginning - even though I am sure everyone else has finished the book now! I have all the bits ready for the little house pouch for when I get home. My Mum's machine is in the UK!! Isn't she lovely letting me use it over there : ) She is about to order a new one for herself.
DeleteLove the play mat I love summervill thanks for the great giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI would love to win some Summersville! And I'm so proud of you for conquering paper piecing!!
ReplyDeleteThe playmat is adorable. Such fun for the kids to discover all the people other surprises in the windows!
ReplyDeleteYour playmat is delightful. I love all the little people in the windows.
ReplyDeleteLove all the quilts. You seem to get alot done. Thanks for the give away.
ReplyDeleteI love the playmat idea (and the way you used fabric within the blocks).
ReplyDeleteYour PP is perfect and what a wonderful playmat! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteFreemotion at the River Linky Party Tuesday
That playmat is wonderful! So much fun!
ReplyDeleteoh wow, this is a fantastic idea! What a great playmat!
ReplyDeleteWonderful idea, love the design and the fabric is fun fun fun. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLoving the Dr. Suess.
ReplyDeleteLOVE the playmate, the houses are so sweet too...... Would love to win summerville rocks
ReplyDeleteThat is such a lovely playmat - a good idea and practical too! Thanks for the chance to win some lovely Summersville.
ReplyDeleteWell done! :) I would've loved a playmat like that when I was little, I'm sure it'll see a lot of use over the next few years.
ReplyDeleteThe Summerville prints are gorgeous, my fingers are crossed I get to try them out. :)
kate1485 at hotmail dot com
Thank you for linking up to TGIFF Fiona!!
ReplyDeletewow I can't get over how amazing this play mat is... I make play mats but nothing of mine compares to these.. it's just gorgeous :)
ReplyDelete