The Start of My Patchwork!!

I've been wanting to make a patchwork quilt for ages but just haven't had the time.  I've been collecting fabric for it, some from the US, some from the UK and some of it free swatches!!!

When I was in my teens, I made a patchwork cushion and my mum found another half finished one whilst having a Spring Clean recently.  I made the cushion by hand and I cut out lots of newspaper squares which I then tacked the fabric onto, removed the paper squares and then stitched the fabric squares together using over stitch on the back side.  Probably not the way to do patchwork but hey it worked for me!

This time I want to make the quilt with my sewing machine.  I'm not very good at using a sewing machine and my latest one is a very old basic one that belonged to my Auntie Audrey who sadly passed away in November 2009. 

I'm hoping to improve, it does a nice simple backstitch in 3 different sizes and nothing else so should be easy!!!  Famous last words!

I spent all day Sunday sorting through my fabrics and cutting out squares with my new pinking shears that I bought ages back in Hobbycraft but hadn't used!!!  I still need to get some more fabrics so will have a look in Fabricland next week as they had some lovely fat quarters there a few weeks back.  I'll also have a rummage in the bargain bin!!

Here are the squares that I've cut out so far

It doesn't look many but they are in piles and there are more there than it looks!!
I'll update you with my progress - it might be a slow process though!!!