My Mystery!

And what about that bag?

When I started to make this bag with Sandy's group, I made the bold decision to cut fabric straight from the bolt, rather than using stash or scraps. This is not something I do lightly, but the sample bag which Pauline had made, was in lovely blues and creams and it really inspired me to use these 2 fabrics by Edyta Sitar. The neutral with the tiny blue and black crosses is from her 'Silver Linings' collection and the dark blue is from 'Blue Barn'. 

I mentioned in an earlier blog that I had added a 'twist' to the pattern. The original was all neutral background and dark blue folded pinwheel inserts. As you can see I have used alternate light and dark squares. 





Why? I hear you ask? Well...
a) I thought if the background was so light it would get dirty too quickly
b) It wouldn't do if we all ended up with identical bags, and
c) I cut my neutral strips wrong !!!!!
I was using a different ruler which was half an inch wider than I usually use and I cut 5 inch strips instead of 4 1/2 inches. So rather than waste them and cut more (or slice off the extra half inch) I managed to use the pieces in a different layout. 

Measure twice - cut once!!!!

I also continued the pinwheel design onto the side/pocket, which worked out well.

There was a fair bit of hand sewing involved too, which was challenging for me, but I am really pleased with it.





Up in the loft this week I have been working on another beautiful French General red and neutral top pieced by (another) Janet. 

The fabrics and layout are just stunning and Janet has asked me to quilt fairly dense all over feathers. It's a big job, but it is coming along nicely.

 

So what was my 'Mystery'?

At the little U3A group in Mill Hill, this afternoon, I was telling the ladies about Bonnie Hunter's 'En Provence' mystery quilt  (which is still waiting to go on my long-arm!) 
Now they want me to design a mystery quilt for them - sounds like fun!



Happy Quilting Everyone!

Janet

www.englishquilter.co.uk   

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Tree of Life

Can't keep them all!

Whilst I wait for the thread to arrive for the next piece I have been asked to quilt for a friend, I have been reviewing my pile of quilts! I think I need to make room for all the new things I plan to make, so I have decided to let this 'Tree of Life' quilt go. I love it, but have nowhere to display it and have just listed it on Folksy for £150.
The top I am preparing to quilt is another French General red and beige piece. Their palette is so distinctive and it is beautifully pieced by Janet who has asked me to quilt fairly dense feathers all over. It will be fun once I get started.

In the meantime, I attended my first workshop with well-known tutor, Angela Madden, at Connecting threads last Saturday.

 The technique was from her book 'Surprising Silhouettes' and appealed to me in the sense that, unlike many applique methods, you get to use all the left over bits. (You know how I hate to waste fabric!) The morning was spent experimenting with the design process with paper cut outs and I learned a lot. 

But when it came to cutting out I felt it was a bit too rushed to commit it to fabric. I would have preferred to work on a better design. I got as far as lightly pressing the fusible pieces in place on the background but not stitching them. I can probably still pull them off to start again another day when I feel the inspiration better. But I am pleased to have learned the technique, as I can see how effective it can be.



Another work in progress is the bag from Sandy's group. Hand sewing the tubes for the straps was challenging, as I had used a stiffer wadding and the whole thing is probably thicker than the original design. (Although it will make for a more substantial bag). I have the side pieces and handles to do yet - watch this space. Love these blues and creams and had to live with the fact that you use SO much fabric for the inserted folded pinwheels!

Happy Quilting Everyone!

Janet

www.englishquilter.co.uk   

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Log Cabin and Y Seams

From The School of 'Make It Up As You Go Along'!

So, I finally took inspiration from all my previous dabbling and forced myself to use some of my most treasured fabrics - some of which go back to the earliest origins of my stash.

First I practised with the Dresden Star templates and made these 8 'Blooms' which will go into my 'Treasures Quilt', that is gradually evolving in my head.




Then I got side tracked and started cutting 1 inch wide neutral strips with a Log Cabin in mind. It was going to be mixed with dark scraps - but then I went for vintage pinks...... It was going to be squares - but then I went for diamonds.

Like I said - Make it up as you go along! Then I made squares to set in between the points. That's a lot of 'Y' SEAMS!! Even the back looks cool.

I could have made 8 more pairs of diamonds to insert between the squares, but I was eking out the dark pink centre fabric and didn't have enough. So I switched back to the Dresden templates and made appliqued diamonds. 
I really should write my method down as I had to work out how to cut and fit the circle segment. Creative but fiddly!

Now I have squared off the background (as in the top picture) and am planning what to do for the outer section. 

Happy Quilting Everyone!

Janet

www.englishquilter.co.uk   

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