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   

Thank you for visiting my blog and for leaving your comments. Please share on Facebook, Pinterest and Google+ etc