Feet up for Christmas!

"The Midnight Elves have been hard at work!"

That's what Jackie said when I told her that I had finished her big quilt in under a week. 

This one was as big as the last one I did for Janet. 

A stunning large block in coordinating fabrics on a crisp white on white background. Jackie told me it was a kit, I think from the States, but I don't know the name of it.

At first I thought I would use a light green thread, but in the end decided that an off white would blend across the white and patterned areas much better.

This was another allover feather job, like Janet's. I used the piecing as a guide for the depth of each row, which came out about six inches. Janet's worked out at eight inches, so there was even more quilting on this one. Three spools of thread (approx 1500 yards).

The fine 'Bottom Line' thread in the bobbin just blended in to show this lovely texture on the back.

Now I am up to date for Christmas! 

But I have just received these beautiful new fabrics (and more) from Moda. It's the new range from Christopher Wilson-Tate of the Antique Textiles Company in Hampstead. It is called Regency Ballycastle and is inspired by the beautiful fabrics in the antique quilts from his private collection. I will be listing them for sale on my website soon, but not until I've taken out the 'must haves' for myself. 

I already have my first project for the New Year lined up!

Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! Happy Quilting Everyone!

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Still Quilting!

I'm Just a Girl Who Can't Say No!

I never like to make a promise I might not be able to keep, so I was a little cautious when new patchworker, Toni, asked me to finish this quilt for a new arrival expected before Christmas.

But I had finished Janet's beautifully pieced quilt and it came out just how I wanted (...and she liked it too!) It was a big job, but SO satisfying. 

I had to piece the backing and  try to line up the large scale pattern. I only just had enough length to work with. 

So when I saw these pretty fabrics, and how enthusiastic Toni was, I just couldn't resist starting it straightaway. She had made such a lovely job of this 'disappearing nine-patch' and I can tell she has got 'the BUG' big time!

I quilted a meandering pattern of hearts, flowers and ribbons across the main section and filled the borders with curled ribbons and petals.

We had a fun little sewing session when she came to collect it today and I was able to show her how to make and attach the binding. So now she has a head start on getting it finished in time.

I had also accepted another quilt top (as big as Janet's) from Jackie, but said I couldn't commit to doing it before Christmas. 

You guessed it! ............ On the frame and started already!

Those feathers just keep on flowing!

Happy Quilting Everyone!

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Tree of Life Reborn

And Feathers In The Wings 

It was such a pleasure to recreate this Tree of Life Quilt, when Val asked me to make one as a Christmas present for a family member. My first version (right) of this charming design by Edyta Sitar came about as a result of the Half Square Triangle exchange that I organised for Connecting Threads and Studio Quilters three or more years ago.








I found I actually had enough  Half Square Triangle units in my stash to get me started on the Tree Tops, as well as one of the appliqué birds!

This time I chose to make all the trunks with the same fabric (with a tree pattern print) and I liked it just as much as the mixed prints I used first time around.

And my quilting is much improved too!

Then it was on to Mary B's whimsical little quilt for her nephew's Christmas present. These charming pictures were cut from a panel. Mary had made clever use of additional borders to produce this original layout as printed panels rarely have the right proportions for a quilt.

Next up is that 'big one' by Janet S. It's all loaded and ready to go and the feathers will be flying!

Happy Quilting Everyone!

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French General Feathers

And that Sea of Colour ...

This one was always going to be fun to quilt. Another 'French General' red and beige creation by Janet S. Although I am not a fan of red for myself, the particular palette, slightly faded look and classic designs of French General fabrics are just sumptuous. The simple (but perfect) piecing - all half square triangle units - makes this quilt all the more attractive. Look at those gorgeous points!
This is the third in a series of similar quilts that Janet has made and she actually uses them as curtains - how lovely!
She has just dropped off a 'big one' which will push my frame to its limits. But once I have it loaded the feathers will be flowing again. It is so freeing!

Earlier in the week I put the finishing touches to this first ever quilt made by the lovely Pat, one of the ladies in my class at Borehamwood. I am so proud of her!

More red and beige but with a slightly different style of feathers this time.





Meanwhile, my remake of the Tree of Life is coming along nicely, although this minor mishap today was my cue to call it a day this evening!

And as promised, here a few shots of those wonderful Sew a Row quilts which we showed at Connecting Threads last week before sending them off to Project Linus.

















Happy Quilting Everyone!

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Sew A Row Project

My Own Version Revealed ...

And One For Project Linus!

In all the excitement of our Christmas / 20th Birthday celebration evening at Connecting Threads last night, I didn't get an opportunity to take a picture of the 20 or so quilts we had created in our group 'Sew a Row' project, before they were whisked off by a very happy and grateful Hertfordshire Co-ordinator for Project Linus. (I will post one taken by someone else when I can.) They were magnificent -  a sea of colour and all so different, detailed and imaginative!

We started this project in January, and it took 7 months to make our rows, swap them around the group and then assemble them into quilts before the 'Big Reveal'. 

Each month's row had a given theme; Houses, Trees, Animals, Vehicles, Boats, Beach and Stars. We could choose what ever style and method we liked, within certain size constraints and had to try to incorporate fabrics from previous rows and add some of our own. 

Then each month the bags were passed around (under wraps) for someone to add the next row, until finally we got back the one we started, to finish it all off.

I was so inspired by the concept that I decided to make this version of my own alongside it, but in my choice of fabrics. I must have been inspired to cut into some of my Edyta Sitar blues that were still in their cellophane! So each month I made the row for the exchange and duplicated it for my own quilt.

These were my trees for month 2 to be added to these brightly coloured houses. 

Here is my blue version. (See how I couldn't resist adding just a blush of pink here and there!)

My interpretation of the 'Animal' row were these 'Edyta' inspired birds on a vine. Inspiration struck me again (when I should really have been sleeping!) to use them as a border all round on my version. 

The row I found hardest to design was the 'Beach' row. Everyone else made incredibly imaginative beach scenes with all sorts of things going on. By contrast, my sea shells were very simple.

A row of 5 of these went into the quilt completed by Jean Smith.

I had to wait for my long arm machine to be serviced before I could quilt this one (as well as installing the Micro Handles). As you can see, I really gave her a run for her money!

I wasn't the only person to make 2 quilts, but I did feel a bit guilty for keeping one for myself!!
But if my colourful strippy scrap quilt doesn't sell in aid of NSPCC at their Christmas Craft Sale at Allum Hall in Borehamwood on Sunday 18th November (10.30 am to 3.30pm), I will donate that one  to Project Linus.

Project Linus UK is a volunteer organisation. They aim to provide a sense of security and comfort to sick and traumatised babies, children and teenagers through the provision of new home made patchwork quilts and knitted blankets, and give volunteers across the UK the opportunity to contribute to their local community. Visit their website for more details: http://projectlinusuk.org.uk/

 Happy Quilting Everyone!

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Scrap Strip Spectacular!

Colourful enough? And that's just the back!

I've been so busy lately with projects of my own and quilting for all you talented ladies out there, that my first 'flimsy' of the year kept getting overlooked and pushed to the bottom of the pile. 

This was the 'quilt in a day' project that I designed for Studio Quilters in January. Using my stash of 5 inch strip squares (sewn over phonebook paper) and a number of plain black and white squares, everyone was given a row to assemble. Then we put them all together and produced this rather interesting top. 



Now I have finally got around to quilting it and pondered over what to use for the backing. Well I had so many of the strip squares left, I ended up piecing together another 144 to make probably my most colourful quilt ever! It was another chance to play with circles, but I think I was trying too hard. Whenever I got to a plain white or black square, where it really showed, I wobbled!! But it is such a busy quilt, (I estimate 1500 pieces front and back), hopefully no one will notice. 





I hope to have it bound in time for the NSPCC sale at Allum Hall which is only a couple of weeks away - where has this year gone?!


Happy Quilting Everyone!

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Bride's Bouquet

Remember When You Were Scared of 'Y' Seams?

This block has been the most fun yet. It is one I've wanted to make for simply ages. In fact since I bought the 'kite' ruler when I went to Duxford with Susan - how long ago was that ?! 

The ruler is by Marti Michell  ™ and comes with a booklet full of instructions and variations, which is almost more confusing than it is useful, as it refers to lots of other templates, rather than just giving sizes to cut.

But I worked it all out and it just went together beautifully. Those 'Y' seams don't faze me any more.

Now I have got 5 large blocks for my Laura Ashley project and a head full of ideas, which change from one day to the next.







No wonder I don't sleep!

Happy Quilting Everyone!

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Partial Seam Puzzle

Hungry Hungry Caterpillar and Ganesh

Two interesting quilts this week -  both headed for long distance destinations. 






One printed panel with the ever popular Hungry Hungry Caterpillar, by Val for her daughter in Japan - The other appliquéd with a Ganesh inspired elephant (and a mouse) for Jenny's new niece in India.  

Both great fun to do. 









I like how the quilting showed up on the sateen backing fabric on Jenny's quilt.

Then I returned to my on-going Laura Ashley project. I found the ideal block to use up those spare little half square triangles - my first feathered star. I found this diagram as a guide and thought I could scale it to make a 12 inch block. But the maths didn't quite work - not my strong point!! Clearly the diamond point makes it wider than you think. (Or maybe I just can't add up!)



No foundation piecing for me though - you know how I dislike it! I was quite able to piece it accurately without and I would still have had to use partial seams. It was quite a puzzle to work out the piecing. 

It came out a bit bigger than I wanted - but that won't matter.

It is pink and pretty!

Happy Quilting Everyone!

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