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Lovely Applique

After last week's bag diversion, it was back to business up in the loft, to complete 2 pieces I had been asked to quilt. This one is another fun applique design put together by Jenny. What a charming pattern - I'm sure her granddaughter will love it!

 

I have quilted it quite heavily to fill in the large open spaces and to take up a bit of fullness in the borders. 

Before that, I quilted this top for Jean Hipwell. It was mystery quilt which she had adapted a little to make it fit together the way she wanted. 

I took the opportunity to practise this quilting design called 'feathered swirls' by Judi Madsen. Her quilting is truly phenomenal and I have a couple of her books to study. I would love to get anywhere near her standard! 

I have watched her video over and over and tried it a couple of times before.

 It is still not quite right but I am definitely improving. I am getting better at the shapes. But I need to get the 'travelling' right and to fill the space more evenly.

But Hey! Practice makes Perfect. I am determined to get the hang of it. 

Talking of practice, I found time to try some free motion quilting on the Bernina, using the transparent quilting foot I got at Birmingham, and the Brother hoop, and I got on fairly well. I will try it on the Brother machine too when I get a moment.

In between times, I have started on the '40 scraps challenge' which Ann K gave us from Connecting Threads. The challenge is to use a scrap donated by each member in a single project, as a sort of memento. What a nice idea - I know where I am going with that one and have already made a start. 

Bet you can't guess what it is - but look how little I threw away!

I've also been working on my own version of the 'Sew a row' quilt in blues and creams, mostly Edyta Sitar fabrics. I have done the houses, trees, animals and boats. Now I have cut out a whole fat quarter's worth of stems and leaves for the applique setting, with a little help from Rene on Monday afternoon!

Hardly an inch was wasted!!!!!!!!!!

So I have plenty to be getting on with - Happy Quilting Everyone!

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