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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www.englishquilter.co.uk