Free to Quilt: Full Stretch

Free to Quilt: Full Stretch: Don't do anything by halves! I knew this was going to be a big job for Rose, but I didn't know it was going to be so ...

Full Stretch

Don't do anything by halves!

I knew this was going to be a big job for Rose, but I didn't know it was going to be so bright! 

This huge quilt was Rose's interpretation of a block of the month project organised by Sandy. It features a set of large intricate foundation pieced circles set into 20 inch blocks. Not content with that, Rose decided to add a border with smaller appliquéd circles. 

I confess, I skipped this project myself. That much foundation piecing is more than I could face. And true, I'm not really a fan of Kaffe Fassett prints, they are altogether too gaudy for my taste. But look how cleverly Rose has set them against a grey background. They stand out beautifully!. 

Then the contrast between the light and dark greys  - so effective!

 I made several thread changes to blend in with the colours of the circles, and in the background I used a variegated mauve.

 

It truly was full stretch on my frame, about as big as I can handle, which left no room for my tension straps at the side. So I had to be very careful not to get any pleats in the back. The other challenge was the inevitable fullness in the pieced circles. But I managed to contain the billowing effect by anchoring each design, with 'stitch in the ditch' and radiating long curls.

With my spiral swirls in the background, it all made for an interesting combination from the back.

Happy Quilting Everyone - Stay safe and keep cheerful!

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

www.englishquilter.co.uk

Free to Quilt: My Treasure Quilt

Free to Quilt: My Treasure Quilt:  True Colours   At last I've made time to finish off this project for myself!  It all started off about 15 months ag...

My Treasure Quilt

 True Colours 

At last I've made time to finish off this project for myself! 

It all started off about 15 months ago with an evening of playing with tiny inch-wide scraps of my most treasured fabric. They got put to one side for a while, but from time to time I added to them until they grew into log cabin blocks. 

The project kept getting pushed further and further down my To Do list, while I got on with jobs for other friends and quicker projects of my own. But in the back of my mind, I planned how to take it forward. 

I knew I wanted lots of open space to quilt in and also that I wanted to use my Apliquick tools for some ambitious appliqué.

This is a much slower way of doing it than the usual fusible method. All these pieces had to to be hand sewn on to the top, which took days and days. 

But it was well worth the effort, though, as it really stands up from the surface. The bias strip vine was machine stitched on.

When it came to the quilting, I wanted to take my time over it and go for maximum texture. 

I used two layers of wool wadding for the fullest loft. I don't know how well it will wash, so I will have to keep it pristine! I also tried out the 'Microquilter' 100 weight thread I bought at FOQ, so that I could do more intense quilting without too much thread build up.

 The first bobbin wound okay, for some reason, but after that I had terrible problems with it slipping out of the tension discs. In the end, I just pinched it through my finger and thumb! But I had no issues with it in the machine.

Once I got going, it was just days of self-indulgent freemotion quilting.

It is so much better to have used some of these treasured fabrics in a quilt that I can stroke and enjoy, than hiding them away in a basket and I am very pleased with it.

The rest of these pictures are just me showing off!

The appliqué really 'pops'! 

The back is pretty too!

Happy Quilting Everyone - Stay safe and keep cheerful!

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

www.englishquilter.co.uk