Last Past the Post

From Cream on Cream to Red Grunge!

It is considered bad form not to return the Studio Quilters' annual challenge by the August meeting deadline (and no one wants a ticking off from Rita!😨). So I had to plead extenuating circumstances when I handed mine in only two thirds completed. I had been on schedule, but was overtaken by events at the last hurdle. 

This year's challenge, set by Pat, was to produce three 6 inch squares of 'cream on cream' work using any technique you liked; patchwork, appliqué or embroidery.

 

I chose to do one of each - yes even hand embroidery! The first two were quite easy and I had got those under my belt in June, saving the more difficult embroidery one until last. This was still in the hoop by the day of the meeting. So I took in what I had and we laid them all out together. 

As usual there was a variety of very inspired and accomplished work from everyone.

The whole purpose of the challenge is to make you think outside the box and/or push yourself to try something new. 

We had the option of adding                           our three blocks to everyone else's to make a group quilt, or to make them into a project of our own. 

 

As you can see from the above, I have since finished mine off, backed them and made them into a wallhanging!

Meanwhile I'm trying to catch up with things in the loft while I can. Laura's modern monochrome quilt is finished after sitting on the frame for nearly two months.

You can't see the scale of these circles from this picture, but they go up to 6 inches diameter, joined by very gently waving lines - quite challenging.

Now I have started on Stasha's red 'Grunge' and Pistachio green top. Okay, NOT my favourite colours! But for someone whose hands are 'too stiff to hand quilt' the quality of her English Paper Piecing is astounding. The fussy cutting is also superb. I marvel at the skills of my fellow quilters and it is such a joy to do my bit on their projects. Stasha had said she just wanted something curly swirly and I had thought to do an edge to edge all over. But her parting words, when she left it with me, was that she hoped the flower pattern of the piecing wouldn't be lost. Now I feel it needs a much more custom treatment and I have already done more than 10 hours of ruler work to highlight each flower. There's a few more hours to do yet.

Then it's on to Jean Smith's pretty top (in my colours!)

Happy Quilting Everyone!

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