A new quilt inspired by an old building

So this wall-hanging was made by fusing black and gold fabric to cream silk. The design was developed from a metal hearinngfille in a Victorian church.

Heart quilt

Finished this last weekend and delivered it to Malvern on Monday. It's called 'Counterchange of Hearts' and was made for the theme challenge. No prize, but I am pretty pleased with it.

The background is machine pieced, the hearts are hand appliquéd or hand quilted. The background is free motion quilting and it's decorated with lots of buttons, some of which I made from Fimo.

Machine Applique this time.

Another new block to me. "Cotton Boll" from the book 'Red and Green - an applique tradition' by Jeana Kimball. Fused to the background with Bondaweb and outline with a narrow blanket stitch.

Hand applique....I love it!

And this little block was drafted by me from a picture of a very old quilt in a book. Hand appliquéd using YLI silk thread, which I love using, as it really disappears into the work. The block measures 8" square, and like most of the blocks in this quilt, it will be turned on point.

On a roll!

An eight inch block at the top, rotary cut and machine pieced. And a foundation pieced 4inch block.

Another tiny block

Just 4" square. This is a block from the book "The 1718 Coverlet" by Susan Briscoe. A little fussy cutting there!

Old Maid's Puzzle

Old fashioned name for an old fashioned block. Looks good though!

Another one

Another 6 inch block - a simple 4 patch variation.

More blocks

Two more blocks for the sampler quilt. First, a 6" Churn Dash, to be set on point.

Then a smaller 4" block. No name, as far as I know.....

New sampler quilt

In spite of the fact that I have  a large number of UFOs hanging about, I have started a new sampler quilt.  Most of the fabrics are in my stash, although I did purchase a few cream ones. I planned most of this before I started to stitch, in the hope that it makes the process easier.

I've tried to include blocks which are new to me, although there are a couple I've done before, and most of the blocks will be set on point. They will also be different sizes - 12", 8", 6" and 4". The centre block is much larger at 21" square, and is my attempt at a Sanderson Star. Not drafted perfectly, but it still went together, and shows off the tie dyed fabric I have had for years in the centre.

A Pair of Journal Quilts

Two little journal quilts made for the Grosvenor Spring Shows. The challenge this year was 'Nautical Inspirations ' so I made the bow and stern of a narrowboat...

New Year Resolutions

So it's that time of year again, when we look back at the year that's gone, and look forward to the new one. I've been lucky to have taught some lovely people this year, and given a few talks as well - something I enjoy! I have also sewn more than I thought, and added it all up.....

Items made (ie: finished!) = 5 quilts (2 presents, 2 for Project Linus and 1 sampler quilt), 28 heart cushions and 18 drainage bag bags, 6 pincushions, 6 needlecases, 1 sewing caddy and matching thread catcher/pincushion, 2 sewing machine covers, 2 journal quilts for competition and 12 journal quilts for the Contemporary Quilt Challenge.......

Each little quilt measures 6" x 12". I set myself the theme of 'Entertainment', and limited the colours to red, yellow, black and white.

I took the decision to buy as little as possible in 2015, and use what I already have. By and large, I have kept this promise, but there are times when you have to make a purchase! Anyway, the same promise for 2016, in an attempt to reduce the stash to a more manageable size!

Next year, I plan to finish more UFOs and PHDs, and not start anything else......except things I have already committed to do. (Please understand that some of these commitments are still in my head, but they count!)

Also plan to post more on this blog, and add pictures - it serves to remind me that I am quite productive, really! Anyway, I shall spend the first day of the new year as I usually do - sorting out my sewing room ready to begin. Happy New Year!

Small things

I found a pattern for some delightful needlecases on the Internet, very quick to make. So I made six! So far!

Feeling lately that I haven't done very much, so I've started to keep a running total of completed things,  and it's more than I thought. Still a lot of unfinished things,

though!

Modest success at Malvern

Have just checked the date of my last post, and I'm ashamed to see that it's almost 6 months ago! As my mum used to say - where does the time go?

Anyway, these 2 little journal quilts won a runner-up rosette and were displayed at a few shows, including Quilts UK at Malvern last month. I was thrilled to bits! The theme was 'Picture This', and they were inspred by a photo of a stained glass window.

Curves Sampler Quilt

I've finally finished the Curves Sampler Quilt, including a sleeve and label! Some traditional blocks as well as some designed by me. I'm really pleased with the way it has turned out. Every block contains curves, either pieced or applique, or the illusion of curves, which is enhanced by curved machine quilting. Now to continue with the new sampler quilt, including blocks from both this one and the Star Sampler....

A Christmas Wish.

A very happy Christmas to everyone!

 

Changing Seasons

This little quilt was recently chosen to be a finalist in Quilting Arts magazine's "Changing Seasons" Reader Challenge. I am thrilled! It should be in the Dec/Jan 2014-15 issue. However, I can't find a copy locally, so until I do, I'll have to assume it's there.

It measures 8" x 10" and is a combination of hand dyed and stamped fabric, hand quilting, and little Fimo buttons I made. I added a few beads as well.

Students' work.

A few of my students have been progressing with and completing projects recently. Three versions of the Beginner's quilt....

I love seeing the different ways this pattern is interpreted.

September catch-up

Well there we go - summer (almost) over for another year. I haven't been idle though - I've attended various shows, including the fabulous Festival of Quilts in Birmingham, and I've done some sewing as well.

 This little quilt was shown at the Festival, as part of the Finnish/British Stash Challenge (not an easy phrase to say!), and I was really pleased it was chosen. (I also have a small piece due to appear either on the Quilting Arts website or in the magazine early next year - really thrilled about that!).

As usual I have a number of projects on the go at the same time, and more ideas than I have time for. However, I am planning another Sampler Quilt course  - here's a sample block...more to follow!

Buttons, buttons, buttons!

Spent a happy half hour the other day dyeing some buttons using disperse dyes. Super speedy results and lovely deep colours. It's hard to believe they all started out white or cream!

So this inspired me to sort through my Big Tin of Buttons. They came from various places, including my mum's and my aunt's collections, so I sorted through them, ditched the rubbish, and put them in jars, in different colour groups. Then I covered the jar lids in fabric and lace trim. They now look great on my windowsill and I'll be more inclined to use them!