Have found time to finish a lap quilt made up from blocks completed as part of the Intermediate Patchwork course I finished recently. The course was great fun!
I have always loved the Hearts and Crosses coverlet in the Quilters' Guild collection and have made two previous quilts with more than a nod to the original. This time I wanted to make a 'modern' version using the same dimensions as the original. When I look at the original (on the cover of the pattern), I can see that the maker sometimes changed fabrics part way along a strip. How 'Improv'! I guess nothing is new. I wanted to use Improv crosses (slash and Insert) rather than the Victorian style ones on the original. I moved the hearts to the cornerstones. Their appearance is more subtle than in the original. I left the sashing plain as the quilt is already very busy. The eye needs to rest somewhere! So, what do I think of it, so far? In retrospect, I think that using more pale strips would have been easier on the eye. I am not used to adding random colours to a quilt. I am a planner and always coordinate the fabrics I put to...
Time has really got away from me over the past few months. I have started more projects and finished some, as well. A pineapple quilt made during the summer, but not quilted until Christmas. A mini pineapple made during summer. A hand applique project - design by Erin Russek called Home Again. Below is a table topper I created from scraps. I call it 'Crazy Test Card'. A couple of small improv pieces My favourite quilt of the year. It started as a few improv blocks from scrap fabric and grew. I have several projects in varioua states of unfinishedness...was it ever so?
Not much progress to report this week. I was inspired by the ferns in my front garden to draw some ferns unfurling and then to attempt to FMQ them. I used a fat quarter yard of Kaffe Fassett shot cotton and Isacord thread. I used a dark green thread for the ferns and regretted it. The thread looks black, rather than green against the shot cotton. I used Patsy Thompson's method for doing trapunto for the first time. It does make the ferns pop. I intended to leave the piece with just the thread - like a wholecloth, but to my eyes, it looked pretty dull, so I used my Inktense pencils lightly to add a little dimension. I think the piece would have looked better with some hand dyed backing...maybe next time. I get frustrated with myself at times, but I learn from each and every mistake. :) A fern in my front garden
I love the wedding photo with the crazy quilting. I haven't got the guts to try it yet, but one day!
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