I've been quilting since 2013. This blog is my personal quilting diary, that charts my progress (and occasional regression) from the start. I use it so I can look back at my past projects...and hopefully see my skills improve!

Wednesday 20 January 2016

No Sewing Just Sorrow

My dear little dog, Monty passed away last Friday.  He was 13 and a half years old and had been on medication for his heart for the past two years. 

I don't feel like sewing at the moment.  Here is a little thread painting I did of him a year ago, followed by a couple of photos of him taken when he was in his prime.





He was a real character and is very much missed.

Tuesday 12 January 2016

Starting Sutton Grange

I bought the Sutton Grange pattern from the Petra Prins stand at the Festival of Quilts last August, but have only now started working on it.  I have decided to try not to buy and new quilting cotton in 2016 - or more realistically, I will only buy a metre when I have used 5 metres.  That's the plan.

Di Ford's pattern calls for broderie perse in the centre of the medallion and around the dresden plate.  I did try a couple of motifs from my stash, but wasn't happy.  In the end, I painted a stylised rose onto white cotton, using Derwent Inktense and Jacquard gold metallic textile paint.  I repeated a smaller version in each of the four corners of the second border.  Once the paint was set permanently, I appliqued the roses to the quilt.  I used some half inch hexagons to replace the broderie perse around the dresden plate.I've had fun adding some beads and French knots to the flowers.

I haven't really done much needle turn applique in the past year.  I've been rediscovering the pleasure of hand work.  Happy New Year, all! xx