My Great Quilting Expedition

Making slow progress. Lots of embroidery to do - tendrils, bird feet and bird eyes...but the sun is shining, so no contest! It is looking a little sorry for itself, as I've handled it so much while hand appliqueing. Once embroidery is done, I will launder it before adding the wadding and backing. Happy quilting, all!

A long time ago, I attempted to make the Flowering Urn Quilt by Rosemary Makhan.  Unfortunately, I did not have the skills and I gave up.  It isn't like me to give up on a quilt, but at the time, it was easier to put it in the bottom of a storage box and forget it. I want to have a different wall hanging for each season of the year - to hang in my sitting room.  I have a Spring and a Christmas wall hanging, so summer and autumn to go.  I love the Flowering Urn pattern, but don't have room on my wall for the whole quilt, so will just add two borders to the centre block and it should fit just great. I decided I would hand applique the quilt.  Sometimes it is nice to be able to sit and be sociable while sewing.  Although I have done some hand applique over the past two years, I had never appliqued onto a piece 30 inches square before.  I didn't realise it would be tricky to sew on such a large piece of fabric.  I think in future, I will think t...

I have finally managed to finish a couple of quilts over the last couple of weeks. The first is an old embroidered tablecloth.  I started quilting this one last October.  Initially the quilting was done using a matching Wedgewood coloured thread.  I found that the quilting underwhelming and the motifs were very difficult to see, despite using two layers of batting - one layer of Hobbs Tuscany wool and Hobbs Polydown.  What did I learn?  I should have used trapunto!  The two layers did not allow the quilting to 'pop'.  I used a dense scribble stitch as background quilting.  I found that the coarse weave of the linen top made it difficult to get the effect I wanted.  I put the quilt away for 5 months, but I HATE giving up on a project.  I finished the quilting and used Jacquard Fabric Paint and Derwent Inktense pencils to colour the motifs. I used a different finish at the edges.  I folded the backing cotton to give a quarter inch h...

I managed to get Sutton Grange sandwiched with Hobbs Tuscan Wool and a white on cream cotton backing.  All the stitch in the ditch is done, so now the fun starts.  FMQ is my favourite part of making a quilt.  I haven't managed to get too far, as yet, but have started adding feathers to the melon pieces.  Happy quilting, all!

Despite still suffering with a hacking cough, I have managed to get the last border on my Sutton Grange quilt.  I am not adding the final cable border, as the quilt would be too big to fit in my hanging space.  62 inches is the maximum size I have for hanging - between two wall lights. It has been so much fun.  Hand applique is SO relaxing and portable.  Now I need to think about how I am going to quilt this.  It is a 'busy' quilt, so there isn't enough room for large quilting motifs. Lots to think about! Happy quilting, all!

I am making slow progress with Di Ford's Sutton Grange.  I haven't had the greatest start to 2016.  I lost my beloved little dog in January.  Sewing has been slow due to decorating and more recently two weeks of flu.  I managed to finish the drunkard's path border. I'm really enjoying appliqueing melons for the next border.  One side is done...three to go. Happy quilting, all!

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.