My Great Quilting Expedition

It has felt good to finish a project.  This is only the second finish so far this year.  The quilt top was pieced last year.  I prevaricated about whether to all an additional border or not...and then, somehow, it just got forgotten.  Anyway, no extra border.  I'm not sure whether the flange along the edge of the quilt was worthwhile.  It meant that the binding was machine sewn to the back of the quilt, and I just could not get the mitres as neat as when the binding is machine sewn to the front of the quilt.  It is done and it's a bright, cheerful quilt.  I do like the pattern.  I adapted it from a pattern on the Moda Cookshop blog.  I kept the quilting basic.  I used a ruler to quilt 3 lines around each jewel.  I then FMQ'd pearls between the first and second line.  Everywhere else I used a medium stipple stitch.  I used Hobbs Polydown wadding, which gave a nice puff to the coloured blocks. I finished the thi...

This is my first post since October due to flu and a new pup.  On January 1st, I made a list of projects still unfinished: Works in Progress Carol’s friendship quilt Hearts and Flowers 2 TQS 2017 BOM Daisy’s quilt Passacaglia quilt 2015 Quiltmania Mystery Quilt Hexi wallhanging Gem quilt Phoebe quilt Rambling Ways ...and a list of projects to start Waiting to start Etoile Rouge 2017 BOM Quiltmania 2016 Mystery quilt Amish II Nancy Rink Quilt Diamond Hill by Esther Aliu I've decided not to do the 2017 Quiltmania Mystery quilt this year. It is the 24th February and progress has been slow.  I have two finishes.  Carol's friendship quilt is finished and has arrived in the US OK.  I tried out a faux piping binding this time.  I finished my second version of the Hearts and Flowers Quilt.  I really enjoyed making the first version in Moda Fig Tree fabric scraps and wondered how the same quilt would look ...

I've had a difficult few weeks without much progress to speak of.  Instead of concerted effort at one project, I have flitted between them. I have plenty of WIPs: making a second version of my Hearts and Flowers design - this time in reproduction fabrics a jewel quilt top that still needs an outer border my Hertfordshire quilt has another border half done started a Pine Valley Rambling Ways quilt - 2 blocks appliqued restarted Phebe quilt by Di Ford with some painted appliques for the centre medallion

I had fun with this one...using scraps from the Dashing Hearts quilt. I love applique, so drew out the motif for the medallion centre and looked to carry on with plenty more applique in the melons border and the floral border. I decided to add some piping between a couple of borders.  The jury is out.  I'm not sure if I like the piping or not.  It was tricky to FMQ up to each side of the piping. I decided to embroider the stems instead of making bias stems. I have always liked the Ohio Star block, but never pieced it before.  I used foundation paper piecing to ensure the blocks were as perfect as possible.  Using left over jelly roll strips made them straightforward and quick to make. Adding yo yos and buttons added to the fun.  I found some perfect buttons on eBay.  I really like the way they look in the centre of the Ohio Star blocks. The quilt finished at 42" square.   It would be easy to make a much larger quilt from this d...

After receiving positive feedback for my 'Dashing Hearts' quilt, I have put together a pattern that will be available on Craftsy . IIt may look complicated, but it is a fairly quick project.  I completed the quilt, including the quilting in about a week. I am excited, but a little anxious, as this is completely outside my experience and comfort zone.  Below are a few photos. The quilt finishes at 36 inches square. It incorporates some of my favourite things - Churn Dash blocks, yo yos, and applique.   I was able to incorporate an on-point central block.  This is something I haven't tried before. Making the quilt was such fun!  I used Moda Fig Tree fabrics.

I am happy to have finished my Summer Wall hanging.  The quilting on this is a little boring with crosshatch in the centre and stippling in the outer border, but I wanted the applique to be the star.  I thinkthe effect is what I was after, but it was a big yawn to quilt.  I have an idea for an autumn coloured wall hanging and I hope the quilting will be more interesting on this one.  I'm not sure when I'll be able to start it...not for three weeks at least.  Happy quilting!

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!