birds, bow-ties and blue willows

Back in May I wrote about a collection of antique (circa 1890-1910)  indigo and double pink bow tie blocks purchased from an online auction site.

The bow ties are now trimmed, pressed and assembled into a small top. 

Being only 48 x 54", borders are neccessary to bring the top up to a useful size.

So another visit to the  online auctions secured a yard or so of a similar ('tho brighter) antique double pink, whilst in "the stash" was a hideous quilt top purchased several years back expressly to cannibalise for the large indigo setting squares.

A quick browse through some old Qulit Engagement Calendars for inspiration...

...and I remembered this template....

(x-ray films make excellent quilt templates you know!!)
We DO love a good willow tree.

The regimentation of the bowties needed a bit more whimsy... so wee birdies on strange bushes were sketched up.

Progress so far. I do like the contrast between pieced blocks and applique borders. Looking at it now, there is probably call for some kind of narrow border between the "dog bones" and the applique border...

 

Happy weekend!

xo

k

Medallion Quilts

Last Saturday, friends and I attended a talk by Margaret George on Medallion Quilts hosted by the Quilt Study Group (part of NSW Quilters Guild).

Marg is a quilt teacher well known in Australia for her quirky style inspired by antique quilts "with personality". Her teaching style is more "here is an idea, let's run with it" as opposed to "here is a finished design" so each class member is able to put a lot of herself into her quilt and it becomes a true expression of her personality. Many of you know I am a real fan!

Marg discussed the history of the medallion or frame style quilts and then showed off a treasure trove of medallion quilts of her own making, and many made by her students.

No more words are necessary, hope you enjoy the photos...it was like the paparazzi were in the theatre when some quilts were unfolded...cameras and flashes, phones and iPads going off all over the place!

 

Apologies - the quality of the photos is dreadful. My camera battery was flat, so these were taken on the iphone from distance...still ideas and inspiration  galore. 

I'll post more shortly.

Enjoy!

k

Bright is beautiful

July already!

Not sure where June disappeared to, here are some things that happened during the month... click on ay picture to embiggen.

Granny squares! 
Purchased as a kit at the Sydney Quilt Show - these will be eventually sewn together into a small rug.  The yarn is super-soft alpaca, and the colours are glorious.

I was immediately drawn to this bright version, then I started thinking oooh is it too bright? should I go for the more neutral version??

The kit is called "Alpacalicious - not your everyday granny-square crochet blanket" available from Prudence Mapstone.

The centre is a little raised rosette...super cute. Each square measures just 8cm (3.5"). It has been quite some time (read 35+ years) since I did any crocheting, so thank you youtube for the de-rustifying tutorials.

I can get one little square made during my 20 minute ferry commute to work...perfect portable size! 72 down and about 78 to go...

Fnishing touches of Jane!

The final borders are attached, the 8 corners of the dog-tooth border almost completed (4 inner and 4 outer!), with the final applique pieces to the corners also nearing completion...

The ribbon of Welsh Leaves winds around the borders and terminates in a tulip-like shape in each corner. Interspersed with daisy-like things, hearts and triangles.

Attaching borders and sorting out dogs teeth is a tricky operation...the first corner took at least three goes before it was right. I certainly know a lot more now about dog-teeth, unpicking seams, re-sewing seams, fudging, swearing quietly, etc than I did before.

Many many hearts in the border - some even with wabbits. I wonder if in 100 years time people may wonder if it is a wedding quilt?? (no it is not, I just like heart shapes - and I am a hopeless romantic!)

This heart-with-crown motif was inspired by a quilting design in an old Pepper Cory book - it reminds me of my Catholic boarding school days with evil nuns and larger than life statues of  bleeding hearted saints....still...even with those rather disturbing connotations, it had to go in.

Final applique touches to some of the inner medallion pieces.
Note to self - finish off the middle of your quilt top before adding more and more borders - it is rather difficult to sew tiny bits into the middle of a huge quilt.

Still to do....
- choose centre circle (I am the master of procrastination on this)
- applique 10 more tinty petals (see above)
- applique 2 more large corner tulip-y thingys
- applique any additional thing-a-majigs to fill any empty spaces.

So - whats on you list for tonight?

Workshop day at Material Obsession tomorrow so must off to prepare.

Have a fabulous bright and beautiful weekend.
xox
k