Friday, September 21, 2012

Something a bit crazy

Last weekend I did a workshop! A two day workshop, on a completely fabulous quilt....but for me it is something of a crazy project....this will be what they call a "slow boiler"... apparently the average elapsed time for completion is 12 months!


The Mrs Billing's Coverlet, you can find the original quilt online at Britain's York Quilt Museum and Gallery, and the pattern was drafted by Karen Styles (Somerset Patchwork and Quilting, Melbourne). Darwin Patchworkers and Quilters bought her to Darwin specially for the workshops.

This quilt will be made from Denyse Schmidt fabrics, of which I have many, including the new Chicopee range.

Day 1 was spent choosing fabrics and cutting out little triangles, and sewing them together by hand.


Day 2 was spent choosing more fabrics, and making up hexagons! Yikes...tiny little 5/8" hexagons and little diamonds ! The only sewing I got done was stitching the little diamonds together in the center


It is looking very fetching I think!


Eventually the centre will look like this


I am going to do all the borders on the machine, with the obvious exception of the hexagons. I am not sure whether I am committed to do the whole quilt, it is 94"x 94", and apparently there is over 6000 pieces....starting to get the crazy part now? I would like to do the first hexagon border, so we will see how I feel about the rest of the quilt then!

Despite feeling a bit intimidated by the complexity of the quilt, the templates and instructions for the quilt are easy to use, and of course with Karen's tutelage over the two days makes you think anything is possible!

If you get an opportunity to do one of Karen's workshops go do it...go and challenge yourself, you will be surprised how a good technique can make a "complex" pattern easier!

Karen has just blogged about her visit to the Territory...check it out here!


Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Blogger's BOM The Big Catchup


Here we go....twelve blocks from the Blogger's BOM are all done...they are quite pretty!









These last two are my favourites, not sure if that's because they are the last two, or just because I got to use all of my favourite red prints!


Block 11 Bumble Beans



And of course last but not least the "all together now" shot...not sure how to set these, but I will wait for the final post from Jackie over at Canton Village to decide.


Should I try and incorporate these seven blocks from my red and white folly earlier in the year?


They are all different sizes, so it would be an interesting challenge!!

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Sunburst Orange Fun

Back to my fun I blogged about last month with my Sunburst template, I decided to run up another two blocks after the first one went so well.

The second block was very snazzy with the pink and orange stripe...really love that stripe :)


Check out the funky toile with the skeletons...sorry I can't remember the name of the fabric :( but I did get it from FabricWorm


The third block has a funky vibe as well, with the Flea Market yellow floral and the strobing black and white spikes...did a bit of "auditioning" for my center...the floral wasn't quite right...


But the orange with the yellow spot was better...


These three blocks will make a great table runner...


Or maybe one of those outdoor banners?


Just joking about the outdoor banner thing...I think I will put on narrow border and bind it a black pin stripe and a table runner it will be!

Look out real soon for a big catch up on my Blogger's block of the month!