More Morrell, a hexie and books.

I have been spending more time on my Morrell quilt this last week or two. Three more blocks finished.

The block above is hand pieced.

The block below is a broderie perse block. All the raw edges are hand stitched with one strand of Gutterman cotton thread using a buttonhole stitch.




The last block is appliqued onto the background fabric using needle turn applique.




I have also spent some time reading the book The Gentle Art of Quilt Making by Jane Brocket, that I won in a giveaway from Cathy of Cabbage Quilts. This book is a riot of colour! Jane uses simple designs rather than complicated piecing to create impact. Her inspiration comes from either the fabrics she is using or something in her environment. It could be a field of tulips, the memory of an evening dress or tiles on a wall. Reading this book has inspired me to look past quilting patterns and to look for inspiration around me. Up until now I have followed other people's desgns with maybe a small change of my own. I can feel my quilting will now start to go in a different direction as I learn to trust my instincts and start to try to create my own designs. I expect I steep learning curve, a few mistakes, but lots of pleasure along the way. :)



Here is my one hexie block for One Flower Wednesday. All my hexies are one inch.

The flowers are camelias from my garden. These flowers begin as a very deep red and as they open and enlarge the colour lightens. These flowers are much larger than those of all my other camelias.


I received a belated birthday gift yesterday from another quilter. (Thank you, Judi! :))
The package included some batik fabrics that coordinate perfectly with a little pack of fat quarters I already had. Now to think of a design to use then in. I also received a book showing miniature quilts and their makers. These quilts are in the Museum of the American Quilter's Society. The book is called "Oh, Wow" and I think that sums it up perfectly! There are lots of amazing quilts and it is hard to believe each of them is 24 inches square or less. I want to be able to make quilts like those one day!!
There is a mixture of hand and machine quilted quilts and a variety of modern and traditional designs.
I had only heard of 3 of the quilt makers before. One of them is Mariya Waters, who I was lucky enough to take a class with here in Melbourne just recently. I hope to take more classes with Mariya soon.

It is great that quilters are generous enough to share their skills with others. I still have lots to learn, but what a wonderful journey it is! :)