Thursday, July 1, 2010

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! :)

18 comments:

  1. When designing quilts just let the fabric talk to you. I love your applique and broderie perse blocks and what beautiful flowers

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  2. dear miriam,gorgeous blocks for the morrell quilt,have a nice day,susi

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  3. Love your hexie and the morrell quilt blocks. Glad that you are having fun :-)
    Cheers
    Lynne

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  4. Your Morrel quilt is looking good. It is such a nice quilt.

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  5. Hi Miriam,
    I received my Sarah Morrell pattern in the post yesterday and I am looking at what everyone else is doing for inspiration and colours etc. Your blocks look great. Love the hexie and camellia.
    Shirley.

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  6. Lovely new blocks for the Morrell. Well done. I might try to get mine out and photo it. Unless of course it's buried under a pile of shambles.

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  7. So when it is a matter of looking exquisite and creating a style statement it is important to redefine your closet with such attractive and glamorous Evening Dresses .

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  8. Your Morrell blocks are gorgeous, you are doing a great job.

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  9. Wow love the blocks!! It will be fun to see your original designs as you spread your wings :0)

    Crispy

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  10. Your blocks look fabulous! I love to look at and read those sorts of books for inspiration, it helps to broaden our creativity.

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  11. Wow, Miriam! You did a great job on the needleturn block, and I love the way it looks. Your blocks are great inspiration.

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  12. Your Morrell blocks are lovely! Can you tell me what the background fabric is on those? Thanks for sharing your progress.

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  13. You have such lovely blocks!!! Love the colours in the first one! Never seen such deep red camelia's!! Happy sewing, take care, Daniƫlle

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  14. What a beautiful journey it is Miriam! That Morrell quilt is going to be beautiful. And as always, your little hexie is cute as can be!

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  15. Thte blocks are just exquisite!
    Micki

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  16. Your Morrell blocks are wonderful and this week's flower is very pretty indeed.

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  17. I have liked peacocks ever since I was a child. The chenille peacock bedspreads were popular. I can remember riding in the car from Ohio to West Virginia and seeing peacock bedspreads hung on clotheslines close to the road. On display for sale. Love your peacock block.

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