This year I am going to try to concentrate on finishing a few WIPs. There will be a new start or 2, but I have quite a few projects that are partly done that deserve to be finished. I finally got all my klosjes sewn together! There will be a couple of borders added to this little quilt. You will see it again soon!
The small quilt below I started last year, but left it at the point of quilting. Up until now any quilt I have finished has only had in-the-ditch, straight line quilting or meandering on it. This quilt was my first try at more "challenging for me" free motion quilting.
I outlined some doves and did pebbling around them.
I still like the look of meandering.
A view of the back.
I will keep practising my machine quilting. I have another quilt that has lots of curved lines and straight line patterns in the quilting design. If our weather stays cool enough I will be working on it next.
This WIP is from the pattern I won from Barb late last year. I love hand applique and Folk Art Fantasy is different from anything I have made before.
Still a few more pieces to applique. I have used all Dargate fabrics on this panel.
The new year has brought lots of new projects in blogland. This one is one I have decided to join in. Barbara Brackman has started a new blog to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War. Each week there will be a true story from people of the time and a pattern for a quilt block. I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to learn some American history, and to make 52 blocks which will make a commemorative quilt.
The first block is named Catch Me If You Can, and here is mine.
The fabric I used is designed by Barbara Brackman, but it is from The Morris Workshop collection. Certainly not Civil War repro fabric, but I had this fabric on hand and I love it!Since finding Kathleen Tracy's group specialising in small quilts I have discovered several blogs written by people who make mostly small quilts. One blog I read regularly belongs to Jeanneke. Jeanneke makes doll quilts and has made patterns for several of them. Late last year Jeanneke had a giveaway and I was lucky enough to win!!! Below is what arrived in the mail yesterday! :) Thank you for your generosity, Jeanneke!
The card has a photograph of another of Jeanneke's quilts. There is a pack of Aunt Grace fabric already cut into squares. The pattern also includes all the papers required to use English Paper Piecing to make the quilt.
I plan to have some more Josephs Coat blocks finished before my next post.
I hope 2011 brings everyone happiness, good health and lots of sewing time!
You are going to be busy again in 2011- that's an interesting colour choice in your Klosjes and using the William Morris prints in the Civil War quilt will give it your own twist.
ReplyDeleteHappy Stitching
Sue
What a nice newsy post. Your machine quilting looks great, I especially loved the way you used the pebbles and there's still a place for meandering/stippling. The klosjes and your CW block look wonderful, I'll be watching that one with interest. I'm off to check out the blog, thanks for the link.
ReplyDeleteLove your little spool blocks! And your quilting looks great! :0)
ReplyDeleteYou are off on a good start for 2011 Miriam!! I LOVE the colors you used in you Klosjes :0) It's going to be fun watching your progess this year!!
ReplyDeleteCrispy
Goodness what a great post Miriam! Your machine quilting looks amazing! Good job!
ReplyDeleteYour klosjes are so pretty and fresh looking. I need to make a few more and then call it a day with that project. :)
Love the new applique project and what a terrific win.
I made the "Catch me if you Can" block last night. Yours looks great! Even though my roots run very deep in the U.S., I'm excited to be learning some history of the Civil War combined with quilting.
Love your colour selection for the Klosjes and well done with the machine quilting. I have also just made a "Catch Me If You Can" block as I couldn't resist joining in with this wonderful project. Happy stitching!
ReplyDeleteHoly Cow Woman -- you are busy! I'm with you -- I want to complete more UFOs this year -- maybe one new project for every 2 UFOs or something? Thanks for the link to the Civil War project -- off to check it out!
ReplyDeleteI need to concentrate on finishing some WIP this year too. I am off to see the link from Barbara. That looks very interesting.
ReplyDeleteI really like that we have all embarked on the same Civil War project. I look forward to seeing all the blocks as we sew along together. I also keep an eye on Jeanneke's blog - she does beautiful work and I enjoy her discussions on her approach to design as well. Congratulations on winning the give away. Enjoy the machine quilting - I think that practice is the secret.
ReplyDeleteElyte guided me to you and I will enjoy watching your progress on the BB Civil War Quilt, as well as all the other beautiful works you have in progress.
ReplyDeleteWow - you've come a long way on Karen's pattern.
ReplyDeleteI love your green spools - they look fresh and calm.
I too am doing UFO this year.
You have a lot going on and I am exciTed to see what you get to working on this year. I love the color on your Klojeses.
ReplyDeleteYou've certainly got a lot going on! Everything looks wonderful. Love the Folk Art applique. And congrats on winning Jeanneke's giveaway!
ReplyDeleteYou have been so busy. Love your klosjes, but you already know that. The colors are so soft and warm.
ReplyDeleteYour klosjes look so lovely in green and off-white. I can't wait to see the quilt grow with borders. Smart to make 'just' 49 klosjes and make it a centre panel. I aim for roughly 500 klosjes and still have 200 something to make. BUT, it still is fun to make them.
ReplyDeleteLoooove your coat and the applique panel as well. Will pop-in again soon.
Bye for now,
Tineke