Piecing, plenty of applique (with some tips) and AQC

The last couple of weeks have been quite busy here, so not very much sewing has been happening. Above is my latest finished Jane Pizar block. These blocks are fun to make; especially choosing all the fabrics. JP blocks finish at 9 inches and are all hand pieced or appliqued.

I have made a good start on this month's Noah and Matilda blocks. The first is finished.

The next block I am working on has 30 something berries that will be less than 1/2 inch in diameter. To stuff or not to stuff.....that is the question!! Lol

My first completed block every month is always the Chester Criswell block.

This month it is block 20, Margaretta Harris's block.

This is how I prepared this block.  I started by tracing 1/4 of the block onto freezer paper, then folding the FP in 4 and stapling the 4 layers together to keep them from slipping as I cut the shapes out.

I only partially cut along each channel.

Next I ironed the fp onto the fabric

and traced along all the stitching lines.

Next I joined all the lines and basted around each ring of fabric that would be staying.

Before stitching I cut out the centre, leaving a seam allowance to turn under. Each channel was then carefully cut in turn, starting at the innermost channel, before it was stitched.

For the outermost channel I pinned the tip of each curve to keep it in place while I stitched.

And finished!!!

Last week Melbourne hosted the 10th annual Australasian Quilt Convention.

The quilt which won the National Best of Australia award was made by Janet Treen (Quiltsalott blog). Photos of the quilt on Janet's blog here.

I bought one pattern..

The pattern is based on a small section of the Rajah Quilt which is held in the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra.

I purchased a few smaller pieces of fabric, mainly for Jane Pizar.

Wishing everyone a Happy and Blessed Easter.