Friday 22 May 2015

Miniature Block of the Month May 2015 - The Quilt Room

Miniature Block of the Month May 2015 - The Quilt Room
Miniature Block of the Month May 2015 - The Quilt Room
I have just been catching up with myself again.  The Quilt Room have issued their FREE Block of the Month foundation pieced star for May 2015.  This month there was a log cabin centre. It is only the fifth block I have made, but it feels as if I should have a lot more.
Carol Doak's Foundation Paper
I am continuing my search for the ideal foundation paper.   I was visiting the 2015 Malvern Quilt Show last weekend and Creative Grids had some of Carol Doak's Foundation Paper on sale.  It is a US, rather than UK, standard size paper but I purchased it knowing that. It doesn't say what weight it is, but it feels like lightweight drawing paper that I used to have in primary school. Thanks to Marly and Annie for their thoughts last month.

Wednesday 20 May 2015

Malvern Quilts UK 2015 - Judges Merit Award


'Welcome to my Stash' quilt - Judges Merit Award Malvern 2015
'Welcome to my Stash' quilt - Judges Merit Award
A while ago I showed you all a half square triangle quilt I had been making and had long admired.  Once it was finally finished, it was just in time to enter it into the annual Malvern Quilt show.  When you spend so much time alone stitching it is always nice to share what you have done by displaying your work.
Judges Merit Award - Malvern Quilts UK 2015 rosette
Judges Merit Award - Malvern Quilts UK 2015

On arrival at the show I was delighted to see a rosette against my quilt - a Judges Merit Award.  There was no feedback, but I think I am safe in saying that my quilt probably had the most variety of fabrics in it! LOL

Half Square Triangle Quilt
Half Square Triangle Quilt
 

Monday 18 May 2015

Miniature Doll Quilt Swap - May 2015

Miniature Doll Quilt Swap - May 2015 Humble QUilts
Miniature Doll Quilt Swap - May 2015

A few weeks ago Lori at Humble Quilts put out a call for a Doll Quilt Swap. I fancied making a mini quilt.  I fancied doing a swap for the first time.  I resisted the first call, but by the second, I caved in.  So I signed up. There were a few rules, but the main one was that it should be Civil War reproduction fabrics and that it should look like it 'time travelled from days past'. 
Judie Rothermel and Jo Morton Civil War Reproduction fabrics
Judie Rothermel and Jo Morton Civil War Reproduction fabrics
Once committed I went about choosing fabrics and a design for my miniature doll quilt swap.  However, it appears that I don't actually have any Civil War Reproduction fabrics (yes, I was surprised too, perhaps I should have checked first) so it meant searching online for some fabrics and waiting for them to arrive.  To add to the fun I ordered a pot luck  'Civil War bundle' from the Laughing Hedgehog.  I was really pleased with the selection they sent, which included some Jo Morton shirtings and some Judie Rothermel civil war reproduction fabrics.
English Paper Piecing - Irish Chain Quilt
English Paper Piecing - Irish Chain Quilt
 I procrastinated for as long as possible by doing a lot of online research about civil war quilts, but with the unexpected fabric search and knowing I had to send it abroad, panic set in.  I also knew I only had a few windows of opportunity to get the project done.  Finally, I ended up stitching an Irish Chain quilt, hand stitching it using English Paper Piecing.  Living in the UK, my knowledge of the American Civil War is largely based on what I learnt watching 'Gone With The Wind'.  Following through on this theme, Wikipedia informed me that the colours red and green are used symbolically throughout the original book by Margaret Mitchell.  So along with this and Scarlett's Irish descendancy, an Irish Chain seemed appropriate. 
Hand quilting - cross hatch doll quilt swap
Hand quilting - cross hatch
Conveniently, the UK government had decided to have an election early in May which gave me hours of stitching in front of the television watching the results come in through the night. Once hand pieced, I made up the quilt sandwich and I decided to hand quilt it with a cross-hatch, to add that 'days gone past' feel. Naturally this took longer than anticipated as it always does, but it was a joy to do and I am really pleased that I took the time to make this little quilt.
Mini Irish Chain Quilt - Doll Quilt Swap - 16" x 20.5"
Mini Irish Chain Quilt - Doll Quilt Swap - 16" x 20.5"

Just to add to the panic, I noticed on the internet that several quilters taking part in the Doll Quilt Swap had already completed their quilts and had received them.  I am pleased to say that once labelled, this little quilt is now heading across the Atlantic to a recipient who is part of the swap.

Thanks Lori for organising the Doll Quilt Swap!  You will be able to see all the Doll Quilts made in the swap in a few weeks time over at Humble Quilts.

Joining up with Confessions and Crazy Mom Quilts.