Festival of Quilts 2017, UK - Pies and Tarts Quilt

'Pies and Tarts' Quilt by Frances Meredith, designed by Sue Daley

Here is my entry for the NEC Festival of Quilts show 2017.  You will find it amongst the Traditional Quilts, No 538. It is a Sue Daley pattern called Pies and Tarts.  My early Followers may remember it. I have just browsed through my blog to see when I actually finished piecing this quilt - it was 5 years ago in December 2012.  Well since then I basted it, left it a while, made a pathetic attempt to hand quilt it, left it a while, bought a long arm quilting machine, still thought I would hand quilt it, and left it a little bit longer.

Unpicking basting and quilting stitches before longarming

Then one day earlier this year I decided that I would unpick the basting and hand quilting I had done (it wasn't very much) and I would quilt it on my long arm machine.  I can remember the time and pain it took to baste the quilt, but the stitching came out in no time at all ....

Long Arm Quilting

So in one day the quilt was quilted.  The binding had been waiting patiently for 5 years in a bag with the quilt.  In the evenings I have quietly attached it, added a hanging sleeve and even stitched out a label for it. It has been delivered to the organisers There is a moral in there somewhere.

Do go and see it at the Festival of Quilts this year, however, you probably won't see its fabulous Kaffe Fassett Millifiore fabric on the back - so here is a picture for you to enjoy.

July 2017 Update - La Passacaglia

La Passacaglia - June 2017

I thought I had better put up a post as my dedicated followers (Jocelyn / Mollie) have been wondering what I have been up to.  Last time I posted I had just started the La Passacaglia quilt and in the picture you can see the progress.  This one is much harder than the previous projects as there are a lot of design decisions along the way.  Life was so simple when it was just a little Dear Jane block to do. Naturally I want to put my own twist on it and finding the time to do that has been the obstacle.  It demands a lot of different fabrics and as a result my workroom has imploded with fabric and there is currently restricted access.  I haven't had time for the Scrappy Challenge and Dear Jane is still waiting for her papers to be taken out.
I have also been creatively sidetracked with other creative stuff.  I bought a Gelli plate and it has re-ignited my interest in mixed media.  Then I bought a Brother Scan N Cut once I realised I could cut all my English paper pieces from it - yes it really can.
If you are wondering what sewing I am really up to, you had better head over to my other blog.  There is no shortage of sewing going on there and it probably the best place to find me  / Follow me if you want to check I am still alive.

Rainbow Scrappy Challenge - April 2017

SoScrappy 2017 Challenge

Four months in and I am managing to keep up with the Rainbow Scrappy Challenge 2017.  The April colour was 'multi- coloured' and I have interpreted it in my own way by using fabrics which don't seem to fit into any category.

Kim Diehl Farmhouse Fabric

I have used this 'neutral' from one of Kim Diehl's fabric collections.  I love it, but it isn't quite neutral enough for most projects, but seemed to be an excellent candidate for this month.

Joining up with SoScrappy!

THE NEW PROJECT - La Passacaglia

I thought it was time I started a new English Paper Piecing project.  There were several candidates in the ring, but The Passacaglia by Wyllyne Hammerstein has won.  I thought this was a good project to use my stash, completely massacre it with some fussy cutting, as well as leaving the option open to buy fabric that was considered 'essential' for the project when out and about.  Naturally I was slightly influenced by Wendy's divine interpretation.  Here is my progress so far.  The colour choice seems to be infinite and I have changed my mind so many times already.

Back in the summer I purchased the book and the templates from Sew and Quilt.  There are only five shapes for the whole quilt which keeps it simple, but allows you to stroke fabric all day whilst choosing your colour combinations.  I don't have a particular colour scheme in mind, it will be dictated by my stash and therefore I expect it to grow organically.

Sew and Quilt Acrylic Templates - La Passacaglia

 So there you go. I think the most difficult challenge will be not losing the acrylic templates!

Joining up with Kathy at Slow Stitching Sunday!

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Block BR2 Leigh's Wood

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Block BR2 Leigh's Wood

Have you seen this one before?  I don't think you have.  It is the last block that I have to show you as part of my Dear Jane quilt journey.  It is Border block BR2 Leigh's Wood.
My head still has settled on the next project.  It has been over 4 weeks since I had a hand piecing project to haul about with me and I am still suffering from cold turkey.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 31 pieces

Rainbow Scrappy Challenge - March 2017 Red

Rainbow Scrappy Challenge - Red

We are three months into this challenge and these blocks don't seem to be getting any easier.  I finished this month's quota in the evenings this week and will be waiting patiently for the reveal of April's colour.  If it is red again, that will be fine as I have still have plenty of red scraps.

Rainbow Scrappy Challenge - Red

This pattern involves a lot of pressing and cutting to get accurate squares, so plenty of time stood at the ironing board.

Hope to be linking up with So Scrappy this weekend!

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Block TR2 Australian Pines

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Block TR2 Australian Pines

Here is Border Block TR2 Australian Pines from the Dear Jane quilt.  I haven't got any further removing the papers from my Dear Jane.  It seems like a job you would do when you have nothing more important to do.  At the moment there are plenty of important things to do, so my Dear Jane is sitting quietly in a cupboard.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 20  pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Block TR12 Jane's Oak

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Block TR12 Jane's Oak

I haven't neglected the last few Dear Jane blocks and I will post the remaining three over the next few days.  This is Border Block TR12 Jane's Oak.  For me this was the most challenging block.  Just 4 pieces, but that appliqued oak leaf was a struggle.  I pretty much had the whole quilt together before I had a second attempt at this block.  Give me tiny pieces any day!

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 4  pieces

Jane Pizar Quilt at Cheltenham Art Gallery, UK

Detail - Jane Pizar Quilt

Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museums

I have been on a special trip out today.  Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museums were holding an event 'Quilty Pleasures', where a group of us had the opportunity to look at some of the quilts held in their collection. It was just a short visit, but we got to see three very interesting quilts including this one, the Jane Pizar quilt, which I have also heard be called the Cheltenham Quilt.  This quilt is not on regular display and so it was a rare treat to see the staff unroll in front of our eyes.

Detail - Jane Pizar Quilt

Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museums

The quilt is understood to be made by Jane Pizar between 1850-1860 in Ireland.  Looking at the front and the back, the majority looked (IMHO) to be English Paper Pieced.  How could I see the back?  Well this quilt is not actually quilted, like many of us, Jane perhaps preferred the piecing to quilting! 

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Block BR12 Jessie's Stained Glass

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Block BR12 Jessie's Stained Glass

Miracle of miracles! I actually took a photo of this border block, BR12 Jessie's Stained Glass.
I have seen many, many Dear Jane attempts which never go the full stretch because the triangles look difficult.  This one has just 18 pieces and as in the case of most of the triangles, there are less pieces than some of the 4.5" blocks. Have a go.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 18  pieces