Great Northern Quilt Show 2016 - Nearly Insane quilt wins Overall Champion

Frances Meredith 'Nearly Insane' quilt
Overall Champion Great Northern Show 2016

It's been an eventful weekend.
Last Thursday I was busy quilting a quilt for a customer when I had a message from the Great Northern Quilt Show in Harrogate to say that my Nearly Insane quilt had won Overall Champion in their 2016 show! A quick change of plans for the weekend and I was heading up to Harrogate for the Prize-giving presentations. 

Frances Meredith 'Nearly Insane' quilt
Overall Champion Great Northern Show 2016

It wasn't until I got to the show that I realised that I had not only won Overall Champion, but also first in the Bed Quilt category and the Longarm machine Quilting award, along with a Judge's Choice certificate from Merrilyn Orr of Kaleidoscope Books.  You can see here all the goodies I have come home with including three lovely rosettes, two shields, and a Pfaff sewing machine donated by Direct Sew and Knit in Sheffield.

The other good news is that my kind husband drove me up to Harrogate, so I was able to press on with some Dear Jane stitching as we went along and two more blocks have been completed.

Dear Jane Quilt - Block B12 Starflower

It is back to applique with Dear Jane block B12, Starflower.  These appliqued melons were slimmer than the previous one in this set, so a bit more concentration on the points.  But don't you love the fussy cut centre?
It is September now.  I usually see September as the start of my New Year.  I have a few things to look forward to, but it means back to work also.  Real world progress with Dear Jane is looking good with just 16 blocks to go.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 6 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block H13 Farm Field's

Dear Jane Quilt - Block H13 Farm Field's

I can't deny my joy at some of these easier blocks.  Dear Jane block H13 Farm Fields is just a cross and just 7 pieces.  An easy win and onto the next one ..
Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 7 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block E1 Aunt Exie's Phlox

Dear Jane Quilt - Block E1 Aunt Exie's Phlox

I know there will lots of fans for Dear Jane block E1 Aunt Exie's Plox which is all applique and in that lovely traditional melon shape.  These were a nice size, so no drama there.

Suzi has been helping with the photography today.  Clearly there is something far more interesting going on in the garden.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 5 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block F4 Old Windmill

Dear Jane Quilt - Block F4 Old Windmill

Here is my favourite Kim Diehl red stripe put to good use on Dear Jane block F4 Old Windmill. Looks easy, but don't forget those little triangles in the corner.

'Cat on Quilt' 2016

Fans of Suzi the Cat may have noticed her absence from the 2016 Pets on Quilts competition this year.  Let's just say this photo shows how far we got getting a good shot of a 'Cat on Quilt'. What would I do without her help?

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 13 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 43 - B12, E1, F4, H13

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 42 - B13, E3, E7, K1

So here is the latest purple draw.  A mixed bunch of Dear Jane blocks.  If you want to see more purple delights, pop over to the Rainbow Scrappy Challenge.

For me, I am moving onto RED in the next Draw - always a favourite.

Draw 43
B12 - Starflower
E1 - Aunt Exie's Phlox
F4 - Old Windmill
H13 - Farm Field's

This Draw will be in Red

Dear Jane Quilt - Block E7 Bread Basket

Dear Jane Quilt - Block E7 Bread Basket

Quite a lot of pieces in this Dear Jane block, E7 Bread Basket, 37 in total.
They look like Hot Cross buns to me, however the timing of this one is quite ironic as I have just started a gluten free diet.

Lots of thoughts came through about blogging after yesterdays post.  Helen S in Australia said she was just off to buy her fabric for her Dear Jane quilt!  How exciting.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 37  pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block E3 Paddle Wheels

Dear Jane Quilt - Block E3 Paddle Wheels

It is a lot quieter in blogland compared to a year ago.  It seems that a lot of bloggers have migrated to Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook for their posts.  One of the reasons I blog is because I like to keep a record of my progress and I like to be able to find it, which Blogger does nicely. 

Zig Zag / Chevron Kaffe Fassett quilt

This time two years ago I was making this Kaffe Fassett chevron quilt.  It is quilted and it gets a lot of use when we are out and about in our campervan.

So thank you if you are still sticking with it and especially thank you if you take the time to write a kind note about my accumulating Dear Jane blocks. 

E3 Paddle Wheels is the next in line, another block for Pam who likes purple.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 20 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block K1 Crooked Creek

Dear Jane Quilt - Block K1 Crooked Creek

Thank you for all your encouraging comments regarding the 1 year anniversary.  Last night I was working on a Dear Jane block which needed some 'reverse' stitching - 3 times!  It is at times like that when you need the support of your blog friends.
Dear Jane block K1 Crooked Creek was not as difficult thankfully.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces:  27 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block B13 Four Corner Press

Dear Jane Quilt - Block B13 Four Corner Press

Let's start this Draw off with an easy win, Dear Jane block, B13 Four Corner Press.  If I didn't have the discipline of my regular Draws to chose which blocks to do, I would swoop in on these easy blocks, get them done and then pretend the more complex ones didn't exist.  Ironically, the first ever draw I made was probably the most complex with reverse applique, applique and piecing in just one block.  I think I thought they would all be the same, but truly, the first draw happened to be the hardest.  Even those pesky border triangles - almost all of them are way easier than that first set of blocks I had to deal with.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 9 pieces