En Provence - Bonnie Hunter's 2016 Mystery Quilt - Introduction

Suzi the cat enjoying Allietare, 2015 Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt

It was four years ago when I started this blog, mainly to share my progress on Bonnie Hunter's 2012 Mystery Quilt, Easy Street. I completed Celtic Solstice in 2013 (but it still needs quilting), opted out of Grand Illusion in 2014 and picked up again with Allietare in 2015, which is currently on our bed, which Suzi is modelling above.

I have been dithering whether I was going to do Bonnie Hunter's 2016 Mystery Quilt 'En Provence' this year.  It is an 'extra' for my To-do list which I could probably do without.  But there is that period between Christmas and New Year where doing the Mystery Quilt has now become a tradition.

Bonnie Hunter's 2016 Mystery Quilt colours 'En Provence'

Here is a pull from my stash of the colours which Bonnie intends to use.  Lovely colours.  I love the beautiful colours she has chosen, but I know I just wouldn't use the quilt at the end. Usually at this stage of the year I have a colour scheme in mind, perhaps one I have been meaning to use for a while, but this year there wasn't any scheme which I was itching to try.   

Bonnie Hunter's 2016 Mystery Quilt - Fabadashery 'En Provence'

So instead I have gone for this colour scheme.  It is a cross between the lavender of Provence and the heathers of Scotland. This range is made up of Moda French General fabrics and I will be keeping to one fabric and not going scrappy.  I WILL NOT BE GOING SCRAPPY!   Also, I am not going for full size.  I AM NOT GOING FOR FULL SIZE!  I feel a bit of a lightweight admitting all this, but again, I do not have a shortage of very large quilts and a smaller, lighter quilt would be more versatile.  I do intend to follow the Mystery Quilt each week, so no peeping to see the outcome before I make it.  I have yet to decide which colour substitutes which or how big it will be.

Let me know if you are joining in this year. I can't wait for Friday for the first stage and I can't wait for New Years Day for the BIG REVEAL!

Dear Jane Quilt - Block L3 Reflections Abound

Dear Jane Quilt - Block L3 Reflections Abound

There has been a bit of a delay with this block as I had lost it.  I didn't label the blocks as I guessed I would know by their colour, but I did get myself in a muddle trying to identify this one, L3 Reflections Abound.

Other sewing news - I think I have committed myself to doing Bonnie Hunter's 'En Provence' 2016 Mystery Quilt and once I have a minute I will bring you up-to-date with my plans which, as usual, are slightly off piste.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 25  pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block E13 Moth in a Web

Dear Jane Quilt - Block E13 Moth in a Web

I do love the variety of sampler quilts.  Each one is like a little mini quilt of its own. For Dear Jane block E13 Moth in a Web, I think there was a choice of applique or piecing for the little triangles - I chose piecing as little triangles can be a bit trying.  I haven't cut any Dear Jane for ages now, but after this post I am off to cut more sashing pieces.

'Nearly Insane Quilt' by Frances Meredith

Also in the news today, my Nearly Insane quilt has had further success at the 2016 West Country Quilt and Textile Show, full details are over at my other Fabadashery blog .
Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 26  pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block I7 Mac and Muff

Dear Jane Quilt - Block I7 Mac and Muff

Here is another pretty purple Dear Jane block, I7 Mac and Muff.  Again I couldn't face appliqueing those tiny triangles onto Dear Jane block I7 Mac and Muff, so I sliced up the borders and pieced it instead.

A quick look around to find a reference to Mac and Muff and I see that it was series of 'Early Reader' books.  Did anyone learn to read with these?  In my day it was 'Dick and Dora'.

'Nearly Insane Quilt' by Frances Meredith

featured in British Patchwork and Quilting magazine, November 2016

Other news - my Nearly Insane Quilt is currently being featured in British Patchwork and Quilting magazine, November 2016.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 27 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block I8 Pete's Paintbox

Dear Jane Quilt - Block I8 Pete's Paintbox

I think its time I moved on with these purple blocks. This Dear Jane block, I8 Pete's Paintbox, which seems to be a square in a square in a square.
I have spent most of my TV time this week basting sashing for Dear Jane as I have run out and that is stopping me get the whole thing together.  A small pile has grown, and the next few rows are ready to be put together.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 25  pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 51 - E13, I7, I8, L3

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 50 - B3, C4, J3, L13

November is always a busy time of year for me and it feels like other things are taking over my stitching time at the moment.  I have found a little slot to keep you posted on my Dear Jane blocks and below are the details of the next blocks.

Suzi the Cat, November 2016

Suzi has found a spot to catch a bit of November sunshine today, whilst I am making the most of a Sunday to slowly stitch the Dear Jane rows together.
Don't forget to Join Kathy over at Slow Stitching Sunday  and Feline Friday

Draw 51
E13 - Moth in a Web
I7 - Mac and Muff
I8 - Pete's Paintbox
L3 - Reflections Abound

This Draw will be in Purple

Dear Jane Quilt - Block L13 Harvest Moon

Dear Jane Quilt - Block L13 Harvest Moon

Another round Dear Jane block, L13 Harvest Moon.

Yesterday, I mentioned the 365 circle project.  Little did I know that it was a year ago since that Quilty Folk started it and today they are sharing their progress.  Great stuff.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 8 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block C4 Tic Tac Toe

Dear Jane Quilt - Block C4 Tic Tac Toe

This Dear Jane block, C4 Tic Tac Toe, had a difficult birth.  Those little pieces in the middle are not ideal for English Paper Piecing, but I got there in the end.  I have just stitched this block into the actual quilt and there were a few extra stitches needed to fix the points.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 37 pieces

Dear Jane update - October 2016

Suzi the cat helps with the Dear Jane Quilt

I have been promising an update on the overall progress of my Dear Jane.  I indulged myself in an afternoon of stitching Dear Jane blocks together yesterday.  So far I have 2.5 lines together and Suzi the cat is monitoring progress closely. 

Completed Dear Jane blocks

All the blocks are completed and all but one border block is complete.  Also there are several plain triangles and loads and loads of sashing pieces to be done.  And did I mention the scalloped border?

Electric Quilt - Dear Jane progress, October 2016

Here is a glimpse of how that all looks in the Electric Quilt software.  I am still using Electric Quilt 5. 

Dear Jane Quilt - Block B3 Mirror Image

Dear Jane Quilt - Block B3 Mirror Image

Here is Dear Jane block B3 Mirror Image.  I have surprised myself with this quilt by actually enjoying appliquing circles.  I have seen several people this year do the 365 circle project which are building up into great quilts.  Maybe if it had launched about now I might have joined in.


Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 8 pieces