Kirstie Mcleod and The Red Dress

 

Kirstie Mcleod and The Red Dress

I recently had the pleasure of attending a talk by the textile artist, Kirstie Macleod. Kirstie is the creative mind behind the global collaborative project called 'The Red Dress'.  The dress has travelled the world, with embroidery added by many hands in many communities and is a phenomenon which started in 2009, but has grown and continues to be more relevant each day. For me, Kirstie is a fine example of why society needs artists, and how powerful art can be in carrying a message.  

You can find out more details at The Red Dress , where you can find out where in the world the Red Dress will be next and support the project through

The Red Dress

 

World Embroidery on the Red Dress

World Embroidery on the Red Dress

Bonnie Hunter's Chilhowie 2022 Mystery Quilt Part 2

Bonnie Hunter's Chilhowie 2022 Mystery Quilt Part 2

 All up to date with bonnie Hunter's second clue for the Chilhowie 2022 mystery Quilt.  In this photo you can see my colour scheme - red, white and blues.  I didn't have the ruler, but I really liked the technique for adding the triangles.

Trimmed half square triangles

Am I the only one who couldn't bear to throw those little half square triangles away?

#chilhowiequilt #quiltvillemystery

Bonnie Hunter's Chilhowie 2022 Mystery Quilt - Introduction

 

Bonnie Hunter's Chilhowie 2022 Mystery Quilt

There is no denying that the end of October each year is a special time - Bonnie Hunter releases her annual Mystery Quilt.  This year it is called Chilhowie, named after a town in Virginia USA.  I have spent some time looking at colour options.  Firstly, here is her colour choice, taken from a range of beautiful Iris flowers.  This is a bright option.

Bonnie Hunter's Chilhowie 2022 Mystery Quilt

Here is a softer option, with lighter tints of aqua, purple and orange.

Bonnie Hunter's Chilhowie 2022 Mystery Quilt

Or how about the same colours in more traditional fabrics?  These are remainders from my Dear Jane quilt, made up from Kim Diehl fabrics.

However, reading Bonnie's Introduction, it sounds like she has just chosen her favourite colours from a range of different Iris flowers.  So why not choose your favourite colours too?    There are only three colours and a neutral this year, which I think makes it much easier to improvise with your own colours.

Still deciding whether to take part, depending on my other workload. 

More information at Quiltville's Quips & Snips!!: Chilhowie - A Quiltville Mystery! (Introduction!)

#chilhowie #mysteryquilt #bonniehunter

Bonnie Hunter's Rhododendron 2021 Mystery Quilt - Introduction

 

Bonnie Hunter's Rhododendron
2021 Mystery Quilt - Introduction

Well, it is that time of year again.  Bonnie Hunter has just released the Introduction to her 2021 Mystery Quilt - Rhododendron.

I have pulled out the colours from my stash and this is what I have found.  I am already thinking of how I can mix it up. Last year it was lockdown and I will say that it was the perfect distraction to kill the hours we had to spend indoors in December and January. I am 50:50 on whether I am doing it this year, as it depends on how much work I have to do.  All I know is that I will be able to spell Rhododendron by the end of it!

If you have never done a Mystery Quilt, why not give it a go!

#bonniehunter #rhododendronmysteryquilt2021 #2021mysteryquilt

Wye Knots does Wacky Stars, supporting Wales Air Ambulance

 

This quilt is currently up for auction on Ebay with proceeds going to the Wales Air Ambulance Charitable Trust.  Spread the word and get your bids in now as the auction ends 13th September 2021, at 9.30am. 

Link : https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133866776565?hash=item1f2b14e7f5%3Ag%3Aq5sAAOSwP4phI7Rq&LH_Auction=1

I am a member of Wye Knots quilt group based in Monmouth, Wales, and over lockdown we managed to make several group quilts, which are all going to charitable causes.  This 'Wacky Stars' quilt was the first one we made and it has been donated to the Wales Air Ambulance for them to auction and raise funds. It is currently on Ebay (September 2021), waiting for your bids! It is such a fun quilt and I hope it raises plenty of money for such a great cause. 

Festival of Quilts 2021

If you are heading up to the Festival of Quilts, NEC, Birmingham, UK between 29th July and 1st August, don't forget to look out for my quilts.

CT34 (Contemporary Quilts) - Serenity I

TN40 (Traditional Quilts) - Grassy Creek

GR3 (Group Quilts)  - Bristol Quilters Ruby Celebration  (see if you can recognise the block I contributed!)

Naturally, this year there are some guidelines in place to keep everyone as safe as can be, which include bringing evidence of your current COVID status, which you can find here.

Bonnie Hunter's Grassy Creek 2020 Mystery Quilt - On the bed

Bonnie Hunter's Grassy Creek 2020 Mystery Quilt -  On the bed

I had put my Grassy Creek away for a few weeks, but with a bright sunny day, I thought it was time to pull it out and put it on the bed.

Bonnie Hunter's Grassy Creek 2020 Mystery Quilt - Part 7 Big Reveal - Finished

Bonnie Hunter's Grassy Creek 2020 Mystery Quilt - Big Reveal

Here it is ladies and gentleman! My version of Bonnie Hunter Quiltville Grassy Creek 2020 Mystery Quilt. I have made it the full size, which is big and I am really pleased with the result.

Bonnie Hunter's Grassy Creek 2020 Mystery Quilt - Big Reveal

From this more detailed photo, the vigilant of you will see that I have changed some colours around.  When I saw Bonnie's version of Grassy Creek, I thought it was a bit busy to have on a bed, so I auditioned some other colours, swapped the red for yellow and changed the outer border for yellow too. My stash is officially out of yellow now.  Also, I went for straight string borders, again, to calm it down a bit.

Bonnie Hunter's Grassy Creek 2020 Mystery Quilt - Big Reveal

I put the quilt on my APQS longarm quilting machine last week and chose Nemesh Feathers for the quilting pattern.  This is one of my favourite quilting patterns. As we are in lockdown, I was stretched for backing fabric, so on this occasion I have used a Dorma King Size 300 thread count sheet, which I have used before on other projects.

'Nemesh Feathers' designed by Bethan Nemesh

Whilst it was on the longarm quilting machine I was able to apply the binding and over the past few days I have been busy hand sewing the binding, adding a quilt label and I have even added a hanging strip - it is officially DONE.

Bonnie Hunter's Grassy Creek 2020 Mystery Quilt - Big Reveal

I have even cleared up my sewing room from the carnage which usually accompanies a big sewing project.  However, below you will see what I have left.  A large pile of red rectangles which were swapped to yellow, some spare half square triangles (?!?), flying geese, strip pieces and 'large' scraps in the box and 'small' scraps in the jar.  I can see three or four projects just from these scraps!

After a few years where I have had to forgo Bonnie Hunter's Mystery Quilt, I am pleased that I was able to join in this year.  A BIG thank you to Bonnie!  The parts will be on her website until mid-February 2021.

#quiltvillemsytery #grassycreekquilt

#fabadasheryquilting

Bonnie Hunter's Grassy Creek 2020 Mystery Quilt - Part 7

Bonnie Hunter's Grassy Creek 2020 Mystery Quilt - Part 7

I thought I would update you on my progress so far with Bonnie Hunter's Grassy Creek 2020 Mystery Quilt - Part 7.  I have made up the main block and with Bonnie's great instructions, which includes which way to iron the seams (I love that!), it has come together really easily.  Laid out together they make a nice little quilt, but this is just the start of the final leg.

Bonnie Hunter's Grassy Creek 2020 Mystery Quilt - Part 7

#quiltvillemsytery #grassycreekquilt

#fabadasheryquilting

Bonnie Hunter's Grassy Creek 2020 Mystery Quilt - Part 6

Bonnie Hunter's Grassy Creek 2020 Mystery Quilt - Part 6

Here is my first batch of blocks for Bonnie Hunter's Grassy Creek 2020 Mystery Quilt - Part 6.   I had a hunch there was going to be some foundation paper piecing in the 2020 Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt, so I have been saving suitable 'paper'.  As far as I know, in the UK, paper telephone directories are obsolete, so I have been keeping an eye out  for alternatives.  I have a couple of Christmas Radio Times saved, but on this occasion the Sunday Times Magazine was a winner.  I removed the centre staples and was able to fit five blocks down the double length.  With the smaller stitches, the paper has come out like a dream.  

Sunday Times Magazine Foundation Paper Quilting

I managed to get a few strips of grey from my scrap box, but otherwise I have been cutting strips from by grey fabric selection.  My grey stash has taken a hit with this Mystery quilt, so I can justify a few purchases at the next available opportunity - let's hope there is a quilt show sooner , rather than later in 2021!  There are usually more than six parts to these Mystery quilts, so I expect a few more parts before the BIG REVEAL - we have not used much green yet.

 #quiltvillemsytery #grassycreekquilt

#fabadasheryquilting

Bonnie Hunter's Grassy Creek 2020 Mystery Quilt - Part 6