The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) Block 81 Snowball

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 81 Snowball

Tonight they are predicting the first snow of the year.  It is a bit colder here in the UK, but I don't hold out much hope. So this Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 81 Snowball might be the closest I get to the white stuff for a while.

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) Block 63 Ozark Maple Leaf

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 63 Ozark Maple Leaf

I can't believe what a relief it is to have this project moving again.  I have managed to do three blocks in as many days.  This is the Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 63 Ozark Maple Leaf, yes, another Maple Leaf design.

Clover Field, Ellie and Ollie, Fig Tree Fabrics

My mega prepping day highlighted a lack of versatile fabrics in my Fig Tree fabric stash.  Amongst the Moda Scrap Bag I had purchased several months ago there was one strip of this pretty fabric and I found that it worked well in lots of blocks, so I followed it up with some internet shopping from Honeybee Cloths, which arrived swiftly and beautifully wrapped - lovely to get a late Christmas present to myself.

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) Block 71 Puss in the Corner

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 71 Puss in the Corner

 This is the Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 71 Puss in the Corner.  My Puss in not currently in the corner, but swiping her tail across this keyboard for my fingers to dodge.

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) Block 56 Maple Leaf

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 56 Maple Leaf

Happy New Year! 
I hope no one has been waiting on me for the next block. It seems ages since I have even picked this project up.  The main problem has been that I had completed all the Farmer's Wife blocks which I had prepped and have had absolutely no time to get more done.  Yesterday was the day and I spent a lot of time getting more ready so that I can get some blocks done in those magic moments - those times when you can be sewing whilst waiting, travelling and having some down time.

This is Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 56 Maple Leaf.  It was sitting in my project bag with just one seam waiting to be done, so a few stitches and here is the first block of 2019.

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) Block 53 - Jackknife

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 53 - Jackknife

Oh so pretty! This is the Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 53 - Jackknife. 
What I like about patchwork and quilting is that you can use fabrics which you would never wear or have in your house - it gives you another outlet for your love of colour and fabric - THANK GOODNESS!

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) Block 83 Spider's Web

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 83 Spider's Web

Yes, this project is still moving along, albeit at a very slow pace.  This is the Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 83 Spider's Web.  Not much time for this , let alone the Good Fortune Mystery Quilt this year :(

Good Fortune - 2018 Mystery Quilt , Bonnie Hunter

Good Fortune - fabric selection
2019 Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt

Are you taking part in the Quiltville 2018 Mystery Quilt - Good Fortune?
Yes, Bonnie Hunter's 2019 Mystery Quilt has been launched, with the first clue being revealed on Friday.  My longarm customers are keeping me busy at the moment and I really don't have time to do it this year, but I couldn't resist pulling out the fabrics from my stash today - if only to do a bit of fabric stroking.  Initially I wasn't sure about the colours, but when these fabrics are together don't they look great together.

Good Fortune - alternative fabric selection
2019 Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt

When I do partake, I usually switch up the colours and do something different.  This time I switched the blue and green for brown and black. going for a more tonal quilt. I am keeping a record of the clues and meanwhile will be watching from afar as the clues develop. 

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) Block 50 Honey's Choice

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 50 Honey's Choice

I am currently taking a class where we are drafting our own traditional blocks.  However, as much as I try, they all seem too familiar from all the blocks I have done over the years.  The other challenge is making them WITHOUT my English Paper pieces - thank goodness I have my little Farmer's Wife blocks to take refuge.  This is The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 50 Honey's Choice - seems like it is based on a traditional 5-patch block.  I am learning something.

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) Block 3 - Basket with Embroidery Perse

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) 
Block 3 - Basket with Embroidery Perse

I pieced this block a long time ago, but thought it was a bit 'blah', so decided I would add some flowers to the basket. I prepped the flowers once I made the basic block but it is only recently that I managed to do the detailed embroidery work I intended. The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 3 Basket, was originally just a basket with a handle, but I have removed the handle, fussy cut some flowers and used embroidery perse to attach the flowers to the basket.  The photo below shows some of the dimension of the flowers.  I think there are several variations of 'basket' in this quilt, so look out for some other baskets of bounty in the future.

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) 
Block 3 - Basket with Embroidery Perse

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) Block 42 - Fruit Basket

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 42 - Fruit Basket

Yes, there is real fruit in this Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 42 - Fruit Basket, this time strawberries, from the Strawberry Fields Revisited Collection by Fig Tree Quilts.

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 42 - Fruit Basket

I have also reached an epic moment in this quilt project where I have reached the end of my sewing thread - 500m in total.  There was a time when I never seemed to get to the end of a reel, but with my longarm quilting business I buy it in wholesale in large cops and get to the end of them more quickly these days. But these 500m have all been hand sewing.

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) Block 97 - Waste Not ... again

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 93 - Waste Not

Here is the final block which I have redone. Back in March I did the Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 97 - Waste Not, but it wasn't packing the punch that it needed, so rather than start again, I unpicked the centre and made the wheel a bit bolder.

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) Block 95 - Temperance Tree

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 95 - Temperance Tree

Once in a while I like to remind everyone that all these Farmer's Wife blocks are constructed by hand, using the English Paper Piecing, so below is a picture of the back of this block.  Here are the 42 pieces of the Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 95 - Temperance Tree block. 

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 95 - Temperance Tree

Way back in July I cut a load of blocks ready for piecing and today I realised I had made them all, so another stint of cutting is imminent.  I think I am about half way through, having reached J in the alphabet of blocks. 

Nearly Insane Quilt

Suzi the cat helping with the Nearly Insane Quilt

My Nearly Insane quilt is in the middle of its tour of the USA, having just stopped off at Santa Clara.  Lovely to hear from those of you who have been to see it and a special shout out to Molly from Suzi.  I don't think the notice on the quilt mentions that the whole affair was a joint effort.  I think that this photo is evidence of what a great help Suzi was when I spent 7 days removing the English paper pieces back in March 2015.

World Quilt Show - Pacific International Quilt Festival XXVII , Santa Clara

In progress - Nearly Insane Quilt

Just a reminder that if you are heading to Santa Clara this weekend, my Nearly Insane Quilt will be on display as part of the World Quilt Show.

Pacific International Quilt Festival XXVII
Thursday 11th October - Sunday 14th October 2018

5001 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara, CA 95054

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) Block 43 Garden Path

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 43 Garden Path

I love to have the change to fussy cut a stripe fabric and the Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 43 Garden Path, gave me just that opportunity.  This block is not to be confused with Country Path or Flower Garden Path which are also blocks in this quilt.

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) Block 48 Homeward Bound

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 48 Homeward Bound

This is the Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 48 Homeward Bound.  If you have been following my blog for a long time you will know that in previous projects I have done a Draw to choose which blocks I do, partly to take any bias out of choosing which ones I prefer over others.  I wish I had done it with this Farmer's Wife quilt.  It makes it a more interesting journey and I think I take better notes of which ones I have done and which ones are remaining.  This is a really easy block made up from squares - big ones and little ones.

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) Block 18 Century of Progress (again ..)

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 18 Century of Progress

Here is another block which I have done again, the Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 18 Century of Progress.  I did a lovely one a few months ago, but the colour choice was a little bit too strong for the way this quilt is developing.
I was away on a course with Jean Wells  in Bristol this weekend and I was lucky enough to see a lovely Farmer's Wife made by Janet - it is so inspiring to see the different colours people choose.

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) Block 4 Basket Weave (again ..)

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 4 Basket Weave 

I mentioned in my 6 month update that a few of the blocks I had done for my Farmer's Wife quilt had already been rejected for new colours.  This is the first one, Block 4 Basket Weave - a simple block, but before I had done it in a brighter red which wasn't working with my subtle colour palette.  It was a nice block, but maybe for my next Farmer's Wife quilt - HA Ha ... 

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) Block 64 Peace and Plenty

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 64 Peace and Plenty

I love half square triangle quilts.  I like the simplicity and the potential for variety. This is the Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 64 Peace and Plenty and a chance to use a bit of green fabric.

Great Northern Quilt Show 2018 - Dear Jane Quilt, Referendum Quilt

Great Northern Quilt Show 2018 -  Dear Jane Quilt,
Overall Runner Up, Scrap Quilt, Bed Quilt, Judges Choice

A couple of weeks ago I had some of my quilts in the 2018 Great Northern Quilt Show in Harrogate, UK, and my Dear Jane quilt had success in achieving the Runner's Up Prize, Best Bed Quilt, Scrap Quilt and a Judge's Choice certificate from Jennie Rayment.  The Runner's Up prize was a 'basket of goodies' sponsored by Sylvia Critcher and Maggie Davies - who doesn't love a basket of goodies! 

Great Northern Quilt Show 2018 - 
Referendum Quilt, Best Computer Guided Longarm Quilt

I also entered my Referendum Quilt which was awarded the Computer Guided Longarm rosette. I completed the top as part of a Quilt Along several years ago, but it was a few years until It finally got quilted! I love this quilt and when it isn't at a quilt show it hangs in our staircase.  It is good to have them all home again.

Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza

Just a reminder that my Nearly Insane quilt will be on display at Oaks in PA, USA this weekend.

Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza

Thursday 13th September  - Sunday 16th September 2018

Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, PA,100 Station Avenue, Oaks, PA 19456

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) Block 46 Hill and Valley

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 46 Hill and Valley

This is the Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 46 Hill and Valley - or is it?   I switched this around a bit as I didn't like the original.
I often get so far with one of my epic quilts and feel the need to whip up a quilt quick.  This weekend I have cut, stitched and quilted a whole double quilt - just the binding to do now - photos to follow. 

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) Block 26 Cut Glass

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 26 Cut Glass

This is the Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 26 Cut Glass. I really like this one, partly because its name 'Cut Glass' really looks like a cut glass bowl you would serve a trifle in.  It has lots of little pieces and so this 4" block has about 51 pieces in it.  At the moment it is more of a diamond than a square, but that will be sorted once it is put into the final quilt.
#Farmerswifequilt

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) Block 34 Flock

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 34 Flock

Looks like this photo shoot  has been interrupted.  I have been away and now that I am back Suzi is keen to make sure I don't go away again.  I am currently dodging the keys on the keyboard  - yes, the same tail.

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 34 Flock

So this is The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 34 Flock with a pretty green Moda Bella solid to contrast against the patterned fabric.

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) Block 44 Gentleman's Fancy

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) 
Block 44 Gentleman's Fancy

I am giving my Farmer's Wife quilt a bit of a push at the moment in order to gain a bit of momentum to get to the half way point.  I am hoping a few days away will  result in plenty of new blocks to show you. This is the Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 44 Gentleman's Fancy.

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) - August 2018 Update

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) Quilt Blocks

It is the last Bank Holiday before Christmas, so I thought it was a good occasion to pull out all the Farmer's Wife blocks I have been English Paper Piecing to see what progress I have made.  I started the blocks back in February 2018, so this is just about a 6 month review.  As I finish and blog about each block I just add them to this pile of blocks.  The paper is still in them and so I usually write on the number for reference.

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) Quilt Blocks

I have made 35 blocks so far, so I seem to be averaging about 5 / 6 blocks a month.  At this speed the blocks should be done by September 2019.  This project has been languishing at the bottom of me To-Do list, so under the circumstances I think I am doing quite well.  I will admit that two blocks have already been rejected and are in line to be made in a different colourway.  Also a big issue is the final layout.  I have been playing with some ideas, but have yet to finalise a finished size. 
Thank you for reading my blog.  It is fun to share my progress with you all.

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) Quilt Blocks

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) Block 23 Country Farm

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)
 Block 23 Country Farm

English Paper Piecing is an amazing technique.  I seemed to have made this block without really knowing, whilst doing this and that and TA DA - it is done!
The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 23 Country Farm, probably better known as a Sawtooth block., with just 17 pieces.

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) Block 13 Buckwheat

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 13 Buckwheat

This is the Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 13 Buckwheat.  The pretty background fabric is from the Pot Luck MODA bag I picked up a few months ago, so this block is lucky to have such a large share of the one strip I had of it.

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) Block 65 Peaceful Hours

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 65 Peaceful Hours

We are resuming normal service as we return to the Farmer's Wife blocks.  With my quilts on display here, there and everywhere I all of a sudden realise that I had better put a bit of effort into the current one.  Also, I have returned to indoor shots as the proper summer has finally arrived in the UK with some little rain falling and Suzi the cat spending all of her time indoors.
This is the Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 65 Peaceful Hours.  This is quite a pretty one with 25 pieces to play with.  I am currently longarm quilting a Farmer's Wife quilt for a customer and have just quilted this, it is amazing how different it looks to mine.

World Quilt Show New England 2018

'Nearly Insane' quilt by Frances Meredith

Just a reminder that my Nearly Insane quilt is on display in Manchester, New Hampshire, USA this weekend.  If you get to see it  send me a photo of you next to it!

World Quilt Show New EnglandThursday 16th August - Saturday 18th August 2018 Center of New Hampshire 700 Elm St., Manchester, NH 03101

2018 Festival of Quilts - Judges Choice for Dear Jane Quilt

'Dear Jane' quilt by Frances Meredith
Festival of Quilts, NEC, 2018

A busy few days up at the 2018 Festival of Quilts, NEC Birmingham, with the added bonus of a Judge's Choice for my Dear Jane quilt.  They don't hand out many accolades at this show (let alone any rosettes!), so I was very surprised to receive anything.  However, this photograph is the only evidence, as when my quilt was returned to me at the end of the show the little plaque was not included.
For the record it said "A lovely,warm quilt displaying accurate piecing and applique techniques with careful  colour placement and some intricate quilting" Judge: Vera Walker . Thanks Vera.
I also had the pleasure of quilting five of the quilts in the Two Person Category, which you can see over on my Fabadashery Longarm Quilting blog.

21/08/2018
Good News! the little plaque has arrived in the post today.

Dear Jane Quilt - Festival of Quilt, NEC Birmingham, August 2018

'Dear Jane' quilt by Frances Meredith, 2018

If you are heading off to the Festival of Quilts, Birmingham, UK, this week you will be able to see my completed Dear Jane quilt on display, No FO48 in the Traditional Quilts section.  It is a few months since she was completed and there have been a few requests for a bit more information about how I reached the finishing post!  
I guess you need to start at the beginning, with the trip to Nantes, France in April 2013, where there was a spectacular 150th Anniversary display of Dear Jane quilts, which was the inspiration to start on my Dear Jane quilt.  Then in August 2015, once my Nearly Insane quilt was completed I was able to start my Dear Jane journey.  Wow, three years ago.  As you all probably know, my Dear Jane quilt was completed by hand, using English Paper Piecing in conjunction with the Electric Quilt Dear Jane software.  Steadily each block and side triangle was completed during trips away and in travelling time.

'Dear Jane' quilt by Frances Meredith, 2018

About a year ago in the spring of 2017 I managed to get the top completed and together, which was followed by the mammoth task of removing the papers.  There are 5163 pieces in the quilt. I think this took about 5 days this time and is not something I rush to do straight away.  Meanwhile, there were a few challenges that lay ahead - quilting the quilt and doing a scallop edge for the first time.  I will admit that I have a long pause between finishing a top and quilting my quilts, but a show deadline is usually a good prompt to get it done.

I am lucky enough to have a long arm quilting machine and having put so much time into each block of the quilt I wanted each one to shine.  Each block is stitched in the ditch and then I designed my own pattern for blank triangles and the sashing.  At the time of quilting the edge of the quilt was a straight border.

To tackle the scallop edge I would recommend making some practice quilts.  I made a few charity quilts for Project Linus which were lucky enough to have scallop edges.  By making these I ironed out the problems before I encountered them on my masterpiece.   I chose quite a narrow binding for the edge and applied it with the machine and then finished it by hand.  I only trimmed the scallop border once I had applied the binding on the machine.

'Dear Jane' quilt by Frances Meredith, 2018

Once I decided to make a Dear Jane quilt I knew I had to go the whole way - all the blocks, all the triangles, and the scalloped edge, just as Jane Stickle had done. Now this quilt is done, my next Dear Jane quilt can be done in any way I choose!  I will admit that while I was quilting each block I was reminded of what a fun quilt this was to make.  The variety of techniques that you can choose to make each block, makes it interesting. Fussy cutting each block makes it interesting.  Choosing colour combinations makes it interesting.  I wouldn't dismiss the idea of making another one.

How much fabric did I use to make my Dear Jane quilt? I don't know, but I know I have enough Kim Diehl fabric left to make probably three more of these!

As I write this I am reminded of the true beauty of English Paper Piecing.  When I was away in Nantes, I was most probably working on a few Nearly Insane blocks. Dear Jane has travelled with me for the past three years and my handmade quilts really do weave their way into my life.  They hold memories of where you were, trips you made and follow you when you are out and about living your life.  The quilts I make when I am sat down in the same room on a sewing machine, perhaps don't have that weight of value.  I am often asked 'How long did it take you?' Well, like friends, you don't measure the number of days you have been friends as a measure of special your friendships are, they are just friendships.

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) Block 33 Farmer's Puzzle

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 33 Farmer's Puzzle

This is one of the more recent blocks I have done for the Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's),   Block 33 Farmer's Puzzle.  I haven't picked up one of these blocks for couple of weeks, so a good prompt for me to get some done.

I am heading off to the Festival of Quilts next week - I wonder if there will be any Farmer's Wife quilts on display?

Nearly Insane Quilt heading to the USA

'Nearly Insane' quilt 

A few months ago I entered my Nearly Insane quilt into the World Quilt Show and was pleased to hear that it had been accepted.  This means that it is heading over the Atlantic to visit all of its American friends that have followed its development over many years.

It is part of the World Quilt Show organised by Mancuso Show Management and it will be travelling across the USA to the following venues.  If you manage to see it I would love to see a photo of you by the quilt!

World Quilt Show New EnglandThursday
16th August - Saturday 18th August 2018 

Center of New Hampshire 700 Elm St., Manchester, NH 03101

Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza
Thursday 13th September  - Sunday 16th September 2018

Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, PA,100 Station Avenue, Oaks, PA 19456

Pacific International Quilt Festival XXVII
Thursday 11th October - Sunday 14th October 2018

5001 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara, CA 95054

Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival
February 28th - March 3rd 2019 

Hampton Roads Convention Center

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) Block 36 Flower Garden Path

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 36 Flower Garden Path

This is The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 36 Flower Garden Path.  A relatively complex pattern for this quilt with about 38 pieces.

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 36 Flower Garden Path

I thought I would show you a picture of what it looked like when I had finished it.  It obviously took a bit of pushing and shoving to get it to line up and get those points just right.  So what did I do to get it flat?  I took the steam iron to it.  I love flat things and the steam iron is my best friend in helping me achieve this.

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 36 Flower Garden Path
meets the steam iron.

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) Block 37 Flower Pot

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 37 Flower Pot

Don't be alarmed by Suzi's face.  I think she likes the Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 37 Flower Pot, but she didn't like the noisy building work going on in the background.

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 37 Flower Pot

It seems like I have done a lot of Flower basket blocks in the past and of all of them I think this is my favourite.  Yes, it has that pretty pink print in it and I have fussy cut the basket, which all helps.