Dear Jane Quilt - Block C6 Ashley's Aura

Dear Jane Quilt - Block C6 Ashley's Aura

I have been away in London for Christmas.  I stayed with my sister and we went to Midnight Mass at St Paul's Cathedral, saw Star Wars: The Force Awakens and saw the Christmas illuminations at Kew Gardens - all great stuff! 

The trip up and down the motorway provided a good few hours hand sewing, and the post Christmas dinner phase is always a good time to do some quiet hand piecing on Dear Jane.  This little block, C6 Ashley's Aura, has been hanging around for a while, whilst I gathered strength to put all my focus to it.  Once I started it wasn't as bad as I had first envisioned.


Dear Jane Quilt - Block C6 Ashley's Aura

Here is an 'in progress' photograph so that you can see how I approached this block.  Just four pieces appliqued onto the background all sounds simple, but as you know, not so simple for me.

A few days at home lie ahead, so I hope to get back on track with the Dear Jane quilt, along with keeping up with Bonnie Hunter's Allietare Mystery Quilt.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 5
 

Happy Christmas!

Happy Christmas - à la Dear Jane

Christmas Tree Skirt - Low Volume / Neutrals

Christmas Tree Skirt - Neutrals / Low Volume

Over the past few years I have been meaning to make a Christmas Tree skirt for the large tree that stands in our hall during the Christmas period. 


Christmas Tree Skirt Design

Back in December 2012, I had the forethought to take measurements of a suitable size before we packed it away in the attic and the 'design' stayed pinned to my notice board for a while.

Christmas Tree Skirt - Neutrals / Low Volume

In November 2013 I decided to make a start on it with the hope that it would be done in time for Christmas (2013).  Here you can see me chain piecing some quarter square triangles in neutral / Christmas fabrics.

Christmas Tree Skirt - Neutrals / Low Volume

I managed to get enough squares together to make the top, but it didn't quite make it for Christmas 2013.

Christmas Tree Skirt - Neutrals / Low Volume


Not to be beaten, between Christmas and New Year 2014 I took some time out to piece up a backing for the Christmas tree skirt.

Christmas Tree Skirt - Neutrals / Low Volume

Finally, I have got the Christmas Tree Skirt on the longarm quilting machine.  I used a pantograph called 'Let It Snow' by Patricia Ritter.  The quilting pattern features snowflakes so I decided to add some white fabric and applique those areas of the quilting.


Christmas Tree Skirt - Neutrals / Low Volume

The Christmas Tree skirt is off the frame, the skirt trimmed into a circle, the centre cut and a binding attached.  

Christmas Tree Skirt - Neutrals / Low Volume

Most importantly, it is under the tree for Christmas 2015!