What have I been up to?

By Flowering Snowball, Hand Quilting with perle cottonWith 11 comments
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This is a photo-heavy post – lots of photos of my newest quilt.  Well….I’m taking a break from designing.   I had to complete a LOT of quilts for a new project and my brain hurts…..so I’ve decided the only way to relax my brain was to do some machine piecing.  And you know what?  I’m LOVING it. Here is the stack of quilts that had to be completed for a big project.

My stack of quilts going on a journey!
My stack of quilts going on a journey!

Here is my first machine pieced project – I can’t remember when was the last time I did a machine pieced quilt.  I follow a blog – Molly Flanders Makerie – and she’s in charge of a sew-along group making Flowering Snowball.  I really loved the look of her quilt as well as the way she’s hand quilted it. So I decided to do my own.

I had visited Treehouse Textiles for their grand opening in Mornington recently and bought packs of 5 inch squares.  I’m upset with myself for not taking a photo of them but Emma kindly sent me a pack.
flowering snowball packs

 

The original pattern was for a 12 inch block.  I wanted the coloured bits to fit on the 5 inch square so I drafted my own pattern and got the bits to fit on the 5 inch square – just!  My blocks ended up measuring 9 inches.  I used the Treehouse Textile fabrics because they are so different to my own stash and I wanted to just step out of my own comfort zone – and I’m so glad I did.  I LOVE the look of the quilt.

My Flowering Snowball - excuse the photo
My Flowering Snowball – excuse the photo

Of course it wouldn’t be the same if I machine quilted it – so I quilted it myself using perle cotton and again, I am so happy with the finished quilt. Here are a few close-ups of my quilting.

My hand quilting using perle cotton
My hand quilting using perle cotton

flowering snowball quilting 2flowering snowball quilting 1

I pieced my backing as I usually do, using up fabric that I don’t want to cut up.  I always thinks that a pieced backing is so much nicer than just one fabric – and it frees up my cupboard for more new fabric!

My pieced backing using up lots of lovely fabric.
My pieced backing using up lots of lovely fabric.

I used a black and white stripe for the backing and I think it goes really well with the rest of the quilt.

Black and white stripe binding
Black and white stripe binding

It is now my favourite quilt and I sit with it on my lap every evening when I watch TV and sew.

My next quilt in the machine is made up of 2 inch squares using charm packs.  I’ve almost finished it.  I’m not sure whether I’ll hand quilt this one – let’s see.  I’m also looking at doing a kaleidoscope next.

I haven’t neglected my own designs.  I’ve prepped some quilts and will take them with me when I’m away in the US.

Thanks for stopping by.