Monday 2 June 2014

New month ...new project

New month,  and I am happy to say there are no quilting misadventures to report in this post. Last two posts there were a few 'confession's but I'm (hopefully) over that.

A sure sign of better things -  I received a little parcel from Susan at Thimblestitch  - a win in her giveaway - so beautifully stitched and just what I need for small applique pins!

And I am borrowing Susan's idea of showing my 'family' of pincushions - with the new addition getting friendly with its lumpy cousins. Thanks Susan!

And the New Project?
My newly-engaged daughter spent the day here on Saturday. We had an appointment for her to try wedding dresses....beautiful, vintage-inspired gowns. I don't need to tell any of you mothers of daughters how that felt! or how she looked! 
We also spent time planning the quilt I am making for her wedding (in around 10 months time). She wants very low volume and largely shades of cream and beige. Here are the fabrics she selected from my stash - some plain but a lot have a subtle design or toile. 
And this is the pattern I will use - Auntie Green - Irene Blanck's lovely pattern - all hand applique. 


This design will be very muted in these colours - but she is hoping it may draw you in for a close inspection (squinting through your glasses?) We are thinking that once it is quilted - with outline quilting for emphasis around every shape - the pattern may stand out better and have the overall look of two-tone vintage lace.  
The backing of the quilt will be a plain cream homespun so, once quilted in this way, will look like a whole cloth quilt from the back. The quilt could be used either side up.
I've not done anything like this before but am quite excited to give it a try. And the beauty of lots of scraps of applique is that we could adjust the colour choices as it goes - a bit more or a bit less contrast. So that's the theory....wish me luck.

Ann Randoll progress
The clamshell border is growing steadily. I have used Sue Daley's method of constructing clamshells. It is one of several possible ways to make clamshells, not necessarily the best way - just the way I have found that works very well for me. It does involve glue so I am prepared to give this quilt a good wash.


Clamshells glue-basted ready to applique together in rows
I drew up a grid on paper - just to make sure my rows were staying in line.

One border ready for a photo - papers removed

Clamshell side border sewn to the quilt
Benjamin Biggs  - Block 6 pattern has just been released and ...even more exciting - the border too. I have just printed the 13 pages of this installment and can't wait to get started. 
I see a great deal of applique in my future ... oh goodie!

And what does this photo signify?

I have two quilts accepted to go in the NSW quilt show - in Sydney in July. They are Carolina Lily and Star Bouquet . It is the first time I have entered any Show and I am a bit ambivalent about it. Technically my quilts are far from the superb standard of so many I have seen in the Sydney Show. But I wouldn't mind hearing just which areas need most work. So I entered them for judging - hoping there would be feedback given. I've since heard that doesn't happen. Oh well - I think it is an achievement to have been accepted to exhibit and my family is very excited (much too excited actually!) 

33 comments:

  1. Wow, that will be an amazing quilt.....challenging to work with the low volume fabrics, but I think it will work out really well. That's an awful lot of clamshells. I think the grid is a good idea, as they really can head off on a tangent. I am very excited that I will see your quilts in use exhibition, and I'm sure they are worthy entries. Glad you liked my pincushion, it looks right at home in your collection.

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  2. What a great idea to stitch Auntie Green in Neutrals! I look forward to watching this one progress :)
    I made a small wall quilt years ago in off white/cream/beige and it is one of my favourites - the soft colours really highlight the hand quilting

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  3. love Auntie Green - I wonder what it will be like in neutrals? that will be a lot of work to try to get done in 10 months! love those clamshells - I have papers to make some and never have, at one time I thought an entire quilt now seeing your border maybe that is what I should do instead on a quilt.

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  4. That is such a lovely pincushion.Your Auntie Green will look so beautiful in neutrals!! Wonderful clamshells too. I'm so looking forward to seeing your quilts at the show. I have two quilts entered as well and was so pleased to get an exhibitor ribbon, it somehow makes it seem more real.

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  5. Congratulations Hilda on having your quilts accepted! I judge both quilts to be stunning!

    I am addicted to little pincushions and yours are adorable! Love them all!

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  6. What a pretty pincushion to add to your collection. I love Auntie Green for your pattern choice. You will be very busy over the next 10 months. I'm sure the quilt will be stunning made up in that soft neutral palette.
    Your clam shell row looks beautiful - you are making stunning progress on that quilt as well.

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  7. Congratulations on braving the quilt show jitters and entering your quilts!
    I will watch with anticipation your low volume applique quilt.

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  8. Will be a pleasure watching your approach to Auntie Green - a fabulous quilt in any way. In your talented hands it will be lovely! Think everyone was downloading Ben. Biggs yesterday - took me 20 minutes just to load all the pages for printing! But so nice to have the border info and everything cut - knowing there is indeed enough background fabric!!
    Love all those clamshells - seeing many favorite fabrics!!

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  9. Sweet pin cushions. Love the neutral plan for the brides quilt, it will be lovely.
    I do my clams needle turn ... Which reminds me - I need to get back on that project.
    Enjoy the show - stand back and listen to the people as they view your quilts :-) Can be very entertaining!

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  10. I can't wait to see your progress on your daughter's quilt--it's going to be lovely, I'm sure! It's fun to enter quilts in a show, but getting feedback is so important--I hope it turns out that you will get some. In any case, your quilts are beautiful and will be a great addition to the show.

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  11. Good for you to put some quilts in the show - they will be much admired I know! What an interesting idea to do Auntie Green in soft neutrals like that. It will be very pretty I think - I look forward to seeing your progress. What a lovely pincushion - a lovely little treat in the mail :0)

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  12. The Auntie Green quilt is a fabulous quilt--can't wait to see your version! Love your clamshell border. Will have to remember the paper grid idea for future reference. That quilt just gets better and better!

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  13. I really like your ideas for your Auntie Greens, it will be fun to watch your progression. Being juried into a show is in itself good feedback, congratulations.

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  14. Lucky Daughter to be getting an Auntie Green quilt, I shall be interested to see how it works out in the light colours.
    Congratulations on getting your quilts accepted into the show.

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  15. Oh Hilda, I am sure your Auntie Green will be just wonderful. Looking forward to watching your progress.
    What a great idea to keep your clam shells straight. You always come up with the most clever things.
    Congratulations on being accepted into the show.

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  16. You have some busy day ahead. Auntie Green's Garden is going to be an awesome wedding gift. Also congratulations for having your quilts accepted in the show. They will be admired by everyone.

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  17. Morning Hilda. Love the design for the "wedding" quilt. Have you ever considered Kona cotton fabric instead of Homespun. Kona comes in a beautiful range of creams/whites etc. Just a suggestion. Lesley

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  18. Congratulations to your daughter on her engagement. The quilt will be stunning in those fabrics!

    Congratulations on your pin cushion win.

    Love your clamshells. I really love the fabrics and colour combination.

    Good luck for your quilts at the quilt show.

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  19. Much wishes for a happy marriage for your daughter and luck for you in making a family masterpiece! Your Ann Randall is beyond words. I just love the clamshell borders!

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  20. Congratulations Hilda !! :))

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  21. Looks like Susan's sweet little pin cushion has found the perfect home. What an amazing idea to do Aunty Green in neutrals it's going to be beautiful, I'm so looking forward to watching that garden grow! Gorgeous fabrics in those clamshells - as always. Congratulations on becoming an exhibitor, your family is right to be so excited.

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  22. The plans for your daughter's quilt sounds just lovely. I look forward to seeing it come together. I am fascinated with those clamshells as I have yet to try them. I just watched a tutorial by Sue Daley explaining her technique and it looks doable! Love all your work as usual!

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  23. I would LOVE to see your completed Auntie Green in neutrals - what a great idea. It is so exciting for me to see all the different fabrics quilters use for this quilt. I would love a photo. I'm thinking of having a photo gallery on my website with variations of Auntie Green. How exciting!

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