Inspired by all the quilts that I have been making for Anne, I decided to have a go at designing one! The first step was to work out what I wanted the blocks to look like, and having drawn out the diagram which you have already seen, I chose these fabrics from my stash of small prints
using a plain cream fabric for the centre square, I made up this sample block
but what to put in the middle? I decided to have little cottages, but as I have mentioned before, I can't draw! So I handed Malcolm some sheets of paper with six inch squares drawn on them, and asked him to draw some cottages for me. You saw the first stage of the first cottage, with the pieces bondawebbed in place. I then stitched round the pieces with black thread, and stitched in the windows and doors
then I added the borders
next, I made another three blocks
the next stage was to add sashing between the blocks, with a nine-patch in the centre
I then added an outer border and more nine-patches
this is just a first version, and I can see some things I will do differently, including a lighter-coloured fabric for the sashing - the green is too dominant. I have enjoyed doing it, and I'm looking forward to making an improved version!
I have also finished Leanne's House, and will be going down to Longframlington tomorrow to give it to Anne - I just hope that she likes it after all that work!
Lucie has started a challenge, to make a quilt called "A is for Applique". The theme for the first block is "home is where the heart is", and following Lucie's suggestion, I had a look through some magazines for inspiration
knowing how easy it is to while away time looking through magazines, I gave myself a time limit of thirty minutes! I saw a red, white and bue quilt, which reminded me that I had this fabric in my stash, which I bought at Quilt Expo in The Hague in 2004
another quilt reminded me of these little stitchery blocks, which I designed some time ago
I was momentarily distracted by thhese fabrics, which were in the same project box as the stitcheries (I don't know why!). I immediately thought of the calico applique - this would look good!
but back to the challenge! I now have to think of a way to combine a stitchery with some applique (I hope that's allowed in the rules!). Of course I'm thinking of hearts and houses - this may turn out to be a big block ...... but then using all that fabric will be another big contribution to "the year of using it up"!!
I have also started handquilting the textured applique wallhanging . I can't remember giving it a name ....... can you suggest one? But you know what I'm going to say now ... here is a sneak peek, I'll show you more tomorrow!