This is one of those work in progress things(WIP's). This one speaks for itself. It's a quilt top, log cabin (you knew that didn't you) and I'm absolutely in love with the way the colours have worked out. It's a bit of a departure from the normal designs I make but you have to try different things sometimes. It was quite therapeutic; cutting out so many little bits, (Oh! the back ache.) stitching them all together (that needed a lot of organisation. ), to make the blocks. Stitching the blocks together to get to this.....
The decision and if you've any suggestions they just might help, is what to do with the borders? I can't decide whether to have one fairly wide border, 3 inches or so (sorry, I always think in inches when I'm quilting) of dark red and quilt into that. Or have two borders; a narrower dark blue one and a slightly wider dark red one. I'd love to see it finished...... it's making the decision that's hard.
Coming next is ......
,
'Apparently these blocks are called 'a flying geese variation!' I've used some Amy Butler fabrics and a gorgeous flowery blousy print designed by Kaffe Fassett and the spotty one from Anna Maria Horner All lovely Rowan fabrics!
It's quite bright isn't it? When I began these blocks of blousy floweryness, I was looking out at my garden. The resemblance is quite uncanny. (No! it isn't a magic garden that grows fabric, I'm referring to the colours.) Really though, I was experimenting with using large fabric designs. It intrigues me the number of different looks you can achieve from one fabric, just by the way you cut it out, isolate bits of pattern motifs creating something which is sometimes, brighter and more complex than the original fabric. That'll probably be a continued fascination/ exploration for me - I hope so.
It is quite LOUD, but I love it's brightness. I'm sure it won't end up being put in a cupboard to protect our eyes! What stands in the way of it's 'completeness' is that I need to decide whether or not to use the two sets of four blocks to make one cushion cover and button it through the centre? That centre square just cries out for something doesn't it? Or whether to applique a flower in the middle and make two cushion covers with an envelope back? (Two cushions is probably best, the children will be more fairly/equally armed for those cushion fights they swear they do not have! Like I believe them!)
My third sewing project on the go.... (or maybe it isn't quite.... is this.
Can you work out why it's quite brown...russet like.... bark cloth? No! Well, it's going to be, when I haul my sorry self back in front of the sewing machine an
Amy Butler messenger bag and it's for Mr Primrose. (He chose the fabric :)) He's getting a little wary and weary or those rucksack for laptop type things which shout 'Hello, I'm a laptop come steal me.....' and he wanted something quite ... well different. So, I'm about to begin stitching it together. It's like all of Amy's patterns lots of fantastically clear instructions, more unusually it has lots of pieces, heaps of them actually.
I'm going to use interlining instead of cotton canvas that is recommended on the pattern sleeve but I'm confident (!) that it'll support the bark cloth better. I'll report back how I get on - at the moment I can't quite fathom the pencil pocket but It'll probably become clearer when I start assembly.
Let me have your thoughts on the borders! Pretty please! Have a wonderful bank holiday weekend and may the sun shine bright!
Love the log cabin- you can't really beat the traditional designs can you?
Wrong shop for you... their loss, find a better nicer shop!
Posted by: janet clare | August 22, 2008 at 01:00 AM
I love your quilts. Sorry to hear you had a not such a good experience of trying to sell things (I hate having to try and sell my own things, it can be devastating), don't let it put you off. Take care, good luck with the bag. I enjoyed reading about the results f your dyeing experiments, especially the green!
Kimx
Posted by: Kim | August 24, 2008 at 01:00 AM
Lovely blocks - the flying geese block is absolutely stunning!
Posted by: dottycookie | August 26, 2008 at 01:00 AM