I am so sorry I have been absent this year. In truth I have had to shelve this project because of other commitments but when time permits I am sewing the little blocks together. I have certainly not abandoned it and as soon as I am able I will return!
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Wednesday, 28 March 2012
Sunday, 4 December 2011
Last three small blocks
Sorry that I haven't posted for a while but here are the last three small blocks -
As I mentioned in my last post, I did consider including a rather complicated star block which I found on an old Dutch quilt - I even drafted in on graph paper, but then decided against it. These blocks are taken from an English quilt dated 1799 and are fairly simple.
As I have a few Christmas projects to work on, I am now going to take a break and begin again in the New Year, when I will be starting on the four corner basket blocks.
Tune in again in 2012 when I will continue on my journey!
As I mentioned in my last post, I did consider including a rather complicated star block which I found on an old Dutch quilt - I even drafted in on graph paper, but then decided against it. These blocks are taken from an English quilt dated 1799 and are fairly simple.
As I have a few Christmas projects to work on, I am now going to take a break and begin again in the New Year, when I will be starting on the four corner basket blocks.
Tune in again in 2012 when I will continue on my journey!
Monday, 21 November 2011
Bit of a set back - not the last four blocks!
Though I haven't updated this blog for a while, I have been working on the quilt, albeit a bit spasmodically. I suppose it is inevitable that the pace lags a bit on this sort of project, because life gets in the way and life in the form of a collapsed drain has managed to intrude!
The set back wasn't that though! It is simply that I miscalculated the number of small blocks. I thought these were the last four -
but when I laid everything out on the spare bed this morning, I discovered that I needed three more, making a total of sixty six.
As I said in a previous post, I am now not drafting exclusively Sundial block patterns, but taking ideas for blocks from other quilts made around the same time e.g. in the first picture only the two top blocks are from the Sundial. I have just seen a lovely star block in a picture of an old Dutch quilt and I am going to draft that. Back to the drawing board!
The set back wasn't that though! It is simply that I miscalculated the number of small blocks. I thought these were the last four -
but when I laid everything out on the spare bed this morning, I discovered that I needed three more, making a total of sixty six.
As I said in a previous post, I am now not drafting exclusively Sundial block patterns, but taking ideas for blocks from other quilts made around the same time e.g. in the first picture only the two top blocks are from the Sundial. I have just seen a lovely star block in a picture of an old Dutch quilt and I am going to draft that. Back to the drawing board!
Sunday, 6 November 2011
Another at last!
Apologies for not posting, in truth I had very little to show and even now I only have one complete block, the other, as you can see, is nearly there but not quite -
The completed Compass Rose Block was based on one at the centre of a quilt made in 1799, with a similar layout to the Sundial but with very much simpler blocks.
The secondary spokes of the compass, which I did in brown, really aren't strong enough and don't hold their own with the outer ring of pieces. I should have chosen stronger contrasts but I actually quite like its subtlety. Just to liven it up a bit I pieced it into a striped background which gives the block a bit of zing!
The unfinished piece is from the Sundial and I'm struggling with the piecing of this much more than the Compass Rose. I can never understand why these Compass blocks as considered difficult because they are all straight piecing, you just have to get the fabric choice right!
After these two, I have only four small blocks to work and I have cut out two today, so will be able to settle down this evening and piece while watching "Downton Abbey" (UK favourite Sunday Evening Drama). It's on ITV unfortunately because it there are so many adverts that one needs a diversion!
When I finish the little blocks I then begin the four larger corner blocks and of course the internal borders, so a long way to go!
The completed Compass Rose Block was based on one at the centre of a quilt made in 1799, with a similar layout to the Sundial but with very much simpler blocks.
The secondary spokes of the compass, which I did in brown, really aren't strong enough and don't hold their own with the outer ring of pieces. I should have chosen stronger contrasts but I actually quite like its subtlety. Just to liven it up a bit I pieced it into a striped background which gives the block a bit of zing!
The unfinished piece is from the Sundial and I'm struggling with the piecing of this much more than the Compass Rose. I can never understand why these Compass blocks as considered difficult because they are all straight piecing, you just have to get the fabric choice right!
After these two, I have only four small blocks to work and I have cut out two today, so will be able to settle down this evening and piece while watching "Downton Abbey" (UK favourite Sunday Evening Drama). It's on ITV unfortunately because it there are so many adverts that one needs a diversion!
When I finish the little blocks I then begin the four larger corner blocks and of course the internal borders, so a long way to go!
Sunday, 30 October 2011
One Simple and another a bit fiddly!
As you may have read on my Little Welsh Quilts blog, I have been gadding around lately! I have also been having a few house problems which have rather wound me up and I haven't had the concentration to draft and cut out blocks with such tiny pieces. The sewing part is relatively straightforward but even that lapsed and I have been quilting the edges of my "Little Welsh Treasure" which is a much simpler job. I am teaching this at the Jen Jones Quilt Centre in Lampeter next April. I don't think it has been announced yet but if you are interested keep an eye on this link -http://www.jen-jones.com/QuiltCentre/Workshops.html
I have, however, completed two blocks I prepared before my travels began-
The above block, which was the fiddly one because it has so many tiny pieces, was taken from The Jane Pizar quilt in the Cheltenham Museum, which I believe was made around the same time as the Sundial even though it has a later attributed date.
and this much simpler one based on a panel dated 1786 in the V&A quilt collection which was exhibited last year.
I have cut out a Compass Rose block based on one at the centre of a Cumbrian quilt date 1799, so perhaps I will start it this evening while watching Downton Abbey. This would be good entertainment if it weren't being completely spoiled by so many adverts which makes it difficult to watch - piecing keeps me from getting too irritated!
I have, however, completed two blocks I prepared before my travels began-
The above block, which was the fiddly one because it has so many tiny pieces, was taken from The Jane Pizar quilt in the Cheltenham Museum, which I believe was made around the same time as the Sundial even though it has a later attributed date.
and this much simpler one based on a panel dated 1786 in the V&A quilt collection which was exhibited last year.
I have cut out a Compass Rose block based on one at the centre of a Cumbrian quilt date 1799, so perhaps I will start it this evening while watching Downton Abbey. This would be good entertainment if it weren't being completely spoiled by so many adverts which makes it difficult to watch - piecing keeps me from getting too irritated!
Wednesday, 19 October 2011
Another three!
I have been catching up after a few days in the Cotswolds. I didn't take any blocks with me, as one needs a good light to sew these rather fiddly pieces and that is not always guaranteed in a holiday rental. So on my return last Sunday I finished these three and cut out the next block.
I was so busy making sure that the cat on my cushion was in the picture, I didn't notice that the blocks were facing the wrong way, so I have cropped and turned them around!
Only the block with green in it is from the Sundial. The Sunflower block is a variation and the one on the right is from the Ann Randoll quilt dated 1802 which was also exhibited at the V&A last year.
Now I am tuned in, I am finding interesting blocks from quilts of the same era which I may well include. At the moment I am drafting a Compass Rose block dated 1799!
I was so busy making sure that the cat on my cushion was in the picture, I didn't notice that the blocks were facing the wrong way, so I have cropped and turned them around!
Only the block with green in it is from the Sundial. The Sunflower block is a variation and the one on the right is from the Ann Randoll quilt dated 1802 which was also exhibited at the V&A last year.
Now I am tuned in, I am finding interesting blocks from quilts of the same era which I may well include. At the moment I am drafting a Compass Rose block dated 1799!
Sunday, 16 October 2011
New piece of Liberty Lawn
I have been away for a few days and there has been no progress on the quilt. However, I thought you might like to see the piece of fabric I bought last week which I mentioned buying whilst writing my post? I think it has possibilities? I am now not sure where and how but it might well work? The largest flowers are about an inch across and some are smaller, which is useful.
I folded the fabric and photographed both sides - the bottom half of the picture is the reverse of the fabric, you have to look hard to see the difference, but it is there. The colouring on the reverse is ever so slightly blurry which is useful - sometimes you need a bit of subtlety.
I might do some Broderie Perse with it because each flower is well defined which works best with that technique. Too many printed flowers have indistinct edges which aren't ideal because then you have add definition with embroidery which is a chore and sometimes doesn't work.
I folded the fabric and photographed both sides - the bottom half of the picture is the reverse of the fabric, you have to look hard to see the difference, but it is there. The colouring on the reverse is ever so slightly blurry which is useful - sometimes you need a bit of subtlety.
I might do some Broderie Perse with it because each flower is well defined which works best with that technique. Too many printed flowers have indistinct edges which aren't ideal because then you have add definition with embroidery which is a chore and sometimes doesn't work.
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