My computer has picked up a Malaware thingy which has been causing me worries and chasing technical support, so my blogs have been neglected, which isn't a good thing at the beginning of a blog's life!
I thought I would show you some of the blocks I have already made and tell you something about my approach. I seem to work to certain rules which I have set myself over a period of years, rules which I am comfortable with, but of course are very out of date in the present world of quilt making.
The blocks in the original Sundial Coverlet are two different sizes - 3 and 5 inches I think? No measurements are given and it was my guess when I viewed it at the V&A, but I decided to make mine all 12 cms. square. It is easier to draft patterns that can be divided by two, three and four so I chose this size (just over 4.5 inches) which is about as small as I feel I can work. ( I draft patterns in both Metric and Imperial depending on the size of quilt I want to make, it's very handy having two options!)
The above pictures will give you an idea of the process. Of course I could draft on Electric Quilt, but I like drawing on graph paper and it's probably quicker though not as professional looking. I have, however, done (the above block) on EQ because it was proving impossible to do the old fashioned way. I amaze myself now when I look at it because I have already forgotten how I did it!
I am using mainly Liberty Lawn because it is ideal for small blocks, but I also use vintage Laura Ashley if I can, though it is thicker and I save it for the bigger pieces. I have a large collection of fabric and the whole process is very messy, with boxes and bags of fabric cluttering my workroom. As it is also a through room as well as the cat's room, I can't leave everything strewn around, so I have to tidy up as I go along which isn't ideal.
Regarding patterns - this project is a personal journey for me and I hadn't thought about making patterns for teaching etc. Saying that, I am not averse to sharing, but as you can tell from the above, my patterns are hand drawn and I would have reservations about putting them on the Internet. However if any of you have any suggestions as to how it can be done I would be interested. Of course this would mean dusting off my rusty computer drafting skills and that takes time away from working on the project!
I thought I would show you some of the blocks I have already made and tell you something about my approach. I seem to work to certain rules which I have set myself over a period of years, rules which I am comfortable with, but of course are very out of date in the present world of quilt making.
The blocks in the original Sundial Coverlet are two different sizes - 3 and 5 inches I think? No measurements are given and it was my guess when I viewed it at the V&A, but I decided to make mine all 12 cms. square. It is easier to draft patterns that can be divided by two, three and four so I chose this size (just over 4.5 inches) which is about as small as I feel I can work. ( I draft patterns in both Metric and Imperial depending on the size of quilt I want to make, it's very handy having two options!)
The above pictures will give you an idea of the process. Of course I could draft on Electric Quilt, but I like drawing on graph paper and it's probably quicker though not as professional looking. I have, however, done (the above block) on EQ because it was proving impossible to do the old fashioned way. I amaze myself now when I look at it because I have already forgotten how I did it!
I am using mainly Liberty Lawn because it is ideal for small blocks, but I also use vintage Laura Ashley if I can, though it is thicker and I save it for the bigger pieces. I have a large collection of fabric and the whole process is very messy, with boxes and bags of fabric cluttering my workroom. As it is also a through room as well as the cat's room, I can't leave everything strewn around, so I have to tidy up as I go along which isn't ideal.
Regarding patterns - this project is a personal journey for me and I hadn't thought about making patterns for teaching etc. Saying that, I am not averse to sharing, but as you can tell from the above, my patterns are hand drawn and I would have reservations about putting them on the Internet. However if any of you have any suggestions as to how it can be done I would be interested. Of course this would mean dusting off my rusty computer drafting skills and that takes time away from working on the project!
