Finished - Folk Flower Quilt

 

I have finished my Folk Flowers Quilt and I love how it has turned out.

Originally started back in November 2019 at a workshop with Ann Maria Horner, I excitedly started making blocks, only to decide that 13 blocks was my limit because I couldn't get the appliqué to sit as smoothly as I would have liked.  Not wanting to waste the fabric or blocks, I decided to piece all the blocks together so I had a quilt top, (which I did earlier this year,) and then when I had it quilted I would donate it to my local hospice.

The backing was made from a Kona solid in a shade of blue,  and a Jennifer Paganelli floral, which was then packaged up with the top and sent to my friend Leeanne of Quilt Me Kiwi to work her magic.  All I asked for was "perhaps a swirly type floral design"  I couldn't be more happy with the design she picked, which is called Precious, and the fact that all the things I was unhappy about in the blocks have disappeared.

Now that I've bound it, it's really hard to give away, but I hope that it can give someone, whether a patient or supporting family member some comfort when its being used at the hospice.

Folk Flowers Quilt Top

 

Way back in November last year, I attended a workshop taken by Anna Maria Horner, where she taught us to make her Folk Flower block.  I made two in the work shop and over the following few weeks, I made another 11. While I loved the look of them, I wasn't happy with how my flowers wouldn't stay flat but tended to pucker when stitched, regardless of how many pins or how much starch I used.  Because of my dissatisfaction with this I stopped at 13 blocks in total, and subsequently put them away.

Fast forward a few months to another lockdown, and an indecisive  sewing mood, (really my inner voice nagging me to finish some of my quilting wips), I pulled out these blocks, trimmed them up, cut their setting pieces from assorted low volume fabrics, and subsequently joined them together.  Because the blocks were quite big, it only took me an afternoon, and I'm now wondering why it took me so long.

Voila, one quilt top approximately 50" square, ready to be sent away for quilting.  I have decided that this quilt will be my charity quilt for the year, so will be donating it to the Totara Hospice once I have finished it. I feel quite a sense of relief that I have finished one of my outstanding projects, and am now looking forward to sewing something new.

It's quite impossible to see all the different low volume fabrics used as the backround when it's hanging up, so the swirled top shows the different colours and prints quite nicely.

Stay safe, stay home, wear a mask, Kia kaha!

Things Here Lately

Believe it or not, I have actually been doing things other than my Folk Flower blocks and admiring my dahlias lately.  So here are some random happenings of what else has been keeping me busy during the month of November.

• I made a small improv log cabin cushion for my Dad to put behind his back when he's reading.  A mixture of linens in natural, blues and a pop of red.

• Speaking of reading, I am still doing lots.  This is a new to me author, who writes novels mainly set in Australia.  I really enjoyed this novel, which was about American soldiers who were sent to Australia during WW2, and the racial problems which occurred. Based on actual facts.

• We have had some stunning sunsets lately, partly due to the smoke which has blown over to New Zealand from the massive bushfires which are burning in Australia.  Praying the get much need rain and relief soon.

• The vegetable garden is flourishing, cherry tomatoes, lettuce, beetroot, cucumber and herbs.

• Some new dahlias have flowered - Park Princess and El Paso. Lovely strong straight stems will make them perfect for picking.

• And then there were seven Folk flower blocks.  I have also made myself a design board out of an old noticeboard, which I covered with batting and have propped on my cutting table. I son't have room for a design wall, so this can be moved away if need be.  Currently it's filled with folk  flower block possibilities.

Wish you all a wonderful weekend, let's hope December isn't to chaotic for you all.

Folk Flowers and Dahlias

Since returning from my Folk Flower Workshop with Anna Maria Horner, I have made more blocks. They are actually rather addictive, and while a little faffy to make,  I am enjoying the process and the opportunity to fossick through my stash for large floral prints to use as the focal bloom.

I did very slowly and patiently unpick the purple block I made in the workshop and redo it.  I am using a different type of applique/blanket stitch on my machine and am much happier with the results.

Seeing the blocks together I can't help but think that my colour palette has subconsciously been influenced by the dahlias that are currently flowering in my garden and gracing a vase in my sewing room.

As yet I still don't know how big this quilt will end up, but it is nice to playing with lots of colour.