17ufosin2017 July August update

And yes I know we are well into September! Before I start on The List I would like to thank everyone for the lovely comments I received on my blue and cream AWS, I was quite surprised at the response to that post. Anyway since my last 17 in 2017 post I have completed my Value  Proposition Quilt - yay!

I was really happy with how the borders went on - Jo Morton style. I'm glad I decided to go with the tassels hanging out which also gave a nice little inner border.

I have decided to hand quilt this quilt and have been experimenting with some threads and needles with this kit from the Temulca Quilt Company. 

I thought I would have been well and truly over sewing hexies but no! I've already made a rosette for the label...

...and with inspiration from different sources, including Karen's Empire Quilt, I'm thinking of hexing up my Aunty Green.

This beautiful quilt that I saw on Pinterest also inspired me. It was at this year's Sydney exhibition but I'm sorry I've lost the orginal source and the name of the maker.

I think this antique quilt was a source of inspiration for Karen's Empire Quilt.

Image from Bonhams

I have also been re-thinking my Reading the Fine Print quilt. I've been following along with Sharon's quilkt along on and off and was going to use a range of pieced blocks with the applique blocks. I really liked the block from this post and whipped it up in red and white.

Sharon's unnamed block

I liked the uniformity of Judy's version of this quilt (that all the G'nTs are making) with her pieced baskets between the appliqué blocks...

...so I'm going to use variations on Sharon's unamed block with different red and white fabrics.

A few more applique blocks for this quilt.

I have also finished all of the blocks for my woolly Words to Live By and added the red and green triangles.

I'm no longer sure about that border fabric but I'm liking the black and cream fabric in the centre - very dramatic!

I was hoping to finish Words to Live By by the end of Winter but so far the start to our Spring has been very wintry.

Last but not least I've finished one of the borders for The Twelve Days of Christmas.

I love the way each lady is slightly different.

Cheers til next time

Carole

Border Patrol

I've been on border patrol and also quite a bit of reverse sewing - don't you just hate that!

I got out my Twelve Days of Christmas and finished putting the rows together for the centre so that I could take it to Friday Threaders for advice on the border fabric. Luckily Kaye still had the fabric I used for the centre panel, using this helps to draw it all together.

All going well until I took a photo and was not happy with the layout...groan. My sister's words were in my head from when we picked up her sampler quilt and the discussion around getting a balanced look. These different backgrounds didn't look balanced, not happy with the bottom row :(

So after some reverse sewing I think this looks a lot better.

The borders for this quilt have embroidered pipers, drummers, lords and ladies so still quite a lot of work on this quilt. Wonder if I'll get it done by this Christmas? 

I've had this thought before!

Gossip in the Garden also required some reverse sewing. I happened to mention to Lenora that I had forgotten to fussy cut the borders on Part B and she very kindly packed some more fabric in this month's Part C so I didn't really have a choice I HAD to re-do them. This border now looks much better without the orange and blue flowers cut in half.

I've also made some borders for the different mini blocks for Part C. 

I love the fabrics that Lenora has chosen but every now and then I'm putting in my own. I thought this fabric was too pale... 

...so I raided my Auntie Green stash and found this sunny yellow.

I loved making this next border with lots of different mini blocks.

Broken dishes

Square in a square

4-Patch circle

I like to treat circles like any other appliqué shape, by drawing or tracing directly onto the fabric. Luckily I had a glass just the right size.

All the borders around the mini blocks for Part C are finished, can't wait for the next instalment to arrive this week.

I've also prepped the appliqué borders for AWS block #10.

I'm not that happy with my fabric choices for this block but I'm keeping them, I've had enough reverse sewing this week and the layout is starting to grow on me.

Well, so much for my 'border patrol' - 

I'll finish with some show and tell from the Friday Threaders.

Lynette Anderson design beautifuuly made by Cynthia

Chris' own stunning design

Have a great week, whatever sewing patrol you're on.

Reflecting on 2013

Well, after reading a lot of reflective blogs I have been inspired to post about 2013. At first I was thinking that I had 'only' finished one quilt. Mind you, even though I do say so myself, the Morrell was one major finish!!!

I had completely forgotten about the 'Spot the Caravan' quilt that my sister and I designed and sewed together for the newest member to our extended family.

Smaller projects that I finished included my iPad mini cover made with treasured fabrics that I had purchased in Japan.

I made a scarf earlier in the year for my sister from an Etchings charm pack, she ended up, using it as a runner.

I made her a Bordeaux Berries runner for Christmas (I'll try and be more original for the next gift).

And one in a blue colour way for my brother.

I also made a couple of bird decorations.

and a birdy cushion.

I really liked the way Hilda included her progress on current projects in her reflective post, not just her finishes so I'm copying that good idea and including my 2013 starts and WIPs as well. 

I started The Comfort Quilt early in the year - I was happy to discover that I have made 12 blocks (each block is made up of 8 mini blocks) and only have 4 to go!

Another start was Auntie Green who has been rather neglected lately, though once again I was happy to discover that it was only October when I last worked on her.

And now I'm working on Di Ford's Antique Wedding Sampler (revisited) where I have finished 6 blocks.

I've almost managed to keep up with Sharon's Chester County Criswell Quilt BOM, this has been such fun to make this reproduction quilt along with other bloggers.

CCCQ center block 

Through the CCCQ I also experienced my first online block swap with Wanda in the USA.

I finished all of the blocks for my 12 days of Christmas but sadly didn't finish the whole quilt this year. I actually finished this block last January!

And stitched the four of these keystone blocks...

So after looking back I'm really happy with all of the sewing I have managed to do this year. I've had some great experiences and learnt so much.

I've participated in classes with two fabulous Australian Designers, Di Ford...

...and Irene Blanck

I attended the Melbourne Craft and Quilt Fair in July, the Australasian Quilt Convention in March and Quilts in the Barn (twice!) in September.

I joined two new groups, nationally The Applique Guild of Australia and locally the Friday Threaders Sewing Circle.

I've made great on-line friends and actually got to meet some in person at QITB!

Hilda (Every Stitch) and I

Miriam (Yellow Roses), Sharon (Chester County Criswell Quilt) & me

So fond farewell 2013 I have had a great year and thank you to all who follow or read my blog for your inspiration and encouragement.

Cheers

Carole

ps We are having such a cool summer that we had an open fire last night in our outside BBQ area, it made a nice back drop to the Christmas tree which will be coming down soon. I'm more than happy to have a mild summer as it reduces the bushfire fear factor - my thoughts are with those who have been sweltering in extreme heat in other parts of Australia.