Wednesday 22 January 2014

A Few Works in Progress


I have quite a few works in progress at the moment. I'm a bit of a butterfly, happily flitting from one to another. Sometime you just don't feel like working on the thing you really should be working on, so it's nice to have a lot of choices.
This week I went back to my Farmer's Wife quilt. I started it about a year ago, but didn't get very far.
At the time I chose some Liberty fabrics, but I didn't get very far. 


I wasn't comfortable with the palette, and I couldn't see it being a quilt that would go with any of my rooms. It would end up as a car or garden quilt, so I decided to start over.
This time round I'm using a Moda layer cake - 30s Playtime Chloe's Closet, plus any scraps from my stash that happen to go well. I'm also using plenty of solids , as I think too many prints was part of the problem last time. I've chosen a spring green, navy, red and snow for the solids. Others may be added as needed.
Two other changes I'm making - I'm pressing all my seams open. Some of these blocks have a lot of tiny pieces, so I'm going for consistency and pressing all the seams the same way.
I'm also working consistently through the block numbers. No skipping ones that I don't fancy that day allowed!!
So here we have:
Block #1 Attic Windows

Block #2 Autumn Tints


Block #3 Basket


 The handle of the basket is hand appliquéd on afterwards. I love sitting quietly in the evening doing a little hand sewing. I must do more of it!! The strip was cut on the bias, folded under and then curved into position. It was a pretty tight curve and it didn't look as though it was going to co-operate. Then I remembered a tip that was stored somewhere in the dark recess of my mind - spritz it with water! I did, and it just sort of fell into place. I pressed it firmly until it was dry, and hey presto! the basket has a handle.


Block #4 Basket Weave
4 blocks down, 107 to go !!


I've also been working on my Economy Block quilt.


Adding a side border...

And another...


And a third


It's a finished quilt top now. 60" x 64"and I love it far, far more than I ever thought I would.


It will be stored away for a while, as I'm going to put myself through a sort of marathon free motion quilting practice on some scrap blocks. And when I think I'm good and ready, it will get quilted. This was going to be a charity quilt, but I'm not sure I'm going to be able to part with it!



14 comments:

  1. Love your economy quilt! I also have a layer cake set aside for a farmer's wife, but won't let myself start it until I've finished my hand sewn hexagons... How are you doing it, are you using templates or measurements? I haven't tried the CD yet that came with the book, but it all sounded rather complicated...

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  2. Its beautiful..everything a nice quilt should be. I wouldnt be able to part with it if I had made it thats for sure xx

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  3. Do let us know how you get on with your free motion quilting. Having just learned about quilting and only made 3 so far, I have just begun to learn free motion. I am finding it really difficult at present, so will follow your progress with interest and hope to improve with you as you go along. Ann x

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  4. You have sure been a busy bee, Julie! Love all your pieced blocks... But that economy quilt top is my fave! I don't blame you for not wanting to part with it!

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  5. Love both your quilt wip's Julie. You have been fast with those economy blocks!

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  6. I love your Farmer - it's a good idea to add the solids - it's such a busy quilt with so much detail that they will help the piecing shine! Have you seen the new Flickr group - we're all egging each other on - http://www.flickr.com/groups/farmerswife2014/members/

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  7. Your quilt looks lovely. Good luck with your quilting practise.

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  8. i really like the calm soothing colors of your economy block and the borders you added. i like your new version of the FWQ too. the 30s prints are the perfect match.

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  9. those Liberty fabrics make me drool!

    Stopping by from Lee's hop
    http://www.domesticdeficitdisorder.blogspot.com/2014/01/wip-wednesday-jan-22nd.html

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  10. Love your economy quilt, I'm just starting out with mine, thinking of going kingsize!!

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  11. All your work is beautiful, love them all. :)

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  13. Wow! Your projects are coming along brilliantly. I really want to make a novelty economy block quilt. Love your farmers blocks (both the Liberty ones and Chloes closet)......was reading about those earlier, they sound rather tricky!!

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  14. So lovely! :)
    Greetings from Finland!
    Hugs, Ulla

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