Saturday 28 January 2012

Longbourne Photos and Busy January

Holiday Sewing

I have had a very productive time this January!  Besides cleaning up the house and reorganising the sewing room, I have managed a lot of designing and sewing.

I have completed the fourth quilt in my Jane Austen series called "Rosings".  Named after Lady Catherine de Burgh's ancestral estate in the novel "Pride and Prejudice", it is heavily appliqued in rich hues of brown, red and gold.  I will keep photos of it under wraps until it is quilted by my dear friend Veronica Appleyard.  The quilt has to be finished to go on display in Melbourne with the other three in April at the Australasian Quilt Convention.

I can, however, share with you some photos I took of the girls quilts from my last Longbourne class.

This is Kerrie's soft and beautiful version.  Don't you just love the fussy cutting in those hexagons.  I could sew them forever!



This is Kris' dark and rich version - that fussy cutting again!  Do you think I have encouraged that?




Now for Leanne's version - love that pretty urn!



Now for the holiday sewing.  I have been commissioned to write a series of articles on the history of various quilting techniques and block designs in editions of the beautiful Australian magazine Quilters' Companion.  The articles should start to appear from the July issue.

With permission from my editor, Clare Mooney, I can show you the projects for the first three instalments.

This is a diary or art notebook cover with tiny blocks and prairie points decorating the cover.



Then there is a sewing folder with accessories: a pin cushion and a scissor keeper.  These demonstrate string piecing and the oak reel block on the cover.




Here is the inside of the folder:



Next, there is a cushion featuring a foundation pieced pineapple block, one of my favourite blocks!  Hand quilted as well!



Apart from this I have been typing instructions, getting printing ready and designing at least three new quilts in my head and on paper!

Classes start up next week.  I am looking forward to seeing everyone again and catching up with what everyone has been doing.

All the best and happy sewing,

Katrina