Second Report on Whack and Stack Progress

We did make considerable progress on the "Marrakesh" quilt designs today - even though I think we were all getting tired by the end of the two days.

Here are some of the blocks laid out on the table:

These belong to Kathy - the Elizabethan version.

These are Colleen's bright and beautiful blocks.

These are Joan's in "autumnal" tones!

These belong to Tracey - gorgeous!

These are Iain's block on a fabulous sunny yellow background.

These are Kathy's blocks - great variety in pattern and colour.

Amazing how different they all look - some of us were working way out of our comfort zone - so well done everyone!

Whack and Stack Fans

Today I was teaching the first day of a weekend whack and stack class to make my "Marrakesh" quilt design featuring Dresden fan blocks.

It is always great fun to see all the different fabrics and the patterns and colours they make.

Here are some photos of the first blades laid out, always an exciting moment:

Then here are some Dresden fans after they were sewn together.  The first ones are by Iain who is using an amazing large chrysanthemum fabric in bright colours by Kaffe Fassett. 

These are by Kerry who won the award for most fans put together in class!  Ten in all.

These are by Kathy also using bold florals.

These were made by Tracey.  Lovely with small roses in pinks and oranges with small iris in blue.

This bold collection is by Kathy.  I think they look Elizabethan with their bold flower shapes on a black background.

These are by Colleen who is making the quilt for her grand daughter.  Pretty in pink, green and orange.

These are by Joan in amazing autumn tones of orange, green and gold.

I will report on more progress after tomorrow's class.

A Jane Austen Quilt Collection Show

Two of my students, Sharon and Jan, are very clever with their colour choices for their Jane Austen quilts.

Sharon has made every one of the first five quilts in a different colour way for her mother and her sisters, but "Rosings" is for herself.

Here it is, on a stunning black background with orange, green, gold, red and purple, topped off by a glorious William Morris poppy border.

Here is a close up of the centre.  Wow, doesn't the applique just sing on the black background?

Then here is Sharon's "Longbourne" in wonderful reds and grey blues and teals.

Also a "Longbourne" design, but totally different, here is Jan's version in purple and teal.  So feminine.

Fabulous work, ladies.

Progress on Kerry's "Pemberley"

Here are some pics of the gorgeous applique work sewn by Kerry for her "Pemberley".  Lovely autumn colours.

Fabulous work.

New Class at Jukejema in Nowra

I will be teaching two brand new quilt designs at Jukejema in October this year.

The quilts use a unique rotary cutting ruler to cut a tilted block from a nine patch to create exciting zig zag designs across a quilt.

The first quilt I made is called "Fairy Floss".  It has zig zags in bright pink, green and gold.  The pieces cut from the nine patch blocks are used in the border so there is no wastage of fabric.  Great fun!

The second quilt is a bit more complicated with zig zags in twelve different colours.  I called it "Black Magic". 

 Students will receive all the notes for both quilts in class.

Please phone Kim on 02 4421 2577 to book in.

Look at What is on My Cutting Mat!

Today I have been working on secret sewing business with advanced yardage of two brand new ranges from Penny Rose Fabrics, the reproduction arm of Riley Blake.  These have been supplied to me by Sue Daley of Millhouse Collections.

The ranges are "19th Century Shirtings", with some great historic looking background fabrics and "Civil War Times", which has some gorgeous earthy colours and small motifs.

I cannot show you any more just yet...

"Longbourne" Quilts at Jukejema Quilting Barn

Great to see all the different colour combinations in the "Longbourne" quilts being made by the ladies at Jukejema in Nowra.

Even though several of the ladies started with the same fabric range, the difference in their final choice is amazing.

The first one is by Di.  Her colour scheme is fresh and floral.

This one is Leanne's version, so pretty with its pink background and lovely reds.

 This one is Karen's - so beautiful as well.  Soft, with its yellow border and elegant with its pinks and purples.

Sue's Lovely "Pemberley"

Sue brought her beautiful "Pemberley" in to show me this week.  She has been working steadily on it and has made great progress.  The centre is together and all the blocks are done so she just has to sew it together!  Yay!

Take a look.  It is gorgeous and dramatic with lots of lovely floral fussy cutting and black accents.

Sue has also used a very dainty floral border piece around her quilt.  This adds a lovely touch.

Here is a sample of each of the outside block designs: first, the double ring dresden; second, the large dresden flower and last, her beautiful heart shaped corner blocks.

Wow, I cannot wait to see it finished!