Camelot

After a bit more than a year since I started, my Camelot top is now finished. I decided on a small border, although it doesn't really look like a border but more like an extension of the blocks. The blocks are all hand pieced, but the rest is done my machine. I used only two fabrics for the little corner squares as I prefer it to the scrappy look the pattern suggested. I think it's scrappy enough as it is. The top measures 70 by 70 inches.

I have also prepared the backing as well as the binding for this top to go to the Philippines where it will be hand quilted. It will take around four month, which really isn't long but still, I can't wait to see it finished.

Don't forget to check out Wendy's, Ailsa's and Martina's  "Around The Word Blog Hop" posts today.

Have a good week ahead.
Cheers
Vreni

The last two Camelot blocks

are done and already pieced to the back ground fabric. I've chosen an aubergine with small orange stars from Kathy Doughty's new fabric line "A Wandering Mind", recently released by Leutenegger in Australia. I think it works beautifully. This choice came by chance as I was planning to use some beige linen. But when I photographed the blocks on an purple footstool outside on the balcony it occurred to me that it would work much better and would be  "less safe" as well. 

As this project is coming to an end, my friends and I have been discussing what to tackle next. We agreed that we wanted to do some applique and after literary looking at dozens of quilts we decided on this:



Auntie Green's Garden by Irene Blanck, based on a early Australian applique quilt. Lots and lots of work, but doing it together with two friends will surely help me stay focused. I can't wait to get started.

Cheers
Vreni x

One baby quilt ready to go!

The first of my two baby quilts is now quilted as well as bound. 

I quilted diagonally both ways using the trusted wavy stitch, so much easier than a straight line as small mistakes are much less visible. 

The binding is from Robert Kaufman's Dr. Seuss line, so versatile for baby or kids quilts. 

One more Camelot block has been finished too, this is number 14

and here they are all together. Only two more to go.

Our little grand nephew has been born last week, so I better make sure his quilt gets finished soon too.

Cheers

Vreni x

Ticking off the list!

Maybe you remember, at the end of August I made a list of things I wanted to accomplish before the end of the year. Let's see how far I got:

1. Finish hand quilting Big Bloom Quilt: tick

I think this must be my very first quilt which is made entirely by hand; hand pieced and hand quilted. It feels very soft and I'm going to give it to my mum for Christmas. I hope she'll like it. 

2. Finish Winter Quilt: tick

3. Make eight blocks for my Camelot quilt: tick

Block 8

and the first eight blocks together. 

4. Make a few Christmas presents: tick, tick and tick!

5. Machine quilt one quilt top; sorry, that didn't happen. 

Well, all in all I'm quite pleased that I was able to do most of the tasks I set myself. The list has definitely helped to keep me on track. 

I leave you with a picture of a  little Christmas decoration I've made. I've seen something similar on Pinterest and tried to copy it. The stick is actually a long piece of cinnamon.

I hope you are enjoying the season!

Vreni x

Giving in to temptation!

I have finally cracked and started a new project. I had the Camelot pattern for a while, but wanted to finish a couple of UFOs first before indulging. Here's my first hand pieced block.

Then I  made this paper pieced block for a charity quilt our Tuesday group is putting together (pattern can be found here). The idea is that each month one of the members chooses a block and preferably a new technique to teach the ladies who are new to quilting. Anybody who is interested can sew along. 

For July I sewed this block for the Hasenbach Challenge; it's rather small, only 6 by 6 inches, 

as well as this block, which isn't a challenge block, but will be include in my winter quilt. 

All the blocks I've made so far. 

I can't believe that August is already upon us. Tomorrow my daughter is arriving and I suspect I won't have much time for sewing for the next couple of weeks.

I hope your week is going well.
Vreni xx