Tuesday 4 February 2014

crocus, finished quilt, blocks

Here is my stack and slash quilt all finished,  I added the binding and feel job well done.



I do think the red is a bit loud and unfortunately the hand quilting does not show too well in the photo, I used hand quilting cotton,  next time   if there is a next time I will use a thicker thread, maybe a perle 12 or 16,   it is good to be learning as I go down this path of quilting.
I am not sure what I will do with it, at the moment it is on the back of my cream couch which adds a bit of colour.

I have also done the first 3 blocks for the quilt on the create and craft channel with Jennie Rayment These blocks are 14" finished.



Pineapple block,   this one was tricky for me,  there was a template for it but I just used an ordinary square,no point is spending over £20 for something I will only use once.  It was not done the paper foundation way.  This is one block I will not be making many of.



Petal block,    I have not attached it yet to the backing fabric,  they suggest to use interfacing on the petal  to back it with so you get a good shape prior to attaching it to the white fabric by hand.   Was pleased with the points meeting in the centre, quite an achievement for me.





Dresden plate,   this uses 20 pieces and we were told to make it as 4 quarters with 5 in each and mount them individually on 7. 5" pieces of fabric then join them together as the quantity of fabric were told to buy would not stretch to a 14. 5 piece,  I think I will have enough fabric however so I will redo it as a whole plate instead, if you know what I mean,  not sure I do.
The next class is later this month and when complete this will make up as a quag, nine blocks on the front and one on the inside for when it is being used as a bag.

Yesterday I did a block for Sara of Sew me and her charity blocks for  bee blessed,  a heart which I will pop into the post,     Sara has one a month so I will try  and stick to doing at least one a month as they are made up into charity quilts.  Being february I expect you can guess it would be a heart.



Now for as photo of the first crocus that appeared in the garden a couple of days ago,   still a very mild winter, we have had the temperature drop below freezing just a couple of times and today the sun is pouring in on me as I am doing this blog.




30 comments:

Purrfect Lady said...

I like the stack and slash quilt Margaret, it reminds me of Chagall especially with the red :) I was interested to see the Dresden Plate done in four quarters as I had been toying with the idea of doing one based on the four seasons. But that's on the back burner for now, I have enough to do atm ... I'm always amazed at the sheer volume of work you produce :)

Nana said...

Your quilt looks like an abstract painting, well done... very well!!!

Nana

Queeniepatch said...

You are going from strength to strength! The stack and wack quilt is fantastic!
Congratulations on completing such a neat Pinapple block - they ARE difficult.

Diana @ Red Delicious Life said...

Wow, so much sewing going on with you! Love the finished quilt project and the red is what caught my attention. Very pretty. All of those blocks, too! The pineapple block has always intimidated me and I'm amazed that you made this without paper piecing. Looks great as do all of the other blocks!

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hello Margaret. WOW you are being very productive in making all your blocks..They are all super fantastic. Your finished quilt project is great. I can hardly believe your Crocus are up and about to bloom. Ours is buried under feet of snow. very sad face. Hugs Judy

JennyPennyPoppy said...

The stack and slash quilt looks wonderful Margaret and so bright and colourful. Bet it looks really lovely on the back of your couch. Your other 3 blocks look terrific too. Love the crocus flower! Lucky you! It will be a good 3 months til any are blooming here.

Bev said...

I love your quilt. It looks contemporary take on the classic favourite! Way to go! Cheery wave from Bev

Gaia said...

Your quilt looks wonderful, l love abstract effect it brings.It also, looks like a pieces of puzzle which I want to put together. very nice.

deanna7trees said...

some lovely blocks coming to life. Jenny Rayment is a hoot. she was in Austin several years ago and gave a class to my quilting bee. it was such an enjoyable day. i've also seen her do her 'stiptease' act at the Houston quilt show. a woman of many talents. my bulbs are also starting to peek out of the ground.

marianne harmann said...

Der Quilt ist wunderschön geworden. Den lila Stoff mit den weißen Punkten habe ich heute auch verarbeitet. Das sind lauter ganz schöne Blöcke.
LG Marianne

Annet said...

I just love your stack and slash quilt, the colours are great! did you see the house in the second block on the right of the first row? I know what you mean with the pineapple block. Many years ago I made a small quilt with 4 tiny pineapple blocks. I was glad it was finished, because there were a lot of pieces in the blocks! I like your other blocks too!

Stitching Lady said...

Hello Margaret, Your stash and slash quilt is a great success. I am sure it is a focus point on your couch. You must be very proud to have it finished. I marvel at your ananas block, how exact! And the corners of your Dresden plate are meeting ---- another success. The round edges of the Dresden plate are really easy to do with a "diapers inlay". We call it like that .... you can turn it then and it comes out very clean and round. Good to see the first spring flowers. We saw the tops of crocusses in the partk today.

Wendy said...

I hand quilted using Perle 8. I think it depends what look you are going for. I know traditionally hand quilting was done with thin cotton, but if you want modern looking chunky stitches, perle 8 is the way to go.

the blocks are great - is that a free BOM you're doing (as they try to get you to buy tools and fabrics as you go!)?

What on earth is a quag??

J Honda said...

yes - just beautiful !! as Purrfect noted, your quilt looks like a beautiful painting - even the photos of your pieces and the crocus are lovely :D Joy!! your points on the dresden and the pineapple are sharp and straight too! Isn't it wonderful to know that your heart block will be in a cosy quilt for someone special :)

Monica said...

I am so impressed, Margaret -- your quilting is improving by leaps and bounds! Great job on all those blocks. :D

shirley said...

Hello Margaret, I am always so impressed with your work. No matter if it is embroidery or quilting you always achieve such wonderful results. Do you have more hours in your day over there you achieve so many finished projects.
Love your quilt. the red lifts it and I am sure it is as wonderful in real life.
I could not get those blocks you stitched to be so perfect you are a marvel.
xo

Dianne said...

The stack and Slash quilt is striking, Margaret. A lovely finish and I am sure it looks great on the couch and will be jolly handy too. Well done on the pineapple block - braver than I. It has turned out well as have the others. good work

Vicki Miller said...

You are always so busy! Love all your blocks and the cute little crocus, too

Mary Ellen said...

Margaret, I agree with Monica - your quilting and piecing is looking very good. I like the red in the stack and whack project, but then I am all about color. The second block is what we call a pineapple block. Gyleen Fitzgerald is known as the Pineapple Queen. I have a pineapple top started from my scrap bin. That sort of thing is right up my alley, but it definitely is not fast. Yours looks perfect from here. The other three blocks are also quite well done. A+ I would say! Seeing your crocus photo reminded me that the hellebores (Lenten Rose) should be appearing soon. That will mean digging beneath the snow to find out, though, as it has snowed here again several inches. Good day for sewing.

Jane said...

Love the stack and whack quilt, looks stunning. Would make a fabulous wall hanging, looks just like a work of art

cottonreel said...

You are getting very prolific .
I love bright colours so the red looks fine by me

Jillian said...

You are going great guns Margaret. Well done. Dresden plate is my favourite of these.

Anonymous said...

I can see that you are getting a lot more confident now in your quilt patterns, you are making some lovely blocks. The flower block is lovely!

Createology said...

Lovely S&S quilt and the colors are very cheery. Your blocks are wonderful. I especially like the petals and the heart. Your quilting and stitching is really getting much more confident and that has to make you very proud. Stitching Bliss Dear...

Chyfey said...

Love your stack and slash quilt,and your blocks are sooooo good.

Sparklyjools said...

Somehow I missed this post! Well done on your blocks. The Dresden Plate is just lovely!

Mrs. B. said...

You've taken to the quilting really well. I like the red in the stack and slash. I think it lifts the whole quilt. And your blocks are all so neat. Great job. I don't think I have the patience for quilting!

Mrs. B. said...

You've taken to the quilting really well. I like the red in the stack and slash. I think it lifts the whole quilt. And your blocks are all so neat. Great job. I don't think I have the patience for quilting!

Mrs. B. said...

You've taken to the quilting really well. I like the red in the stack and slash. I think it lifts the whole quilt. And your blocks are all so neat. Great job. I don't think I have the patience for quilting!

Mrs. B. said...

You've taken to the quilting really well. I like the red in the stack and slash. I think it lifts the whole quilt. And your blocks are all so neat. Great job. I don't think I have the patience for quilting!