Christmas Seminole Tablecloth

Christmas Re-imagined: 2022 (Started: 1987)

My Covid splurge was a new dining room table.  After all, we’d had the sturdy pine one since 1985 and it managed to survive many, many moves and growing children.  So, in December 2021, when I laid out the well-used Christmas tablecloth (made in no less than 1987) on the new table, it looked a little sad.  Hardly a surprise!  So rather than consign it to the bin, I decided on a make-over. 

Yes, the fabrics are definitely a reminder of the 1980’s, and there’s a bit of poly in the cotton selections, but it was worth saving.  I set about separating the two layers (top front & backing), then added some batting.  After wondering for a moment what I was doing when I got it ready to baste, it all came together after giving it the kiss-of-life with machine quilting in a medium stipple – a quick and easy pattern.  I chose a variegated thread to quilt with; bright red, green & a touch of yellow (Gutermann, Sulky 30wt, Colour: 4112, Vintage Holiday).  Finished size at a decent W 143cm x L 248cm.  And I am so over-the-moon with the result.  Should have done it years ago!!

I finished the Christmas Tablecloth makeover on 28 November 2022, just in time for this year’s celebrations with grandchildren.  Better get to decorating the rest of the house, there’s only a few weeks to go!

Making progress at the machine in the cooler weather this year

I am hopeful for a few hours of sunshine to have another photo session.  There's quite the backlog of quilts needing a photo or several.  Fingers crossed that the weather improves!

A temporary "indoor" fix until the sun shines again...

The Governor's Invitation

 Virginia Reel: 2022  (Started:2021)

I had in my stash a small collection of 1800’s reproduction prints, and had been waiting for the right moment to use them.  I’d seen a wonderful antique pinwheel quilt made in Maryland (1860-1880) in QuiltMania (141, p.17) and that sparked an idea. 

During our stay in Virginia, we had visited Colonial Williamsburg. I never tired of visiting the Governor’s Palace, for its beautiful gardens and inspiring décor.  The Ballroom was especially impressive with bold pinks and bright blues.  Given the local and natural dyes we had seen at nearby Jamestown (albeit used much earlier), the colours in the Palace seemed so surprising but the wealthy were, of course, able to access the best on offer from Europe and elsewhere.  So, there I was in 2019, at the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum Gift shop stocking up on (just a few more) colourful reproduction prints from that era.  After all, they were also on sale for a bargain price.  Who could say no to an offer like that?

In the Garden Shed and loving it!

Back home, it took until 2021 before I found a traditional pattern called Double Pinwheel that coupled with my heritage print collection, conjured up a vision of whirling couples dancing the night away in their finery at the Palace.  Needless to say, I had to add quite a few non-reproductions (in the right colours & only from the stash) to fill out the required number of pinwheels.  Eighty to be precise!  Eight rows across and ten down.  I also decided, as I stitched, that I preferred the look of all blocks and no border, with just a “low value” binding so as not to detract from the energy as the colours whirled and soared.

To bring the vision together, I machined quilted (on my trusty domestic, Bernie Bernina) a dense pattern of sweet peas (you will have to use your imagination here, I’m afraid), leaves and vines – nature at its chaotic best.  Such quilting is rather stiff, but I’ve found that it does soften, or relax, a bit over time. 

On the bed in the motel room - the best out-of-the-wind spot we could find...

Sweet Pea Quilting

Just for the Record:
Quilt Finished Size: 156 x 196cm
Block Sizes: 20cm (8 inch) unfinished; 7.5 inch finished
Cut in: 30 July 2021
Pieced by: 10 Aug 2021
Basted by: 18-19 Oct 2021
Quilted: Machine Nov 2022, over 6 days; 4 reels Gutermann Sulky 30wt 4010 (Caramel Apple)
using 24 bobbins Gutermann Quilting Cotton 50wt (variegated dark to light brown).
Quilt Type: Traditional
Quilt Finished: 16 Nov 2022
Exhibited:
Collection: Gifted to Florence 19 Nov 2022 (Greg’s 80^th Birthday)
Pattern Name: Double Pinwheel
Pattern Source: Hopkins & Martin, 101 Fabulous Rotary Cut Quilts,1998, p.75
Fabrics Purchased: From Colonial Williamsburg; also, The Calico Patch, long-closed quilt shop in Nicholls, Canberra; and a few more during RLI expeditions over the years.
Fabric Design: Reproduction Prints & Stripes, plus many extras
Fabric Style: Period Reproductions, American Revolutionary Period & Civil War & others
Materials Type: Printed Cottons
Wadding Type: Cotton (Warm & Natural, Needled)
Backing: Pieced simply using left-over remnants 

The Governor’s Palace in Williamsburg, Virginia was originally built, starting in 1706, in English Baroque style however was destroyed by fire on Dec 22, 1781.  The existing reconstruction was started in 1931 in Colonial Revival style. 

We tried a few outdoor shots the next day
but it was way too windy!

Languish Not…Make Another Quilt!

2022

2021 vanished in a flash, leaving me counting UFO’s and dreaming of more fantastic quilt designs to add to the “To Do - hopefully one day soon - List”.  Hmmm, I should stop reading those enticing magazines!  The year did finish with a flourish, however, as I managed to add 4 quilt tops to the “basted and ready for quilting box”. 

The new year however, became the year of catching up with family & friends as borders and boundaries opened.  Our poor car did not sit idle for long at all as we galivanted across 4 states before settling down to a cold and rather wet winter on the river.  Too cold and wet to work in the outside sewing room (my garden shed).  Meanwhile, other indoor projects took priority; sorting photos being one huge job that has STILL to be finished.

At least the RLI girls were able to meet at Randwick again, and aside from the odd bout of Covid isolation and overseas jaunts, we’ve settled back into the old meeting routine.  I’ve now limited myself to taking portable projects to the meetings too, after having my sewing machine in for a service & repairs twice last year.  It just doesn’t enjoy travelling the way it did in its youth!

So, it was with some relief then, that in October, I had reason to limber up and get Bertie primed for a session of free motion quilting.  Woohoo!  Off and running at last.  Now I am working on quilt #4, so it is good to see a nearly empty box on the shelf.  I seriously doubt it will be done by Christmas this year; it still has quite a bit of embroidery to add once the quilting is done.  Never mind, it’s all progress. 

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, a prosperous New Year and time for lots and lots of stitching.

Clip Art from The Graphics Fairy

Stylish Gifting

Japanese Knot Bags 2021

Again, and after successful home-made gifting in 2020, I was determined to give it a shot in 2021.  I was on a roll!!  I decided to undertake another set of bags made of fabrics selected only from my stash.  This time, I wanted a smaller bag but with a twist; again, a reference to Japanese style.  This time I concentrated on a more traditional knot bag handle design but wanted a “standing” bag – a square bottom.  It needed to be big enough for a large phone or mail (yes, we still get letters, mostly bills ; ) in the post) and would keep keys, masks and other odd bits together if dashing to the shops. 

I settled on a great pattern from sumoftheirstories.com, found on 23rd October.  I cut all the bags out at once (8 Nov) and then started madly sewing until 12^th December, cutting it quite fine for Christmas gifting.  I did though, have fun with a Spotlight selection of Aussie flower and bird designs by Jocelyn Proust.  Don’t you just love her modern prints! 

Finished Size of bag: w-4.5; h-7.5; d-2.5 (inches) & w-11.5; h-19; d-6.5 (cms); Finished size of straps or handles: Width: 2in or 5cm; Lengths: long strap L-12 (30.5cm); short strap L-7 (18cm).  Sizes are for your information only and are in accordance with changes I made to the original pattern offered on sumoftheirstories.com to suit my needs.  Once cut out and quilted (onto wadding leftovers), I could make 3 to 4 a day.  

These bags worked up a treat, were relatively simple to make and I think, were well received.  Over the year, I finished off a few more, in all 27 bags completed.  I used them for Christmas or thank-you gifts; many were donated for raffle prizes.