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!

Zesty Lemons and Zippy Bees

The Queen's Honey Bees, Osborne House:  2019  (Started: 2019)

Well, I’m still on a mission to use up my existing stash and after a somewhat unsuccessful bash at “re-creating” my black & white version of Circles of Fun, I decided to check out the yellow box.  In my other “collection” box I found some small pieces called Crow Hill Apiary Garden that held promise of making the yellows interesting.  Now for a pattern…

Initially, I had thought of a quick & easy snowball à la Kaffe Fassett.  It just seemed too simple.  After all, Kaffe’s quilts sing because he uses his strong and colourful fabrics.  I wanted a bit of design complexity (without all the hard work) that would give my yellows a more modern touch.  After all, some of these fabrics have been sitting in that box for nearly 30 years! 

So, it was with some relief that I happened upon an interesting old quilt in my favourite Nancy J Martin book.  It's a design called Paths & Stiles and was a pattern made famous by Nancy Cabot.  Martin’s instructions are always so reliable, so I happily cut away, making a few changes here and there, then assembled enough blocks to make a decent sized queen bed topper.  It wasn’t until I had stitched up the top that I realised I was sewing another version of Monkey Wrench (or Churn Dash).  This was the pattern of choice for my blue box project from last year, and a single, lonely quilt made in 2018.  Oh dear!  Twilight Zone music plays…

With the Cap’n away, I managed to find time to baste and machine quilt, quick smart.  I cannot tell you the sense of achievement I felt when it was all done.  I’d even noted in my diary “finished top! – happy, buzzy lemons.” At least one quilt finished for 2019 and a very happy, and thoroughly re-inspired stitcher. 

Of course, I didn’t manage to get a photo before I leapt on the plane for warmer weather, so that’s a chore to follow…eventually

If you want to find more Nancy Cabot patterns, then here’s a few inspiring sites to spend time browsing:

• A Flicker Group organised by “Fresh Lemons” with a thoroughly Modern twist on Nancy Cabot designs…just stunning!  I hope the group is still going since Flicker’s new (& fee demanding) ownership.  Let’s see.
• A Nancy Cabot Sew Along Group
• Illinois Quilt History – Nancy Cabot
• And to finish, one of many Pinterest sites with Nancy Cabot (Chicago Tribune) patterns

Now for the Apologies:  I know I measured this quilt before I took flight, but that sticky note is lurking somewhere, with the details of its name, hiding who-knows-where.  All this, including a photograph session, and a name, will be rectified once I hit Aussie turf again, soon, maybe…

Just for the Record:

Quilt Finished Size: 170 x 170.5cm
Block Sizes: 9in
Cut in: 14 Jan 2019
Pieced: 30 Mar 2019
Basted: 5 Apr 2019
Quilted: Machine 17 May 2019
Quilt Type: Modern-ish
Quilt Finished: 24 May 2019
Exhibited: No
Collection: Home #057
Pattern Name: Nancy Cabot's Paths & Stiles
Pattern Source: Nancy J Martin's 101 Fabulous Rotary Cut Quilts p.159
Fabrics Purchased: From the Stash…with maybe just one or two newbies
Fabric Design: Various
Fabric Style: Fresh Yellows & Crow Hill Apiary Garden pieces
Materials Type: Printed Cottons
Wadding Type: Warm & Natural Cotton
Backing: Pieced using left-over remnants
Thread Use Machining: 1 reel
Thread Use Quilting: 24 Bernina bobbins (1 reel) and another 1 reel
Thread Type: Gutermann natural cotton

Celebrating

Birthday Fun: 2006

I wanted to make something for a friend's special (60th) birthday, so I put together scraps from most of the workshops and trips we had done over the years and made up a scrap commemorative wall quilt.  I asked all the Quilting girls to sign it after our November meeting – the last for that year.  Forgot to take a photo but I have something somewhere I hope!

The pattern I used is called Scot's Plaid from the ever faithful "101 Fabulous Rotary-Cut Quilts" by Hopkins & Martin.  I think I may have resized the block slightly to be more appropriate for a wall quilt.  It was a breeze to cut and machine up.  The result, whilst not a stunner by any stretch, makes a statement about our time (from the fabric styles) and shared experiences (quilting & workshop).  All floating on a background of Monet's water lilies...

(Found the photos!)

This piece was inspired by my exploration into the work of Edouard Villard (1868 – 1940), a French Post-Impressionist who painted mostly domestic interiors in his trademark highly decorative and sumptuous manner.  His mother was a seamstress and his world it seems, was influenced by the wonderful textiles she handled.  Typically Villard’s paintings are of compressed internal spaces, contain flat surfaces decorated with all-over patterns (eg wallpapers) and mimic the colourful textiles he saw daily.  I really love the way he paints flowers - bold & splashy!  His paintings are best explained as a rich tapestry of softly blurred colours. Doesn't that sound so seductive! 

"Vuillard12" by Édouard Vuillard - National Gallery of Art,
Washington, DC. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
 - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vuillard12.JPG#mediaviewer/File:Vuillard12.JPG/

 

Annette's Choice 2005

A Brighter Day: 2005

The Garam Masala Quilters were an active lot, gathering weekly and always with many projects on the go.  Meetings were always fun, we shared lots of ideas and of course, loved to find shops to satisfy our fabric obsession.

A Brighter Day Quilt made by Annette

We all loved to share our textile finds

One of our group projects (Dec 2004) was a set of exchange blocks.  We had completed a couple of blocks for departing members prior to this but had not organised a serious project that covered something for all group members to share.  I think I set the bar a bit high with my request for a fantasy bag.  My general idea was for a purse, basket etc to be appliqued (or even applied eg a photograph) to the block.  The item was then to be decorated with items that represented that "fantasy".  For example, a snake charmer's basket (very India) with said dancing snake or an African safari suitcase with grazing giraffe. Out of the 8 participants, I only managed to be given 4 blocks back.  So my lesson was not to get too creative with exchanges!   

One of my blocks made by Corinne

Sadly, those that were made, and the details of others' requests (yes, I managed to get my 7 challenges completed!) still languish in my UFO box waiting for inspiration.  However, I think I may have found a solution following my visit to the Caroline Bay Quilters Exhibition in Gosford last year...  But I have wait to see if a pattern by Linda Butcher is still available.  Meanwhile the design stage, if I'm ever to get this quilt out of the box, requires a little massaging.

This exchange sadly marked my departure from the group and India in 2005.  I was sad to leave as I was just getting to know India.  It’s a big country with such incredible diversity that even our trips around Delhi and into other states did not cover everything we wanted to see and do.  And of course, the more you look the more there is to find.

(GM exchange blocks & exchange blocks #2  UFOs both Home Collection # 046 & 047)

Meeting Mr Singh

Mr Singh & I: 2006  (Started: 2004)

This piece is one of my all-time favourites.  I purchased the fabrics (florals) at Nehru Place, specifically from HP Singh and Amit Textiles (Mr Jain).  Shankar Market provided me with an amazing variety of shirt stripes and a man’s lunghi (said "loone ghee"- a sarong) which became border pieces, albeit fussy cut. 

The story begins with a photo of the Garam Masala Quilters taken at Sandra’s home in October 2004.  It was then photocopied on fabric (commercially) and given to out to all those who wanted a copy.  Mine became a central medallion for this quilt and was kindly signed for me when I left the group mid-2005.

Using the Tin Man pattern, I made the “men” in florals to represent the Garam Masala Quilters and used the stripes in each block for background zing.  I also upsized the 6” block to 9”.  Now I had a fun “group”!

This fabric mix best represented our varied backgrounds and the man’s lunghi added a slightly masculine attitude and colour.  I had wanted to move away from using American florals and use locally available fabrics – these give even traditional patterns a new fresh look.

Once pieced, I took my top into a fabric shop in Khan Market to find a stripe to bind my quilt.  The store assistants were shocked to learn that I had sewn it myself. And I suspect they did not believe me initially!  I’m not sure that they had ever come across a quilter before.  I felt proud of my achievement as they admired the “quality work, Madam”.

My quilting visitor, Yvonne, lugged over masses of cotton wadding for me so that I could get a few projects underway – basted at least!  Finally, I managed to get the piece machine quilted (with my domestic).  I’m so pleased I took Bernie Bernina away with me to India (& then on to Nepal).  It was well worth the effort to have quality tools at my disposal.

"Mr Singh & I" was eventually hung, fittingly, on a wall in our house in Kathmandu – a happy reminder of my time with the GM Quilters.

Living in Delhi was a glimpse into many worlds, one of which was that of expat life.  One woman had a tailor on staff; another decorated her home like a gorgeous gallery.  I seriously fell in love with decorating Indian style!  So yes, serious envy on all counts!!

Just for the Record:

Quilt Finished Size: 108 x 175cm
Block Sizes: 6”
Cut in: 2004
Pieced & Basted: 2004/05
Quilted: Machine 2005
Quilt Type: Friendship
Quilt Finished: 2006
Exhibited: Australia Day, 2010
Collection: Home# 045
Pattern Name: Tin Men (enlarged to 9”) p229*
Pattern Source: *101 Fabulous Rotary-Cut Quilts” by Judy Hopkins & Nancy Martin
Fabrics Purchased: India 2004/05
Fabric Design: Various florals & stripes
Fabric Style: Handwoven & Commercial Cottons
Materials Type: Cotton
Wadding Type: Cotton Batt
Backing: Cotton Sarong

Delectable Mountains

Indian Sari Series #2: 2011  (Started: 2004)
Sun Temples in the Heat Haze

Australia Day Exhibition 2011

As always, once you actually start something it doesn’t take long to want to make another.  This time I chose “Delectable Mountains” as my basic pieced panel along with a substantial and oh-so-very interesting piece of ikat fabric to make up this quilt.  Again, I was inspired by the fabrics and considered how best to use them without losing their character.  Finally, I settled on making up an interesting sari pallu design. That brings together my interests in traditional clothing, textiles and pieced designs.

To add to the effect, I pieced up a backing making do with leftovers and “interesting” bits – all purchased at Nehru Place, of course!  Needless to say, it was all machined, including the quilting.  I added a few cowrie shells for good measure.

Backing with machine quilting showing - just!

Just for the Record:
Quilt Finished Size: 112 x 160cm
Block Sizes: various
Cut in: 2004
Pieced & Basted: Machine Pieced 2004; Basted 2005
Quilted: Machine 2011
Quilt Type: Own Design
Quilt Finished: 2011
Exhibited: Australia Day, 2011
Collection: Home# 043
Block Name: Delectable Mountains, p71*
Pattern Source: Own Design
Fabrics Purchased: India 2004
Fabric Design: Ikats
Fabric Style: Handwoven Cotton
Materials Type: Cotton
Wadding Type: Cotton Batt
Backing: Cottons; Indian dress fabrics

*101 Fabulous Rotary-Cut Quilts” by Judy Hopkins & Nancy Martin

(This piece looks a bit wonky as it had just
been washed but I think it better represents colour.) 

More Desert Island Reading

Books I can’t be Without continues:

101 Fabulous Rotary-Cut Quilts

Judy Hopkins & Nancy J. Martin, 1998, Martingale & Company, Bothell, Washington

I've just noticed that 101 seems to be my favourite number!  By the time I purchased this book I was well and truly obsessed with patchwork and quilting.  Whilst I still loved hand piecing and quilting, I realised that my machine (dear old Ernie Elna) was my best buddy and, along with the rotary cutter, my only way forward.  Of course, some quilts still demand “slow” making but there were times in my increasingly busy life when I needed a quick fix.  I was occasionally making clothes too, so it seemed only natural to do more than just machine borders and bindings on to my quilts.

Hopkins & Martin had written other books but I couldn’t wait to get my little fingers on this big bruiser.  It has become, and still is, my most favourite reference book of all.  If I want a basic pattern, it’s usually here.  The illustrations are terrific, the measurements always exact and I’ve never yet had a dud – and trust me, I’ve made quite a few from this book!  Yes, the patterns are classic but it only takes a moment to add, subtract and massage and before you know it, another new creation!  Mind you, I know I prefer to make quilts that are basically geometric designs, so that helps.

When I went to live in India in 2004, I took, aside from my machine, 2 suitcases.  One with clothes and one with quilting supplies (not fabric though, just a few UFO’s).  This book was the only one I took.  It was in the spirit of adventure – and proved a very valuable learning environment.

That Perfect Stitch: the Secrets of Fine Hand Quilting

Roxanne McElroy, 1998, The Quilt Digest Press, Chicago, Illinois USA

When it comes to hand quilting books, my choice was difficult but this one by Roxanne McElroy was a standout because it is almost a scientific evaluation of the hand quilting process.  If ever you want to improve your stitching, this is the place to come.  I particularly appreciated advice on batting choices for hand quilting and how better to position your hand to protect against repetitive strain.  I also made the decision not to buy a frame (I’d been wanting one for years) after reading this book, because I didn’t think it suited MY style of quilting.  This book is so worth the read, there is much to learn, and I refer to it time and time again.

I can’t leave the subject of hand quilting without mentioning Liuxin Newman (Perfect Hand Quilting without Pain, Thimblelady, Australia, 2003).  I did a hand quilting workshop with Liuxin a few years ago and it turned my quilting life around. I just love to use her thimbles; they are so perfect for the method she taught us.  Another plus was that I managed to use a hoop -finally! I’d always used one for embroidery but had found I had trouble quilting with one.  Now I wouldn’t quilt without one. 

So I guess the moral of the story is that it’s fine to know, understand & appreciate the theory, however well it’s presented, but it’s understanding your own needs and lots of  practice that makes the difference.     

Simple Shapes Spectacular Quilts

Kaffe Fassett, 2010, Abrahams, New York

What can I say!  The title says it all - simple shapes highlighting fantastic fabrics that are all about COLOUR.  Kaffe is definitely the colour master.  I could have chosen any of his books for my “fab” favourites.  His quilts are, each and every one, a lesson in colour play and I sometimes think that in the race to make all those quilts that dance in our heads, we miss taking a slow approach.  Perhaps by making our designs less complex, taking (lots of) time to explore colour options, and considering construction options, we too can get the message. This doesn’t mean that I copy, copy, copy.  But I do see how shapes and colour can be grouped and use this as a springboard to help me find the next rung on my learning ladder.

Well, reviewing has been lots of fun; the thinking hard but at last a vague notion of better understanding - myself and my motivations.  Why?  Well in the words of Melody Crust, “my best quilt is my next one”.

Eighty Stars

Ice Kacang: 2004  (Started: 1999)

Essentially this story is the same as “Soda Pop to Hip Hop”.  Both were made at the same time.  I loved the ease of putting the blocks together. For this one, I chose to make Stars in the Sashing.  (I just love that Hopkins & Martin patterns make cutting and sewing so, so, so easy!)  I also loved the 3D effect of this design and was inspired to look further into transparency and depth using colour. 

I named this quilt after a Malaysian dessert – a favourite refreshing ice snack – that I could never quite resolve whether it was sweet or savoury.  However, it is really tooth-achingly sweet!

Given its vintage qualities, it seemed appropriate to give this quilt to Dad for his 80^th Birthday.  I asked the family at his birthday bash to sign their names (in fabric pen) to mark the occasion.  Pretty sure Mum won’t let him use it though…. 

Just for the Record:
Quilt Finished Size: 152 x 195cm (60 x 77")
Block Size: 4 ¾” units
Cut in: 1999
Pieced & Basted: Machine 2001
Quilted: Machine 2003
Quilt Type: Personal Choice
Quilt Finished: 2004
Exhibited:  No
Collection: Private
Pattern Name: Stars in the Sashing
Pattern Source: Hopkins & Martin, 1998 p214
Fabrics Purchased: Keepsake Quilting
Fabric Design: 1930’s
Fabric Style: Cotton
Materials Type: Cotton
Wadding Type: Thin Cotton Batt
Backing: Cotton

Lessons Learned:
I just had fun being bold with bold colours, especially the plains, like bubblegum pink & that gakky, mustard colour that went with the 1930’s (Judie Rothermel, Aunt Grace) collections. I must add however that the cotton wadding I used for both these quilts is exceptionally heavy.  I could certainly not have hand quilted through it!  This experience did make me more aware (& more careful) about future choices of batting.

(Well, it will have to be a photo next time I visit.  How it escaped me & my trusty camera makes me wonder but I'm realising how the road to record "history" can be a bit rocky & full of holes - even when it's your own!)

Photos - not the best but at least its a start

Fresh from the 1930's

Soda Pop to Hip Hop: 2004  (Started: 1999)

Looking very sunny on a cloudy day

Somehow life seemed full of work and no play, so during a holiday break in 1999, I “went nuts” cutting up fabrics for two quilts.  I wanted to try a few patterns from Hopkins & Martin’s book, (101 Fabulous Rotary Cut Quilts, 1998 - my favourite pattern source) to use some 1930’s prints I had ordered from the US.  Let me digress...  Everyone was so keen on Keepsake Quilting!  We purchased fabrics quite easily by mail order and had their catalogue included in the box of delights sent back to us!  We would read those catalogues (or dogalogues depending on your bent!) for hours and hours.  I think I still have mine put away for a rainy day…   Fabrics, patterns and clothing – all things on offer were far more exciting than those available at home. 

Back to the quilt!  I chose a lemon background, a bold choice indeed, to go with my 30’s collection for a scrappy but fresh, bouncy look.  I was quite taken with the way the pattern “tricked the eye” into seeing a 3D effect.  I set about rotary cutting, machine piecing and covering my lounge room floor with blocks.  I kept a selection of left-overs for my backing which added a nice finish. Before long, I had a wonderful top, which was relegated to the UFO pile for a while.

A close-up of my sparse quilting.  I've just read
that Kerr & Ringle steam their quilts prior to a
show. Maybe I should have thought of that too! 

As I’ve previously mentioned, after purchasing my Bernina, I went on a bit of a marathon to finish some of my dreaded UFO stockpile.  I purchased a new machine because it worked out cheaper for me to quilt my own rather than send out for long-arm services.  I must admit that I also find great satisfaction in completing the “creative process” by choosing and applying my quilting design.  For this quilt, I wanted to keep the quilting subtle and in straight lines, mostly using the walking foot (showing my nervous beginnings).  This choice however, does allow the colours and patterns to shine, especially the 3D effect of the white pieces, which seem to float above the rest of the quilt when seen from a distance.  Hence my choice of title!

I was inspired by the works of dynamic quilting duo Bill Kerr & Weeks Ringle, and also Melody Crust who use simple shapes and quilting for great effect.  As I look back, I can see the beginnings of the modern quilt movement in their work. 

 

(Weeks Ringle also has her own blog, Craft Nectar, which is worth time exploring.)

Left-overs floating on a Monet inspired backing fabric
(framed by a nice view too!)

Just for the Record:

Quilt Finished Size: 181x 181cm
Block Size: 7 ½” set on point
Cut in: 1999
Pieced & Basted: Machine 2001
Quilted: Machine 2003
Quilt Type: Personal Choice
Quilt Finished: 2004
Exhibited:  Australia Day 2011
Collection: Home# 036
Pattern Name: Churn Dash or Monkey Wrench
Pattern Source: Hopkins & Martin, 1998 p81
Fabrics Purchased: Keepsake Quilting 17/3/99
Fabric Design: 1930’s
Fabric Style: Cotton
Materials Type: Cotton
Wadding Type: Thin Cotton Batt
Backing: Cotton

Lessons Learned:
I needed a quick fix and this was one of those easy “I need to get back into quilting” quilts. I am still fond of simple geometric shapes and quilting that adds personality to a quilt. I often refer to Lee Cleeland’s book, “Quilting Makes the Quilt” 1994. This is a fantastic resource for checking out various patterns; not only patterns but how different a quilt can look if quilted with alternate patterns. If I had my time over with this quilt, I would have been braver, adding a little more quilting.

Scrappy Shoo Fly

Shoo Fly Star: 2004  (Started: 1997)

We made a Shoo Fly Star pattern in a workshop with Joy Dixon (Feb & Mar 97) arranged by the RLI girls.  This one was to be my second pink & grey – perhaps I had so many left-overs from the previous quilt I needed to do something with them.  I only made a sample or two of the blocks (it was a new method for sewing flying geese) as I couldn’t make all the lessons.  Eventually in 1998 I resorted to a pattern in Nancy Martin’s Book “Rotary Roundup” p97 to get on with constructing the top. That book was a real help too as I’ve always found the Hopkins & Martin books very accurate when it comes to instructions eg. rotary cutting measurements.   

This one is made up from two blocks, a shoo fly star and a sawtooth or evening star. Ready for basting in late 2001.  Eventually, I gave it to mum for her spare bed although I’m not sure of the year.  No details confirmed until I next visit…….

Just for the Record:
Quilt Finished Size: 168x 208cm
Block Size: 8”
Cut in: 1997
Pieced & Basted: Machine 2001
Quilted: Machine 2004
Quilt Type: Workshop
Quilt Finished: 2004
Exhibited:  No
Collection: Private
Pattern Name: Shoo Fly Star
Pattern Source: Joy Dixon
Fabrics Purchased: Colour Collection
Fabric Design: Prints & Plains
Fabric Style: Cotton
Materials Type: Cotton
Wadding Type: Cotton Batt
Backing: Cotton

Lessons Learned:
I was finally beginning to relax a little with the machine quilting technique and although still doing straight lines realised that was ok as long as the design was used effectively, improving on the look of the quilt. (This was before the rage for large quilting machines and at a time when I’d just purchased my new Bernina in 2003 – but more on that later!)  

A  few notes embroidered on the back to help me remember?

An Aside:  I'd quite forgotten that I machine quilted this in Delhi and bought the stripe fabric for the bindings from a tailor's shop in Khan Market.  The funny thing was that they did not believe that I had actually sewn the quilt myself...  They must not have met too many (fastidious) quilters! 

Birds on the Plain

Flock (of Pink & Grey Galahs): 2004  (Started: 1996)

Galah photo from Wiki

I’d been working on an idea since my Tamworth years inspired by those crazy pink & grey galahs which to me typified life on the North West slopes and plains.  I’d even called my idea in advance, “flock” and that has been the cause of a great stumbling block.  I made two quilts in quick succession, both pink & grey, then failed to record their details before giving them away.  Say no more!

This quilt, started 1996, is made from a large collection of pinks and greys (16 so my notes tell me) gathered to one day settle my itch for a “flock” or feather quilt. The initial pattern I chose was from Shortcuts to the Top (p 55), Birds in the Air. Then I found Kansas Troubles (p122) in Rotary Roundup - much more appealing.

My first pink & grey was started with all the relish that a new rotary cutter provides.  I had it ready for batting and backing & basting by late 2001; there was a rush on at the time to clean up the ever-growing UFO box. I was also teaching myself how to machine quilt with the new Bernina (2003), so straight lines were the go on both counts - speed & sanity.  Eventually given to friend, Kath for safe-keeping. 

Just for the Record:
Quilt Finished Size: 189x 189cm
Block Size: 16”
Cut in: 1996
Pieced & Basted: Machine 2001
Quilted: Machine 2003
Quilt Type: Workshop
Quilt Finished: 2004
Exhibited:  No
Collection: Private 2/6/07
Pattern Name: Kansas Troubles
Pattern Source: Rotary Roundup, Hopkins & Martin
Fabrics Purchased: Colour Collection
Fabric Design: Prints & Plains
Fabric Style: Cotton
Materials Type: Cotton
Wadding Type: Cotton Batt
Backing: Cotton

Lessons Learned:
After a few years of study, I was eager to get back into quilting proper.  I chose a quick pattern with a large size block and a nice scrappy look to get all those pinks & greys I had to form a homogenous whole.  The top was fast, fun to make and satisfied an itch. I still really like the way this quilt turned out.