Phew! Finished at last.

Wow.  I seriously underestimated how long the quilting would take on this, and how much neck ache it would give me.  It didn't help that I have mislaid my quilting gloves, so it took much more effort than usual to keep going straight.  And it really showed if I didn't!  I had to unpick a few times where my line was a bit wobbly - this design is really unforgiving.

I actually chose the quilting design after seeing it on another blog some time ago.  Unfortunately I didn't make a note of the blog and can't find it now.  I'd like to give credit, so if you recognise it, please let me know.

I am so pleased with how it's turned out, even if I now have to spend the evening in a hot bath, persuading my arms to move again.  It's currently in the wash, and I have my fingers very tightly crossed that the black doesn't seep.

It's a Top!

I managed to turn my blocks into a top this afternoon.  I was a bit nervous about the mitred border, but after watching a tutorial youtube I made a start.  It was a bit tricky, and I fluffed up a couple of times, but overall I am pleased with the end product.  I shall definately be trying this again - I really like the mitring, and it would be fab with a stripey fabric.

I made a start on the quilting, and I may even finish it this evening if I have enough energy.  I love working on small quilts, progress is so quick!

Kona Solids

I've been increasingly drawn to solids recently, so when I saw a lonesome charm pack of Kona solids in pastel colours I decided to leap in.  Now pastels are also fairly new to me, as they were definately outside my comfort zone until earlier this year.  This seemed the perfect opportunity to make something exciting.

I'm often at a bit of a loss with charm packs, so fell back to my old favourite, the pinwheel.  However, the pastels were just a bit too much, or actually too little for me.

   I found the addition of a thin black linen look fabric added just the zip I was looking for.

I love the 'new' blocks that appear.

I had enough for 11 blocks, so went with a 3 x 3 layout.  I have some dusky grey/blue for the border which I think will work well.  I'm going to try a mitred border, another first, so I'll post some pictures tomorrow of my progress.

My Quilts in Their First Exhibition

I've never contemplated exhibiting my quilts before.  Much as I love looking at other peoples' quilts I've shyed away from offering my own up for scrutiny.  However, when I heard that my local quilt group were a bit short on numbers I decided to finally take the plunge.

It would have been much easier if I had decided more than 3 hours before the entry deadline, but hey.  I like working to a tight deadline!  I spent the afternoon furiously sewing on hanging sleeves and labels, and finished just in time.

I took along my Mum and Grandmother to the show.  It's in a garden centre, and it's run alongside a rose exhibition.  Can you guess what they call it?  Quilts and Roses!  Despite some fairly atrocious weather the exhibition was well attended.  It's not huge, I think there may have been around 40 quilts, but to see mine hanging there too was a real thrill.  I was surprised at how nervous I felt.  Of course, every pucker, or missed stitch seemed to be screaming out at me, but no one else seemed to notice.

Unfortunately I forgot my camera - can you believe it?  Instead I shall just give you the pictures I already have of my entries.  It such a shame, as they looked great hanging up.  Still, I shall mark it down to experience - and remember it next time!

This is Daisy Pinwheels, and was my first attempt at freemotion quilting.  I am really pleased with how the flowers turned out.

This was another first for me - paper piecing.  I had been too scared to even give it a try, believing it to be too difficult.  Needless to say, it wasn't, once I'd worked out where to start!

This table runner is made from Moda Bella solids, and a striped fabric I found in my stash that worked perfectly.  I love the fresh colours.

It was this quilt that I was most nevous about.  I fell in love with the fabric range - Reunion by Sweetwater, and took my inspiration from the bunting fabric for the quilting design.

My final quilt was a Union Jack.  With the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics this year the UK has gone Union flag crazy.  I've sold quite a few of these, and variations thereof on my Etsy store.

A Short Introduction

Here I am, leaping into the world of blogging.  I am mainly going to be recording my quilting life, with maybe the odd foray elsewhere.  I am hoping that by sharing my quilting process, from inspiration through to the finished product, I am helping to promote this fabulous past time.  I'll try to put some tutorials in along the way.

Let's see if I'm up to the challenge!