Finished..............!!!

My Kaffe Fassett quilt was finished in December but I have waited until now to post the final photo ...... didn't want to spoil the surprise for the person it was intended for, my daughter Kate.   I think she likes it!!!

I just love Kaffe Fassett fabric, not just the bright and flashy colours but the quality of the fabric as well.   For Christmas I received a subscription from Cotton Patch which means that quarterly I receive in the post a selection of new Kaffe Fassett designs.   Eventually I decided to make a quilt from Kaffe Fassett's book,    Kaffe Fassett's Simple Shapes Spectacular Quilts.   The pattern has large lozenge shapes which best display the large patterns on the fabric I've received.   I did top up with some smaller designs from this Etsy shop, lavendarquilts.

Here are some pics of the progress so far.

Scrappy log cabin quilt

I'm much too too mean and stingy to throw away all those small scraps of fabric that are left over from previous patchwork projects.   So, as the scrap basket was beginning to overflow I decided that it was time downsize it.  A log cabin quilt seemed to be a an ideal project for using up my precious scraps.    After cutting all the bits into 1 inch strips I ended up with strips between two and ten inches in length.

 I divided the strips into two piles, one light and one dark.  After printing the log cabin quilt grids I found here onto Carol Doak's Foundation Paper it was time to start.

   You can sew easily onto this paper and it tears off rapidly after the block is finished. It takes me about half an hour to sew each 6 inch block.   Each central square is a nice bright red and then two adjacent sides are in light fabric and the other two adjacent in dark fabrics.

The best bit is that by pinning the fabric strips on the reverse side of the paper and then by sewing along the grid lines on the right side you end up with a very neat and precise square.  So far I have finished 25 squares but I will continue until my scrap bag is empty.

I’m really pleased with the result and especially happy that it costs me nothing – except time and patience.

Miniature Patchwork

I love all things small and was lucky enough to receive for my birthday this year Terrie Sandelin's book - Miniatures in Minutes.   The preparation is quite time consuming, cutting the individual tiny shapes but once done the shapes are sewn directly onto paper which gives a very neat finish.    This is my first attempt.  See if you can spot two mistakes!!!!

Cathedral Windows

I wanted to have a go at Cathedral Windows, a new-to-me patchwork technique and found this free pin-cushion tutorial at the Moda Bake Shop.    I had in my stash some pretty fabric bought from SistersandQuilters on Etsy.   This was the end result.   Now I would like to make something bigger (a quilt!!!) using the same technique.   We'll see!

Finished...........

I have finally finished my wall-hanging.   I always start a project with enthusiasm then go through the doldrums and then have a feverish few days trying to get it finished.  Happily I like the result!!!

The question now is - what to do next?     I have received some gorgeous Kaffe Fassett fabric from my hubby and my kids recently so that should provide the inspiration to make something colourful and stunning, hopefully.

Ahhh - Love Birds

Before Christmas I went through the trauma of losing my Liberty quilt in the post – amazingly and miraculously three months later it was found and safely dispatched  to the lovely young couple it was intended for, their wedding present.   Since then we returned to our home in France to hibernate the weeks away and ended up having one of the coldest winters in memory.   The snow fell and froze solid and living in the middle of nowhere with no chance of escaping until the thaw,  we were stuck in the house for ten days which meant I could ignore the housework and start my new project.  

One of my favourite magazines is Quilt Country – I found this pattern, scatterings of appliqué birds, flowers and bees to cheer me up and give me hope that Spring will arrive soon.  I have now started the hand quilting which will keep me amused for some time - afterwards I will post a picture of the finished hanging.