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.

Liberty quilt.............finished.

At last the quilt is finished; a gift for a wedding at the beginning of September but several weeks late unfortunately.   Hopefully it will arrive in time to keep the young couple warm this winter.
I love the way the colour of the scraps of different vintage Liberty tana lawn patterns blend so well together in this quilt...........and I'm so glad it's finished.   Now I can move on to new projects!

Somerset Patchwork

A friend has been having a clear-out which meant that I was the lucky recipient of several patchwork books.  This is one of them.

They looked a little old and dated but I had a flip through and came across this technique for Somerset Patchwork (click on pic above for details). Having worked on my Grandmother's Garden quilt non-stop for the last few months I thought I would give this a go for a change.  You start with a square of plain backing fabric approximately 30cm square and mark the quarters and eighths; the rectangles that become the triangles are 6cm by 3.5 cm - very simple.

Starting at the marked cross the first round comprises four folded triangles; each subsequent round used 8 folded triangles and the final round was 16 folded triangles.

Finish with piece of matching fabric, cut out a circle so that the edges of the triangles of the final round are hidden and there is sufficient to fold under and neaten.   I'm really not sure what to do with this pretty little masterpiece - it could be the lid of a little fabric box or the centre of a cushion!  

 My cat Claud loves to get in on the act - why is it when there are plump cushions on settees he prefers to sneak onto my work-in-progress the minute my back is turned!!!