Category Archives: patchwork

looking back the years and starting something new (2x)

Looking back the years :

A friend of mine gave me  a couple of weeks ago some quilting books. I’ve looked through them and thought how much has changed in patchwork and quilting over the last 40 years .

My favourite one is “The Perfect Patchwork Primer” by Beth Gutcheon. It was first published in 1973. The issue is in black and white, includes a few photos and many block illustrations, designs or quilt assembly instructions. The author is a devotee of hand quilting. Machine piecing is OK, but machine or free-motion quilting is unthinkable. The other thing that surprised me, is that in those days there were no cutting mats, cutters or rulers. Only “home-made” templates were available and for cutting there were just scissors. Today we are very spoilt with all our sophisticated tools and various helpers.

Starting something new :

# One : From next week on I shall give classes in machine piecing and quilting. So last week I sew an easy sampler quilt top for beginners. At the same time I made tutorials about basic cutting and piecing of square and triangle units, blocks with flying geese units as well as sashing and borders, quilting and binding. I enjoyed preparing all information and I am looking forward to start with the classes!!!

# Two : While working on the computer I got an idea for a new quilt. A simple design with all the solids I love. It is based on the ideal proportion of the sides of a rectangle : golden ratio. As the top has also a “golden” solid fabric I named it Golden Ratio . Changed my mind, the name is Floating Colors  This one shall be quilted in straight lines in vertical and horizontal. The goal for next week (but more probably weekend) is to finish the quilt.

Happy quilting, B.

A Finished Top and Strawberry Fields

Abstract Dream quilt is slowly getting into shape. I finally finished the top. It is once more time to make a quilt sandwich accompanied by a TLB sandwich.

I have also spent some time taking photos at the Patchwork exhibition in Almoradi.

We had a lot of visitors on both days and Friday evening altogether nice meal.

And not to forget – we are in the strawberry season and I am busy making preserves.

My dog is now waiting for me – he wants to see his friends. I am off and hope to quilt soon !!

Easter Break

Time is flying so fast. It has been now over 3 months since I visited my parents. My luggage is already packed and I am off to Prague tomorrow early morning. I shall visit the 6th Prague Patchwork Meeting that is held over this weekend. I am looking forward to see lots of displayed quilts (for inspiration) and visit all the shops. My goal is to buy only quilting and piecing threads. Lets wait and see what kind off stuff I bring back!!

My teacher Loles is organising a small patchwork exhibition in Almoradi (my next village) on the 20th April. I am taking part and I wanted to display the Rock Around the Clock Quilt. But as I have sold it, I have to finish the Abstract Dreams Quilt fairly quickly. Well, I shall have time over the long Easter weekend as we have 2 days off.

That’s all for now, happy sewing, Barb

New Stash Has Arrived

Last friday I finally received a package from the States with all the nice fabrics I ordered. I was especially curious to see the fat quarter bundle from the Freshcut Fabric Collection in Pastel from Heather Bailey. And certainly I did not get disappointed, the greens and pinks are just like a lovely dream. Now I need to finish all the UFOs and start a new quilt.

Also this weekend I was working on a birthday present (I decided to make a pillow case) as we are invited for a celebration next Saturday. It is a simple pattern with bright fabrics and I think it will match well with a white leather couch and a red carpet.

Going quilting, B.

Quilts of Hope and my Dreaming of Q Quilt is finished

Just a quick mention : I have send a block to Quilts of Hope. This is a nice form of helping and Deborah is doing a super job. Please take part and give a block for a good purpose. This one is from me :

Forgot to take a picture before mailing, but Deborah has documented all incoming pieces on Flickr.

The other good news is that I have finished the quilt Dreaming of Q. All colour fabrics are from the collection Little Qpples by Moda. I have decided to go for a light blue backing and a teal binding. Even though this is a very simple design, I really like – in combination with white makes it very fresh and I am starting to of dream of SUMMER !! Or spring at least.

Listed on Etsy and Dawanda.

Till next time, Barbora