I had a lot of fun selecting my fabrics, although it may be time to put them altogether and see what I have actually used, I may need to add a few more colours into the mix!
A couple of weeks ago we did the Blue Basket block, it was always my intention to add a handle to the basket! Finally done! I'm happy with how it turned out!
Now the block looks complete!!
I've had a busy few weeks doing QAYG blocks for the Qld and Chch disaster projects. But I really needed to get a wiggle-on and try to get a few UFO's completed.
A quilt top lay hidden under a pile of other UFO's for 7 years (I thought it was 8, but then I checked my records, whew! not as bad as I thought!! but bad enough LOL!).
For a while I was really into Australian Indigenous prints, they were hard to resist really as the fabrics were just so wonderfully colourful, the prints exciting and bold.
And they were Australian! designs created by Indigenous Australians. Like this piece!
I had purchased a book which gave me some great ideas on how to use these wonderful fabrics.
"A World of Quilts" by Beth Ann Williams, 10 projects using ethnic fabrics, 2003.
When I opened this page, I just had to make it!
I had collected quite a bit of fabric so it was a great choice. I added another border as I wanted a larger quilt, and had just the perfect fabric for it.
Unfortunately the photo doesn't really do the fabrics justice, it is much richer! I think the overhead lighting makes it look a bit washed out! It measures approx 1.60m (64") wide and 2.00m (68") long.
This is the back.
I just love the snake prints, they are my favourite!!! I pieced it in April 2004, prepared the backing, binding and batt and folded it up and neglected it completely....until now!!!
I had no idea at the time how I was going to quilt it, I think that was probably the stumbling block, but now that I have access to a long-arm quilting service from a local lady, who does a great job, I'm now retrieving long forgotten treasures!
A couple of close-ups shots taken outside, where the quilting can be seen more clearly in the dappled sunlight!
I made another quilt using these type of fabrics, it is more square approx 2.00m.sq. It will be seeing the long-arm quilter too! but it's a couple of years younger than this one!!!
New Zealand's Maori art and design has also been captured on fabric so several years ago I decided to buy a kit from NZ. I don't usually buy kits as I find the fabric cuts can be a bit lean, but I thought I'd give it a go! (If you look closely you can see where I had to add a darker piece to complete the binding on the top of the wall-hanging - and I'm a very careful cutter!).
The pattern is called "Kowhaiwhai", which in Maori means 'visual art', 'pattern' or 'design'. It was a design by Libby Shallard, Rotorua, NZ, 2002.
I really loved this design, it also incorporated a lot of new techniques for me such as using fusible webbing, machine applique, some fabric weaving (representative of flax weaving for baskets or mats) and creating that iconic NZ fern, which took a bit of thinking through to get the result I was after.
I love the 'koru' as well, the pattern that represents the unfurled coils of the New Zealand fern fronds, which is used in a lot of Maori art works, jewellery and carving!
I used a mixture of hand quilting and machine work, but mostly hand quilting in the central part of the wall-hanging.
I took my time with this one as well! I started it in 2006 but didn't get it completed until April 2008.
It now hangs in my living room. (I'm beginning to see a pattern here! LOL, April must be a good month for me to finish things.....)
I'm generally a traditionalist and like old style prints, both English and American, but there is something nice about these Indigenous designs, and I appreciate their organic beauty, both from my birth country and my adopted country!
I hope you all have a safe, happy week and am able to keep your sewing machine company for some of the time!!!
Thankyou for dropping by,
Take care,
Merilyn
10 comments:
It is so fun to see the many faces of a quilter! I love your quilts made with the indigenous prints.
Your CW blocks inspire me. Love the color choices.
Goodness gracious! So may varied quilts by one person!
And CW block is lovely ... as always!
Love the fabric you chose for the Civil War BOW! I just bought a fat quarter of that blue multi-diamond design at a quilt show this past weekend. The other quilts you have are wonderful as well. Quite a diversity!
Your dog road rescue story pulled at my heart. your are an animal angel.
Your latest CW block is striking, I love that red. Is it a Nancy Gere fabric?
Thank you for showing all your beautiful work. I agree with Barbara, the variation within your work is wonderful.
How fun to resurrect an older quilt top!!
Love your CW blocks too.
Love this weeks CW BOW block and the handle finishes the basket off nicely. And, two very beautiful quilts!!
Hello Merilyn, enjoyed reading your post...beautiful work.....I too am enjoying making the Civil War Quilt blocks....and I am unsure of how the overall quilt will turn out with my colour selections...Warm Regards, Lyn
Your fabric print and color choices are beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
Love your fabric choices for the CW blocks. I gave up on that project after 2 weeks:/ Good for you for sticking with it. Your quilts with the Australian Indigenous fabrics are stunning! I spent some time looking back at your posts and found them very interesting and helpful - great pincushions and loved the dog story. You sure did your good deed!
Your NZ quilt is wonderful...loved looking at all the techniques you used and the close-up shots of the fabric are great!
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