Got To Love a Quiltalong

I love quiltalongs, and find them very hard to resist. I'd been admiring the pattern Impromptu, which is a pattern designed for layer cakes, for a while.  Then when I saw that Katy at I'm a Ginger Monkey was hosting an Impromtu quiltalong I ordered the pattern and signed up.  I've done quiltalongs with Katy before and they are always fun, and there is no pressure to stick to a time line.  Katy was one of the hosts of the Tripalong which I have been really enjoying.

I am a layer cake queen and so thought I would have no problems digging out a layer cake from my stash.  I was surprised to find that I am down to 3 layer cakes, and none of them really suited what I had in mind.  Determined to use some of my stash, I had a look at my bundle of Birds and the Bees by Tula Pink.  I love Tula's fabrics but I have to say I find them quite difficult to use with the rest of my stash.  So I made the decision pick out mostly the dark green and blue prints from this line.  They needed a lift so I added just three of the purple prints.  I wanted to use a deep colour for the background, and whilst I considered using a dark green I thought that would make the quilt too drab.  Spotlight had this lovely teal colour, and it was even reduced in price so I went for it!

 

It's a quilt that uses two different blocks to make the pattern.  I've made all the 'A' blocks, and since these pictures were taken (at night and inside so they are not brilliant photos) I've made more 'B' blocks.  I only have three to go!  I am very happy that I've kept up with the quiltalong - so far!

The blocks will hopefully look like they are floating on the teal fabric.  The 'B' blocks are disappearing 9 patches, which are sashed with 1" strips and this has been trying my sewing skills!  Any little wavy sewing really shows.  There has been much unpicking and resewing!  I'm hoping the finished quilt will be worth it.  It's very striking in colour, and I think it will look great on a bed.  The quiltalong is being held on Flickr and there are some lovely quilts in the photos there.  It's a friendly group and fun to be part of.

Modernising A Classic

I'm pleased to announce I think I've found my blogging powers!  After taking 'blogging without obligation' to a new level, I have heaps to write about!  I've been very busy completing some quilts and working on some others on my very extensive long list on my sidebar.  I also seem to have started a couple of new quilts!

I'm happy to share these photos taken at a recent Sunday sewing day with some friends.

We made Lisa Stipes Easy Peasy Felicity quilt, it's a lovely variation on a rail fence pattern.  I love rail fence quilts, and by varying the widths of the strips she's modernised this traditional pattern.  It's a free pattern on the quilt pattern resource site at Riley Blake, Cutting Corners.  They have some wonderful free patterns there!

This quilt is Chris's.  She made a Modrian inspired quilt.

Denise's quilt has the blocks laid out with the colours in diagonal lines.  The aqua, green and grey is such a lovely colour scheme and would look great in a contemporary home, draped on a lounge.

 

Diane used these cheerful fabrics.  This is a such a pretty quilt.

 

I made my quilt using some hoarded Tea Garden fabric by Dena Designs.  It's a riot of gorgeous rich colours, I'm going to give it to my daughter for her lounge room.