I thought that you might like to see two of the quilts that I have made using Ruth McDowell's patterns. This one, Flower Garden, uses the patterns in "Pieced Flowers" which is one of my favourite books of all time. It was difficult to find suitable green fabrics - so many green fabrics look unnatural and rather ugly. I also had to stock up on gold and orange fabrics for the daylillies. A trip to Kisco in Leicester was a good source of unusual fabrics in fat quarters (ususally only small amounts are needed). I also enjoyed the freehand quilting with the coloured rayon threads. I did not use a binding but instead used a facing.
And here is my "Pieced Vegetable" quilt, with a blue background. There was a spate of stolen quilts at about this time - so the name of the quilt and my name as the maker are quilted into the border! The pumpkins and squash were good fun - just proves that almost any subject can be used as a colour study.
I thought that you might like to see two of the quilts that I have made using Ruth McDowell's patterns. This one, Flower Garden, uses the patterns in "Pieced Flowers" which is one of my favourite books of all time. It was difficult to find suitable green fabrics - so many green fabrics look unnatural and rather ugly. I also had to stock up on gold and orange fabrics for the daylillies. A trip to Kisco in Leicester was a good source of unusual fabrics in fat quarters (ususally only small amounts are needed). I also enjoyed the freehand quilting with the coloured rayon threads. I did not use a binding but instead used a facing.
And here is my "Pieced Vegetable" quilt, with a blue background. There was a spate of stolen quilts at about this time - so the name of the quilt and my name as the maker are quilted into the border! The pumpkins and squash were good fun - just proves that almost any subject can be used as a colour study.
Quite flamboyant....how big are they?
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing these bright colorful quilts. I've always admired Ruth Mcdowell's work and your quilts turned out terrific.
ReplyDeletePippa, your quilting is amazing. I love the freehand lines and motifs, it works so well with the designs in the quilt. Oh to be so brave to quilt like this!
ReplyDeleteThe veggies are my favourite of the two - there's not enough veg on quilts. As you say, they make an interesting colour study, just as interesting as flowers. Will we be seeing these at a show soon?
ReplyDeleteWell, with Blogger being "down" I had to repost this piece - and the comments were lost so I repeat them from the emails here. Susan, these quilts were made in 2002 and went to Sandown that year, where they won a 2nd I think (still have never won a first prize but not bothered!)
ReplyDeleteFabric Fantastique wrote: Quite flamboyant - how big are they?
The quilts measure 48 x 48 and 31 x 36 respectively.
Robin wrote: Thanks for sharing these bright colorful quilts. I've always admired Ruth McDowell's work and your quilts turned out terrific!
Sharon wrote: Pippa your quuilting is amazing. I love the freehand lines and motifs. It works so well with the designs in the quilt. Oh to be so brave to quilt like this!
Sharon, it took quite a lot of practice to get to the point where I felt relaxed about the freehand quilting - but I do enjoy it now, as long as it is unmarked designs. A glass of wine sometimes helped to "let rip" - and after a half an hour of machine quilting, I stop as I get tired and start to make mistakes. The big thing is, it really opens your eyes up to what others are achieving at the quilt shows - and I do look out for clever but easy ideas for FMQ. Pippa
If they were at Sandown Park in 2002 it explains why they feel a bit familar - it's quite likely I took photos of them (pre digital days)!
ReplyDeleteOooh Love your veggies - I have this book and have done the easier straight pieced veggies but would love to try those curved ones now I am a bit more experienced. Do you also have her book 'Piecing expanding the basics'? It is one on my shelf to work towards...
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