Claire’s quilt is on her way to her now.
This quilt was made with blocks contributed by the members of the do. Good stitches {a Charity Bee} on flickr in a break from regular programming. Generally the quilts are designed and blocks joined to tops and quilted and bound by the ‘quilter’ members all of whom are based in the US but I asked and the group agreed to make an exception to normal progress in the face of the natural disaster playing out in Queensland at the time.
Sadly these disasters have become all too common in more recent times.
Inspired by this quilt I asked for Disappearing 9 patch blocks with a white centre in varying sizes, with the tutorial posted here. These were sashed with more white and squared to 19.5” and then sewed together in a 3x5 grid. This has yielded an almost 60” x 90” quilt that is the perfect size of an Australian King Single sized bed (or large couch quilt if that is more Claire’s style).
It is backed in a wide cotton fabric from IKEA and bound with Kona Coal (this gives a nice contrast frame to the front and blends well with the backing.
I have quilted it in a unmarked grid style with each stitching row being about 6” apart (and much straighter than I thought it would be when I started)
It is labelled and dated on the back – label created in Kona Snow with fabric stamping ink and has survived one wash so far.
I am so pleased to have this quilt on the way to a young person that deserves more than most a nice surprise and a metaphoric pat on the back. Since this quilt has been started Claire’s family has had to move house and pressures that predate the flood continue. I hope the arrival of an unexpected parcel cheers her and that she likes the colours and design of the quilt.
I would also like to publicly thank Julie at this point as well. Julie, herself a resident of a flood affected area, wrote an email to Toni from Make it Perfect that inspired the Flood Relief Auctions. When I went looking for a recipient for the quilt Julie, living in the area, was able to find such a person for me. She has also very generously made two extra quilts, one for each of Claire’s younger brothers that will be delivered later this week as well.
So thank you to all the members of the do. Good Stitches {a Charity Bee} and Julie and best wishes to Claire and her family.
I have been turning the block I received from the Faith circle members of the do. Good Stitches {a Charity Bee} into a quilt top ready to have it finished and on the way to Claire by the end of the month.
I asked for disappearing nine patch blocks in spring colours and wrote up a very quick tutorial in this post. I have been adding the white borders over the last couple of days and sewing the rows together.
At the beginning I was going for a double sided 3x3 grid. With each of the boarded blocks being 18.5" finished this would have ended up about 55" square, and double sided. But too small I think.
The other option in mind was to make the front in a 3x4 grid and have a single row on the back, or maybe two if I made two extra blocks (or the two in the mail turn up*). The quilt would end up more of a single bed size then and still be reversible but different on both sides. But I was still worried it would be just too narrow or too short.
In the end I went with a 3x5 layout, meaing the quilt will finish at 55.5"x92.5".
With the two most common single mattress sizes in Australia being 36"x74" or 42"x80" I'm hoping it will serve a purpose in this layout.
The plan is to quilt it in grid style with organic straight lines about 6" apart, I just need to get a backing first. I am thinking an IKEA cotton fabric. I really don't want seams in the back and I think the aesthetic in some of the Scandinavian prints might be just right.
*Note: I want to, for clarity, make it very clear I am not having a jab at anyone in my bee for blocks not arriving but Australia Post. In the last 2 months 3 items I am aware of have simply not arrived, two to my home and one to the post office box. This includes a Registered Post parcel that I am told I signed for, except at the time I was 50km away in a meeting at work.
The next three blocks up for the Quilt Bloggers Block-a-Palooza hosted by Quilt Dad, John - now I finally have the pictures taken.
Bock 8 Basket of Geese by Angela from Angela Yosten: Moda, Home, Mom featured some applique. Not a worry (remember the Doll Quilt Petals - they are coming along by the way). I was going to needle turn mine (with the recommended fusible web for stability (fiddly with such small pieces). Why would I bother? I wash my quilts in the machine and I just don't like having raw edges on something that gets that punished. In the end though the triangle wouldn't sit flat with such small pieces so I machine blanket stitched them. Hopefully they hold up OK.
Block 9 Lemonade Stand by Scott from Blue Nickel Studios was more Flying Geese.
Did you know before I started this quilt along I had never made a Flying Geese unit? Course not, why would you? Well, when it came to triangles I was all half-square. But I might be adding a new unit to my repertoire. I think I like the version of construction in this block the best. Yes it is easier to join the squares to a rectangle and trim but there is waste, in that method and I don't like waste. And yes it is a little harder to have this unit end up square and the points to be all in a line but I'm usually up for a challenge.
The latest, from Thursday, was designed by Amy from Amy's Creative side. I like this block, I can imagine this being a whole quilt with the blocks turned different ways.
I wonder what is in store for us on Monday (or most likely Tuesday morning here in Australia)?
