Tuesday 9 July 2013

Whig's Defeated

On Friday we had the greatest luck to have a workshop with Barbara Chainey who was going to put us through our paces and show us how to make the Whig's Defeat block. It was a lovely sunny day, very warm, not what we have been used to but with the ceiling fans going full blast, all doors wide open we enjoyed a most informative day. Lots of tips and advice given throughout the day and fortified with tea and freshly picked strawberries saw Barbara's energy levels maintained. She left deepest Middle England at 5.00am to make it in good time for us at 9.30am.

Here is Barbara showing sections of the block. Talking us through the sections of what goes where.


This is the same block but with a different placement of colours. Very different effects can be achieved with colour placement.


This is Jacqui's block looking very bold and adventurous.


Janet from the previous post used very soft shades of  fabric with a deep purple. Thank you for all your wonderful comments regarding Janet's Race Track Quilt.



Ann's block taking shape and the pretty feet belong to Ann's daughter Emma.
 
Kathryn hiding behind her block and blending in beautifully.


Marie's block looking very pretty. I say that because I have some of those fabrics and I was drooling over them. Marie's summery dress was very pretty too and she was lucky to go home with it intact.


Emma's version is on the table and you can see it in the foreground. It would work fabulously with the décor of the hall.


Much discussion on what goes where.


Diane's version.


I had to try something a little different. Still Whig's Defeat but based around a hexagon. What else would you expect from me? I can tell you there was a lot of muttering going on from where I was sitting and if only you place the small pieces the right way round then it all becomes quite simple. The pattern is very much a trial piece as it is based on an old quilt found on Pinterest.  The pattern was drafted by Barbara's partner in crime Chris Frances. That really will teach me not to send a Pinterest link to a friend who has a friend who is an expert in drafting patterns. I am using fabrics that were hand dyed by my friend Wendy. This version is called Lotus Blossom, the block is 20 inches and I think it is beautiful.


Back home and all the little pieces cut and placed in order. My husband is under strict instruction DO NOT TOUCH the table OR ELSE! Just hope now that the budgie doesn't swoop over them and scatter them on a downdraught.


All set out on the floor and apologies for the table leg and the plastic bag in the way. It did take me ALL day to do that one small section of points but once I got some sense of order the next piece went together in a very short time. My plan is to have the circle completed by the end of the week. Oh! A pig just flew over.


Outside of the Orangery is a magnificent Tulip Tree and it was in full bloom. We should never be stuck for ideas on how to put colours together, just look what nature does. Smelled lovely too.

 



We thoroughly enjoyed our day and have now defeated The Whig's. Easy when you know how. Barbara enjoyed it too as she had a personal guided tour around the beautiful old church and I wonder how soon we shall see some drawings inspired by her visit.
 
Thank You Barbara on behalf of everyone at Apple County Quilters.
 
Happy Stitching.
 
Shirley

23 comments:

  1. I am impressed with the productivity. All those blocks sewn by hand. Looks like a wonderful day.

    ReplyDelete
  2. All of the blocks looks wonderful. Always fantastic to spend the day with friends.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wonderful blocks, yours seem to be very hard to make, never see him before ...

    ReplyDelete
  4. Looks like a great class Shirley - how neat to see all the variations and what those different colour combinations can do. I am looking forward to seeing your hexagon-based one.... I must admit I had a little chuckle when you described your version!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. If I lived there, I would so have been at that workshop. Whigs Defeat is a block I've loved for a long time. I can't wait to see more of your version, it looks awesome even at the beginning stages.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love this block Shirley. Its the first time I have heard of it. Amazing how many patterns there are. Also love your colour choices.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Lovely lovely blocks in the making!!!!
    And I loved that tulip tree!!! Pretty!!
    kviltstina at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  8. They all look lovely and I really like your variation. And a photo of the elusive Barbara! She is very good at hiding when there's a camera about.

    I wish our Tulip Tree would flower, it's still pretending to grow though.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh wow, what a day you had! All the blocks in progress are fantastic, but to be honest, I love yours the best and I can't wait to see it finished (hope those pigs stop flying)!!! Did you piece the fan thingy by paper piecing or by hand?

    ReplyDelete
  10. Now that is my sort of day and what a wonderful block to hand piece. I am very impressed with your WIP and will look forward to seeing the finished block. By the way I hope that the pig was a pink one!!! Take care.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Your block is lovely--and looks a bit like your tulip tree blossom, just in different colors. But oh my, those are tiny looking pieces--hope the flying pig doesn't mix them up. Looks like you had a fun day!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Such a pretty block...! No pink? It looks like you had a wonderful day! I hope little Frank doesn't mind the heat too much...

    ReplyDelete
  13. I am very impressed, particularly with your variation. Not only have you been innovative but you even managed to get Barbara on camera!

    ReplyDelete
  14. The work all looks great Shirley. I wish I could have been there! Can't wait to see yours completed. How lucky was Barbara to be shown round the church, I have tried to get in a couple of times, but it's always locked.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Your pics look much better than mine! I was probably having too much fun bossing everyone around.... A really special day, thank you for organising it. We could ask Chris to draft a block called Pigs Delight ....??

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love the variation of the blocks. They all look great!

    Lovely week, Evelyne

    ReplyDelete
  17. Your block is amazing. So worth the time and effort. Sounds like a wonderful way to spend a day.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Sounds like the perfect day Shirley. Love seeing the different colours that everyone chooses for their projects.
    Your circle is going to look amazing. Hopefully Mick did not disturb any of your piles and incur the wrath of Shirley.
    Are you tuned into the cricket?

    ReplyDelete
  19. some beautiful colour combinations happening there. I love the blue with the red in the second photo. Your block is looking great, so many tiny pieces!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Lovely. Your version looks like a passionfruit flower. Very beautiful. x

    ReplyDelete
  21. What a treat to have a visit from Barbara. It's the sort of class I'd like to take...challenging and advanced! I love your version! Can't wait to see the finished block :o)

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'd love to have been in on that class. It looks as though it was a fabulous day.
    The lotus blossom block promises to be gorgeous.
    Margaret

    ReplyDelete
  23. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete