Friday, 16 May 2014

A Day with Di

Last Saturday I was lucky enough to be invited by Sue Watters from I Sew Quilts blog for a days sewing with Di Ford Hall. Some of you may have Di's book Primarily Quilts published by Quiltmania and or are stitching her fabulous mystery quilt in the Quiltmania magazine.


We were to be starting the centre panel for a new quilt called Sutton Grange. I can tell you that up close and personal it is even more beautiful, a work in progress and will be stunning when finished. Di is most definitely the Queen of Fussy Cutting.


These were my fabrics auditioned to take with me with no idea how they would work.


Progress was made during the day and this was what I did. That little drunkard's path block is 2 1/4 inches and there are a lot of them to make. I am sure that with Di's method of stitching they will soon whip up.


During this week I have continued to work at it and auditioned various fabrics for the outer edge and this is my almost completed block. The edges are tacked ready for needleturning and then I need to think about the broderie perse. I also had great luck with the background fabric as my friend Marie just happened to have something that suited it perfectly. The search is on now for a border stripe.


It was a great day stitching with a group of lovely ladies, eating good food and yummy puddings and it was a privilege to see some of Di's quilts that we only get to admire via the internet.

Thank you Sue for inviting me and lucky me is spending the weekend at Cowslip with even more stitching with Di.

Happy Stitching.

Love Shirley.

23 comments:

  1. Oh wow Shirley that is gorgeous.
    Love the fussy cutting on the centre layers. Beautiful fabrics!

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  2. Wow Shirley, I'm so envious, I would have loved to be there with you!
    Enjoy the classes, I love Di's work.
    Julia

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  3. I'm envious too! What a fantastic experience and your block is so beautiful. I love all the fussy cutting you've done. Can't wait to see the next step.

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  4. I've already admired your block on IG. I'm going to Melbourne next month and I'm trying to get into a Di Ford fuzzy cutting class friend is already signed up for. Fingers crossed there's still a place for me!

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  5. Wow.....indeed !!
    It's beautiful Shirley.......
    And it's pink too........lol !!
    I bought her book when we went for our holiday last month at Threadbare quilt shop in Castlemaine.......
    A very , very lovely shop where Di does classes.
    One day I may get to do a class with her..........

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  6. Very pretty. I take it your doing all this by hand?

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  7. It's lovely Shirley! Your fabrics are wonderful together--I especially love that wavering one around the outside of the center. How fun to get to choose all those fussy cuts and how very lucky to get to spend a day with Di!

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  8. Oh my Shirley. Your block is gorgeous. What a stunning quilt it is going to be.

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  9. Last Saturday was a day to remember for sure and so glad you made the trip up the M5 to be here.
    Your Sutton Grange is going to be a stunner. Have fun at Cowslip and spending time with Di again. Three Di Fords quilts on the go at once that must be a records!!!!!!

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  10. Just noticed that when I click on my name someone else's blog comes up.

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  11. Your fabricks looks beautifull in this pattern!!!
    I started also with making this quilt..;0)
    And a day with Di..always great!!!
    Have a nice day

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  12. Oh wow Shirley, this is a beautiful quilt to make!
    I love de fussy cutting block you made.
    Have fun with this lovely quilt.
    I love Di Fords quilts!!

    Have a nice weekend,
    Evelyne

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  13. Wow Shirley, what a wonderful choice of fabrics for your fussy cut and gorgeous center !

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  14. How exciting to meet Di. I look forward to following your progress. The fabrics are just lovely!

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  15. What a dream come true! I bet it was a fun day! Was this a class or just a day of stitching? Love the fabrics you've chosen. That pop of darker red is just what it needed! It's been a long while since I've had time to catch up with blogging friends. So glad to be getting back in the swing of things!

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  16. I agree with all the others - wonderful choice of fabrics Shirley. I especially love the pale pink serpentine on the very outside of the finished block - wow - you are a natural at this! Having done this workshop in Australia - it is so exciting to hear about it the other side of the world.

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  17. What a beautiful quilt, it looks incredibly complex. Your colour choices go really well together and I love what you have done so far. You obviously had a wonderful day.

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  18. Looks like you had a wonderful weekend.

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  19. Gorgeous fabrics and a lovely picture of a beaming Shirley! You quilters, you amaze me with your talents:-)

    Stephanie

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  20. Shirley... I'm not just any old green with envy... I'm fluorescent!! Your block is absolutely fabulous... perfect fussy cutting... gorgeous fabric combo. Are you hand stitching? I've put a visit to Cowslip on my bucket list. Mind you I might be a gay old stick by the time I get there! Have a fabulous weekend stitching with Di... again! :o)) Hugs

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  21. Every time I see your lovely centre block I think
    perfection and prettiness... You are so clever with needle and fabric .... Happy you had a wonderful time with friends and fabric....

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  22. Lucky you to spend the day in a workshop with Di Ford. Your work is gorgeous, love the fabrics you are using - I look forward to seeing more!

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  23. This is stunning.. I love your fabric choices :-)

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