Di and Petra

The exhibition at Cowslip Workshops of Di Ford Hall and Petra Prins was something not to be missed. Something here for everyone and each one a work of art. Also included in the exhibition were quilts made by students. All beautifully displayed in this fabulous gallery space. A great meeting place too with so many familiar faces.

 

On my wish list to make is the gorgeous quilt on the wagon, one from Petra. Beautiful Dutch fabrics and big blocks.

 

Everywhere you looked there was a visual feast.

The quilt shown at the bottom left is one of Jo's.

This one is Pendle Hill by Di, looking magnificent after only seeing it in various stages of its creation at workshops. Think this one is my favourite but then I move on to the next quilt and change my mind.  Exquisite workmanship. 

  

There was also a talk with a show and tell of antique quilts belonging to Petra and both Di and Petra talking about their own quilts. There were so many quilts and this new app will only allow me five photo's. Nowhere near enough.

With hexagons now being popular virtually everywhere it was good to see these old ones from the 1800's. the one on the left was made of 1/2" hexagons and a quilt top. Disintegrated in places, wear and tear and stress from dye still did not detract from this beautiful piece of work. There is hope when seeing this that maybe not all our quilts have to be made up. Many were not quilted and simply left as they were or had a plain calico back and used as a coverlet.

 

I wonder what is next from this gorgeously talented and awesome duo. 

Happy Stitching.

Shirley.

Petra and China Blue

This gorgeous quilt is from Petra Prins's new book and all the stars are fussy cut from the Dutch Heritage fabrics. Right up my street. Petra was teaching this class at Cowslip Workshops and so I booked it. Petra's classes are always a delight.

 

Of course my version had to be pink. I changed the background fabric from the one in the kit and I am pleased with it.

 

It is not a big quilt, more cot sized I would say but these are 2" diamonds and hexagons so it will grow quickly.

 

In class, as we finished one star it had to be pinned to the wall and as you can see they all look amazing. My suggestion was that this would make a fabulous group quilt for charity.

 

At my sewing group Margaret's daughter has ventured into a cake making business and one of her products are these gorgeous quilt block inspired biscuits. Thought it went rather well with my not so mystery mystery quilt blocks. What is more, it was delicious. You can check out

www.emmas-scrumptious-cakes.co.uk

 

Happy Stitching

Shirley.

Our Ancient Mariners

It is hard to believe that a whole twelve months has flown by since our last workshop with the ever talented Di Ford Hall. In that time Di has had her 2nd book published by Quiltmania for which she made 14 quilts. Think she did it in two years but even so, how many of us can lay claim to completing them many quilts in that time? During this time she had a nasty altercation with one of her horses resulting in surgery on her shoulder. I think she is Wonder Woman.

This year I had two days with Di. This one was at Cheltenham with Sue Watters. As always it is a fabulous day. Sue is a great hostess.

I started this project from Di's new book and it is called Our Ancient Mariners. I used some of Di's fabrics and some from my stash.

 

I stitched like a demon in an effort to get the centre assembled for the next class which was at Cowslip Workshops in Cornwall. Di's classes are always relaxing and fun and made even more so by such a lovely group of people.

 

By the end of the day my centre was set into a square and some fussy cutting begun. Still to make progress on this but I am pleased with it.

 

At Sue's we bring food to share and it is always a wonderful feast.. we even managed enough sunshine to sit out and eat. 

 

I have just noticed in this photo that the door handles in the background look like they spell Di. How strange is that?

Lots more to show and tell coming up.

Happy Stitching.

Shirley.

Making Progress

Someone asked me the other day if I was still making hexagons. The answer. Yes, I am. I cannot imagine a life now where these shapes did not feature somwhere in it. Even my three year old granddaughter knows what hexagons are and how to make them. She sits on my knee and pulls the needle through for me. She is happy for a few minutes. So am I because it means I have made a few more.

My beautiful gifted box for a birthday present that contained toiletries has been and still is much used. It is the perfect box with a pull out tray to stash away bigger pieces. I could have sworn I had blogged about this box and project but think it was mainly on Instagram. If you follow Instagram then I am on there under stitcherydo.

 

I had this idea in my head of using low volume fabrics and my ever growing scraps and of course my beloved pinks and this beautiful charcoal grey print.

Lots of cutting and prepping.

All sections now constructed and ready to have their plainer counterparts stitched in. Plenty more of them to keep me busy.

 

Assembling has begun. One day all will be revealed. It took me quite some time drawing and redesigning the outer border to make it all fit. The middle bit was easy. I can also say that using up the scraps for the colourful hexagons did not leave much of a dent nor to my pile of low volume fabrics. 

 

Better get stitching. Lots more to do yet but, progress has definitely been made.

Happy Stitching.

Shirley.