Friday, April 15, 2011

Quilt Update and Chocolate.

I really don't want to bore you too much with my new journey trying to make a simple quilt.
A simple quilt?
 I don't think there is such a thing.

Some of you indicated you would like to see my process...well here it is...
 My pieces are 8 inches square.
I found out the squares have to be cut quite the perfect size.
I had to sew them into a block of four.
 Yes, I am slowly learning some quilting terminology from my new best friend at the quilting store.
I have so much to learn...



Anyway, after I had sewed these blocks of four they looked like the beginnings of patchwork cushion covers
and just the right size!
I pegged them up on my shutters for a visual gluttonous display of a mis-matched florals.
 I used Andrea's  french inspired pegs (until I ran out of them) for that certain sense of style.


I really didn't want to take these down...
...but...
I had to sew these blocks together.



For the size I needed
I had to sew 5 blocks together in a line,
then that left me with 4 lines of blocks.
Those 4 lines of block - sewn together.
Hoping this all makes sense.

Voila all done!


The next stage is to sandwich the quilt with batting and backing fabric and then binding it. I notice that in Dee's post this morning she is clearly at the same stage and not looking so forward to it either!

I have chosen a strong cotton vintage floral sheet for my backing.
Not sure what I am binding all of these florals with -
maybe a plain black.

Hopefully the next quilt post will be when it is finished.


...and ...
I have a mortal confession to make.
I have already eaten more than half an Easter egg,
and it is not even Easter here yet...!!



I have some lovely vintage finds to share with you next week.
Take care and have a fabulous weekend.
Pam

21 comments:

Fishtail Cottage said...

you make me want to learn to quilt - i'd love to have one of those chinzy floral quilts to snuggle up with! oxox, tracie

Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Life said...

Oooooo.... the colors and patterns in your quilt squares are luscious! I really look forward to seeing the finished product.

I can only imagine quilting... I've helped my mom with some of hers -- I love the finished product -- BUT I can't imagine cutting all that fabric into tiny pieces and then sewing them back together in. Such patience, such diligence, such creativity.

No wonder you need to start on those chocolate eggs... LOL!

Cornflakes and Honey said...

Girl after my own heart, well done you for digging into the Easter eggs early :-) (trust me to focus on the chocolate part first!)

Your quilt is going to look amazing with all those lovely fabrics. I love the way you have hung up the blocks of 4 with french pegs. Looks like a big task but if anyone can do it, you can!

Hope you have a lovely weekend and look forward to seeing the final product. x

Makeminemidcentury said...

Pam, last night I cracked open a bag of Easter eggs which the Easter Bunny was to distribute to the children. I felt guilty for the duration of eating about two eggs.

Your quilt is looking beatiful.

Have you thought of binding it with some gingham? Pink or green? I saw a vintage patchwork quilt bound with gingham (on the babyspace blog, from memory) and it looked lovely.

It's a lot of work!

**Anne** said...

I think it's wonderful you are blogging about the challenges of learning a new craft. We see many lovely things in blog land made by people who are competent in their craft, so it is refreshing to travel along with you as you learn a new skill.
Shock, horror, you've eaten half an Easter egg? :) Whatever will we do with you Pam? Go eat some more and enjoy. And have one for me too please. :)
Happy quilting and cholating,
Anne xx

Blondie's Journal said...

I have to say it again...I LOVE your fabrics!

XO,
Jane

Anonymous said...

interesting curtains there pam! new style? can't wait to see your quilt! put the chocolate away girl, you are making my mouth water!

x

A Treasured Past said...

Hi Pam, it is looking gorgeous, especially love the photos of the fabric against the shutters.

I have passed you the Kreativ Blogger award if you want to pick it up :) (second last post)

Have a good one, Tam x

Ky said...

I'm so impressed! I can't wait to see the finished product.

Now I want to go get myself a big easter egg to hoe into. I'm having an off day so maybe some chocolate will make me feel a little better.

Have a lovely weekend, Pam.
xx

Naturally Carol said...

Now I don't feel quite as guilty..I was just sitting here snacking on dark choc and peppermint marshmallow eggs..yum! What a pity you had to take those georgeous squares down..i love the way the light looked coming through the fabrics.

Unknown said...

LOL as long as you enjoyed the egg ;-)bless you. Wow you have made your quilt top so fast love the idea of the blocks together its looking really beautiful love your fabrics so very pretty. I love seeing other peoples quilt and the stages i find it encouraging and it real helps me. I am going to try and tackle the quilting today but i will have to do mine all by hand as there's no way i will manage to do the hexagons on my old machine but i am not going to be scared by it...well here's hoping ;-))good luck with yours. dee x

Unknown said...

It looks lovely, you are doing a great job...and dont feel bad about eating easter egg, I actually pigged out on quite alot of the little eggs today and I now bad...but they were yummy!

Rose H (UK) said...

The qulit's coming on a treat. As for the egg Pam...you HAD to eat it so that you could see the glorious pattern on that plate again!
;o)

Jodie @ The Haby Goddess said...

Pam your vintage fabric combinations look divine and I'm sure it will look stunning when finished. I have never made a quilt either!

Caterina Giglio said...

ah but chocolate calls out to us from wherever it is stored and says ..... eat me.... : D

Deb said...

I love your quilt and think I'm going to try a similar one.
As for the Easter candy, I can't even buy it until the day before now!

Claus said...

There is certainly NOTHING simple about anything involving sewing, needle and thread!...at least for yours truly :o)) I read you, and was what?! Yep, I'm that clueless when it comes to that topic. What can I say? It's not my strong point at all! So for me, you are in the process of making a piece of art! The fabric is beautiful! and it will definitely turn out into something gorgeous. There are times, I promise you, that I wish I could sew. I would be all over the place making pillow, curtains, bed covers...
Chocolate...thank goodness there is not such thing as chocolate/sweet Easter here! It's more religious around this part of the world, and nothing to do with candy. Otherwise, I'll be eaten more chocolate eggs than you by now! :o) Enjoy them!
have a lovely day.

Caroline Lovis (Redneedle) said...

I'm so impressed with your quilt so far. It's great to try new things isn't it? I echo the earlier post from 'Anne' in that it's lovely to be able to learn with you. Well done you. I feel an urge coming on to make one myself.

Tiff said...

Those patchwork squares pegged to your shutters looks so gorgeous! I wouldn't want to take them down either! I am so inspired by your project Pam! I think I could do it so far, I think the next bit might be tricky.... I am a bit hazy about what you do to finish it off so I am looking forward to seeing the next bit! X

Brenda Pruitt said...

I'll share a little secret I learned when piecing blocks, though you might not have had the same problem I did. I always ended up with the corners not matching up. So I started whip-stitching the corners together before I sewed the seams of the blocks. Then I could just turn it over and see if they lined up properly before I sewed!
Brenda

Aunty Bee said...

Love the quilt, love the blog and it's so nice to see your just over the ditch. I have been quilting for 20 years and I hate the putting it together stage the most, along with the eternal dilemma hand stitch or machine, and I'm totally hopeless at machine quilting. Bee