Sunday, January 16, 2011

"An Oldie but a Goodie" as Janet says

Janet always has a way with words and when she described working on one of her older W'sIP as an oldie but goodie , I realised it was exactly what I was doing, sounds much better than a WIP don't you agree.
I am not sure if you remember this oldie, I began it many years ago and only got the centre pieced and the border blocks that were also hand pieced done.
You see I love piecing , especially by hand but this quilt has a border between the centre and the outside pieced blocks that is applique and as much as I love applique, I didn't think I was much chop at it.
I have read many blogs explaining needleturn applique, I have attempted it but it was never up to the standard that I felt it should be.
Anyway this past holiday I decided that I was going to master it and the only way that would happen was for me to keep at it. After all Rome was not built in a day.
I also read on Alma's blog that the only way to be any good at needleturn applique was to do needleturn applique.
Thankfully I had kept all the fabrics I had used in the centre and outside blocks together , when I gathered up my sewing room (not quite but I think Mr L&R thought so when he was packing the car) to come on holiday , the basket was ready.
I spent an entire day preparing all the pieces for one border. I had already made loads of bias for the stems.


by this stage I was getting quite excited to begin appliqueing. In my head I had it perfected, a shame in reality it wasn't quite that way.

I also finished all of the outside blocks, I needed to add the corners to square up the blocks.






Just prior to Christmas I visited the gorgeous Lizzie and her sewing friends and took this oldie along with me because this block containing this pear fabric is where our friendship began.
I posted this block way back , Lizzie sent me an email asking where I had bought the fabric as Lizzie also has a love of pears. I only ever had a fat 1/16th as it had been included in my fabric club from Patchwork on Stonleigh. After using it in this block there was only scraps left but sent these scraps to Lizzie and so our friendship began.









Here is the result of my applique and whilst it is not perfect I am quite happy with the outcome and realise that practise will make a difference. I am now on a roll and my goal is to have this quilt finished this year.






I have managed to do some reverse sewing a couple of times and I can see a lonely leaf here that needs to be removed and re done.








I'll keep you posted with my progress.
Until next time happiness in your sewing
j



37 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh I love your quilt, it is going to be beautiful and you are doing really well with the applique, keep it up.

Yes I too have the pear fabric and also have it in blue, love it.
I am very sad to see that Patchwork on Stoneleigh is closing, but I can understand.
Happy in stitching
Christine

Nicky said...

Your needleturn is lovely, your quilt is looking beautiful. I too had hoped that my needleturn would be perfect from the beginning. lol
I now realise it's going to take a while!

broderie said...

now i know how busy you have been on your holiday! mr l&r must be doing all the cooking, washing and ironing and giving out your medicinal needs! well done jean, it looks 'so gorgeous' and because of that little bit of pear fabric i have found a 'new very best friend' !!!

Unknown said...

I love this quilt, is this an orginal or do you know the name of it. Needleturn aaplique is one of my favourite pastimes but unfortuately not the hand quilting that follows

Erin in MI said...

You are doing a wonderful job with your applique! I can't wait to see this one put together, the parts look beautiful!

Thimbleanna said...

Wow. It's ALL beautiful. I love the blocks. And your applique is so pretty too. I look forward to watching you finish your quilt.

Janet said...

It's looking gorgeous Jean, I especially love your applique border. I do believe you have the hang of it!

Bertie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Bertie said...

Your appliqué looks fabulous Jean and it will be a piece of art once it's finished. The blocks are so unusual, I do like the Toile you use as well:))

Dorothy said...

I definately agree that the more you needleturn the happier you will be and you'll never go back to buttonhole stitch.
I love the bright fresh colours of your fabrics.
ps. I also have the pear fabric!

antique quilter said...

needleturn is my favorite way to applique I agree its all about practice and just getting comfortable with any new method.
I just love that border, beautiful fabrics as always, you have such a way with fabrics...
and sure looks like you have accomplished learning needleturn your stitches look wonderful
keep going and please keep sharing
Kathie

Adele said...

You do make beautiful quilts its gorgeous and very fresh looking. I too am going to miss Stonleigh. Christine and Susan were very good to me while my Mum was having Chemo. I used to ring the shop and i had Christine deliver me what i wanted and im going to miss Summer School I have finished my English Autumm to Jan and just have to quilt it. I have a metre of the pear fabric in brown, blue and red i will use it some day for that SPECIAL Quilt.

Adele xx

sie tut es auch said...

well done Jean, it looks so beautiful!!
one of my goals for 2011 is to practice and practice and practice my needle turn ;o)

Anonymous said...

All the elements look gorgeous Jean - I am sure they will work wonderfully well together. Your needleturn is looking very good - keep up the great work! K

Nedra said...

I remember when you started the hexagons, especially the ones that are fussy cut so well. And from here, your applique looks perfect.

ranette said...

Oh my Jean, me thinks you are much too hard on yourself!

Beautiful fabric and lovely applique....I just love the look that you get with the fussy cutting.

It's wonderful that a piece of fabric can start a friendship! I just love that!!!!

Una said...

Oh, Jean - it is so beautiful!The border is breathtaking, and I find myself smiling when gazing at the colors and shapes... Will follow your progress with much delight:)

Cardygirl said...

The quilt is stunning & I think it is right that the only way you get skilled at needleturn is to do it. I love your embroidered touches too.

Nyla said...

Wow, I'm loving the look of this quilt, just beautiful! Love the friendship story too, how wonderful. Your applique is looking great and the embroidery gives it that extra touch! You have such a way with fabrics, Jean, this is going to be a beauty!

Mannick...91 said...

I love : Your work is always so beautiful and made with great precision.
Annick

Sue-Anne said...

This quilt is going to be stunning! Your applique looks great and as they say, practise makes perfect. I love all the fabrics you have used and can't wait to watch the next instalment!

Daniëlle said...

Oh Jean .. sigh .. sigh .. it is lovely!! Ok, will grant you the leaf but your stitches look ok!!! they really do!!! Are you using the Roxanne glue to keep the fabric in place?? I can't do without hihihi!! It is going to be a gorgeous quilt, love the design! Have fun and don't forget to enjoy while you do those tiny stitches! XXXD

Anonymous said...

Just love your quilt in progress. Stunning design and colours. Would love to buy the pattern! Very inspiring, Regards, Simone.

Dixie Howard said...

Just lovely! Your applique is coming along quite nicely. I love the organic feel of doing needleturn applique.

Janet said...

What a pretty applique border you are working on! I love your fabric choices.

Anonymous said...

Hi, this looks like Karen Cunningham quilt, english garden or English Autumn, sorry can not remember the name, I started this quilt years ago with Karen and love it, you have inspired me to get back on to it. just the applique border to go. A friend also did the centre as a large quilt and it also came out looking amazing. PS love your colours, stunning.

sunporchquilts said...

What a beautiful quilt! Your applique looks great. You should also try the "starch prep" method, a la Karen Kay Buckley. I much prefer it, it seems to go much faster and is more accurate. And you don't get all those crazy thread clippings all over either!

sunporchquilts said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
RG said...

Jean it's really beautiful :-)
I love your work!
How are you?

Yelena said...

The quilt is looking amazing , well done. I have also been pulling out some " oldies " and am enjoying the new inspiration that is coming with them.

Beginning Quilting said...

The needleturn is really beautiful. You're absolutely doing a great job with your applique. I adore your quilt. Thank you very much for sharing photos of your work. You're such an inspiration! Keep up the good work!

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

beautiful!!!!1 its' gorgeous! I love needle turn applique... I'm not very good at it, bu tit doesn't stop me from trying..... ;-) your quilt is divine!

elsy said...

lovely blog..very inspiring...have settled down with a cuppa for a good read!

Mary Lou Weidman said...

BOY those fabrics are just wonderful in every single way....wish I had you next door to pick out some fabric for me!
Love your blog

Anonymous said...

What an unusual and amazing quilt! The color combination's and fabrics/patterns are so unique, I think I am in love =)

Sharyn from Melbourne said...

Just wondering where you are Jean, and what you are up to - I realise that you are busy, but please just a quick blog xx

Janine said...

This is a lovely-looking quilt with harmonious fabrics and jolly nice needleturn applique too. I think perfection is overrated as well as unattainable! A bit of imperfection only adds to the charm of handmade things, I reckon. It's what sets them apart from the bland anonymous sameness of machine-made items.