While I may have been quiet, there has been a fair amount of quilt-related activity. The first thing I did was to get out a couple of stacks of pieces for the various Silent Garden variations I’m making as I … Continue reading
And I mean very slow progress! Although I had all the little white and red triangle units done and the four-patch units completed, I could only manage to sew one of these 9-patch blocks last night. Why so slow? Because … Continue reading
It seems I’m going to have to accept that this block takes longer to stitch than I think. This one took me about 75 minutes, so a bit faster than the night before. I’m still hoping I’ll find a stitching … Continue reading
The doll bed runner was finished and sent off and now it has been received and photos taken. Isn’t this doll bed gorgeous? It makes me want to design and make a whole bunch of mini quilts just for doll … Continue reading
Over the Christmas break, I also worked on the harpsichord quilt blocks. There are still many to be made, but I’m going to try to get them finished this year. 154 blocks are needed for the quilt top. I have … Continue reading
That’s about it. The total of my stitching on the weekend. One lonely harpsichord quilt block. I was so wiped out from the workload last week that even stitching seemed like too much work. I never say that! But that’s how … Continue reading
It has been ages since I’ve worked on these blocks but lately I’ve been thinking about just how much I know I’ll love this quilt when it’s done. So out came that project box and some new blocks were made. First up, a few blocks made with pink squares.
Then a few with green squares.
Some with blues.
A couple of purples, an orange and another blue.
There are still many, may blocks to be made. I’ve decided against joining them together as I go as I’d like to make sure I balance the colours in the layout as much as possible. At least by adding the outer octagon along two edges of each block, the joining should be rather quick once the layout is decided upon.
For those who haven’t followed my blog for long, the Harpsichord Quilt is inspired by both the original Lucy Boston Keyboard Patchwork and the amazing harpsichords we saw in the summer of 2008 which had the most incredible decorative artwork.
Baxter still brings his favourite toy to bed at night and sometimes leaves it there during the day. Yesterday we found out why. He likes to have it handy when he decides to stretch out for an afternoon snooze on the bed.
The Harpsichord Quilt has made its way to the top of the list to be worked on. I got a start by adding another block to the group of finished ones last night. Each side of the octagons are .75″. As the seams are so short, the block takes very little time to piece.
They take seconds to press.
My quilt is inspired by both the original Lucy Boston patchwork and the amazing harpsichords we saw, particularly the incredible decorative artwork that is on them. I wanted a brocade-type effect for the outer edge octagons, but didn’t want the darkness of the “right” side of the fabric, so decided I’m using the wrong side of that fabric.
As soon as I saw the Patchworks of Lucy Boston book, I fell in love with the Keyboard Patchwork. So when the .75-inch octagon Inklingo collection came out with the shapes for it, I had to get started on it. While they have sat for ages, it’s a project I want to get finished sooner rather than later.
This is another quilt in a box project. The glassine envelopes contain everything I need, including the threads I use when piecing these blocks.
Baxter lounging on the duvet. He loves to pounce on the duvet and will often bring his favourite toy in to play with.
One more Storm at Sea block has been completed. For fun, I put the completed ones up on my temporary design wall. Obviously I’m going to have to do a lot of arranging of the blocks, when they’re all completed, to get the effect I’m after. So far, though, I love the look of all those lovely luscious batiks!
Along with completing that one more Storm at Sea block, I made a few more of the Harpsichord blocks. The row on the far left has been joined, but the other blocks are not. There are still many blocks to be made for this top, but it feels good to be adding a few more to it weekly again.
One thing I’ve realized about the temporary design wall is that the spot it is in is probably an area of the apartment that has the worst possible lighting. Some rearranging may have to be done so that the design wall is in an area where there is better lighting available. Perhaps by a window?
Smudge was playing more with his favourite toy on Thursday, although in this picture he was reclining on the couch.
The baby quilt I was working on back in August and early September will finally be basted, hopefully this weekend. I was lucky enough to win a gift certificate, so used it to buy the fabric above for the backing. I couldn’t find an appropriate flannel but when I saw this fabric I couldn’t resist it. Perfect for a baby quilt, I think.
These 3 fabrics were also purchased with the gift certificate — what a treat! Initially I had thought the stripe on the far left would be perfect for the binding, but it’s too pink. I love using stripes to get different effects in pieced blocks and for bias binding, so this is a welcome addition to the stash even if it’s not used for this particular quilt. Lately I find I want to use a bit of black in almost every quilt I make, which explains the middle choice. The one on the far right intrigues me. I think I’ll have fun with it and already have an idea.
Thursday night I got out the completed blocks for the Harpsichord Quilt. I have a long way to go, but was pleasantly surprised when I realized I already had 2 of the vertical rows complete. The centres of the last three pink and cream big stars are done. If the weekend weather is as rainy and cold as they’re predicting, I think I may have at least 2 of the stars completed by Monday. Now I’m seeing the benefit of a large block as I may well have this top together by month end.
Smudge was chasing leaves on the windowsill for a while on Thursday morning and then peeked out from under the lace. We couldn’t resist this photo, even though it is a bit blurry.
Later on, Lester was on the windowsill.
Quilt Obsession 