Round the Bend in Twelve Squares - part 1

As the title suggests, this project has 12 squares and a lot of bends to go around - in more ways than one!
This is another version of 'Learning Curves in 9 Squares'. All the quilting is done on white fabric but each square is framed by a border in the same colour as the thread.
So first task was to dye the border fabric and buy matching thread.

Intentions and outcomes don't always match up. The beautiful gradation from fuchsia, through purples to turquoise and slate blue ended up a clean break between pink/purple and blues. Of course, I could have started again, made a better job of the dyeing, re-ordered more matching thread ... but that would have required patience and perseverance - qualities that I believe I possess but obviously not in sufficient quantity in this instance!

My solution was to mix the colours up and let it be assumed that this was always the intention. You do assume that, don't you?!!

Each 12" square uses one motif - here Sticks and Stones. I deliberately made some of the 'bends' very narrow which results in a beautiful play of density and gives the impression of light and dark shades of colour...

although I have to say when I am trying to quilt that small there is a voice in my head saying 'you can not be serious!' I've put a pin in to give you an idea of size. I can see in this enlarged version that I have made a good mistake in the middle - but at original size in the whole piece I defy anyone to notice!!

The next square has the motif  'Fly Away Home',  named by Norma Schlager after the nursery rhyme Ladybird/Ladybug (depending which side of the Atlantic you are on).

Again, things got pretty tense - I mean dense here. Some of those circles are about the size of a pin head.

At some points the motif tapers down to a point. Obviously here I can't see what I'm doing - but then neither can you!! I just try to move the fabric in the idea of the pattern and even though I am almost stitching on the spot, there is a point where the sense of the pattern seems to emerge from the tangle.

Next 2 or 3 squares should be ready to post next week. Hope to see you then and thanks for stopping by..

Hilary Florence

Please find below a list of linky parties. I may not link with all of the every week, but with some of them most weeks. Please go and have a look at some of the other wonderful quilts and quilters there.

Linky Tuesday at Free motion by  the river­­­­ @ http://www.conniekresin.com/

WIP Wednesday at freshly pieced   @   http://www.freshlypieced.com/

WIP Wednesday at TN + TN  @  http://needleandthreadnetwork.blogspot.ca/

I Quilt Thursdays @ http://prettybobbins.com/

Off the wall Fridays @ http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.co.uk/

Lizzie Lenard @  http://lizzielenard-vintagesewing.blogspot.co.uk