Be Careful for Asking for What you Want...

... you might just get it! The well know phrase is meant as a warning getting what we want doesn't always turn out quite as thrilling as we had expected. But in this case, I rather think it has.

In my post on 'Round the Bend in 12 Squares'...

...entered into the West Country Quilt Show, I said I secretly wanted the prize for Machine Quilting - and I got it - and I am thrilled!!

Thanks so much to Muv of Lizzy Lenard Vintage Sewing who went to the show on day one and emailed me this photo as soon as she got home.

So, with all this gold fabric I now have, I aggonised for a few days over a possible gold version - would it work without the change of colour per square? Would this or that be better? And then I got fed up with myself. Do you see Norma Shlager whinging over what might or might not work in her Skinny Wriggly series? No. Do you see Heather Pregger holding back on Tuning Fork Series? No. (Both series worth a visit - see my side bar) So stop whinging, prevaricating, procrastinating and just do it, and if it doesn't work, move on to number 3.

So here is the start of Round the Bend 2!
A few of you have asked how I get the lines to join together. Quite simply, I draw the whole thing out in one piece and then cut it up into squares.

Here it is once I've quilted in the lines. There is no way to mark this gold fabric without leaving a permanent line, so I've stitched it from the back...

... and here is a detail from the front. Then working from the front I can fill each square with pattern.

This is the top line, middle square, as yet with no binding. I start with sewing around the square as close to the edge as I can go to hold it all in place. It is quite useful to be able to start the design outside of the square when curves are involved, which you can see I have done at the top. Of course, this is only possible on and outside edge - it gets a bit tricky quilting at the other edges of the square.

 This is top row, right hand square. At the moment, my plan is to cut out the central unquilted curve that runs through the piece and have it black. That may change when I see it all together.

Here are the two squares side by side, as yet unbound. I think, as I feared, the change in pattern alone without a change in thread colour, is not going to be enough to distinguish the squares. However, I've started so I will finish!! 

Thanks for visiting...

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   

Finish Friday @ http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.co.uk/

Side-tracked

When I am working on plain white fabric as a background  one of my concerns is that it is - well just that - plain white. It doesn't have colour or the texture of dyed fabric to add interest. So I have been experimenting with adding texture, using scrunched up very find cotton.

It was also a lovely day, so I took the sewing machine into the garden.

Here is a close up of the final effect. The cotton is rushed and then stuck down to a backing fabric. I tried using both bondaweb and temporary glue spray and both work well, but for this larger piece I used bondaweb. I did quite a few trials of patterns to see which worked. Some are too fine and just get lost in the folds, but line, particularly across the fold work well. For a background, I always like to mix and match the patterns a bit, so I've used 3 here. The quilting has to also be quilt large.

The patterns are more obvious from the back. I also had to quilt this from the back, to avoid getting the quilting foot caught up in the folds.

Here is back and front together to see the contrast. I really like this. From a distance what you get is a much stronger, more vibrant texture than quilting alone will provide. As you come closer, variations in pattern become clearer and draw you in.

I have in mind some pieced neutrals to applique onto this. I'm going to call it 'Sidetracked' because the piecing will look a bit like tracks - but also I am of course getting sidetracked from my show quilt for the Birmingham Festival of Quilts. Some ideas won't wait to come out!

And talking of show quilts, the two quilts I sent of to the Malvern Quilt Show have returned. As well as 'White on Black, Black on White' that I blogged about a couple of weeks ago, I had also entered 'Fracture' into the small wall hanging category

There were no judges comments, but 'Fracture' came back with a 'judge's merit' rosette. I am really thrilled as I was afraid my ribbon for 'Square Spiral' might be a one off. So now I should get back to the FOQ quilt (to be named Cosmic Split) - or maybe I'll just get sidetracked again!!

Thanks for dropping 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.

Anything goes Mondays @ http://marelize-ries.blogspot.co.uk/

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

Fabric Tuesday @http://quiltstory.blogspot.co.uk/    

Sew cute Tuesday @ http://www.blossomheartquilts.com/ 

Let’s Bee Social @ http://sewfreshquilts.blogspot.co.uk

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

WOW = WIPs on Wednesdays  @ http://www.estheraliu.blogspot.co.uk/  

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

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

Really Random Thursdays @ http://www.liveacolorfullife.net/

Needle and Thread Thursday @ http://myquiltinfatuation.blogspot.co.uk/

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

Fabric Frenzy Friday @ http://fortworthfabricstudio.blogspot.co.uk

Friday linky party @ http://www.confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.co.uk/
Lizzie Lenard @http://lizzielenard-vintagesewing.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/where-has-free-motion-friday-gone.html

Sticks and Stones - the 8th Learning Curves in 9 Squares

After the excitement of my first ribbon, back to the next of the 'Learning Curves in 9 Squares' - Sticks and Stones.

I love this design. Quilted small the 'sticks' and 'stones' become the same size, creating a dense texture and making the colour seem darker at that point. Give it more space and the whole thing opens up and breaths. The spiral unwinds a little. The sticks protrude and acquire a cheeky curve at the base. It is excellent for going around curves, from the gentle meander to the absolute U turn, as demonstrated here. Despite the stitching being in a lovely deep buttery yellow, this colour suffers the same fate as the other pale ones, namely that it can not be seen from a distance. I'm sad about that because I love the freshness of the buttercup yellow on white.

Time too for another FMQ cameo.

Wimbledon - fmq Cameo 34

Wimbledon is a variation on a pebble stitch. but is actually easier because there is no travelling. After completing the circle at the top an S shape gets us to the bottom of the circle ready to start the next one - giving an impression of a tennis ball - hence the name. It is a great background stitch and when the size of the balls is varied, as here, it also gives a good textural variety.

And last but not least, I now have the judges comments on 'Square Spiral'. I unintentionally provoked quite a few comments about judges comments - and I've also meet other quilters deflated by the label 'satisfactory'. I've spent a lifetime in education and for me, the importance of feedback is not just to praise or criticise, but to encourage growth and signpost how to reach potential. But that takes a lot of effort and time - maybe more time than quilt judges have?

Square Spiral - detail

I'm pleased to say I got very positive comments this time: "Wonderful workmanship. A really lovely quilt thoughtfully executed." My grades have gone from 'satisfactory' to 'very good' and 'excellent'. What this really teaches me is the importance of design. I don't believe for a moment that my quilting has improved 3 levels in 6 months, or the execution of an identical binding was just 'satisfactory' on my first show quilt, yet 'very good' on the second. But what I can see is that the design and overall visual impact of the second show quilt was much better - and that obviously influences all the other categories in the eyes of the judges. Which also teaches me not to take it all too seriously. I do it because I love it - and in the doing, I continue to learn.

In the meantime, the next show quilts are underway and I will be blogging about them soon.

Quite a long post today - so if you are still with me you deserve a ribbon too - or a least a cup to tea/coffee!

Thanks for dropping 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.

Anything goes Mondays @ http://marelize-ries.blogspot.co.uk/

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

Fabric Tuesday @http://quiltstory.blogspot.co.uk/    

Sew cute Tuesday @ http://www.blossomheartquilts.com/ 

Show and tell Tuesday @ http://ihavetosay.typepad.com/randi/

Let’s Bee Social @ http://sewfreshquilts.blogspot.co.uk

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

WOW = WIPs on Wednesdays  @ http://www.estheraliu.blogspot.co.uk/  

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

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

Really Random Thursdays @ http://www.liveacolorfullife.net/

Needle and Thread Thursday @ http://myquiltinfatuation.blogspot.co.uk/

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

Fabric Frenzy Friday @ http://fortworthfabricstudio.blogspot.co.uk
Friday linky party @ http://www.confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.co.uk/

The Big Reveal and a call from the Delightful Angela

A couple of weeks ago I related how the 'delightful Angela' had designed The British Quilt and Stitch show entry process to cater for the likes of me who get the dates muddled up and are in consequence late with their entry. I gave a sneak preview of my quilt 'Square Spiral' and promised to reveal the whole after the show.

So here it is!

Square Spiral

Sorry, not a great photo. I had to hold the camera above my head to get it all in and I couldn't see what I was doing! I did plan to try again before this post, but I haven't had the quilt back yet.

The great news is that I have had a phone call from the to-my-mind-now-even-more-delightful Angela to say that I had won second place in the wall hanging category! So, now I am awaiting not just the return of the quilt, but my first rosette too!

As you can see it is a whole cloth, quilted in black and white. It is done in the style of a log cabin and if I've counted correctly, it has 58 different original fmq designs. I did mark the boxes for each design, but they are stitched free hand without a ruler. Close up, the lines look a lot more wobbly! The boxes vary in width - a 1/4,  1/2,  3/4 of and inch, 1 inch and the widest is 11/2 inches. This alters the density of the design and gives the impression of darker and lighter lines.

Here are a couple more photos.

Add caption

I had a comment asking why I entered quilt shows and wondering about the impact of criticism from judges. For me, the reason is simple - to get known outside of local. I have had local exhibitions, sold in local galleries, demonstrated and given talks to local groups but never beyond. It is time to spread my wings! This blog also has that aim, but people have to find you first, and quilt shows seem like a good way to get seen.

My first attempt (a few months ago) came back with judges comments that my design was interesting and quilting good, and everything else 'satisfactory'. I have to say I did find that word most unsatisfactory! It felt like 'not bad enough to complain about, but beyond that...' There has to be a more encouraging descriptor - maybe 'shows promise'? 

Anyway, it didn't put me off, but it did mean I wasn't expecting to get anywhere this time. I was all the more surprised and thrilled to win second prize for my second show. As long as that relationship - i.e. third prize for third show, fourth for fourth... does not continue!!

Thanks for dropping 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.

Anything goes Mondays @ http://marelize-ries.blogspot.co.uk/

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

Fabric Tuesday @http://quiltstory.blogspot.co.uk/    

Sew cute Tuesday @ http://www.blossomheartquilts.com/ 

Show and tell Tuesday @ http://ihavetosay.typepad.com/randi/

Let’s Bee Social @ http://sewfreshquilts.blogspot.co.uk

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

WOW = WIPs on Wednesdays  @ http://www.estheraliu.blogspot.co.uk/  

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

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

Really Random Thursdays @ http://www.liveacolorfullife.net/

Needle and Thread Thursday @ http://myquiltinfatuation.blogspot.co.uk/

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

Fabric Frenzy Friday @ http://fortworthfabricstudio.blogspot.co.uk
Friday linky party @ http://www.confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.co.uk/