I was reminded last week that one of my resolutions or intentions for 2018 was to finish off all those half finished or just started projects I have lurking around... and there are a lot of them which I'm not sure says much for my attention span!
Long time readers will know that I'm not really a patchwork and quilter although I'm often irresistibly drawn to beautiful piles of fabric and lured into believing that I will be able to make something fabulous with them. This was the case a few years ago at the Festival of Quilts when I bought these gorgeous shot cottons from Oakshott Fabrics.
My intention was to make a table runner with some place mats but I forged ahead without much of a plan and cut out lots of rectangular pieces to make log cabin blocks and at the time I may have even made up a couple of the blocks. And then it was all put into a bag and put away in a drawer while I plunged myself with enthusiasm into the next thing to grab my interest. Occasionally it would come out again and I would have to remind myself of the process all over again and try to remember if I had a plan for the end result but I never got very far until this week.
I finished all the blocks, twenty one in total and it was time to decide how to put them together. It was then I realised if I wanted a runner plus place mats I probably should have had more of a plan before cutting out the fabric in the first place. So instead I just stitched them all together and decided to see what I ended up with. To be honest I was just happy that things lined up and corners more or less came together.. for an ex-mathematician my accuracy in cutting and sewing up leaves a lot to be desired!
And so here it is... possibly the wrong proportions for a table runner (without mats unless I invest in more fabric), certainly too small to be a quilt but maybe it will end up as a wall hanging? All suggestions most gratefully received! Of course, there is still the small matter of quilting, lining and binding so I'm nowhere near having finished this project but possibly a little closer than I was.
And talking of quilts does lead me very nicely into what I really need to tell you and that is I will be back at the Festival of Quilts this summer teaching two one hour workshops for Husqvarna on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th August. We will be making little needle cases decorated with free machine embroidery - everything is supplied, you just need to show up!
And what is more... I have a free ticket for the show to give away. If you would like a chance to win the ticket then please leave a comment and I will pick a name at random this time next week. Leave me a comment even if you don't want a ticket... I need ideas of what to do with that log cabin patchwork!
And while you are about it please remind me that I do not need to buy any more fabric at the Festival of Quilts this year!
I love the colours in your quilt and it would make a good hanging. I might even come to the FoQ this year, my first for a while, just to see you!
ReplyDeleteIt would be lovely to see you again!
DeleteWill definitely be going to FoQ but haven't sorted out which day yet. Hope to see you there.
ReplyDeleteThat would be lovely to see you!
DeleteI'll let you know when I've sorted which day. X
DeleteMy favourite colour combinations in one single quilt! I can see a little cot blanket, or a play mat maybe? Although of course it would be a shame to get all the gorgeous fabrics covered in toddler goo. Alternatively (with a little reconstruction, sorry), a table runner. I would probably make this two rows wide and longer with with the blocks freed, using any spare for a pot holder or two. Perfect.
ReplyDeleteI was planning to go to FoQ but I now I have a friend visiting from Switzerland and should probably not abandon her with my large family :-)
Have a good week x
I think you lost me on 'a little reconstruction' 😉
DeleteI would have loved to have met you at the FOQ
Your patchwork would make a lovely wall hanging! If you could see in my craft room you'd realise I was in no position to advise anyone on refraining from purchasing craft supplies!!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Don't enter me in the draw, as much as I'd love to attend it would probably be unlikely!
I think a wall hanging is what it is destined to be! It would have been lovely to have met you at the FOQ!
DeleteI love those colours, and you could probably still have your table runner and mats if you unpick one long row of blocks. The runner would be two rows of blocks and the other row would give seven mats. Always good to have a spare one!
ReplyDeleteI am not a quilter either but can't resist lovely fabric. It's an illness!
That was my original plan Heather but the individual blocks are not big enough for table mats and would need to be added to somehow. It all seemed to be too much effort!
DeleteLovely colours! Following along with Heather's suggestion, seeing as how you need to back the table runner and the placemats, couldn't you add another complete round of 'logs' to the front of each placemat with the backing fabric? Would that add enough to the individual blocks to make them large enough? Seems a shame not to have such a beautiful runner and placemat set on display. Just a thought.......
ReplyDeleteIt's the thought of both unpicking and then making more of those darn blocks! 😁
DeleteYour runner looks perfect on your table Gina! And sadly, I can't advise you that you don't need any fabric at the exhibition this year -- collecting fabric and actually using it are two different hobbies, so, I'm sure if you get some for your collection it will be perfectly justified! ;-D
ReplyDeleteNow why am I not surprised by your response to my fabric habit! 😁
DeleteI love the colour combo Gina and I am sure you will find a purpose for such a lovely thing = it would make a brilliant table runner and toning mats would set it off nicely. Like you, I am not a quilter but love having a dabble occasionally as the fabrics draw me to it! x Jo
ReplyDeleteI have decided not to rush it... which probably means it will stay in a bag for another three years!
DeleteYou can never have too much fabric Gina! I have just come back from the garden centre with 6 empty coffee sacks, I couldn't resist the temptation! Lovely post x
ReplyDeleteI look forward to seeing what you do with them Liz!
DeleteThis post and your comments about reconstruction tickled me. I too am supposed to be finishing not starting new projects, or buying fabric. My suggestion won't help. I'd buy some more fabric and make it larger! The colours are so warm and rich I'd want to make it big enough to get under on a cold grey day. It would make a lovely gift, no?
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful,time at FoQ. It's a while since I've been and I'd surely succumb if I went.
I prefer this suggestion to those that require unpicking!
DeleteI think I would go with it being a central panel in a tablecloth or just hang it.
ReplyDeleteAs for getting to see you at the Festival of Quilts, I would love to, but definitely not on the schedule for this year I'm afraid. It would be nice to see you sometime and maybe a trip out to Latvia instead :)
One day I will surprise you and come to Latvia. A friend has just been for a couple of days and loved it.
DeleteThe colours are lovely - no no no to unpicking - soul destroying after all your hard work. A wall hanging for your new home would be great. Would love a ticket to the Quilt show.
ReplyDeleteI like your thinking regarding the quilt!
DeleteBuy more fabric in a toning colour, and enlarge the quilt top by adding plain panels to the size of a single bed top. Wad, back and quilt very simply on the plain fabric - maybe tramlines 2" apart - around the central part. Add single thickness fabric to create drop down flaps for the each side and bottom of the bed, which will stop the quilt falling off the bed, but also not add too much weight. This will make a lovely summer weight quilt. It's definitely meant to be a quilt. Maybe a gift for a student?
ReplyDeleteNow that would have to be a very special student! But I am leaning toward the idea of making it bigger
DeleteWall hanging with some if your amazing embroidery would be fab-you-lus. Colours are zinging! Never been to the Festival of Quilts but it’s on my list of 70 by 70.
ReplyDeleteMaybe this year?
DeleteI love those colours Gina. So cheery. I think wall hanging too - for your new house.
ReplyDeleteThat would seem the least amount of work considering I am meant to be finishing projects
DeleteGorgeous pop of colour in that there project. No experience here of quilting (hence no need to enter my name in the draw) so am suggesting a smaller table.
ReplyDeleteLike your thinking! 😂
DeleteWould love to win the ticket... I could then help you buy more material. Ahem, I mean NOT buy more, of course.
ReplyDelete- Kate Bee
Of course not 😉. Hoping to get around to picking a winner today!
DeleteI know I started a comment few days ago, but I must have been interrupted by our new addition to the family! I love the colours and I think it will make a beautiful wall hanging. I'll bet you came home from the FAQ with more fabric. How could you resist???
ReplyDeleteI will try to resist!
Delete