I was able to sit down and sew in my craft room for a couple of hours yesterday, although it is far cooler downstairs in the kitchen which sits at the back of the house and is protected from the sun by having the old stables (utility and hall) in front of it. The big window of my sewing room faces due South and it gets hot up there. I was careful and sewed some good blocks, whilst listening to Diana Gabaldon's "Voyager", which I had downloaded this week after Audible's offer of 3 mths at 99p a month offered temptation I succumbed too. I don't mind paying that price - £8 off each month.
Lizzy D from Gone to the Beach asked to see my Baltimore Quilt border so I will oblige. Apologies to those who aren't quiltmakers. I began this at my patchwork class in the run up to Covid. I have been working very sporadically on quilting the borders since then - not helped by losing one of the hand-quilted borders in the move, and also the spare fabric. (Would you believe I found the spare fabric only last week? Too Late the maiden cried . . . ) I had to match as best I could, but of course it isn't perfect. I am hand-quilting the final long border at the moment.
Sorry it looks a bit washed out because of the strong sunlight. The old hexagon quilt is to catch the cat hairs . . .
Hand appliqued design, with tiny blanket stitches to fasten it in place.
The final long strip (70") which I work on in the evenings as I watch tv. Very soothing.
I will finally trim and machine stitch it all together and as the back looks a little messy with the strips sewn, I may put an extra backing over before edging. I'll see how it looks.
Well, it's grey and rainy this morning, and 19 deg. C and I can cope with that and shouldn't need to water round as mightily today.
Enjoy your weekend, all.
Oh Bovey, gorgeous-gorgeous-GORGEOUS!!!! I may not be a quiltmaker but I sure can appreciate those who are...and all the work they put into their craft. You did a wonderful job here! Bravo! ~Andrea xoxo
ReplyDeleteI am a quilter, that looks fantastic. I have just started to do some applique, making a cushion cover, starting with a small project first to get the hang of it, so to speak. Happy with the way it is looking so far, will post a photo when done. Love your header photo by the way.
ReplyDeleteWell, I can see not-quite-matched tiny corners and the occasional stitch "off" which annoys me, but hey ho, none of us are perfect. In retrospect I would blind hem/slip stitch the applique in future. Just popped across to your blog.
DeleteGlad you like the header - the lawn looks like a wild meadow at the moment but the gardener (weather permitting) is coming to mow it tomorrow but he knows me well enough to leave the areas of pretty wild flowers! The first gardener I had here (who used to garden for the previous owners) wouldn't do this when I asked him to avoid the Violets in the lawn, so he wasn't asked back. I thought I am PAYING you, and if I say leave that bit, then blardy LEAVE IT!
That quilt is quite beautiful. The idea of all that hand stitching...my vision doesn't really permit that anymore, but well done you!!!
ReplyDeleteI far prefer to stitch by hand and embroider as my brain doesn't concentrate enough to always piece properly on the sewing machine! I am fortunate to have reasonably good eyesight - I need glasses for reading and close work now, but can still spot a fly on the other side of the garden without any specs, and no macular degeneration.
DeleteBeautiful stitching! I do so envy you. I wonder who will finish my quilts now that I can no longer sew? It was a balmy {read as Very Uncomfortable} 29C inside the cottage through the night. Finally dropping to below 22C and cool.
ReplyDeleteThank you. It must be so frustrating to lose your dexterity. I know how much Keith missed doing his woodwork and furniture repairs. I wonder if there is a quilting group in your area who would take your quilts on as projects and to sell on your behalf in aid of the Parkinsons charity?
DeleteSO hot and muggy here and humid, and I can barely step out of doors. We've had a couple of swift showers but I am looking forward to lower temps and slow rain.
Beautiful quilt and lovely hand sewing. I enjoyed the close up pics, thanks so much!
ReplyDeletelizzy
I am sure I have posted it before, but you did ask :) Hope it's cool enough for you to be sat outside on the deck with your hand sewing.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous quilt. My hands can't sew much anymore due to arthritis, but I still manage some. A quilt would be beyond my skills. You have a lovely garden as well. Cought up on your previous post. Is that Alfie in the one photo?
ReplyDeleteThank you. What a shame you have such bad arthritis. I am fortunate - just a little in my neck which stops me looking up/hanging things up high, and one slightly wonky/stiff finger.
DeleteI love my garden - just been out dead heading "some" of the roses. They have been splendid this year due to having lots of food, and the spring being so good.
Yes, the ginger and white one is Alfie. Lulu was with him in the header photo.