This was a 3 week workshop at my local quilt shop a mere 10 years ago. I was going to be clever and do my sashing in black instead of white like everyone else. It was much later that I saw a picture of the original Austin Coverlet. The sashing is white. But ALAS . . . Jane and Cassandra never competed theirs so I am in good company. These were among the first reproduction fabrics I ever bought. A fat quarter bundle of Austin Reproductions. Each of the prints had names from the books.
Those triangles are 70 degrees. Not the common angle to stitch up with all those bias edges. We made a template for the center medallion and used it to measure against each section to make sure it was going to fit. I spent days arranging the fabrics to be exactly opposite each other then pinned onto the flannel backed table cloth. Clever idea. Until I put it in a box and forgot it existed. There are a lot of pins in there that could be used in another ufo.
Speaking of another ufo, I took time last night after my little boys went home to prep a few more blocks on the 1857 Album Quilt. Since I had decided to make only 36 blocks, I prepped 12 blocks with the corner leaves. These will be cut in half for the borders. If I stitch at least one leaf each day, it will take me until the beginning of December. If I stitch one block a day it will take me until the beginning of November. If I get off the computer, I could get one leaf stitched before I leave for a day filled with appointments.
I finally finished the leaves and buds here in this Beyond the Cherry Trees block. Now that I have back basted the wreath, I can start stitching around the outside. I find it easier to tuck in the extra convex outer curves first then spread out the concave inner circle after. I certainly am getting tired of those inny-outy tight curves on the leaves.
I did not get any stitching in before I left, but I got a pedicure, did some banking, filled the car with gas, had a chilly waterfit workout before getting groceries and dropping them off at home then indulged in a 90 minute deep massage. Sigh. I will sleep tonight. First night in a week with no little boys in the house. They are so cute but they do get a bit noisy in the night. Especially the three year old who has been sick. And the first term is half over.
Blessings,
Chris
Linking with: 17-ufos-for-2017
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I don't applique much but I was also taught to sew the convex outer circle first, too. Red and green are always a delight and more so as Christmas approaches. I didn't join the 17 in 2017 challenge but have been laughing at myself ever since as I've been on a finish-it-up binge. It is a relief to evaluate our old projects and move them out - either as finished quilts or donations. Congratulations on moving yours along.
ReplyDeleteI think the black sashing looks great -- it gives the reproduction colours a nice glow. It sounds like 1857 is on a roll now. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteYou are a good loving Grandmother. The applique is looking lovely. The odd angles make challenges! Blessings.
ReplyDeleteYes these computers take up alot of our quilting/stitching time. A necessary evil I suppose in order to stay in contact with other quilters.
ReplyDeleteThat is wonderful applique work! I like your black sashing on your Austin coverlet. Visiting from Slow Sunday Stitching.
ReplyDeleteWow your courageous for working with the bias diamonds So much work in each applique block but they are so worth it!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it odd how some projects just end up in the UFO closet?!? LOL
ReplyDeleteHope you finish the lovely reproduction diamonds!
Enjoy your slow stitching today :)
I think you should finish the Austen coverlet. I really like the black sashing and it is so pretty. I have never gotten a deep muscle massage, but that sounds really good right now.
ReplyDeleteNever did the diamonds...they look wonderful as well as your perfect circle block.
ReplyDeleteWow, those diamonds are beauties but look so hard to line up...that would be hard for me as I am not accurate in cutting. Just love your projects and your curves are immaculate. I too help out with babysitting grandchildren though it is dwindling now they are getting older. Happy stitching!
ReplyDeleteLove your shades of Pemberley quilt, very pretty!
ReplyDeleteI think the black sashing idea was inspired. You have interesting projects in the make. =)
ReplyDeleteHi Chris,
ReplyDeleteI'm still chuckling about the class being a mere 10 years ago, and how clever you were going to be using white instead of black. Now you can get back to you time since the little have gone home. They are so fun to have and enjoy, but also fun to send home to visit another day. ~smile~ Roseanne
I'm pretty ashamed to say that I've only finished 3 of my 17 projects that I chose for the challenge.
ReplyDeleteSome of them only need just a little more time to finish too, yet I just can't seem to pull them out and just get them done!
I have only completed 4 on the list and they were all pretty far along. There are a few I have no intention of doing any more work on this year. However, I have had a wonderful time pulling out and revisiting some of the projects and taking pictures and writing posts about them. I guess the initial goal was to revisit and add a few stitches and if a completion happened than that is a bonus. I have to have a deadline to complete things. Self imposed deadlines do not work for me because I can just change them anytime I want.
Deleteoooo - That Pemberly quilt is going to be NEAT! I'm about to start cutting into Thanksgiving type fabrics to make a sofa quilt with that same type of diamond. No central medallion, though, and they're much larger diamonds, so I actually have good hopes of finishing the whole thing before Thanksgiving. . .
ReplyDeleteLove that quilt with black sashing, as it really sets off the fabrics and the angles. Do keep at it (don't let it go another 10 years!), as I want to see the finish!
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