Sunday, February 21, 2010

Why is Quilting and Patchwork so Popular?



Why is Quilting and Patchwork so popular?

In today's fast paced society it seems that more and more woman are turning towards quilting and patchwork as their hobby of preference. You have only to visit your local newsagents to realize this current trends The shelves are over flowing with magazines showcasing lovely quilting and patchwork projects to tempt us. So what is it about this hobby that has stood the test of time. Why are we gaining so much pleasure form cutting up bits of fabric and then sewing them back together again?



I think the reasons are many.

For some quilting and patchwork is an escape form the hussle and bussle of everyday life. A chance to do something enjoyable that is both relaxing and rewarding.

For others quilting and patchwork satisfies a create urge. A means to get the creative juices flowing. An opportunity to play with amazing colors, textures and patterns to make wonderful things.

Perhaps for many quilting and patchwork fill in the hours and provide woman with a common bond, an excuse to gather with others. To chat and to share ideas, projects and a little bit about their lives.



Whatever the reason quilting and patchwork will always remain an important part of my life. My home will always be filled with bundles of fabrics, half finished projects, inspirational quilting and patchwork books, and family members snuggling under their quilts.
And that's just the way I like it!

Until next time happy quilting and patchworking
Warmly Lenna
www.stitchingcow.com

Monday, February 15, 2010

William Morris Quilt Inspiration


I've rediscovered a book about William Morris that has given me some quilt inspiration.

Last weekend I decided that the time had come to clean out my pantry. So you can appreciate the magnitude of this decision, you need to know that my pantry is not an ordinary pantry full of food.

Half my walk in pantry is used for storing bolts of fabric, my book collection, many magazines, trims, jars of buttons etc etc. Although this may seem strange it has always worked well for me, my two favourite things food and fabric side by side.

The trouble was that the shelves were bulging and over flowing and I was beginning to spend too much of my time trying to find things.
After reading an article about clutter I was prompted to take action.

The upside of this decision and my many hours of sorting was that I rediscovered some beautiful books, some of which I had forgotten I owned.

One was this beautiful book by Michele Hill.



I managed to spend the next hour swooning over the pages admiring each and every photo. Michele has designed some wonderful quilts and smaller sewing projects based on the amazing designs of William Morris.

The book is a visual feast and is also very informative giving an insight into the life of William Morris who was a weaver, illuminator, typographer, and designer of stained glass, tiles, furniture and carpets. Over 100 years on and his designs are still continuing to delight and inspire.

 

  

  

  

There is something wonderful about both the patterns and color of William  Morris designs.

I was lucky enough to find a William Morris calendar and have taken some snippets from it for you.

  

  

  

 


You can see why William Morris designs are popular inspiration for appliqued quilts. I must get my sketch book out and start a new quilt design.

You can read more about William Morris and be inspired by Michele's quilts and other projects by clicking on the link here:


Until next time, enjoy!
Warmly Lenna

Monday, February 8, 2010

Kids Quilts - a heartfelt story


Recently I came across this snippet about kids quilts, and Fiona (the author) agreed that I could share it with you.

"My Great Grandmother, whom I called Nan Sax, made each of her 31 great grandchildren their own kids quilt.

Nan Sax has been gone for over twenty years now, but the quilt she made for me is my treasured childhood possession, it is something tangible, that reminds me of the time I spent with her and it symbolises the love she showed, not only to me but to all of her family.

Growing up, Nan Sax was a perpetual traveller, she spent her time visiting relatives and I always looked forward to her visits.  Sometimes she would stay for a week, other times a month.  Her way of helping our mother was to peel the vegies every night for dinner, make pumpkin scones for afternoon tea and to have her latest kids quilt project out on the kitchen table ensuring none of her posterity missed out.

Dinner time would be spent with meals on laps in front of Television while Nan Sax cut, stitched or pieced together her prize.

Looking at my quilt now, I feel that I can see her personality in it, the colour choice, the block style, the way she stitched the binding.  All these things characterize my Great Grandmother, her individual worth I feel is now preserved, ready to share with my family.

My children, never had the opportunity to meet Nan Sax but I hope they see her personality and feel her love in the kids quilt that she made for me."

Reading this makes me realize how valuable quilt making is. As I see my own kids snuggle up under their quilts of an evening I am glad that I found the time to make them each a quilt. I know they will always have fond memories of it as part of their childhood.

It is my hope that there are many more "Grandmother Sax's" spreading their quilting love to others, because I know their efforts will be long remembered and treasured for years to come.

Click here for a peek at a special kids quilt to make.

Warmly Lenna
www.stitchingcow.com

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Redwork Embroidery


Be inspired by this special presentation on Redwork embroidery.
Want more embroidery inspiration visit http://www.stitchingcow.com

Monday, February 1, 2010

English Paper Piecing - my quilt in the pantry


English paper piecing is one of my favourite quilt making techniques. I guess it's because I enjoy hand work so much. I've been playing around with some new fabrics I bought recently and decided to incorporate a hexagonal flower design into a new needle case pattern that I am working on.


The process reminded me of the half finished quilt that I have tucked away in my pantry, which I am sure you think is a strange place to hide my quilt. Luckily for me my pantry is very big and therefore also doubles for some of my sewing storage. I think it is a happy arrangement and works quite well, two of my favourites side by side...food and fabric!

Although I know hubby finds the arrangement a lot less amusing.

The hexagonal flowers were pieced together using a traditional English paper piecing technique. They were the perfect thing to keep my hands busy at Miss 9's dancing lessons one winter. I used a 5" charm pack which was ideal.
















The flowers came together very quickly and I decided to hand applique them onto cream background squares. Eager for more hand sewing I even hand pieced the squares together.Then all of a sudden all systems stopped.

I hesitated fearing I had made  a poor decision. Maybe it would have been better to keep on adding cream background hexagons for the background as shown in the quilt below.




















It's put together like this;


















And so it remains in the dark corners of my pantry wondering when it will ever see the light of day again.

But that's not the worst of it, the other night whilst itching to start a new project my hands picked up a jelly roll and some small hexagons. My scissors were poised to start cutting in when my Miss 9 questioned what I was doing. As I heard myself tell her, scissors in mid air, I stopped and felt sorry for the half finished quilt in the pantry. Guilt set in and I slowly put the scissors down. The jelly roll remained in tact.

Here is my half finished quilt.

I really must find the enthusiasm to keep going. I have rows of hexagons joined together which I think I will applique in place around the border. I'll keep you posted on my progress.












In the mean time if you would like to try your hand at English paper piecing you can find more information by clicking on the link.

Warmly Lenna

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