New Design

Well, I've been playing around with this for a while, and finally decided to take the plunge. I switched to a new blog template. It feels lighter and more open than the old one. I'm still tweaking it, it HAS to have purple somewhere, but I really like it so far.







I have a couple of Morrell blocks done. I think the Broderie Perse one turned out good, but I think I want to do a smaller buttonhole. I'll try it on the next block and see if I want to do this one over. I don't want it to look overworked, though, so I'll see which I like best.

I also prepped three more blocks. I'm really liking the Broderie blocks. I find intricate handwork so relaxing, and I need all of that I can get! I know some people have done some of the blocks needleturn. While I love doing needleturn, right now I'm thinking I'll do them all buttonhole. I was sceptical at first, but I really like the look.

I also decided to toss out most of the Civil War fabrics I collected, and use some earlier fabrics, more appropriate for the early 1840's when the quilt was made. It meant starting over, but I think I have what I need, for now anyway.


My plan to dive into that Strawberry Garden block hit a snag when I opened it up and realized I had two of one of the pages, and none of the other one. Oops! They are sending me the other pattern page, so while I'm waiting, I also did another Crimson Tweed block. I really like this one. The backings are all some shade of gray, and this one is a hand-dyed smoky color that almost looks blue.




Now to get caught up with those Lisa's Garden blocks! I'm only about 5 weeks behind. My second thread set for the wool blocks is on it's way, though, so it won't be long now.

Threadbear Package Arrives!

My package from Threadbear arrived from Australia this week! It arrived along with several packages of fabrics I had tracked down, after getting the heads up on what to look for from my friend Janet. My mail lady could hardly climb the stairs, her bag was so laden down with fabrics. I saved opening the Threadbear package till last, knowing it would be the best, and I wasn't disappointed. I got the Ann Daggs pattern, Ann's Legacy, along with the fabric starter pack, and the background fabric.

They were sold out of the border fabric, but provided me with the name of the line, and I was able to track that down here in the States. While I was at it, I ordered another fabric, from Judy Roche, that I thought looked similar to the original quilt's border. I'll audition them both, but I think the Roche is too light.

And then, the pattern I have wanted since I first saw a picture of it that someone had taken at a show where it was displayed, Di Ford's Morrell quilt! I printed that picture out, and it's been laying here next to my computer ever since. There's so much to the pattern, I feel very intimidated, but I'll just concentrate on one block at a time, and try not to feel overwhelmed. Notice the bottles of Little House pins in the top right corner. These are my favorite pins, and have been impossible to find here for several years. I was thrilled to find them on Threadbear's website.

I found two of the Sophia Pearce fabrics that Di used in her quilt, and also the Austen Manor peacock fabric.

Next are some of the In the Time of Toile fabrics, by Froncie Quinn. Several more are on the way! I just love these fabrics, and had coveted them for a while. Now that I have the perfect project for them, I had an excuse to splurge.

Also arriving this week were week 3 of the Primitive Gatherings Block of the Week, and another Sue Spargo Crimson Tweed block. Good thing I'm on vacation for the next two weeks.

Sue Spargo's Crimson Tweed

I usually stick with reproduction fabrics and quilts, and more primitive stitcheries, but I just can't pass up Sue Spargo's annual BOM. I have been with her from the beginning, and am on my sixth one. Here is this year's quilt, called Crimson Tweed, a Christmas one on frost grey background fabrics. A couple of the blocks need additional embellishments, but these are the first three, with the fourth on the way. In additional to wool, Sue uses hand-dyed silks and velvets, linen, cotton, and lots of buttons and different fibers, including rick-rack and ribbons. She makes up each month's block as we go along, and her sister Wendy dyes the wools needed for that months block. Each month is a surprise, but I have never been disappointed.



Here is last year's quilt, called Silk Road. Of course, with the purple background, this was one there was no way I was going to pass up! It needs another border yet, but I couldn't wait to start the next one. :) Besides, it requires using the sewing machine, and, as those who know me know, I'm sewing machine challenged.



I have made many of Sue's other patterns, including pin cushions, sewing caddies, and purses. She sells wonderful Genziana wool threads, made to coordinate with her wools, and Tre Stelle cotton threads, which seem even finer than 60w, a dream to sew with. She teaches locally at Smith-Owen Sewing Center every year, and is already booked up to 2012!