Stars and Butterfly Quilt - Part 1

Hello everyone,

I missed posting last week but I was just so busy with work and family stuff and kept putting it off, but I have been getting some sewing done despite having an inferior machine to work with.

I actually started this quilt before my machine broke but was able to keep piecing on the stand in.

It started with this block, taken from Carol Doak's book Simply Sensational Stars.  Have to say it is an excellent book especially if you like foundation piecing.

Mine was a gift from a quilter friend - thank you Irene!

I made 4 of these blocks and set them on point around a center block with a butterfly.

I love this blue fabric with the big flowers on it and I didn't want to cut it too small so it was perfect for the setting triangles.

I don't know about mixing batik and non batik fabrics in a quilt, but I'm doing it anyway.  This is a gorgeous rainbow stripe batik.

Next up I added a border which was also foundation pieced.

                                                     
                                                            Close up of the border.

It's getting bigger and look at all that space for the applique!

More foundation pieced blocks joined to gether to make the next border that will frame the applique.

.... and this is the story so far. 

I am still waiting for my machine to be repaired and returned to me so I am hanging off doing the applique. I love how this quilt is progressing - it looks just like the picture in my head.  I did do a small sketch of how I wanted it to look but forgot to take a photo. Next time.

Before I go I'll just share my good news.  DH has bought me a new machine (from a different dealer). I've opted for the Janome 1600P.

It's being delivered on monday and I cannot wait!
Enjoy your weekend.
Rhianon.

Work in Progress - Butterfly Quilt

                                                               Hello there.

                        I've had a busy week trying to make some headway with this quilt.  I've never done so much machine applique and found it to be quite time consuming.

                       Last time you saw this, I had all the pieces cut out but nothing sewn down.

                                      Now I have everything where it should be......

                               For the sunflowers I used  variagated thread.

                          Next up .... time to add a bit of detail to the butterflies.

                                              I am really looking forward to quilting this.

Then I added the churn dash blocks around the edge..........

followed by another border of the gorgeous turquoise batik fabric.

I'm looking forward to a full day in my sewing room working on the next round of blocks.  I think it would make a great wall hanging just left as it is right now but this one is to be a bed quilt. 

Next post I hope to have the top completed and be ready for quilting.

See you all next time.

Rhianon.

Butterflies and Sunflowers - The Beginnings of a New Quilt.

Hi there.
I hope you've all had a productive week.  I don't have a finish for today because I have started  a major project.............

I have been commissioned to make this quilt - key words are blues, greens, butterflies, sunflowers with possibly a rainbow effect.
This is how it is going so far.

A friend of mine (thank you Irene !)  hand dyed the center fabric - I didn't want to use cream or white as I thought it would be too stark.   I made up some churn dash blocks and already it is taking shape.

I made templates for my butterflies and cut them out of fabric that had vilene(stabiliser) ironed on the back.

Next up - placement of the sunflowers.......

Now I am ready for the next stage, which is sewing down all the shapes.

I am very happy with how it is looking so far.  I have quite a bit to go before it will be the right size for a double bed.
Must say I am really enjoying working on this and I'm really looking forward to quilting it.
More updates on this quilts progress to follow.
Now I am off to spend the whole day in my sewing room - bliss!
See you all next time.
Rhianon.