06 September 2015

It's dangerous to loiter in Liberty...

A few weeks ago my husband was in London for a seminar, so I arranged to meet him afterwards for dinner. I decided to go up to town early as I had a voucher for one of my favourite shops - Liberty on Regent Street. I had intended to buy some new curtain fabric, but I couldn't see anything suitable so I thought I would just have a look in the haberdashery section as I still had time to kill. It is a very dangerous place! My voucher was about to expire so I decided it would be silly to waste it (!) want to see what's in the bag?
I bought two of their patchwork bundles and a couple of half metres of Tana Lawn isn't this one fun?
I had a couple of pieces in my stash
The fabrics are quite cool,
I found some more pieces in my stash that might play nicely too
I had no idea what I was going to do with the fabrics, but on the train home I hatched a plan and by the time we were home I had decided. I wanted to make a Liberty version of the passacaglia quilt
The pattern is in the Millefiori book published by Quiltmania.
I cut out the pieces for the first rosette and started stitching, I then decided I didn't want to make this quilt after all! The pieces are very small which isn't a problem, but you can''t really appreciate the lovely Liberty Tana Lawns when they are cut so small and I don't think such a graphic design suits such lovely florals. I also don't want to make the same quilt as everyone else... So back to the drawing board...

While I am hand quilting the Welsh Quilt I think about future projects and all sorts of things - hand quilting time is also good thinking time!
I have made several hexagon and grandmothers flower garden quilts over the years, but never the Martha Washington design (the one with a hexagon/triangle path connecting the rosettes)

That was a possibility, but I have also wanted to make this quilt for several years it's by Sandy Kop in the book American Jane 'Quilts for all Seasons'

Cue lightbulb moment! maybe I could combine the two? Lots of planning and working out and I think it might work - I have ordered a couple of FQ's of pinks and warmer colours to mix in with the others.

My sewing room is no longer neat and tidy - told you it wouldn't last!
I have cut out the pieces for the first couple of rosettes...

I think I like it, they are quite cool, but the yellows from my scrap bin help and I will mix some in pinks/reds too when my new fabric arrives I might use the grey/blacks in the Dancing Ladies border or save them for another project - not sure yet.

I know lots of people English Paper Piece this pattern, but I am not a huge fan of this method, I find it very slow. If you cut the pieces accurately (I love Marti Michell templates for rotary cutting) you can hand piece them really quickly - I just eyeball the seam allowance.

I posted a tutorial on my method a few months ago it's here if you want to see how I do things.
http://emilyscupboard.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/hand-piecing-tutorial.html


I am linking up this week to Freshly Pieced ; Esther ; Sew Fresh Quilts ; Mrs Sew and Sow

12 comments:

  1. Love your hexies... and your plan! Looking forward to your progress!

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  2. This sounds very interesting - and I love the Liberty fabrics you have used. The soft mauves together with green and lemon - beautiful. They are wonderful to work with aren't they?

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  3. I have always thought it would be nice to shop where you had a chance to purchase Liberty fabrics. They were really very popular several years ago. I am sure they still are in some areas but I never see them in shops any more.

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  4. I love the feel of Tana lawn and hand piecing is so portable and sociable. Have fun

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  5. Yes, indeed, a very dangerous place. My husband makes whimpering noises when I go!

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  6. Anonymous9/9/15 11:03

    Even though it was dangerous, I am sure you enjoyed yourself. LOL
    Sandra

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  7. I agree with you on EPP, I can't stand it but so many love it. I think hand piecing goes faster. The quilts are lovely and look forward to seeing what you do with them.

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  8. This will be such a pretty quilt.

    I do EPP but I don't baste...I use starch and iron the way that I do for applique. I am just making separate ones for blocks and borders and such...I think I am going to try your way because the whipstitching takes so long!! : )

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  9. This will be such a pretty quilt.

    I do EPP but I don't baste...I use starch and iron the way that I do for applique. I am just making separate ones for blocks and borders and such...I think I am going to try your way because the whipstitching takes so long!! : )

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  10. I went to Liberty when we were in London in June -- what heaven! Love the fabric you bought -- I'm still trying to decide how best to show off my Liberty Tana Lawn collection! I like your choice!

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  11. Hi Elaine thanks for sharing your journey on this new quilt to be, it is fun seeing the evolving of another quilters design of yours. I love those wee ladies and do hope they stay in the quilt LOL I'm thinking of the fun you will have dressing each one in lovely fabrics and may be pieces of lace. Cheers Glenda

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  12. What a great shopping trip! I love how your idea evolved to suit the fabrics too. You really do have a good eye for colour.

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