Marmite

We have been away for a week, and believe it or not, I didn't pick up a needle or visit a quilt shop!  (We went to Scotland, and I did get some fabric heaven in several Glasgow museums and the Beamish outdoor museum, but that's all!). I usually take hand sewing, but I think the break re-energised me, because since we came back on Tuesday, I've been sewing, sewing, and all on my new Dresden circles quilt. 

Here is my progress so far.  I have decided to fill in the setting triangles with more of the design, although I have a feeling it won't be to everyone's choice.  Still, as it's my quilt, it's to my choice!  I love the way some extra, large circles are emerging, can you see them?  I may even make it bigger.  Maybe. 

It certainly eats strings, but as I have boxes of them saved up, that suits me fine!  

Possibilities.

It's far too soon to think about setting arrangements for my Dresden rings, but I couldn't resist trying a few out.  

I generally prefer arrangements without sashing, as I love secondary patterns, and think the blocks sometimes look like they're imprisoned when sashed.  This setting looks better in the photo than on the wall - I think it needs to be viewed from a distance.  I like the way the setting squares are alternately straight and on point. 

Do they look better with (imaginary) sashing?  They look OK.  It allows them a little breathing space and for their individual personalities to show. 

On point is always good too.  With imaginary sashing, 

or without any sashing.  I'll have to make more before I decide, but it's always fun to play! 

 

Being good.

I am known for never letting a UFO stop me starting a new project, but just recently I've been good.  Well, not that good, but at least I finished off the 2.5" scrap heart before I started something inspired by my new book.  

Obviously the 2.5" is above, and the 2" below.  The bigger one will finish at 30" so with a couple of borders will make a great baby/ Linus quilt.  So, conscience salved, I plunged into something new. 

The quilt on the right intrigued me.  There's a hint of a double wedding ring in there, or squared off Dresden Plates.  So I dug through my strings and got sewing.  I made 4.5" string squares, then made a corner section in a fan shape. I used some leftover HSTs as bases. 

I cut the corners off and then just stitched and flipped to cover the shape.  I love using up orphans!  Here are the results so far. 

Two versions.  I wanted the blocks to look as if they were circular, and think the one on the right looks better, as the yellow corners are smaller and fool the eye into (maybe) joining the dots and making an oval, whereas the bigger corners look very straight.  A bit of unpicking, and that makes two blocks.  I've no idea how I'll set them, but that decision is for another day! 

Books

I am a sucker for books.  I love books, and always say, there's worse things to spend your money on than books!  I already have a few quilt books (sound effect of husband snorting in derision) but am happy to have more .  So when Kathy Doughty over at Material Obsession recommended 'Unconvential and Unexpected' by Roderick Kiracoff, I couldn't resist. 

Here it is, and the cover gives you a flavour of the kinds of quilts inside.  If you love quilts which are joyful, maverick and unpretentious, you will love this book.  Lots of them are of no known pattern, and plenty are string quilts.  This book will be one I come back to time after time.  

Still making cuddles for babies

I'm still beavering away on the baby quilts.  No babies have appeared yet, so I'm ahead of the game! This is my collection of Tula Pink blocks which came from my challenge group last year.  I deliberately made them using some novelty fabrics, as I thought they'd be destined for Project Linus, but they got diverted. 

I enjoyed making the blocks, and I think they look good with this offset sashing.  (Maybe the bright turquoise one in the middle should have been left out.  It sticks out rather.  Too late now!)

It's been quilted, and now is waiting for the binding.  Not sure whether to go with the same royal blue or navy.  I'll audition both and see later. 

On Saturday I went to Rocheberie Schoolhouse Quilters where Nik was demonstrating this gorgeous heart from Ani Catt www.anicatt.co.uk.  It is simply squares joined into 25s and then a ninepatch, and can be made in any size.  Nik had one with 1.5" squares, one with 2", 2.5" and 3".  This one is from my 2" box, and I'm really pleased with it.  One made with 2.5" squares would make a reasonably sized baby quilt.  Now that's a thought!